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Bridal wear brands There are so many options we (boutique owners) go through when deciding on which bridal wear brands to stock and offer to our customers. The first and foremost being who my customers are and what do they like to find in my store. Secondary to that is my business ethos and style which makes it vital to find a brand that fits in well with these.  There are many other factors we also take into account, such as having a varied curated options which offer inclusivity and account for all budgets. So why did I choose the brands that I did? Read on to find out. A little background! Let’s talk about the Brand choices I made when I opened my bridal boutique and why I made them; but to begin, I must first give you a little background context to the story. I pretty much knew what I wanted to be “when I grow up” from a very young age, but my journey to bridal wear was not a straightforward one, it liked to zig and zag a bit before landing on where I am now. And that’s ok, because sometimes life likes to throw hurdles in your way that may delay you (it’s never too late though – believe me!) and some other times, life gives you opportunities and opens doors that you simply need to leap into. I grew up always drawing and designing dresses from a young age (I still have some of my sketch books from when I was as young as 10 Years old - see an example of those design in this image). I wanted to study fashion design, but a school career advisor told me that it’s an incredibly competitive and difficult market and that I should focus on something more attainable (the worst advice ever! But I listened to her) so for my further education, I went for my second favourite type of design; Architecture. I completed my education, whilst still drawing dresses throughout my course! That’s when I made the decision to switch things up and go for my dream career. What’s Special about the bridal industry? I found myself to be incredibly drawn to weddings and the idea of being a part of someone’s most important outfit that they would wear on their most special day was such a humbling feeling. I also LOVE hearing people’s “get together” stories and how the proposal happened, these stories make me feel emotionally invested, so I just want to help capture their dreams in their wedding day look. It started when someone close to me got engaged in 2002, we immediately started working together to create her wedding dress and that was me hooked from then on. There was also the appeal that bridal fashion is ‘Slow Fashion’ with some brands focusing on ethical production practices and using sustainable/ eco-friendly materials in their collection construction. Bridal wear production mostly leans towards making quality pieces over cheaper quantities, not to mention, their sentimental value can propel them to become timeless pieces that are cherished and potentially passed on from one generation to another. That longevity game is music to my ears. Bridal wear simply made sense to me Evolving When I decided on opening my bridal studio, the first thing on my mind was “Let’s go wedding dress shopping” (and I absolutely loved that ride!) I looked for brands with a business ethos that aligns with my own, brands that were passionate about the brides who wear their dresses and have real care, heart and soul, you already know, by now, my love for hearing others’ stories, so finding out about brand startup business stories was also a key motivator in choosing who to partner with. So, who am I currently stocking in The Studio? GAIA Bridal Oh the wonderful brand that is GAIA Bridal! Maria, the designer of GAIA Bridal’s stunning gowns is the friendliest, most approachable, and caring woman I had spoken with from the industry. She is bloody creative too and knows exactly how to dress real women for their wedding day! I immediately connected with her from our first conversation and knew I wanted to work with her and her amazing team (go check out my Instagram chat with Maria to find out more about her). Ok, so what does GAIA do differently then? They see us boutiques as their partners not just a stockist. That allows us to work together very closely which in turn helps us serve our Brides even more, especially when they want dress customisations or certain things altered within GAIA’s dreamy designs. I have yet to work with another brand that offers the level of customised options that GAIA Bridal does, and I just love how flexible they are. Being a British brand is a bonus as these communications can happen very quickly and allow us to better support our brides that way. If you see a GAIA design that I do not stock, get in touch as I may be able to get that dress in ready for you to try on at your appointment. Check out GAIA Bridal’s designs here. Kelsey Rose You can’t help but fall in love with Kelsey Rose! This free-spirited brand is the younger sister to the stunningly elegant Ellis Bridals Brand. A London based company that has been established since 1912 and has that truly English heritage feel that is timeless, yet so modern. Although they have over 100 years of design experience under their belt, this family run company maintains it’s connection to the brides who wear their dresses and love to celebrate them and connect with them. This friendly and approachable ethos drew me to them when I met one of their team members who visited me at the studio to chat about their gorgeous dresses. I was also very impressed with the gowns’ amazing quality, and you can truly see the talent and level of design detail that goes into each piece. These dresses are effortlessly beautiful. You can find all Kelsey Rose designs here Rasha Kashou Yes, that is my name! Did you know that I also design and create made-to-measure bridal wear and accessories? As I mentioned earlier my bridal wear journey started with