Meet The Team - Jess
Jess is our studio queen of curation, styling and all things Alexandra Anne (though she’d be too modest to say so herself!). Take a look at our Google Reviews from brides who’ve shared their journey with her.
Jess’s route into the world of Bridal started at university and has since brought her to the peak district. This is the story of how the journey panned out from bustling London to idyllic Hathersage - plus some tips for how to make the most of your experience.
So let’s start with the obvious question; how did your journey into the world of Bridal come about?
I started out doing fashion at uni and quickly realised that it wasn't potentially for me. I loved the clothes and the designing but didn't love the industry; particularly how it’s all trend led. I preferred it when you were able to get something that was actually suiting the real person. I realised quickly that I was more into either couture or bespoke styles and Bridal.
I did an internship with Caroline parks who is one of the original British designers. She started alongside designers including Sassy Holford, Susanne Neville and Philippa Lepley when the industry really started to pop.
She was my first strong female boss, a lot of fun to work for and not what you'd expect of a bridal designer. You’d be a passenger heading home on her Harley and once in a while you'd get to hear about dates with Arnold Schwarzenegger and other name drops from a wilder youth!
From her, I learnt corsetry and basic couture bridal and started leading my first appointments. I absolutely loved seeing brides. I also did a lot of modelling for her (not because I'm good) but because I was a perfect size 12 fit model, so had many summer modelling jobs at Harrogate Bridal Week for Caroline and Sassy.
After I graduated I had an interview with Charlie Brear and stayed there for the next decade. Initially, it was the Vintage Wedding Dress Company so we sourced vintage dresses and redesigned them. We would clean them up, restore and alter them to give us a real individual style for each bride.
Charlie started designing vintage inspired gowns and so the Vintage Wedding Dress Company became Charlie Brear. Her styling days (head stylist at MTV in the Spice Girl/All Saints era) definitely inspired the collections. She was an inspirational and incredibly cool boss to have, and handled it all with motherhood as well. She taught me most of what I know.
I became the head of sales for Charlie looking after all the stockists… including one on the Chatsworth Estate called Alexandra Anne. I loved this job and kept making excuses to visit. So, when Alex who was the previous owner decided to sell up and move on, I jumped at the chance to take over the shop (we’ve since moved to the equally beautiful Hathersage).
What a journey and experience, especially working for empowered female leads. So, once you made the move to owning the studio and seeing brides on a daily basis, what’s become your favourite aspect of styling brides?
As I mentioned, I love the fact that you can get a bespoke dress made for you for one day only. You know it absolutely suits you. It’s amazing taking the journey to try lots of different styles and make sure that it's your dress and that it is totally right for you.
We get to know a bride for a very short period but during that we listen closely to what the bride wants and use our styling experience to find the perfect outfit, or bespoke combinations and creations.
The sad thing about the world of bridal is that you don't get repeat business. I'd love to be friends with so many of my brides so it's great when they bring their friends back.
Coincidentally, that's how we found Jenny, who’s since been with us for the past 3 years.
This probably isn’t going be an easy one but if you had to pick… which outfit from the current collections is your front runner?
I’m honestly not sure I can - it always changes!
I love the latest collar one from Jesus Peiro. I actually really disliked it when I saw it on the cat walk but love it in real life. It's got attitude but is still super flattering.
Also Whisper from Sarah Seven. The way it makes you feel to try it is amazing - fabulous and totally snatched but relaxed at the same time.
Then there is the Lulu top and skirt from Love Story London. I just love a change, so that with a neck scarf and swapping the skirt to trousers or a mini is fabulous for second day or evening.
I could go on… but I’ll stop there!
When brides are starting their journey to finding the one, what would be your top tips?
It might sound obvious but do your research on where to go. Equally, don't over think it in minute detail. It's like when you shop looking for one set thing in a set style you'll never find it.
Also, chasing after an exact image or look from one photo you’ve seen is pretty hard. Even if you try that exact dress or outfit, the angle of a photo post editing can change it. Remember the photos online are from a small moment in a much bigger day, so recreating the movement of a scarf or other isn’t all or nothing. It’s about how you feel in the outfit. If you feel incredible, you’ll look incredible.
Next, only take people initially who you know love and support your decision and not their agenda or taste.
And lastly, don't take photos - just videos! Photos can make you hate something you loved and will love.
Possibly most importantly, which foodie establishment would you shout out as the perfect place for a pre-appointment cuppa or post-appointment celebration / de-brief?!
Oo… there’s so many but I’ll go Riverside Kitchen @ David Mellor (see below).
