The Dream Coat

Today, a slight diversion from weddings and all things bridal to swoon after this creamy nude coat from Zara.

T.A x

Q&A with: Beulah London

Choosing a beautiful outfit for a wedding can be a difficult task, we spoke to Natasha Rufus Isaacs, co-founder of beautiful British-born silk label Beulah London about what to wear to a wedding as a guest, bridesmaid and mother of the bride. 

Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs

In 2009 Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan spent time in Delhi volunteering for an organisation that helped women who had escaped the sex trade. Many of these women were from the suburbs or villages and had been promised work or a better life. Inspired by the charity's work, they decided to start a company that would provide such women with an income and skills as well as raise awareness of the issue. Despite no formal fashion training the girls decided to found an ethical fashion company, and in 2011 Beulah London was born. 

You can find out a bit more about the brand here.

What was the reason behind starting your gorgeous label, Beulah? 

To produce beautiful clothes that are effortlessly glamorous and made in the finest silks. Our motivation to set up the business is to help provide women who have been trafficked or are vulnerable with an alternative, sustainable livelihood.

Who tends to be your customer?

She's a young, ambitious professional who loves to look her best and has a conscience about how her clothes are made.

Beulah Seraphina

What has been the most exciting moment for Beulah to date?

It has to be being given a commendation by the UN as a business in dedication to combatting human trafficking in 2010 and 2013.

What kind of dress style do you think suits most bridesmaids? Have you noticed any trends recently? 

A-line, floaty and flattering style that suits all figures and shapes. Our Sarai style is the most popular, it is floor length and has sheer sleeves with small buttons down the middle. It's classical, elegant, in fact, my bridesmaids wore the same style to my own wedding!

Kate Middleton wearing the Beulah Sarai dress

What would suggest as a stylish and contemporary outfit for a mother of the bride?

Our Sabitri dress is beautiful for mother of the brides - as it is covered, but very flattering and cinches in at the waist. Otherwise I would suggest a light silk shift dress with a knee length jacket to go over the top. 

Beulah Sabitri

What are your ultimate dos and don'ts for guests when deciding what to wear to a wedding?

Don't wear white, never wear backless in the church (always wear a jacket with it) and do not opt for anything too short! 

For summer weddings I suggest our floaty silk dresses which are easy to wear and transition well from day to evening.

Beulah Porcelain

Thanks for speaking with us, Natasha. 

T.A x

Wedding Dresses: Laure de Sagazan

This blog makes no effort to hide my love of everything French. From destinations to interiors, style to language, I am a Francophile through and through, which is why I was so excited to come across this amazing French bridal designer Laure de Sagazan. 

Stocked at The Mews Notting Hill, which I am soon to visit, Laure de Sagazan gives vintage-style French lace a contemporary update for the modern bride, with certain pieces that can be worn as separates later down the line. 

Not to mention the atmospheric, inspiring imagery...

www.lauredesagazan.fr

Follow Laure de Sagazan on Facebook.

Bridal Accessories

I have started a search for beautiful bridal accessories for my wedding and have so far come across a beautiful mix of hairbands, clips and jewellery - always classic silver and white with a vintage, romantic twist. I love 1920s deco but also am drawn to more floral boho-inspired pieces too.

My favourite plaes to browse are Net-a-Porter, Matches, Shopbop and, for more affordable options, Nowseen.

1. Jenny Packham Onda Headband 

2. Jennifer Behr Hair Clip

3. Anna Rivka Hair Clip

4. Nowseen Diamond Trophy Ring

5. Dolce & Gabbana Headband

#bridalaccessories

Wedding dresses: Rubicon

I adore these beautiful shots of NY-based wedding dress brand Rubicon. Named after a narrow river in north east Italy, where it is believed Julius Caesar led his troops beginning his invasion of Rome in 49 BC. For the founder Lee Anne Grove, crossing the Rubicon signifies committing to one's decisions to the point of no return. What a bold and powerful sentiment… 

"Femininity is the starting point for everything I create. The modern woman is so undefined. I love the challenge of translating that spirit into something tangible." - Lee Anne Grove

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook

#rubiconweddings

Cabbages & Roses - new flagship store

On Wednesday evening, I attended the launch party for Cabbages & Roses' new flagship store at 121-123 Sydney Street in Chelsea, SW3.

If French country chic with a touch of British eccentricity is your style then you will love the new Cabbages & Roses shop.

The home and fashion shop is joined by an interconnecting door and the shops back onto The Chelsea Gardener and Bumpkin, with a gorgeous garden at the back. 

As well as homewares, Cabbages & Roses has a gorgeous range of fabrics in soft paisleys, florals, stripes and diagonals.

The bath salts and candles are my favourite, all in beautiful white French chemist style packaging. 

The fashion shop has a range of gorgeous Breton tees, slouchy knitwear, smart tailoring and tweeds for the colder months - all in a perfect palette of pretty pastels, rich navy, crisp white and stormy greys.

Also on offer in the fashion store are products from gorgeous handmade Swedish bath and beauty brand L:a Bruket and shoe polish from British leather shoe brand Grenson.

The shop opening coincides with the launch of Christina Strutt's new book, Living Life Beautifully, available to buy on Amazon. I thoroughly recommend it. 

Follow Cabbages and Roses on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

Petit Bateau goes East

Petit Bateau 'comes of age' with the opening of their first ever adult fashion pop up for men and women in London's Shoreditch. 

From 14th February, East Londoners will be able to shop the new Petit Bateau spring summer 14 collection on their doorstep, at the pop up on 64 Charlotte Road.

To celebrate their 120th anniversary, last year Petit Bateau collaborated with Parisian music and fashion house Maison Kitsuné. Gildas and Masaya came on board to take the adult clothing collections in a new direction - bringing their fresh, 'pop', chic take on everyday clothing.

The pop up shop has been co-designed with London landscape practice, Wayward Plants, also known for Southwark's Urban Physic Garden, who have created a jungle themed space that is lit overnight to encourage photosynthesis. Visitors to the pop up will be invited to 'adopt' a plant when the pop up closes. 

The Petit Bateau pop up shop opens on Friday 14th February and will stay open until Thursday 13th March. 

 #petitbateaueast

It's that time again...

As New York Fashion Week looms, The Anglaise. takes a look at the best looks from previous years... 

Focus: Re-launch of my favourite blog...Wearing It Today

So, I have been following Laura Fantacci's blog Wearing it Today [or more often known as WIT] for some time now...it's really inspiring and caters for every woman.

Laura updates the blog regularly with amazing style tips, finds and inspiration and links to her Instagram where she often snaps her gorgeous little girl, Greta Zita. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @witblog.

INSTAGRAM

See here, here and here for other pieces I wrote about Laura and her blog. 

Label love: YOLKE

I first spotted YOLKE on Ella, La Petite Anglaise's blog - and fell for them straight away. 

A magical combination of faded neons [my favourite] and sumptuous silks, the founders Anna and Ella have conjured up a beautiful blend of fashion and homewares. 

The simplicity of YOLKE pieces means you can throw orange with orange and look more Stella than like a giant fruit. 

Teamed with a pair of Wang inspired silver heels, you can give the allure that you have just stepped off the pages of Vanessa Jackman's style blog or Miroslava Duma on the streets of Milan. 

What I love most about YOLKE is that it's uncomplicated.

Easy pieces that won't compromise my existing wardrobe make their pieces must-haves. And I simply MUST have one of their Herring throws - in Graphite preferably to contrast with the YOLKE neon eye mask.