So strong has the importance of lace been in fashion that Charles V declared that lace making would be taught in schools and convents within Belgium. Lace was made to replace embroidery to refresh and transform items of clothing. It could be removed from one garment and reworked onto a new one without any permanent changes. It was a unisex addition to collars and cuffs and was the epitome of fashion.

Lace has made a massive comeback in fashion and you could say it was because of a little help from a certain Kate. Kate Middleton wore an exquisite piece created by Sarah Burton for the Alexander McQueen fashion house. The beautiful piece took obvious inspiration from Grace Kelly’s awe-inspiring Helen Rose gown from her April 1952 wedding to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. The lace theme spilled over on to the bridesmaids and maids of honour also, encapsulating lace as the vogue for weddings.

Jumping forward to modern day, the runways of Autumn/Winter 2012 have seen designers hold on to the regal texture of lace but manipulate in a way to make it anything but standard. Above we can see the work of Ashley Isham creating a fairytale feel with a hooded cape of lace; Erdem pushed forward the brights trend but overlaying dark but delicate lace over brighter bases for a real injection of colour; Alberta Ferratti kept the edging of there lace ragged for a true ethereal, almost fluid style.

The lace didn’t stop there! Dolce and Gabbana added a regal twist to their lace, accessorising with gold and diamonds; Temperley London Pre Autumn/Winter, although showcasing some beautiful lace maxi dresses, mixed timeless elegance of lace with wearability, creating separates such as this beautiful gold skirt; Valentino gave a nod to the Gothic trends of Autumn/Winter teaming their sheer midnight blue lace with a billowing cape for the perfect balance between Goth and grandeur.

Here at The Pretty Dress Company we have the newest luxe lace trends to complete your Fall look.

If you are looking for a dash of lace our Ella, Lillie and Delta styles are perfect, with just enough lace to keep you discreetly on trend. They also include a peplum style too to make sure your look is modern yet sophisticated. The Ella and Lillie are also available in Aubergine, Navy and Black to make that decision a little more tricky.

For those of you wanting to make more of an impact, our all over lace dresses such as the Windsor and the Maui (which will be back in stock very soon!) will be sure to fill that desire. For something with more of a Middleton  manner, the high neck and luxurious satin waist detail of the Windsor and the choice of either Black or Champagne lace will keep the look formal but delicate. For something with a bit more vibrancy the Maui teams a lower neck line with either Red, Champagne or Black lace for a colour to suit any atmosphere.

Lace truly is one of the best timeless additions to make to your wardrobe.

Please welcome the newest addition to our Autumn/Winter Collection; the Detroit! This sleek new design has contrasting black sequin shoulder detail teamed with a luxurious duchess satin waistband. We have also added an exposed zip to the back to elongate the back and create a contemporary sports luxe feel. Sports luxe just got sophisticated!

The Detroit is perfectly tailored from our signature viscose elastane with a pencil cut  for an immaculate shape. To top it off there is a sun ray waist detail added to draw in the waist and balance out the hips. Available in Navy, Black and Hot Pink this is quite possibly the perfect city girl dress!

With sequins being such a strong detail for Autumn/Winter 2012, we also have the Sequin Brooklyn to add to your wardrobe! Taking our current Brooklyn dress and giving it a glitzy evening revamp, we have highlighted the peplum with our exquisite Luxe stretch sequin fabric.

Our two tone contrast dress is now available in the very Autumn/Winter 2012 military inspired Olive with Brass Sequins, as well as the forever chic Cream with Black Sequins. The demure high neckline of the dress is teamed with the peplum to keep it looking fresh and fashionable. The Sequin Brooklyn tailored pencil dress has a concealed zip to created the perfect smooth silhouette and, teamed with a vent split to the skirt, it is perfect for the fast approaching party season!

