Unashamed romantic that I am, lingerie is one of my heartland territories when it comes to creating fashion editorials. With pretty slips and chemises firmly back on the fashion map, where better to start with an exercise in bypassing the t-shirt bra basics and instead indulge in the ethereal beauty of sensual silks, luxurious lace and embellished sheers. Our model Sofie inspired the nod to the art of the Pre-Raphaelites with her cascade of auburn hair and Jane Burden-esque mouth. Welcome to the world of lingerie you’ll want to hang on your wall.
Deliciously feminine and reassuredly bohemian, Ell & Cee curate small but perfectly formed collections featuring exquisite quality at affordable prices. I’ve been a fan of the brand since its birth in 2002 and recommend it for brides to be and the romantic at heart. Shown here the Elfin Playsuit £87.50 and Forget Me Not Bralet £40. Necklace £150, Alex Monroe http://www.alexmonroe.com
Beauty can oft’ come at a cost, but imagine my joy when I found this little beauty at TopShop. Granted it’s not going to offer an awful lot of support, but buy it now to wear peeking out beneath the slip dresses and sheers of the season. This is pure gold from the high street.
Lace Pintuck Triangle bra £20 http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/lingerie-2313836/lace-pintuck-triangle-bra-5054810?bi=0&ps=20 Star necklace £65, Stacker Classic Band ring £30,both Laura Gravestock http://lauragravestock.com/bestsellers/star-and-moon/written-star-necklace.html Black lace blouse, stylists own (vintage Karen Millen)
When is underwear acceptable as outerwear? When it looks this gorgeous, that’s when. Just slip it on over a pair of Wolford black velvet opaque tights, add a sleek blazer, heels, et voilá. Mia blush short chemise £39.50 (SALE ITEM ) Somerset by Alice Temperley http://www.johnlewis.com , Black Rhodium Swooping Swallow necklace £144, Alex Monroe http://www.alexmonroe.com
Experts in the art of ‘Beautiful Undressing’, ShellBelle Couture offer a stunning collection of pieces Inspired by luxury travel in the 1930s. Definitely a go to for any brides to be with exciting honeymoon travels afoot. Every piece I unwrapped looked and felt like a work of art from a Parisian Atelier, and I’ll be honest, I’m fighting the urge to add yet another vintage vibe kimono to my already extensive collection. Shown here Fleur L’orange short kimono £249, Club Triangle bra £90 and matching briefs £65 http://www.shellbellecouture.com Majestic thread through earrings £125, matching Majestic Single Link Pendant necklace £119, http://lauragravestock.com/shop-by-item/necklace/majestic-single-link-pendant-necklace-881.html
A flattering and comfortable cut, this Oleander Triangle bra £32.50, and Corset Knicker £29.40, from Mimi Holliday tick all the boxes for practicality whilst still being picture perfect for playing peekaboo under sheers. http://www.mimiholliday.com Jewellery as above, by Laura Gravestock; lace topped stockings £22.99, Wolford http://www.wolfordshop.co.uk
I love this thoroughly modern touch to lingerie. A little capped sleeve detail on the bra strap makes this the perfect ‘look at me’ piece for wearing with simple vest tops and tonal camisoles. Delicate and clever. Terracotta Novel Emoi Fanfare Half Cup bra £47, matching briefs £31, both from Huit http://www.huit.com Posy Flower Loop necklace £150 and Fritillary Flower necklace £174 both Alex Monroe http://www.alexmonroe.com
The art of layering to ensure you nail the lingerie as outerwear trend requires clever pairing of different tones. Shown here peach lace bra (just seen) Mimi Holliday worn under Rosie for Autograph at M&S Silk & French Lace Teddy £45 http://www.marksandspencer.com/silk-rich-floral-lace-teddy/p/p22425517?OmnitureRedirect=rosie+for+autograph+silk+teddy&ddkey=http:MSFindItemsByKeyword and then teamed with a vintage kimono (stylists own). I Love You Rose Gold Spinner necklace £156, Alex Monroe http://www.alexmonroe.com/i-love-you-spinner-necklace.html#.Vpp-5DY9GWY
THE STYLISH STUFF BEAUTY HOW TO;
Make up artist Rebecca McMahon talks us through the skin prep that ensures a beautiful, natural glow before you reach for your foundation.
