We ladies all know that accessories can make an outfit, and this fact is especially true on your wedding day. I have often shared on these pages that much as I adored my Jenny Packham wedding dress, it was actually the addition of my accessories that made me feel like a bride and reduced me to tears. Which is why I await each season’s new bridal accessories collections as eagerly as I do the latest wedding dresses. And I can honestly say there is no collection I look forward to more than that of Erica Elizabeth Designs – I am confident you will understand why after seeing her 2015 offering, the English Rose Collection…..

I have long loved Erica Elizabeth Designs, not only for the uniquely vintage inspired bridal accessories she creates but also for her exquisite promotional imagery (you can see her past collections here and here – and they are well worth a look for they are truly breathtaking and she still sells many of the most popular pieces!) I am always completely enchanted with the styling and photography by Caroline Tran, whose sensitive eye captures the romantic and elegant essence of Erica’s collections so perfectly. Never has this been more the case than with her 2015 collection, in which Erica has focused on recreating the luxury of a gorgeous blooming English rose, fashioning its Olde World appeal into a rich repertoire of timeless vintage-inspired accessories for today’s modern bride.

“I was captivated anew by the seduction and mystery of the English rose while launching a venture into the world of scent. As with my fragrance, each new headpiece stems from this floral inspiration, with this signature flower adorning crowns, halos, circlets and bandeaus. My wish is that these creations will not only be cherished on the wedding day, but also treasured as keepsakes through love’s long journey.”

Knowing how much you adore a Flower Crown I am sure many of you will be pleased to hear its a trend that will be continuing well into 2015, and Erica has included some of the most wonderfully whimsical and romantic silk flower crowns you will ever see in her English Rose Collection – all hand dyed and hand made in her LA studio. “The art of flower making has origins that reach back through the centuries, when European artisans crafted sumptuous silk roses, custom constructed of silk and hand wrapped with wire. The time and craftsmanship involved eventually sent the process the way of mass production, but without the same stunning result.”

It’s not just the art of flower making that Erica has mastered with this collection “I’ve also embraced the artisanal art of metal fabrication, seen in many of my 2015 collection’s bridal crowns and tiaras. This intense, time-consuming art, while so different from working with the softest of silks, follows the same deep roots of inspiration.  My love of nature infuses each design of winding enamel leaves, hand detailed and finished with spots of pearl and rhinestone that sparkle and gleam with the play of light.”

I love how you can see Erica’s passion for perfection and keen eye for detail in every single one of her pieces, don’t you? Each one is so feminine and delicate, true heirloom quality pieces that your daughters and granddaughters are sure to love as much as you do.

With so many of Erica’s brides deciding on a veil for their wedding day, she has recently written a wonderfully helpful page for her website on choosing your veil – it is a must read for any bride overwhelmed by the vast veil options available.

“It has always been a vision of mine to create an informative page on my website to help brides understand the many choices available when choosing their veil. So much thought goes into deciding what gown to wear so when it comes to choosing the veil, it is important that the veil is in proportion to the gown & the bride’s personality.”

And it is so easy to see why this page was needed when you see the veils in her latest collection. It is nearly impossible not to fall in love with each and every one…..

Aren’t they lovely?? Much as they make me wish I had worn a veil (after all your wedding is your only chance to wear one!) I just can’t stop looking at, and drooling over a little, the Cameo & Crystal Crown!

I love this collection so much, for it epitomises everything we love here at Chic Vintage Brides: timeless elegance, old world romance and modern gorgeousness. Thank-you so much Erica for allowing me to share it! You can see more of the English Rose Collection on Erica’s website at www.ericaelizabeth.com – as well as the perfume that inspired it all! You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date on all her latest news and collections.

Amy

x

Photography ~ Caroline Tran

Wedding Dresses ~ Sara Janks & Jenny Yoo

Hair & Makeup ~ Theresa Huang

Bridal Shoes ~ Hey Lady Shoes