designing bespoke bridal wear for friends and family, eventually expanding to offering my services to all brides within my small Oxfordshire studio. This led me to needing to expand and that’s when I sourced this wonderful converted barn for my studio where I introduced even more (the above mentioned) brands into the mix. My humble beginnings started in Oxfordshire, UK where I designed and make each piece by hand, I focus on using British companies when sourcing my materials (my latest Mai Collection is largely made with eco-friendly fabrics) hence my wanting to solely work with British Bridal Brands at The Studio (you can read more about this in my other blog here). More about bespoke designs here. The Future What further developments can you expect from Rasha Kashou Studio in the future? Well, there are so many ideas in the pipeline! I can easily say “you’ll just have to wait and see what surprises are in store!” But that’s just not fun! Even though I'll hold back a little on some of these surprises (gotta wait for the right time), I’ll be nice and tell you that I do have my eye on some more cracking Bridal brands that I have spoken to and hope to introduce to the RK Studio family soon. Nope I will not be naming them just yet, so keep your eyes peeled for these announcements as well as the other fab projects coming soon. Contact me, Rasha, via telephone, WhatsApp messaging or email to chat about your bridal look ideas when you’re ready. I’ll be here happy to support and celebrate you as always. Rasha X 07460 120 957 info@rashakashou.com www.rashakashou.com #BritishBridal #BridalWearBrands #BrideToBe #HowToChooseYourWeddingDress #WeddingDresses #OxfordshireBride #BucksBride #WeddingLook

You’re Engaged! The most exciting thing just happened and you are now officially engaged. Congratulations! You’ve announced the happy news to your friends and family, now where do you start with the wedding planning? As exciting as this period is, the planning process can sometimes feel daunting if you are not sure where to start. I often speak with couples who are at the very early stages of their wedding planning and the same question always pops up; “When is the best time to start…” be it shopping for your bridal wear, booking a venue or sending out Save the Date cards. Wouldn’t it be good if there was a manual for these things? Well, this is not a manual, but I thought that putting together a little timeline guide might be useful to some of you starting out. Do keep in mind that every couple’s timeline will be different, some of you may have 2 years to leisurely plan, others might need to get the basics arranged for a wedding in 4 months’ time. Whatever your own schedule looks like, you can use this simple guide to help you adapt it to suit you. The average length of an engagement period is around 12 to 18 months nowadays. If your wedding date is scheduled in 6 months or less, then use the first month of your planning to complete all the tasks listed from 18 to 6 months in the guide below. This will help you stay on track. The most important thing is to remember to enjoy this phase in your relationship, since you are planning a celebration of your future together and the choices you make for your wedding represent this relationship that combines you both. I would always advise that you stay true to who you are, paying less attention to external influences which may detract from what you really want on your wedding day. 18 to 13 Months to Your Wedding Day Budget: This may be one of the least fun tasks to start with, but it’s an important one! It will determine what kind of wedding you can have and help you stay focused on what is truly important to you on your wedding day. At the very early stages, the budget does not have to be so perfect right to the last penny, but having a rough idea of your cut off point is advisable and utilising a method to keep track of these expenditures can help; be it the good old trusty spreadsheet or a wedding app that keeps record for you. Guest List: Another one that you need to know a rough idea of, but will not need to be 100% pinned down just yet, is your guest list count. This estimate is important for your venue search as you will need to find a suitable location that will hold the number you estimate will be invited. Also, keep in mind your budget and how many it will allow you to host. Venue: Usually your venue will take the biggest chunk out of your budget, but it will also help you set the theme, along side many other wedding planning aspects that follow, so this task has to be early on in your wedding planning. Some couples will have a particular venue in mind and will choose their wedding date around that venue’s availability. Others will have a special date decided on and will source a suitable venue that is available on their date. Optional extras: Wedding insurance, hiring a wedding planner, booking a registrar for civil ceremonies or booking a celebrant to officiate the ceremony. 12 to 9 Months to Your Wedding Day Theme: Factoring in the venue’s setting and your own styles and interests, what would your theme be? Will it be a grand and formal affair or a will you choose a simpler family & friends focused garden party. There are so many other options in between, so doing your research on what you both enjoy and want to have on your day creates that vibe on the day that allows all your guests to truly celebrate you and your union. Photographer/ Videographer: The ones that will record your lasting memories of the day. Speak to your venue and ask if they have a list of recommended suppliers. Or you can simply start researching a photographer whose style speaks to you, then contact them to find out if they are available on your day. These professionals can get booked up very quickly which is why I have listed them in the upper part of this guide. Bridal Wear: Ooh, I may be