ao link

NEWS. COLLECTIONS. BUSINESS. EVENTS - straight to your inbox

By entering my email I agree to the Bridal Buyer Privacy Policy (we won’t share your data & you can unsubscribe at any time)

From Top to Toe: Find the Finishing Touch at Bridal Week Harrogate

With Bridal Week Harrogate just around the corner, we chatted with seven fabulous accessory brands to discover what inspires them most - and the top tips they have for boutiques picking out those all-important finishing touches.

Linked InFacebookTwitter
Halo & Co / LA PERLAEDit VeilsRainbow ClubRichard DesignsTwilight DesignsJoan LeeFreedom Bridal
Halo & Co / LA PERLAEDit VeilsRainbow ClubRichard DesignsTwilight DesignsJoan LeeFreedom Bridal

If you want to meet these brands in person and haven’t yet already claimed your complimentary ticket, you can do so here.

How did the brand first begin, and what inspired the focus on bridal accessories?

EDit Veils: EDit Veils was launched at Bridal Week in September 2023, marking a new chapter in the world of bridal accessories. After spending 15 years running my own boutique, I recognised an opportunity to step in when Elizabeth Dickens, a respected name in the industry, retired. Their UK handmade veils had always been an excellent addition to my business, consistently serving as a valuable add on sale that contributed to my retail success. I was determined to continue their legacy and keep the tradition of quality British-made veils alive.

Joan Lee: Joan Lee discovered, many years ago, that there was a gap in the bridal accessories market. Our cover-ups for brides, bridesmaids, mother of the bride and occasionwear make a wonderful finishing touch to any outfit.

Halo & Co: For over thirty years, we’ve been a proud family-run business, creating fashion and bridal accessories together. It’s more than just a job - it’s a true family affair. At various times, three generations have been part of the team, and we take great pride in doing what we love.

Nicola studied Fashion Design and Millinery at the renowned New York Fashion Institute of Art and Design. After graduating, she was fortunate to begin her career working with Karl Lagerfeld in New York. A few years later, she returned to the UK and joined the family business.

Stephanie trained in Jewellery Design and Manufacture in the historic Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. Together, their distinctive skill sets have helped set the brand apart. As one of the pioneers in introducing costume jewellery headpieces to the mainstream bridal market, the company continues its legacy of crafting exceptional British-made products.

Richard Designs: Richard Designs is a family-owned and run business, founded 40 years ago. In that time, we have grown to become the leading designer and manufacturer of bridal accessories in the UK, with stockists worldwide. Richard Designs was founded as a bridal florist but quickly expanded into headdresses and veils. As a company, we have always maintained our independence, which has allowed us to bring innovations to market and lead the way in setting the latest trends. We now design bridal, bridesmaid, and occasion wear dresses, all with coordinating accessories. Our bridal accessories are such an integral part of our business as they create unique and special looks for every bride. Personalised veils, sparkling headpieces, embellished sleeves, removable corsets, and petticoats are just a few of our bridal accessories that can be used to create the ultimate bridal look.

Twilight Designs: In 2011, Twilight Designs was born. The vision was created with every budget in mind, and began with the view to create something that was totally missing in the bridal industry: high quality bridal accessories that are competitively priced, with excellent levels of availability across a comprehensive collection. We strictly deal with bridal retailers and never with the public. This has been the goal from day one however we have started to build our brand recognition with brides therefore they can search for retailers via our website and we can point them in the right direction. Every business starts small however year on year we get stronger and bigger whether that be in stock terms (with our current full availability) or hiring more employees to help cater to our growing customer base.

Freedom Bridal: The journey began with God and a group of women in the UK who prayed and learned together about human trafficking for several years. This season culminated in a trip to Southeast Asia, where we learned about the need for employment as part of the solution for sustainable freedom. Of the 50 million enslaved around the world today, less than 1% have a way out. Among those, many are re-trafficked due to a lack of employment opportunities. This began the journey of starting a business that helps to employ survivors making accessories in 2011, and in 2018, we began to make bridal veils. We love the idea that your bridal veil can also change lives!

