Bridal Buyer / British Bridal Exhibition Harrogate / Wholesale Bridal Wedding Shoes Info / UK Wholesale Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids & Flower Girls. Also Bridal Boots, Handbags and Accessories.
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2012
Shimmer shine from Crystal Couture
20 June 2012
Why have highlights of crystal on a party shoe when you go the whole way and have every inch of covered in gleaming stones. And what better way to get noticed?
Crystal Couture has launched its new bridal /evening shoe under the enticing name, the Crystal Glitter Ball. This latest little shiner from the clever Yona Armstrong, leaves nothing un-embellished – the shoes outer edges are completely covered in crystals, and that includes the sole. A fabulously OTT idea, at a fabulous retail price - just £149.00. The Crystal Glitter Ball
can be produced in a wide choice of colours (great for MOBs who want total co-ordination) and comes in adult sizes 2 to 8 and with a 3- or 4-inch heel. Made bespoke, but turned around in just two weeks from order, this is the first in this particular collection. Expect to see peep toes, sling backs, animal prints very shortly.
can be produced in a wide choice of colours (great for MOBs who want total co-ordination) and comes in adult sizes 2 to 8 and with a 3- or 4-inch heel. Made bespoke, but turned around in just two weeks from order, this is the first in this particular collection. Expect to see peep toes, sling backs, animal prints very shortly.
For contact details, visit www.iwantwholesale.blogspot.com
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2011
You can also see more about Crystal Couture Shoes in the Autumn Bridal Attire Magazine - Page 33 (shoes 5 & 9), Page 36 (shoe 3) on the following Link.
http://www.attirebridal.com/image_upload/magazines/AB27_LR.pdf
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September 2011: I Want Wholesale / Crystal Couture at British Bridal Exhibition Harrogate (BBEH).
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July 2011
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11 July 2011
Yona Armstrong added stones to her wedding shoes by hand and barely 18 months on, she is the boss of Crystal Couture, her luxurious jewel-embellished footwear and bag range
The idea behind the Crystal Couture concept really was simple. “I have always loved shoes, handbags and anything that sparkles, and when I couldn’t find a wedding shoe that excited me I just knew there was a gap in the market for something special,” explains owner/designer Yona Armstrong. Her fully crystal-covered shoe is the most popular, available in a closed or peep toe. “I try to have something in the range for everyone and there are many different styles available. There are various heel heights ranging from 1in to 4in and some flat ballet pumps. My shoes is that they are comfortable without compromising on the wow factor.”
The collection, which include satin boots, is made from silk, satin and leather with different crystals and diamantés to cater for all budgets and tastes. Shoes can be dyed and also professionally cleaned. A new, high-end collection, Elite, is in production now.
Bridal shoes account for 65 percent of the business, with handbags, evening shoes and prom shoes making up the rest of the portfolio. Some of the handbags are designed by Armstrong, others are sourced by her. She hopes to expand the occasionwear range over the coming months and will use anything and everything for inspiration.
“When I heard that there was going to be a production of the Wizard of Oz in London I designed a limited-edition Dorothy Ruby Red Slipper. They are available in all the colours of the rainbow, too. One of my other innovations was to incorporate the something-blue tradition into shoes and I came up with the idea of an ivory shoe with a blue heel. This has been really well received!”
Armstrong feels ready to expand and is hoping to increase her stockists both here and abroad. To this end she will exhibit Crystal Couture at BBEH in September. “I’m looking for stores that want to give their customers real choice and offer something different from the usual collection of ivory shoes. Shops that do promwear and eveningwear as well as bridal are good for us. We do our best to look after our stockists, offering fairly low starter packages and point-of-sale equipment. We also publicise new stockists on our social networking sites and refer our web traffic to them if they want to try shoes on or see them up close. We get a lot of traffic so this is of great benefit!
Armstrong believes in the power of PR, marketing and advertising. “Crystal Couture adverts appear in newspapers, magazines and online and I hired a PR firm to get the name out there, too. Entering competitions is also a great way of getting known - we were finalists in the Best Shoe Collection category at this year’s Bridal Buyer Awards, and also in the Best Newcomer and Best Manufacturer categories at the Welsh Women in Business Awards.”