biased here but this has to be the most fun part of wedding planning (sorry Grooms). Give yourself time to shop for your bridal look, whether you are looking for a traditional style, an alternative one or anything in between, the shopping experience should make you giddy with joy inside. Surround yourself with an entourage whose opinions truly matter to you because they know you and what style represents you. Enjoy the experience of having your own personal stylist who will gently guide you through all the options and help you find your dream look for your day. Once you find your style that you say “yes” to, that dress may then take up to 6 months to arrive (every store and every brand is different, some may be ready in as little as 3 months so it is always worth checking with the boutique about their order timelines) then you will need to book a seamstress to ensure alterations are taken care of once the dress arrives. Alterations are sometimes handled in-house; every bridal boutique will have their own services. However, if a boutique does not offer an alteration service, they may be able to recommend a seamstress that they have previously worked with. Entertainment: There are so many options available for wedding entertainment, be it a musical number for both ceremony and reception (a band, a musician or a DJ), a fun photobooth or outdoor games or magician, making sure your preferred supplier is available on your date early on is essential. Caterers: Your venue might have that covered already, but if they don’t offer in-house caterers or you prefer not to use them, then now would be a good time to source a suitable caterer. You may want a full sit-down menu or a burger truck, either way, you can find many options available to suit you. Optional Extras: Will you choose to have an engagement photoshoot? Will you want to create a wedding website or social media page? 9 to 7 Months to Your Wedding Day Save the Date: At this point you will have had your invitee list confirmed between you both, so sending out save the date cards to all who will eventually receive an invitation is a good task to complete around this time. Wedding Registry: If you choose to receive wedding gifts, then finding a suitable registry is a good option to do around this stage. Others may create a honeymoon fund account where guests can gift money to go towards the couple’s honeymoon. Again there are a myriad of options available, it’s just a matter of finding out what suits you. Florist: Meet with florists and see what they can do for you on the day. Venue Décor: This again may well be taken care of by the venue you book, but if it isn’t sourcing a decorator to arrange the styling for you, or doing it yourself if that is your choice, around now would be the right time to start these tasks. Optional Extras: Will you need to book guest accommodations? Or arrange special discount with a nearby hotel for your guest who may be travelling from afar? 7 to 5 Months to Your Wedding Day Groom’s Look: Whether hiring or buying, this is the right time to start shopping. Bridal Party Outfits: Your Bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls’ outfits etc, more shopping to be arranged. Bridal Accessories: When collecting your wedding dress, you would usually shop for your bridal accessories at this time, (if you hadn’t already done so) as well as your wedding shoes - you will need these for your alteration fittings Hair & Make-up: Speak to professionals and arrange trials. Wedding Cake: Go for tasting and order your cake. Wedding Rings: Order your bands. Transport: Book transport for the couple, bridal party and guests as needed. Honeymoon: Book your honeymoon 5 to 2 Months to Your Wedding Day Invitations: Send out the Invitations Presents: Buy gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. It is also traditional to buy flower bouquets for the mothers of the Bride & Groom. Wedding Favours: you can either order these or start creating special handmade gifts for your guests. Wedding Itinerary: Finalise table plans and order of service and have them printed if needed. Wedding dress Alterations: Now is a good time to get you fitting nicely in your chosen bridal wear. Hen/Stag Dos: Plan something to do to help you celebrate pre-marriage. 1 Month to the Day Before Your Wedding Day Checklist: Go through your planner’s checklist or spreadsheet, confirm all details with vendors and ensure all payments have been finalised. Do Musicians have your playlists ready? Collect RSVPs: it helps to know who will be in attendance. Party: Go wild at your Hen Party/ Stag Do. Pack: For your honeymoon if you are leaving soon after the wedding. The Day Before Your Wedding Day Relax and treat yourselves to something special. This is by no means an exhaustive list; there are many other factors that I have not listed here, such as catering for children or pets, vow writing or planning for that first dance, but I hope you find this basic guide helpful and flexible enough to allow you to add/ remove elements that are personal to you. Remember to enjoy your wedding day and celebrate each other amongst your loved ones. Much Love, Rasha xx Rasha Kashou Studio 07460 120 957 info@rashakashou.com www.rashakashou.com #WeddingPlanning #WeddingPlanningGuide #WeddingPlanningTimeline #UKWeddingPlanning #HelpfulGuide