Rainbow Club: Rainbow Club is a family business with deep roots in shoemaking, spanning five generations of shoemakers and a second generation family business. Nearly 40 years ago, the brand was founded with a simple vision to create beautifully crafted bridal shoes that blend timeless style with all-day comfort. From the very beginning, we developed an exclusive natural ivory satin, specially designed to be hand-coloured using our unique dyeing process. This commitment to personalisation remains at the heart of our brand today, giving brides the freedom to express their individuality. Our dedication has always been to design the finest wedding shoes and accessories that make a bride feel complete on her special day confident in the knowledge she is stepping out in the very best.

Who or what is your biggest source of creative inspiration for your brand?

EDit Veils: My creative inspiration is largely fuelled by buying trips to Paris, where I carefully source all of our materials. Immersing myself in the architecture, style, and cuisine of French culture provides endless ideas and influences for new designs. Additionally, my extensive experience working with countless brides throughout my bridal career allows me to truly understand what goes on “behind the curtains” in a bridal boutique.

Halo & Co: Our creativity comes from all sorts of places and is constantly shifting and evolving. But truthfully, there’s nothing we love more than rummaging through a car boot sale, discovering vintage jewellery or old vases full of character. Our style can shift effortlessly—from modern minimalism to bold, extravagant maximalism—often in the same day. That versatility is what makes us strong accessory designers: we appreciate such a wide range of dress designers and bridal styles. And honestly, we think we have the best job in the world—because we don’t have to stick to just one aesthetic. We get to accessorise them all!

Richard Designs: Our talented creative team is always considering the bride-to-be at the heart of everything we design. We seek inspiration from the catwalks to reflect the latest trends each season in our collections, whilst also continuing to have some more classic options for the traditional brides. We encourage innovative ideas from all avenues of inspiration, from gardens to nature; you never know where you might get the next idea. Our concepts that the team create each season ensure we create a cohesive and exciting collection of accessories, something different each season. We take on feedback from our stockists as to what the brides are asking for and ensure to consider this when designing our new collections.

Freedom Bridal: My inspiration is the survivors we work with. They are beautiful, strong women who have overcome the unimaginable. It is an honor to work together to make beautiful bridal accessories!

Are there any key bridal accessory trends you’re loving right now? Are there any colours, materials or details making a comeback this season?

Joan Lee: We  regularly introduce new additional on-trend colour shades to our collection. Our Marabou & Ostrich feather wraps & boleros are making a comeback - glamorous, luxurious, elegant and warm.

Richard Designs: We have introduced neck scarves, bridal belts and even a watteau train this season. A key trend is detachable accessories, which enable brides to change up their look on their big day from day to night. Our new collection features removable corsets which can be worn over a bridal dress, removable sleeves and detachable bows. We have seen a big trend in adding neck accessories to bridal gowns, so we are excited about our new neck scarves and lace collars that are the perfect way to complete your luxurious bridal look. Velvet and Chiffon are just some of our bridal accessory fabrics making a comeback this season!

Twilight Designs: We work closely with bridal suppliers and fabric designers to make sure we can meet the needs of a modern bride. However at the same time we still have to keep in mind our traditional routes in which many brides still want princess styling from their accessories with classic diamante and pearl combinations.

Rainbow Club: Pearl detailing is a key trend at the moment, and we’re seeing brides increasingly drawn to embellishments that add texture and subtle sparkle. Romantic bows are also in demand, offering both playfulness and elegance. In terms of colour, soft blush tones and metallic finishes are making a welcome comeback, alongside the enduring appeal of ivory satin especially when personalised through our unique colour-dyeing service.

Can you tell us about the craftsmanship that goes into your designs?