The collection, which include satin boots, is made from silk, satin and leather with different crystals and diamantés to cater for all budgets and tastes. Shoes can be dyed and also professionally cleaned. A new, high-end collection, Elite, is in production now.
Bridal shoes account for 65 percent of the business, with handbags, evening shoes and prom shoes making up the rest of the portfolio. Some of the handbags are designed by Armstrong, others are sourced by her. She hopes to expand the occasionwear range over the coming months and will use anything and everything for inspiration.
“When I heard that there was going to be a production of the Wizard of Oz in London I designed a limited-edition Dorothy Ruby Red Slipper. They are available in all the colours of the rainbow, too. One of my other innovations was to incorporate the something-blue tradition into shoes and I came up with the idea of an ivory shoe with a blue heel. This has been really well received!”
Armstrong feels ready to expand and is hoping to increase her stockists both here and abroad. To this end she will exhibit Crystal Couture at BBEH in September. “I’m looking for stores that want to give their customers real choice and offer something different from the usual collection of ivory shoes. Shops that do promwear and eveningwear as well as bridal are good for us. We do our best to look after our stockists, offering fairly low starter packages and point-of-sale equipment. We also publicise new stockists on our social networking sites and refer our web traffic to them if they want to try shoes on or see them up close. We get a lot of traffic so this is of great benefit!
Armstrong believes in the power of PR, marketing and advertising. “Crystal Couture adverts appear in newspapers, magazines and online and I hired a PR firm to get the name out there, too. Entering competitions is also a great way of getting known - we were finalists in the Best Shoe Collection category at this year’s Bridal Buyer Awards, and also in the Best Newcomer and Best Manufacturer categories at the Welsh Women in Business Awards.”
Read the full story in the July/August issue of Bridal Buyer, out now.
For contact details - Visit http://www.iwantwholesale.blogspot.com
See the Crystal Couture collection at BBEH, 11-13 September. To pre-register, visit www.bbeh.co.uk
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January 2011
THE BRIDAL BUYER AWARDS 2011 – THE FINALISTS
11 January 2011
The finalists in this year’s Bridal Buyer Awards have been announced today. While the judging panels start the final selection to establish the overall category winners, plans are underway for the biggest and best Awards ceremony yet. For ticket information contact georgia@harrogate-bridal.co.uk
This year’s Awards programme attracted a higher-than-ever number of entries in its 16 categories that cover both retailer and supplier awards, as well as the key student designer award that itself pulled in more than 300 entries from young hopefuls across the country.
To arrive at the finalist stage and move on for critical assessment by the judging panel, entries in self-nominated categories are scrupulously checked to ensure that they meet the criteria set out on the entry form. Those that do are then shortlisted and have to pass through various other checking stages in which the opinion of independent experts and industry bodies may be sought. On-schedule deliveries, customer service and stockist support are part of the equation in shortlisting for the supplier awards, while shop design, marketing and promotion, supplier support and meeting agreed payment terms will influence entries in the retailer categories. This year, votes for The Bridal Designer of the Year title were cast by visitors at the London and Birmingham National Wedding Shows in the autumn as were votes for the hotly-contended Wedding Dress of the Year award. In some categories, because the standard of entries was so high, we have for the first time increased the number of finalists.
Congratulations all round to this year’s finalists who are:
To arrive at the finalist stage and move on for critical assessment by the judging panel, entries in self-nominated categories are scrupulously checked to ensure that they meet the criteria set out on the entry form. Those that do are then shortlisted and have to pass through various other checking stages in which the opinion of independent experts and industry bodies may be sought. On-schedule deliveries, customer service and stockist support are part of the equation in shortlisting for the supplier awards, while shop design, marketing and promotion, supplier support and meeting agreed payment terms will influence entries in the retailer categories. This year, votes for The Bridal Designer of the Year title were cast by visitors at the London and Birmingham National Wedding Shows in the autumn as were votes for the hotly-contended Wedding Dress of the Year award. In some categories, because the standard of entries was so high, we have for the first time increased the number of finalists.
