Tell me about the history of the brand?

Rainbow Club launched in 1986 with their very first footwear collection including styles Candy, Connie and Crystal. These three ivory satin shoes could be hand-dyed to one of 50 colour choices – a new, exciting and pioneering offer not seen before.

Can you talk about the brand’s relationship with the UK bridal market?

We’ve been designing, making and colouring hand-made satin wedding and occasion shoes for over 35 years. With over 50 designs in 400 stockists in the UK and 1,500 in Europe, we’ve firmly established ourselves as the UK’s leading occasion footwear and accessories brand, offering customers women’s bridal and occasion footwear, handbags, shoe clips, children’s shoes and bridal veils.

Do you have a minimum order?

Our minimum order for new accounts is 20 pairs, however, we can be very flexible and will adapt to the requirements of our customers.

What’s next for the brand?

We’re continuing to work with well-known designers for the season ahead to create one-off limited edition collections that will drop throughout the year, offering customers one-of-a-kind footwear and accessories throughout the key bridal season.

What are the brand’s secrets to success?

We’re dedicated to providing our customers with the best footwear and accessories. Our in-house and guest creatives design all of our footwear and accessories, plus we create our own lasts and heels so that every shoe is exclusive to us.

What is the company’s unique selling point?

Our key USP’s from the beginning have been our unique Colour Studio offering and our Bliss Comfort Technology.
Comfort is key for brides, the last thing you want is painful blisters or aching arches on your wedding day. Our Bliss Comfort Technology combines our signature padded linings with super-soft underfoot cushioning, to help support brides all day long. We were the pioneers of hand-colouring ivory footwear, and it is still at the core of our business today. Customers can benefit from our two Colour Studio offerings, Capsule Colour and Couture Colour. Capsule Colour allows customers to choose from one of 280 colours free of charge. While our Couture Colour services offers customers the chance to exactly match any colour of their choice for only £25. Its what sets us apart from our competitors, giving brides the chance to inject a new lease of life into their bridal footwear.

Can you tell us five interesting facts about the brand?

1. We supplied the bridesmaids’ shoes for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding.
2. We are a second-generation family-run business located in Exeter.
3. We’ve sold over three million pairs of shoes since launch.
4. Every pair of our shoes comes with your something blue: a small blue gemstone on the sole.
5. Pioneers of customised hand-coloured satin footwear.

What inspired the current collection?

Over the past year, weddings have been downsized, postponed and postponed again. We’re seeing that brides are now looking for unique, stand-out footwear to match their new way to wed. We’ve taken inspiration from vintage glamour and modern silhouettes to create a collection that is both unique and contemporary. The new collection incorporates glamourous crystal embellishments, 3D floral detailing, chiffon bows and oversized pearls in fashion-forward block heels and skinny party styles.

What design trends have emerged from the collection?

Structural risks have been taken with the new collection, providing a fresh, new look when it comes to cut, heel and toe structure. Embellishments are bolder for us this season and we’ve incorporated diamante detailing alongside oversized pearls, chiffon bows and over-all shimmer style.

Is there anything that ties the pieces together?

Our new collection focuses on the finishing touches, the crystal embellished foot stap, stand-out diamante broaches, structural silhouettes, and in-house shimmer fabrics.

Pick three of your favourite pieces that really highlight the vision of the collection?

Brides with a penchant for pearls will love Clara. A gorgeous block-heeled sandal with row upon row of ivory pearls on the toe.
One of my favourite embellished styles of the season, Freya features a stand-out diamante embellished strap across the foot and is completed by a high comfortable block heel.
Tapping into the bridal trainer trend, new Millie is a great choice for the ‘life of the party’ bride or for the modern bride looking for something a little different.

What accessories/dresses do you imagine brides would pair these with?

With such a broad collection, our shoes will match any style of dress from a classic princess gown to the more modern city-chic mini dresses with oversized sleeves.

How can retailers get in touch to order from your latest collection?

Retailers can contact their local sales rep by getting in touch via email or phone – shoes@rainbowclub.co.uk / 01392 207030. You can also visit us at the Harrogate Bridal Show, stand M40.