EDit Veils: The craftsmanship behind each Edit Veils piece is at the heart of what we do. Every design is meticulously handmade in our Cheshire studio, ensuring that each veil is crafted to the highest standard of quality and detail, honouring the tradition established by Elizabeth Dickens.

Richard Designs: All our accessories are designed and made in our UK studio based in Ely, Cambridgeshire. Our skilled designers create unique jewellery and beaded accessories, building piece by piece to create special designs. Our skilled workforce then makes the accessories in-house, including veils, headpieces, and earrings. All our accessories are meticulously designed to sit back with our bridal dresses to create the most special and unique wedding day looks.

Twilight Designs: Ideas are collected throughout the year via new styles that we can see the demand for. These ideas are sent to our product designer, her team then comes up with samples of our ideas and they are sent to us for approval in which we quality check and see if the style matches our wishes and fits in with our current collection.

Rainbow Club: Every pair of Rainbow Club shoes is unique, beginning with designs created from scratch by our Head of Design right down to the lasts, heels, and materials. Each shoe is handcrafted with precision, balancing style and comfort. As our signature mark, every pair carries a ’something blue’ crystal on the sole. Our mainline collection is crafted in our exclusive dyeable ivory satin, while the Luxe Collection explores ethereal beauty with breathable mesh, hand-pleated tulle, and intricate beadwork. Comfort is just as important as beauty - we use extra cushioning, supportive construction, and popular mid-block heels to ensure brides can move with ease from aisle to dancefloor. From hand-applied embellishments to perfectly tied bows, every detail is carefully considered to create shoes that feel as beautiful as they look.

And finally, what advice would you give bridal boutiques when selecting accessories for their stock?

EDit Veils: For boutique owners, it is crucial not to overlook veils when planning your buying schedule. When considering which veils to stock, it is important to select statement pieces that will enhance and complement your existing gown selection. Equally, it is wise to include key veil designs that provide versatility and possess a timeless appeal. Such pieces ensure that you can cater to a wide range of bridal preferences, from those seeking classic elegance to those favouring contemporary style. Stocking beautifully made veils, especially those crafted in the UK, brings a notable advantage to your boutique. The quality and workmanship of these veils not only elevate your overall collection but can also have a direct impact on your business. By offering high quality, UK made veils, boutiques can increase the average transaction value per customer, positively influencing the bottom line and overall retail success.

Halo & Co: Be brave. Brides come to bridal boutiques not just for a dress, but for guidance - for knowledgeable, creative assistance that helps them curate a look that’s truly their own. Following the latest Instagram trend is easy - but it’s also forgettable. We believe in challenging conventions. In using accessories as a powerful tool to reflect a bride’s individuality. These finishing touches aren’t an afterthought - they’re the magic that can completely transform the vibe of an outfit, elevating it from beautiful to unforgettable. Help your brides make a statement that’s theirs alone. After all, trends fade - but confidence in your own style lasts a lifetime!

Richard Designs: It is helpful to keep your accessories current and refreshed each season. Accessories can elevate any bridal look and help the customer decide on the perfect dress. The bridal ensemble can be elevated with sparkling belts, some sleeves, a neck scarf, and much more. When shopping for your accessories, have in mind your dresses so you know if you are looking for detachable sleeves or bows, which kinds of lace you need to have on your veils, and whether you want sparkle or chic minimalism for your headpieces. We love to help stores select their accessories for the new season, we can’t wait to see our customers at Harrogate and show them all our new designs!

Freedom Bridal: When you stock and share the story of Freedom Veils, you and your team are not just carrying an accessory; you are helping to change lives. As you share with brides, it builds your brand story and invites them to join in the story of freedom as well!

If you want to meet these brands in person and haven’t yet already claimed your complimentary ticket, you can do so here.

© 2021 Bridal Buyer • bridalbuyer@oceanmedia.co.uk • 020 7772 8300 • © Ocean Media Group Ltd