An exquisite break from convention: Jessica Charleston & Klaire Van Elton

Hey!

Today Im absolutely delighted to bring to you two of my favourite new designers in the wedding industry - well, thats new to me, and I do feel as though I’ve uncovered some real treasure here. Jessica Charleston brings her stunning bespoke collection to life with accessories by the so talented and uniquely inspiring Klaire Van Elton. Together they show us how small details within a design really can be the most wonderful, intricate and quite beautiful thing alone, but knowing the story, inspiration and history behind them really puts them into a different space for us. We do love a story! Together Jessica and Klaire show us a shining example of what we’re all about at Chosen - individual style with a vintage twist. Breathtaking.

“When I first saw Klaire Van Elton’s accessories I knew I just had to have them in my shop and I’m so delighted to be her Bath stockist. The ingenious origami pieces complement my Japanese inspired dresses perfectly and the delicate pearl, lace and floral filigree pieces work beautifully with the more romantic dresses from my ‘Fleurs Sauvages’ and ‘Myth & Muse’ collections.”

Prior to Klaire Van Elton Bridal Adornments, Klaire launched Paper-Me-Happy in 2011 supplying brides with alternative wedding flowers and decorations. Her designs have been featured in Brides Magazine, Perfect Wedding, Wedding Ideas and on a variety of high-profile wedding blogs as well as being nominated as Best Bridal Industry Newcomer 2012 by Bridal Magazine.

The Klaire Van Elton 2014 collection is an eclectic & elegant suite of contemporary bridal adornments, handmade with a commitment of time and a profound admiration for beautiful laces, beads and findings. Crystals, pearls and gemstones are all used to embellish my designs creating both original and intricate accessories with exquisite attention to detail. Klaire tells us she feel “so fortunate to be able to combine my love of contempory wedding style and experience in accessory design.” We think we’re the fortunate ones as her attention and dedication to detail really shines through. Klaire also tells us that the collection appeals to “whimsical vintage-loving brides who are happy to break with convention and style their day their way.” - Sounds like its made for us then! Perfect.

The necklaces are by Nickie Portman a Bath based accessories designer. This is her first bridal collection which uses freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones on silk thread and silver wire to create beautifully delicate necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Photography: Andrea Pennington. Hair accessories: Klaire Van Elton. Necklaces: Nickie Portman

Hair: Jess Singer from No3 Hairdressing. Make up: Teresa Jolly and Katy Pheiffer

Models: Beth White, Sophie Andrews and Hayley J Lanyon. Dresses: Jessica Charleston

Inspired by Edwardian and Japanese style Jessica’s ‘Sokutatsu’ collection combines soft shaping with dynamic design - a definite dedicated nod to the beautifully feminine styles of Japan. Jessica tells us that in the late 1800s Japanese fashions were becoming increasingly influenced by European styles. As men began to adopt suits and hats the term ‘Sokuhatsu’ was coined to describe Europeans as sock and hat wearers. Even hairstyles were adapted, men started to cut their hair very short and women popularised a typical piled high Edwardian hairstyle which they also called Sokuhatsu.

The Sokuhatsu Collection comes from this cross-cultural borrowing in which elements of both traditional Japanese and Edwardian styles from ‘La Belle Epoque’ are combined to create something utterly contemporary in Bridal wear. Soft colours are inspired by Art Deco fashion illustrations. The dresses are named after origami figures translated into French so ‘Orchidee’ is orchid, ‘Libelule’ is dragonfly and ‘Nenuphar’ is waterlily.

“I have used luxurious silk fabrics such as satin organza which has a sculptural quality and a fabulous sheen, while French chiffon enables diaphanous drapery. I have also developed my own signature devoré by adapting a traditional Japanese paper cut design.”

Photography: Hattie Ellis. Make-up: Katy Pheiffer. Model: Sophie Choy

Jessica, Klaire if we were wearing caps we would doth them to you. We’re so in love with this work, you can see the time and patience taken to create each piece which makes it truly precious. These are the kind of pieces you expect a light to shine from as you open the packaging / wardrobe to view and we do recommend fully that you see them in person. xo

http://www.jessicacharleston.co.uk/

http://klairevanelton.com/