Congratulations all round to this year’s finalists who are:
Best Bridalwear Retailer
Ava Rose Hamilton
Bellissima Weddings
Boda Bridal
Ellie Sanderson
Emma Hartley
Mamfii
Wedding Days of Cheltenham
Ava Rose Hamilton
Bellissima Weddings
Boda Bridal
Ellie Sanderson
Emma Hartley
Mamfii
Wedding Days of Cheltenham
Best Groomswear Retailer
All Aspects
Anthony Formalwear
Hugh Harris
Simon James
Tux ‘n’ Tails
Yorkshire Menswear
All Aspects
Anthony Formalwear
Hugh Harris
Simon James
Tux ‘n’ Tails
Yorkshire Menswear
Best New Bridalwear Retailer
Alison Kirk
Julia Tasker
La Boutique
Limelight Occasions
The White Closet
Whyte Weddings
Xquisite Bridalwear
Alison Kirk
Julia Tasker
La Boutique
Limelight Occasions
The White Closet
Whyte Weddings
Xquisite Bridalwear
Best Retail Website
Boda Bridal
The Harrogate Wedding Lounge
Limelight Occasions
Teokath of London
The White Boutique
The Wedding Shop
Boda Bridal
The Harrogate Wedding Lounge
Limelight Occasions
Teokath of London
The White Boutique
The Wedding Shop
Best Customer Service
Abigails Collection
Ava Rose Hamilton
Bellissima Weddings
Gracie Bleu
Proposals of Witney
Wedding Belles of Anglesey
Abigails Collection
Ava Rose Hamilton
Bellissima Weddings
Gracie Bleu
Proposals of Witney
Wedding Belles of Anglesey
Best Bridalwear Manufacturer
Amanda Wyatt
Ellis
MaggieSottero
Mark Lesley
Sincerity/Justin Alexander
Veromia
Amanda Wyatt
Ellis
MaggieSottero
Mark Lesley
Sincerity/Justin Alexander
Veromia
Best Groomswear Manufacturer/Supplier
Anthony Formalwear
Cameron Ross
Heirloom
Hugh Harris
Masterhand
Torre
Anthony Formalwear
Cameron Ross
Heirloom
Hugh Harris
Masterhand
Torre
Best Bridesmaid Collection
Dessy
D’Zage
Impression
JLM Europe
Kelsey Rose
Special Day
Dessy
D’Zage
Impression
JLM Europe
Kelsey Rose
Special Day
Best Occasionwear Collection
Anoushka G
John Charles
Mascara
Precious Formals
JLM Europe
Sarah Danielle Occasions
Anoushka G
John Charles
Mascara
Precious Formals
JLM Europe
Sarah Danielle Occasions
Best Plus-size Collection
Bonny Bridal
Callista
Sincerity Plus
Sonsie by Veromia
Special Day
White Rose
Bonny Bridal
Callista
Sincerity Plus
Sonsie by Veromia
Special Day
White Rose
Best Headdress Designer
Ellie K
Halo & Co
Liza Designs
Richard Designs
Sarah Kavanagh Bridal
Vivien Sheriff
Yarwood White
Ellie K
Halo & Co
Liza Designs
Richard Designs
Sarah Kavanagh Bridal
Vivien Sheriff
Yarwood White
Best Shoe Collection
Crystal Couture
Freya Rose
Harriet Wilde
Paradox London
Rachel Simpson
Rainbow Club
Crystal Couture
Freya Rose
Harriet Wilde
Paradox London
Rachel Simpson
Rainbow Club
Wedding Dress of the Year
Elianna Moore
Ellis Bridals
Mark Lesley
Mori Lee
Maggie Sottero
Sophia Tolli
Elianna Moore
Ellis Bridals
Mark Lesley
Mori Lee
Maggie Sottero
Sophia Tolli
Best Bridal Innovation
BRIMAS
Collins BrIdal
Charlotte Rose
Freya Rose
Halo & Co
Vivien Sheriff
BRIMAS
Collins BrIdal
Charlotte Rose
Freya Rose
Halo & Co
Vivien Sheriff
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