A penny for your thought Today, I found myself sitting at my desk and thinking “How do I start talking about this?” ‘This’ being the topic of my small family run business, the bridal boutique Rasha Kashou Studio. A venture that is extremely personal to me as I invest so much of my time, dedication and heart into it. Did you know that every customer makes me do a little dance of joy? Why would I want to share my thoughts with you? Well, because I see my little boutique and the many other local/ small independent businesses struggle around me in the current economic climate and I wonder; “How can we fix this?” Shopping has become so much easier when it is in the palm of our hands and with cheaper offerings that are quick to arrive at our doorsteps, it is now the go-to option – Believe me, I know how convenient this is, we’ve all done it. Unfortunately, the repercussion of this convenience is the negative impact it is having on the high street, losing not only unique local shops and the local community that comes with it, but our choices are also having a direct impact on our local economy. By opting to shop local more regularly, we can play an active role in supporting our local industries and promoting economic growth. My own input I hold the same responsibility of supporting the economy when running a business as I do when being a consumer, so when I set up Rasha Kashou Studio back in February 2023, I decided to only stock British brands in my boutique and working with local professionals/ suppliers. This is because I believe we have a vast talent within these shores and exporting this talent is not always the answer. In fact, shining a light on these will eventually help us all in the long run. My choices of buying and working with British organisations and professionals essentially puts the investment back into our own economy; creating more jobs and strengthening the infrastructure of our towns and cities. Each purchase we make from a British brand has a multiplier effect, where the money spent goes on to circulate within our own economy, benefiting various sectors, be it retail, manufacturing and/ or services. It is this synergy created by our collective effort to support local brands that drives economic growth, creates opportunities for prosperity, and ensures a brighter future for all of us. (https://totallylocally.org) Additionally, supporting British brands preserves our cultural heritage and traditions. Each corner of our nation is rich in history, craftsmanship, and unique regional specialties. By buying local, we endorse the talents and skills passed down through generations. Whether it is the renowned Scottish textile industry, the craftsmanship of the West Midlands in producing pottery, or the world-famous Savile Row tailors of London, each British brand tells a story of our culture and identity. By embracing these brands, we reinforce a sense of national pride while ensuring that our traditions and craftsmanship are not lost in the fast-paced world of mass production. While the allure of foreign brands may seem tempting, it is crucial to recognize that not all products from abroad are of superior quality. British brands have a longstanding reputation for excellence, precision, and attention to detail. From luxury goods to everyday essentials, British brands often exhibit a level of quality that surpasses their foreign counterparts. By supporting these brands, we contribute to the growth and development of our own industries, enabling them to compete on a global scale. In doing so, we help foster innovation, research, and development within our country, further solidifying our position as a leader in various industries. Have I gone too far in my examples? I may come across rather passionately when it comes to this topic, but I sincerely believe we can all contribute to turning things around for the better. But the current financial times are hard! Understandably, when people are struggling in the current cost of living crisis, that we find ourselves in, opting for cheaper options are easier to manage and one may argue that supporting local businesses can sometimes be more expensive. While it is true that certain foreign imports may offer lower prices due to economies of scale, we must consider the long-term consequences of consistently choosing cheaper alternatives. As local British industries lose their footing, we risk becoming overly reliant on imports, leading to a loss of domestic jobs, skills, and expertise. So maybe we don’t just solely buy on-line but try to balance what we buy into British products whenever possible, alongside the odd cheaper import. Importing products from abroad can also have a detrimental impact on the environment too, with increased carbon emissions from transportation. By investing in local brands, we promote sustainability and reduce our ecological footprint. How can you support? There are a few things you can do to support us independent businesses; the most obvious being to come in and make a purchase, you'll know that when we are personally invested in our jobs that we will do everything to maintain the relationship and offer you the best service possible. There are also a number of ways to support us without even having to spend your money; such as visiting our social pages and follow, like, comment and share the posts. You can also Tag family/ friends on to the business’ posts or tag the business when you share a post of your own. Writing a review on their business pages or even sending them praise in an email does wonders to a small business as is a very powerful tool in generating further business, it elevates the owners to a grand state of pure happiness and it encourages other customers to visit. The same goes for recommendations to family and friends, people will always want to go where they know a good experience has previously been offered. Show up to events they may hold. After all, local is all about the social aspect with their community so building relationships is part of the experience. In conclusion Supporting British brands by buying local is vital for our economy, cultural heritage, and overall wellbeing. Each choice we make as consumers has far-reaching consequences, and by consciously opting for British products, we can play a pivotal role in shaping a prosperous future. Whether it is backing local businesses or ensuring the longevity of our industries. Let us remember that our choices as consumers can serve as a catalyst for positive change. Together, we can build a brighter, more resilient future for ourselves and the generations to come. “I am Rasha from Rasha Kashou Studio - a bridal boutique that offers an inclusive range of bridal wear and accessories which have been carefully curated to offer a variety of options in style and budgets. I started out designing and creating made-to-measure pieces, so alongside the amazing British designers stocked in my store, I also offer the personal service of bespoke designs to each client I work with, hand made to a high standard. I love nothing more than to talk about weddings and I am here for you should you fancy a chat about your wedding day look.” www.rashakashou.com 07460 120 957 #buylocal #britishbrands #smallbusiness #bridalwear #weddingdresses #supportingIndependentBusinessesUK