“The first step was to apply a mask before doing the hair, giving it time to work its magic. I used Balance Me Radiance Mask, then once the mask was removed followed it with a spritz of Balance Me Hydrating Mist. Next up, I used Alpha H Vitamin C Serum and Antipodes Vanilla Pod Cream. This pre- make up routine helps to plump and hydrate the skin and ensures a healthy luminosity. Over the last few years it has become really easy to source quality skin care products and make up that are organic and cruelty free. One of my favourite brands is Vapour and here I used the Stratus Soft Focus Skin Perfector for glow followed by their Atmosphere Luminous Foundation where it was needed for light coverage. To achieve the gently flushed cheek, I used a duo fibre brush to apply Illamasqua Rude Cream Cheek Colour. On the eyes I used a wash of RMS Myth Cream Shadow with some Jane Iredale Triple Cognac Shadow Trio over the top. I smudged a little brown W3LL People Eyeliner into the lash line before a generous coating of W3LL People Expressionist Bio Extreme Mascara. Finally, on the lips I chose Bare Minerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil Balm in Nude to finish the look.”
Earrings and necklace, as before, Laura Gravestock
Skin prep, from left to right; Balance Me Radiance Face Mask https://www.balanceme.co.uk/face/product-family/treatments/treatments-radiance-face-mask?gclid=CO-hi6C8rsoCFRThGwodHgQOcQ ; Balance Me Skin Bright Hydrating Face Mist https://www.balanceme.co.uk/face/product-family/daily-essentials/skin-bright-hydrating-mist ; Alpha H Vitamin C Serum http://www.beautybay.com/skincare/alphah/vitamincserum/?gclid=CN76s7O9rsoCFdRuGwodP7AOfQ ; Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream http://www.naturisimo.com/products.cfm?id=2893&nme=Antipodes&gclid=CNa378C9rsoCFde6Gwodx5UAuQ
For the hair, Rebecca simply spritzed Sofie’s hair with Original Mineral Know Knott Conditioning Detangler then tonged with a wide curling iron and brushed the hair out after it had cooled. She then teased separate sections to create a looser feel.
Make up, clockwise; Vapour Stratus Soft Focus Skin Perfector and Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation, http://www.beingcontent.com/cosmetics/face/atmosphere-soft-focus-foundation.htm ; Illamasqua Cream Cheek Colour in Rude http://www.illamasqua.com/rude-cream-blusher/ ; W3LL People Eyeliner in brown and Expressionist Bio Extreme Mascara in black https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/w3ll-people-expressionist-mascara.html#c=0-category ; Bare Minerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil Balm in Nude http://www.bareminerals.co.uk/Pop-of-Passion-Lip-Oil-Balm/UKmasterlipoilbalm,en_GB,pd.html ; RMS Eye Polish in Myth http://www.rmsbeauty.com/products/eye-polish
Love is… this barely there ‘Forget Me Not’ body £52.50 (SALE) from Ell & Cee http://ellandceebride.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_14&products_id=245
Be still my beating heart. ‘Love Me’ Camisole, £115 from ShellBelle Couture http://www.shellbellecouture.com/boutique/shop-all/love-me-camisole—noire.aspx
Pretty Little Things to layer over your lingerie. White Frill front blouse £145, soft pink blouse £120, Coming soon (mid Feb) from Ghost. http://www.ghost.co.uk
Simply beautiful. Why go for plain when a lace offering this pretty is up for grabs? Alexa wire bra in Pink Champagne £27, Affinitas, http://www.miodestino.com
Sheerly does it. Botanical Vintage slip – Fleur L’Orange £249, ShellBelle Couture http://www.shellbellecouture.com/boutique/shop-all/botanical-vintage-slip.aspx
Fashion & Style Director Shelly Vella
Photographer Lewis Hayward
Hair and Make up Rebecca McMahon
Model Sofie N at Milk Model Management
Fashion Assistant Sophie Dearden
Photo Assistant Remy Young
Still Life Images Shelly Vella