Tuesday 26 April 2016

WHY WE LOVE LONDON!

LONDON'S CALLING...

All the reasons why we love our hometown... and why you should too!

As part of our #BluebellaLoves series, we're currently running an exciting competition for one lucky Bluebella fan to win the ultimate weekend in our hometown of London! The winner will stay overnight at the exclusive Ampersand Hotel in Kensington, get a pair of tickets to this year's most talked about exhibition at the V&A, 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear' and get £250 to treat yourself to some Bluebella gorgeousness! Not that you needed any persuading to enter, but we thought we'd give you the low down on what we love about our beloved capital city.
If this doesn't tempt you, we don't know what will!

CITY SUN

 London is without doubt THE best place to be in the summer. Whilst we know our typical British weather doesn't always work in our favour, when it does, boy is it good! The city comes alive in a way it doesn't in the winter - everybody flocks to the pubs post-work, spends weekends in the city's many parks or meets friends for brunch al-fresco style. We love strolling around Regent's Park and taking a walk up Primrose Hill in North London, before hopping over to Hampstead for a quintessentially British brunch! Or if we're in Chelsea, we love wandering down the King's Road for a spot of shopping and the occasional celeb spotting too.

 

 

 

MUSEUM GOLD

 If you're the lucky winner of our competition, then you'll be staying in an area that is famous for its museums, South Kensington. London's rich history and deep-rooted culture means there's many things to learn about and afternoon's can easily disappear within an exhibition, whether it's the Natural History's display of dinosaurs or the Science Museum's state-of-the-art technology. What we're most interested in, however, is the V&A's outstanding showcase dedicated to all things lingerie with their new exhibition 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear'. Exploring the journey lingerie has made through the decades, it's a must for any lingerie lover and that's why we're giving the winner a pair of tickets to it... we promise you will not be left disappointed!

 

 

 

 

FOODIE FANATICS

 If you're anything like us, then you'll be just as obsessed with food! London's vibrant foodie scene continues to grow and whatever your taste buds desire, you can get. Take a stroll up Islington's hub of Upper Street where you'll find every cuisine (that doesn't break the bank) you could ever imagine - we especially love Ottolenghi, whose founder Yotam is widely regarded as one of Britain's best chefs. If you're in Central, make sure you take a good walk around Soho's bustling streets where you'll find yourself immersed in the very best of the city's culture. For a cheap eat of £20, try Burger & Lobster, which does exactly what it says on the tin and trust us, it's amazing! If you want a more boozy brunch, head South to Bunga Bunga which is the spot for all day drinking and eating, plus a bit of karaoke thrown in for fun too.

 

 

THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE...

 Show business! And of course, any trip to London wouldn't be complete without West End show. Whilst there is all the great shows that have been around for years (and we thoroughly recommend you go see them) such as Lion King, Wicked and Billy Elliot, there are constantly new and exciting ones that come around for a limited time only and this summer, Branagh's Romeo & Juliet at the Garrick Theatre in Covent Garden is one of them. Starring Lily James (pictured) and Richard Madden, they tell the tale of Shakespeare's heartbreaking story of forbidden love. The show is part of five different plays under the Branagh banner that brings together a remarkable group of actors including Dame Judi Dench, so if you don't manage to get tickets to this show there's another four to choose from. A must!

OUR FAVOURITE LOOKS FROM SPRING 2017 BRIDAL WEEK!

OUR FAVOURITE LOOKS FROM SPRING 2017 BRIDAL WEEK!

(Picture Credit: Monique Lhuillier)
The hottest looks from the bridal world...
Spring 2017 New York International Bridal Week, THE hottest date in the Bridal world's calendar, has just wrapped up for another season. With lots of gorgeous gowns, luxurious ivory and stunning ideas, we give you the low down on the hottest trends from across the pond. These will be the trends for 2017 so if you're a Bride-To-Be for next year, then you are in the right place!

SHORT AND SWEET

Iconic British designer Temperley is renowned for her Bridal collection and she didn't disappoint in the Big Apple. Shunning the traditional floor length gown, Temperley and other designers including Oscar de la Renta, opted for vintage-inspired thigh-skimming dresses. We've fallen in love with this utterly gorgeous number with its floaty ruffles and high-necked mesh, pulled in with a beautiful satin band. Our delicately styled Raya would be the perfect match for this kind of style, with gorgeous eyelash detail lace and feminine allure...

HIGH HALTERS
Lots of our lingerie looks include halterneck styles so we were excited to see the Haute Couture crowd leading the way for the Bridal brigade. Lela Rose (left), Christian Siriano and Temperley (below) led the look and we love the embellished elegance of jewel-encrusted necklines, the perfect way to subtly add-on stylish glamour.


CHIC CAPLETS
We obviously adore any style that showcases lingerie and we loved Monique Lhuillier's (left) flowing three-tiered skirt paired with a sumptuous scalloped edge lace top, which shows off the nude tones of the beautiful bralet underneath. The covered arms and high neck means the look still looks gorgeously feminine and teamed with luscious long hair, it's a great way to show off a subtle hint of sexy on your big day. Our Raya Soft Cup would bring an edgy feel to this look.