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Hi everyone, how are you all doing? So, I’m finally back from an (unintentionally) long break from social media, but that does not mean I have been putting my feet up! On the contrary, I have in fact been busier than ever as the company started evolving, adapting, expanding and changing in a number of ways (all will be explained as you read on). As we all know, the dreaded ‘C’ word with its pandemic and its effects on the wedding industry had some lasting impact on many businesses (we all felt it so I won’t bang on about it), but I briefly mention it as it made me want to re-evaluate my business and see what else I could do to offer my clients even more options. Let me jump straight into what these changes are: Name change We were known as Rasha Kashou Couture, but the company name has changed slightly to accommodate all the new developments (explained below) and we are now Rasha Kashou Studio. The Unit This part of the story is the main reason why this social media absence took as long as it did. I wanted to find a new home for Rasha Kashou, one that offers a bigger space and a better setting, so I started my search back in 2019. I was not in a rush at that point as I really wanted to find the right type of space, not just any space will do. Then 2020 came along and the search went on to the back burner. In January 2022 I found a wonderful unit that required a little bit of work, (not something I shy away from), so I confirmed my interest in the space and put in my offer to the agents. 8 months went by with a lot of going back and forth between myself and the landlord (who decided to change the terms on me, twice, after I made the offer to lease); however, the final nail in the coffin was set when they took a U-turn in making reasonable changes to the unit to allow for wheelchair accessibility, an area that was non-negotiable for me. This became a long and complicated story that I will not bore you with; but the end result became that it was better for me to walk away and search elsewhere. I am only telling you this part of my story to better explain why I had been away so long. I wanted to return with a bang in a post that tells you about all the wonderful changes, but months were passing by with little news. I then began the search again and I was fortunate to find Lower Farm Barns in Bucknell. A beautiful selection of converted barns surrounded by farms, (as you drive in you’ll most likely be greeted by the Alpacas in their own little enclosed space), a lovely community of other small businesses and the best landlords you could wish for. After three months of solicitors doing their thing, I had the keys in my hands in Dec 2022. One month and a half of solid hard work ensued to design and create a beautiful and cosy space for all my clients and their friends and family to relax in whilst shopping for their special gowns. I am SO very excited to tell you that the Studio is now open for appointments. Designer Brands What is new at the Studio? I hear you ask! Well, part of the new services I will be offering all our new clients is the option of ordering other designer brands at the Studio, alongside my own bespoke brand, Rasha Kashou Couture. You all know by now how important it is for me to support small/ national businesses. I believe it is the best way of supporting our British economy especially when it comes to the wedding industry. This is an ethos I have implemented in my business from its inception, and I wanted to carry it through to the brands I chose to partner with. From there, I spoke with a few British bridal wear brands and went on the fun activity of designer shopping for my studio (can’t really complain there, I loved it!) I found myself speaking to Maria, the designer to the gorgeous brand GAIA Bridal. We connected and the whole team was just wonderful. They had the same focus as me which is to create products that work for the brides with excellent customer service, not to mention, their designs are simply stunning! I feel truly proud to stock GAIA Bridal alongside my own designs. Their latest designs from their 2023 collection (and a few from their 2022 collection) are now available to try on in store. What makes us different? Where bridal wear shopping is concerned, I have tried to adapt our offerings in a way that provides you, the client, with a complete shopping experience when searching for your special gown. Having a ready to order brand such as GAIA and the Rasha Kashou Couture bespoke range together makes us different as flexibility and customisations become so much more possible. For example, if, whilst at your private appointment, you try on a number of styles and silhouettes; you find yourself drawn to a detail from one design and the silhouette from another, that’s where our custom expertise comes into play as we can combine these elements to create your own unique design. The option of ordering cohesive accessories that play an important supporting role to your final look is