The little black dress has always been around in modern fashion but prior to the 1920′s it was simply reserved for more sombre, formal occasions. It wasn’t until 1926 when Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel changed the image of the black dress forever! An image of Chanel’s latest piece, (the ‘Ford’ dress as Vogue liked to call it, after Henry Ford’s Model T car) was published in American Vogue; the little black dress. It was simple; calf-length, long sleeve, straight cut, diagonal panels for detail, crafted in wool for day and crepe, satin or velvet for evening. It was accessible, comfortable and chic with Vogue predicting that it would be ‘a sort of uniform for all women of all taste’.

Vogue was right. No colour of dress has been more successful! The love for the simple little dress grew and with a little help of the beautiful Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s‘ it was soon cementing itself into the world of sophisticated fashion.

Of course in modern day the little black dress has evolved into a true statement piece and we at The Pretty Dress Company have a huge selection for any woman’s style or need! Modernized with a peplum like our Chelsea, Brooklyn or Belgravia; exaggerated shoulders like our Icon and Valentina; or strapless corset style like our Palm Springs . Maybe you’d prefer to keep it classic and go for the Wonder or Hourglass for pure femininity.                                             

              Wonder £89                                                             Palm Springs £89

Team with pearls for a true Sixties feel or try a coloured fascinator for that perfect occasion. The beauty of black is that it is so easy to accessorize no matter what your personal style is. Add studs for a rock look or keep it cool but effective with some killer heels and matching clutch. With so many to choose from, and so many work or play events to choose one for, the little black dress really is the number one rule of fashion that you just have to follow!
                                 

                       Valentina £89                                                          Brooklyn £89

Lucy Mecklenburgh looked stunning in our new arrival Valentina Sweetheart Pencil Dress in Aqua on a night out with friends!

We have very Limited Stock of the Valentina Sweetheart Pencil Dress so be sure to order YOUR’s NOW!

Love TPDC….x

Available in Red, Turqouise, Yellow & also Black.

Team with our midi length Black Perfect Pencil Skirt for a dose of evening retro glamour or with cigarette pants for a chic contemporary daytime look.

Created in TPDC signature luxe stretch viscose fabric for a perfect fit. Centre back zip fastening.

 Love TPDC…x

9 TPDC vouchers were added to the goodie bags…the event was so popular it began trending!

Be sure to check them out www.kandeeshoes.com

Love TPDC….x

T.O.W.I.E is back on our screens this Sunday 22nd July…we think Lucy Mecklenburgh looks Stunning in Chelsea Pencil Peplum Dress for the opening screen shot on ITV2 :)

TPDC Loves….x

]]> http://www.theprettydresscompany.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=349 0 http://www.theprettydresscompany.com/blog/?p=338&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kelly-brook-wears-ascot-for-sky-ride-in-manchester http://www.theprettydresscompany.com/blog/?p=338#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 08:11:58 +0000 Helen http://www.theprettydresscompany.com/blog/?p=338

Kelly Brook is the lady in red as she promotes Sky Ride Manchester in our Red Ascot 1950′s Style Vintage Circle Skirt Dress.

 The only way to take a bicycle ride…..am sure you all agree!!

Love TPDC… x

The lovely Catherine Tyldesley wore the Red Wonder Dress to the Inside Soap Awards last night….

Guests, including Catherine’s co-star Michelle Keegan and Emmerdale’s Dominic Power, gathered at Rosso in Manchester for the bash.

TPDC think Red is definitely the perfect colour for Catherine….Just Stunning!! x

We are honored that R&B songstress Deborah Cox wore The Chelsea Pencil Dress in Peacock to the World Pride 2012 concert press reception in London this past weekend!

Deborah Cox holds the record for the longest running number 1 on the Billboard R&B Chart for her hit ‘Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here’

Deborah has also had over a dozen number 1 hits on the Billboard Dance Charts.

Her music has also appeared in numerous films including the award‐winning dramas Hotel Rwanda and Akeelah and the Bee.

We think she looks STUNNING & the cupcake looks YUMMY!