PERFECT PANTS
If you're not a dress kinda girl, then there is most certainly power in the pants these days. Elegant jumpsuits and fabulously fitted trousers can play center stage just as well as a traditional dress can. We adore this Carolina Herrera ever-so-chic one piece as it's a sassy and smart take on Bridalwear, showing off the feminine form in a beautifully elegant way. The sharpness of the collar contrasting with the veil gives it an edgy yet delicate appeal... love!
For more trends from all the shows, take a look at the official website here.

Monday 18 April 2016

WIN A WEEKEND IN LONDON!

WE'RE GIVING YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN A WEEKEND IN OUR HOMETOWN OF LONDON!

Find out how to enter right here...

We do love our hometown of London so we thought it was about time we got stuck into the next instalment of our #BluebellaLoves series and give our lovely fans the chance to enjoy it as much as we do!
To kick off what is set to be a sizzling summer of sport, style and all-round fun, we wanted to give you the chance to experience the place we call home and give one lucky winner the ultimate London treatment. With an exclusive overnight stay in the capital, tickets to the city's hottest exhibition plus a very exciting Bluebella prize, all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is sign up to our Mailing List.
Check out the full prize below and one of you will be the lucky winner!

OVERNIGHT STAY AT THE AMPERSAND HOTEL

 The winner and chosen friend will be guests at the elegant, 5* boutique Ampersand Hotel in Kensington, one of the capital's most exclusive areas.  This beautifully restored Victorian treasure is a luxurious hideaway, set near London's museum mile meaning you'll only be a stone's throw away from some of the best culture spots in the world. It's also well located for Harrods and shopping in the renowned areas of Knightsbridge and Chelsea's Kings Road.

 

TICKETS TO THE V&A'S 'UNDRESSED' EXHIBITION

 The winner will also get two tickets to one of this summer's most sought-after exhibitions, 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear' and we think it's the perfect prize for any lingerie lovers like us! Exploring our relationship with lingerie over the decades, it's a fascinating journey through history in one of London's most prestigious museums, the Victoria & Albert. Loved by the likes of Vogue, The Guardian and many more fashion editors, it has had heaps of amazing reviews and really is the place to be for any underwear advocates!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

£250 TO SPEND ON BLUEBELLA

 Of course, no prize would be complete without a Bluebella treat too! What would a weekend away be without some lovely Bluebella lingerie to pack? That's why we're also giving the lucky winner £250 to spend on Bluebella! Treat yourself to our fashion-forward lingerie collections or indulge in some seriously seductive nightwear pieces... the choice is all yours!
So if you fancy winning all of the above, all you have to do is simply sign up to our Mailing List here and one winner will be picked at random! You can also find full T&Cs on the page too. Good luck!

Tuesday 12 April 2016

PAIR YOUR DENIM

THE UNDERPINNINGS TO PAIR WITH YOUR 5 NEW SEASON DENIM SHAPES

Denim
Erin McQuinn, Denim Guru and Founder of Vogue favourite, Bad Denim Boutique in Hackney, tells us what to wear with this season's top new shapes

Here we are - it's new season time! The imminent death of the skinny jean has opened a door for a different class of denim; a meatier denim, an actual denim. In the realm of super-stretch fabric, sure, you can see variation in wash and distressing, high rise and high-ER rise but there is not much that can be done shape-wise. Synthetic blend denim is limp and unexciting. To hold a shape you need good old COTT-ON to re-enter the scene. Now non-stretch is having its moment, FINALLY. I say out with the flop and spray-on and in with structure and restraint.
The masculinity of this new denim movement is perfectly paired with modern lingerie. The question is, which works best together? Let's run through my favourite combinations for this season's 5 new denim shapes:

FRENCH BOYFRIEND

French Boyfriend Your high waisted general rebel-without-caring of a jean is perfectly suited for a French lace cropped top. Wear with a slight front tuck and a spaghetti strap tank underneath.
Pair it with: the Julianna top, with the Caitlin cami underneath
  Caitlin cami

Julianna top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






WIDE LEG

Wide leg Balance out the volume of a high-waisted wide-leg with a neat little bodysuit. Bodysuits are denim's best friend when you want the jeans to take center stage.
Pair it with: the Selena body (in nude)
Selena body

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





GAUCHO

Gaucho The little sister of the wide leg, I like my gaucho to swing about 3inches above the ankle. It's the dressier version, but just as comfortable as a loose boyfriend.
Pair it with: a pyjama top, like Claudia
Claudia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




CROPPED TRUMPET

Cropped Trumpet This is the "awkward length" cropped flare, ending about 2 inches above the ankle.
Pair it with: the Emma Teddy. Power blazer over it is optional.
Emma teddy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




HIGH WAISTED STRAIGHT LEG

High waisted straight leg Looks great in a super light wash for the full 90's vibe. Balance its toughness with a more feminine detailed delicate top.
Pair it with: the Sephy Teddy.
Sephy teddy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Erin McQuinn, Founder, Bad Denim BoutiqueThis Bluebella blog post was guest-authored by Erin McQuinn, founder of Bad Denim boutique
Jeans available online at www.baddenim.co.uk and you can follow Bad Denim on Instagram