also there. It eliminates the need to search elsewhere for a design that will compliment the dress you fall in love with. Even your bridesmaids can also stand out in their own unique way, whatever age they are, designs can be made to represent your wedding theme, colour and style to complete your bridal party image, for these all-important wedding photos. Of course, you can still come in for your original bespoke Rasha Kashou Couture bridal design; where the patterns are 100% made-to-measure with luxury fabrics and high quality workmanship. We are the place to be when your standard bridal wear shops do not offer styles that represent you, be it a unique colour dress, a unique design (maybe a bridal suit?) or simple, the sample sizes do not work for you. Rasha Kashou Studio is the place that sees you and designs accordingly – for you! Accessories Look out for the upcoming accessory range, by Rasha Kashou, that will be released in 2023. Staying true to brand, there will be plenty of unique, quirky and wonderfully playful designs coming your way. Of course, you don’t have to wait with any enquiries you may have, you can reach out and chat to me via telephone or send me a WhatsApp message on 07460 120 957, email info@rashakashou.com, social media (search Rasha Kashou) or through the enquiry form in my website www.rashakashou.com Or you can simply book your private appointment (yes, the whole studio will be reserved just for you and your friends and family once you book) by clicking on the ‘Book Now’ button in the above website. #bridalwear #couturebride #weddingdress #GAIAbridal #RashaKashou #BridalShopOXON

[Yes the Bridesmates spelling is purposeful and not a typo, read on and all shall become clear] Bridesmaids! Are they an important part of wedding planning? In some cultures, they can be an integral part of the planning process, in other cultures they’re non-existent. What does it mean to you? Are you thinking of having bridesmaids at your wedding? How many would you have? Where do you even start with styling them in a way that makes each individual one happy and have the style work with your wedding theme? Let’s delve deeper into this.. The History In modern tradition, bridesmaids are a group of girlfriends/ female family members who support the bride in aspects of her wedding planning. However, historically they served a more colourful purpose in their role as bridesmaids than they do today. Prepare yourselves for this wild story folks! In ancient China, kidnapping a bride to be was a rather common occurrence and since it was a standard practice for the bride to travel many miles to be wed, she would organise to travel with an entourage of women who would all dress the same as the bride and cover their faces (Yes, the veil!!) to disguise the real bride. Then there are also the ancient Romans whose law required for 10 witnesses at a wedding, making bridal parties bigger just for them to be legal. The bridesmaids at the time did dress the same as the bride too, but their reason for that was to ward off ghosts and demonic spirits! (shall we move on swiftly from that?) Bridesmaid styling tradition evolved further when the’ trend-setter’, Queen Victoria, married Prince Albert in 1840 (yes, I labelled her a trend-setter because she also started the ‘white’ wedding dress trend, which has since become the traditional hue for brides in a vast number of cultures. Before Queen Vic, the colour was either silver or any special colour that they could get their hands on). That Royal wedding had 12 bridesmaids who all wore identical white dresses which complemented the Queen’s own gown. Modern day bridesmaids Thankfully, the role of a bridesmaid and their styling has grown to fit better with the times, even though, further improvements can still be made; like getting rid of the ‘maid’ part and replacing it with ‘mate’ (this is where I explain the spelling - note that the word is not my invention and I have no idea who started this fabulous term - let me know if you know in the comments!) There are so many reasons as to why this needs to be addressed (and perhaps I’ll go through them all in another blog post) but for now, let’s just say, I wouldn’t call my friend a ‘maid’ nor would I want to discriminate against other genders who you might want to be included in your bridal party. Styling So, shall we talk about party styling now? In my opinion, the best bridal party look is one where each individual is dressed in their own style, a look that complements their own personality yet is still coherent within the wedding theme thread for all party members. Something you should know about me by now is that I strongly advocate for individuality and originality when it comes to style, I encourage the ones that truly say “this is me” through their clothing choices, so putting your bridesmates in the same design may end up excluding at least one of your party members from being themselves on the day. One way to keep a coherent style is through colour. Using one or two predominant colours as part of your theme allows you to play around with various silhouettes that your bridesmates can choose for themselves. If not the full silhouette change, then a more subtle difference like in a variety of differing necklines would speak volumes. How about mixing it up with long/short dresses or even with trousers? If focusing on a colour isn’t part of your theme, then you can still go for similar styles for your bridesmates but with varying colours. Colour studies can be conducted to create a group that work together (such as pastels, brights, or grey tones etc.) Where do you even start? Speaking to your bridal party and bridesmates is a good starting place, gather their ideas and preferences. Ultimately, the choice is yours (it is your wedding day after all) but it is always good to be accommodating to your friends/family, where possible, and - you never know - they may brainstorm with you some pretty fabulous ideas or help guide you through some of the tougher options. Working with a designer can also help you along if you are not totally confident on doing the work yourself. It is, after all, our job to design for you. Being a couturier truly allows me the freedom to design for your vision and professionally apply those colour studies for the whole party look; whereas some may find themselves restricted with what the shops have in stock. The wonders of the internet today offer you more options and flexibility than there ever was! Shopping or finding inspiration online is a great tool to aid your bridesmate style planning. There are many fantastic designs out there that offer flexibility in creating various differing necklines or styles in your choice of colours. Go for it! I would like to end this post by asking you to be daring and truly go for the look and style that makes you happy, rather than what you believe to be the standard or what is expected by others. Your wedding day is a celebration of two individuals coming together and it is both your expressions that need to be present proudly on that day. Much Love! Rasha #Bridesmaids to #Bridesmates #BridalParty

What is couture? So what is couture? As a couturier I am often asked this question amongst many others around this concept, so I thought I’d put it all down here in this post to help clarify this fabulous (in my opinion of course) concept and perhaps debunk some of its myths. The official definition of Couture, as listed in the Oxford Dictionary, is “the design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client’s specific requirements and measurements.” Couture also has other names such as bespoke, custom or made-to-measure; and if you are interested in delving more into its definition (I love to geek on these facts, so bear with me) the word originates from the French language which translates to ‘sewing, dressmaking’ but it has become more widely known in the fashion world as the definition of a unique, high quality, one-off design that is created for a specific individual. Who makes couture designs? Who makes these couture designs, I hear you ask? Well, they can be created by designers (like myself) who will go through the whole process from design to fit and manufacture, these people are usually called Designers but can also be classed as Couturiers if their whole work is solely focused on bespoke wear to their clients. Other titles include dressmaker, seamstress, tailor etc but these may not always include the actual design aspect of the process. Okay, so now we know what it means, but you may still wonder what the point of it is? After all there are plenty of ready to wear clothes in the shops and online! It is a fact that the art of bespoke design has slowly faded away in the UK since the 70s and the growth of ready to wear attire became so much more prominent that a lack of skilled sewers in the country has become glaringly apparent; with that the cost of materials has risen dramatically making high street/online shopping (most of which are highly likely made in China or Taiwan) cheaper and quicker. Due to that, made-to-measure clothes have been diluted to special occasion wear only, such as bridal wear. These days the most commonly used method of shopping for your wedding look is to browse online and go try on dresses at one of many boutiques in the country. These bridal shops do a fantastic job in supporting their customers, but that should not negate the need for alternative methods of sourcing your bridal wear; there are so many benefits to opting for a couture design and I’ll do my best to go through them here. A design that represents YOU. This is my first and - what I consider to be - the most important one of all. On your wedding day, the aim is usually to look your best self, so I would encourage staying true to your own style and using the bespoke element of design to truly personalise the look to you. Only you will ever have that design made for. The pattern will be created using your unique body measurements, eliminating the need for alterations after construction. Want an alternative design? Yes, that is our specialty! It can be hard to find a style that represents you when the shops mainly stock the most popular and saleable designs today. Why not a bridal trouser suit? Or a specific colour? There are no limits when it comes to couture. Non-standard body size. Is your upper body a different size to your lower part? Are you petite? (It’s not just about hem length, but the torso length can make the fit all wrong on a petite shape). Perhaps you’re in a wheelchair and want a design that is functional for you but does not compromise on the style you love. A bespoke design will cater for all your needs and is made for every possible body shape, size and style. Incorporating personal elements. This is what made-to-measure designs are all about, personalisation. Whether it is in the form of using an heirloom/ vintage piece to incorporate in your own design, it can be a special keepsake that is sewn into your design or a bespoke embroidery, perhaps a special flower or drawing or even an embroidered scripture that details a special name or date etc. You can truly create an everlasting piece that you can treasure forever. Caring for the environment. We all know how the fast fashion world is a massive contributor to polluting the environment. So for those who are environmentally conscious and would like their ethics and value to be reflected in their wedding day look, a bespoke creation would be a great option. The actual format of couture design lends itself to being a - so much more - environmentally friendly process by default as there is less waste when creating for individuals than to mass produce. I will not speak on behalf of all bespoke designers out