Monday 4 April 2016

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LINGERIE

 GET UNDRESSED WITH HISTORY

The highly-anticipated exhibition at the V&A is opening soon! (Picture source: The Guardian)
We're really excited about the forthcoming V&A exhibition which focuses on our number one favourite thing, lingerie. It's been on the cards for a while now having been first announced back in November and 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear' is set to be one of the most talked about exhibitions of the year.
Opening its doors on Saturday 16th April, the exhibition promises to explore lingerie through the decades, looking at the practicalities of underwear and its role in the fashionable wardrobe whilst highlighting its sensual and sexual appeal. In anticipation, we thought we'd look back at some of the most iconic moments in modern lingerie history. We've already got ourtickets so make sure you get yours too, plus keep your eyes peeled for an exclusive competition we'll be running!

MARILYN THE LINGERIE MODEL (1945)

 Before she was a super star on the Hollywood scene, Marilyn Monroe put her famous curves to good use and starred in numerous lingerie advertising campaigns. In the 40's, the adverts were painted by hand! It's safe to say she definitely carved out her role as one of the leading ladies of lingerie as both a  model and an actress.
Source: Stylist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 LIZ TAYLOR'S SLIP (1954)

 One of the most iconic images in cinematic history is this sultry and sexy pose from Liz Taylor in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof', as she played the Oscar-nominated Maggie 'the Cat' Pollitt and lounged around on a boudoir-esque bed in a simple chic white slip and heels. Divine...
Source: Guardian

 

 

 

 

BETTY THE PIN UP (1950S)

 While most women were in girdles, there was one woman breaking the rules. Notorious pin-up girl Bettie Page made her name wearing rather more risque lingerie and whips, rubber and bondage gear were regular accessories. This was one woman who certainly knew what she wanted...
Source: Stylist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCO PANTS (1974)

 The cover of Roxy Music's Country Life album featured two models wearing decadent, disco-inspired lingerie that was representative of the glitterball-filled dancing everybody was doing. It was deemed super rude and even the Dutch banned it.
Source: Guardian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERK & POINTY (1990)

 Of course we couldn't look at modern lingerie history without paying homage to the Queen of pop, Madonna, who in the height of her career, ushered in a new way of wearing underwear... as outerwear, of course. Styling up stage outfits like this one from her Blonde Ambition tour, which was styled by Jean Paul Gaultier, she made her mark on pointy bras that will be forever etched in lingerie history.
Source: Stylist

SPRING SUMMER '16 STYLING IDEAS


We show you how to style up your lingerie for the SS16 season ahead...
We are now officially in the throws of Spring, hooray! Having patiently waited for what seems like an age, we couldn't be more excited at Spring starting to make its mark with fresh mornings, gorgeous daffodils and the sun still spilling low in the sky when we get home from work. A new season typically brings about a new shift in style and this is even more important for Spring... everything feels so rejuvenated and there is no better time to rejuvenate your style, either.
Changing from Winter's wardrobe to Spring's style couldn't be easier. Here we show your our top tips for a simple shake-up of season-to-season lingerie looks, courtesy of the fabulous styling from our fashion blogging friends!

DENIM



Barcelona-based blogger Laura Red Lips fell in love with the romance of Raya but gave it a cool edge by teaming it with one of this season's hottest trends, denim. Step into Spring by wearing an oversized denim dress and flatforms but give it a fabulously feminine feel by wearing a delicate balconette bra underneath. Give it a sexier touch by leaving a couple of buttons undone...

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS CHIC


The nation's obsession with trainers looks set to continue into the summer and we're totally loving Chopstick Panorama's perfect choice of styling for chic daywear attire. Team crisp white sneakers with complimentary tones of grey and then take it up a notch with the dramatic design of the Ines. Sumptuous velvet and gorgeous guipure lace make for a super lingerie statement so don't be afraid to step up your lingerie game this summer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 GO DOTTY


The gorgeous British blogger Lolitamas recently took care of our Easter Edit, where she showcased her favourite lingerie looks for the long Bank Holiday weekend. We loved how she teamed the luxurious lace detail of the Ella with one of summer's key talking points, polka dots. Combining sleek straight-legged trousers with a touch of ruffle and delicate floral lace couldn't be a more interesting style set-up and we think it works a treat! 

 

 

 

BODY READY


Nottingham-based blogger Sophie Ottewell showed off her sassy style when she chose the Blake Body as one of her lingerie treats for Spring and we couldn't have agreed more. Blake's beautiful mix of fashion-forward mesh, striking zip detail and satin style come together to create an elegant yet edgy look that's just as good for the bedroom as it is for the party. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FESTIVAL FABULOUS 


If there's one thing we love more than lingerie, then it's festivals and we cannot wait for the fabulous festival season to kick off once again for 2016! With the world's most stylish festival, Coachella, kicking off in a matter of weeks, it means once again that our Instagram feeds will be full of field-ready fashion and there is no reason why lingerie can't play a starring role! We love how Dutch blogger Fashion Hoax has teamed the Caitlin cami with cut-off denim shorts and oversized sunglasses for your ultimate festival fashion fix!