there but, I myself, try as much as possible to buy from national suppliers, eradicating my footprint to almost zero, using responsibly sourced materials and eco-fabrics as much as possible. You can find some these in my Mai Collection. Let’s talk about alterations. This is an area which I feel quite passionate about due to the nature of my work. Altering a wedding gown after it had already been constructed can make it lose a little bit of that original design essence and sometimes, it simply does not work; I have had a number of customers come to me purely because they found a great dress but the alterations needed on it would lose the beautiful detail it had or it would not feel like a seamless design after it fits them. That is not an issue I would even consider whilst designing your customised look as every detail would be carefully thought through with you in mind. (Please note that this is only my personal opinion and that I truly believe there are many gifted sewers out there who do full justice to the pieces they are altering). I have more questions If all the above sounds like pure music to your ears, but there is still that little hesitant voice in your head convincing you that it’s just not for you, then that’s absolutely fine. It really may not be for you and that’s up to you to choose of course. But you’re still reading this so maybe you have more questions? There are a few myths or misconceptions about a couture bridal design and I will list some here to try and debunk these in the hope of providing further clarity into the world of Couture. I can’t imagine how it would look. I have clients who come in knowing exactly what they want and ones who have no idea where to start. As a designer, I have honed my skills in listening and understanding each individual’s style and ideas through consultations. I have also adapted tried and tested methods that allow you to envisage what you will be buying into prior to committing. The process is fluid, creative and very visual which suits every personality type. If you come to me knowing exactly what you want, then I would stay true to your vision during the whole process. If however, you are unsure then I would utilise my experience to explore until we find what you fall in love with. It is very important to me that you are comfortable with the pace and that you are 100% sure of what you are buying, so honest communication is encouraged. Can I change my design? Once we have agreed on the final design, it does not become set in stone. As I mentioned above, the working process is a fluid one, and many of the finer details get agreed on during the fittings, so if there is a detail you want to remove, adapt or add more of, we do just that. If you want to change the silhouette slightly, make it tighter/ looser/ fuller change the neckline etc that is all addressed during the fitting. The aim is to create a design that you gush over and feel very excited about. Fittings are one of my favourite part of the process as I love seeing the customer’s reaction to their dream look coming together. It’s too expensive. We always hear of the large high end couture designer brands and their attire adorning celebrities; these lead us to believe couture is a very expensive option. That may well be true for those high end brands and some couturiers out there, so in this blog I will only speak for my brand, Rasha Kashou Couture. My average client spend to date has been between £1,500 - £2,500. This covers all consultations, fittings, accessories (where needed) and the full personalised service. I do not limit the number of consultations or fittings needed; in fact, I work with each client to find a comfortable working relationship that suits them. The UK national average spend on a wedding dress is around £1,300 (Oct 2019) when you add accessories and alterations to that figure it would not be too far from the fully customised service a couturier, like myself, would provide. The Haute Couture myth. This part is just me being a geek with proper terminology but I wanted to address that label which many companies incorrectly use to describe their products. We already established the definition of couture and how different it is from a ready-to-wear design (ones that are made using standard sizing and may require alterations). The Haute Couture status is in a league of its own; it translates to ‘High Fashion’ and only large design houses, who are members of the ‘Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture’ can use that title under strict conditions which the brand must meet. There are a number of design houses that falsely use the title to elevate their brand and charge very high prices without actually being members of that organisation, so please be wary where you spend your money. Where can I find a couturier near me? I know what you’re thinking now. Where can I find a couturier to speak to about my bridal look? The most obvious answer is googling "couture bridal wear near me" or using one of the many wedding planning apps out there where they would have sifted through many bespoke suppliers and they would list their recommendations, making it easy to find your local ones. Another good way is through personal recommendations; if you don’t know anyone who can recommend a supplier, using chat forums (such as Facebook groups) to ask for recommendations can provide a helpful insight. One thing I would highly recommend is that you read up on their reviews, look through their previous work, both collection designs and real brides and make sure that it corresponds with your own taste and style. Speak to them and ask plenty of questions, it’s important to know that you are comfortable working with them, their set processes and that you can trust them with your wedding day look. If you have any queries you can find more information in my FAQ page or you may contact me here.