Candy Anthony - Ultimate wedding bows

I got married to Don on August 28th this year.  We had been engaged for about a year and 3 months so had plenty of time to plan the wedding.

With my obvious love of bows I HAD to include some kind of bow reference in the wedding.  I had fallen in love with the shorter vintage style dresses (as being short and chubby it didn't drown me) and stumbled across Candy Anthony.  The first picture I saw became my dream dress!

http://www.candyanthony.com/collections_bridal.htm

I knew I would never look like that picture due to my size, but it was the style that I wanted.  I went to the store and regardless of how beautiful the dresses were, the price was rather off-putting.  I instead opted to have my dress made for me in a similar style!  Plus this way it was completely made to measure.

Having the dress made meant I could also add a different bodice to the dress I had seen at Candy Anthony.  However.... as soon as I have the money.... I would LOVE to buy a Candy Anthony dress..... if only I had some occasion to wear it!

The bow was made by a lovely lady called Katie who works with Broadwick Silks (Broadwick Street, Soho) and was made out of a lovely two tone silk dupion.  The staff at Broadwick silk were so helpful, explaining the different materials and helping me to contact someone to make the sash at such short notice (one week before the wedding!)

http://www.broadwicksilks.com/

It was a fabulous day, I loved every minute of it!  We spent the whole day laughing!  I hope we will spend the rest of our lives like this together!

G xxx

Hello Kitty x Liberty Bows - Finally Here

So it has taken me a while to finally put my bows for sale on Etsy! But Finally the Hello Kitty x Liberty Print bows are ready to go! I only have a few up at the moment but there are more to come!  Currently I have only added the barrette clips, but the earrings are soon to follow!

I have made a few different versions!

They can be found on my Etsy shop: Ai Love Ribbon

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ailoveribbon

G xxx

Miu Miu Bows

I LOVE Miu Miu Bows!

I have been a collector of Miu Miu bows for a while now... however it can be quite an expensive habit.  In fact it really was the Miu Miu bow that started my obsession with all things ribbon!  I love it for its simplicity and cuteness!  I started buying Miu Miu hairbands in about 2007 and bought a new bow from Miu Miu nearly every year.  Here is my 2008 purchase worn at my cousin's wedding:

I sadly cannot display all my Miu Miu bows but here are a couple of my favourites!

I also have the following clutch in Black (shown) and Red!  The clutch is really puffy and soft, it is also just big enough to put my phone in!  One wasn't enough so I acquired the Red as a Christmas present!

Occasionally however Miu Miu fail to bring out a suitable bow for me to buy, fortunately this is rather rare.  It does however make my desire to buy the next bow even greater!

xxG

AKB48's Takamina

Over the last year DH has become increasingly obsessed the the Japanese idol band AKB48.  Regardless of how much I try to hate them, the music is ridiculously catchy, and the varied personalities offered by a band with OVER 48 members means there is always someone relatable! As a bow lover I have always found myself drawn to AKB 48's Takahashi Minami (Takamina)!  Although she is not as typically girly as the other member of AKB she constantly wears a variety of over the top bows as part of her outfit.  She is seen at the beginning of the video for RIVER sporting a beautiful metal studded bow. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQqLKCg-UgA&ob=av2e

Also in the video for Everyday、カチューシャshe wears a beautiful buttoned yellow summer ribbon.

In fact photos of her without a bow of some kind are far fewer than those without!  I love how over the top the following red bow is, and I would DEFINITELY wear the black one.  I think I will make some Takamina styled bows towards Christmas for Etsy!

I dedicate this post to my husband and his love for AKB48! Haha
xx
G

Comme Des Garcons Bows

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting up with an amazing American girl I met whilst studying in Japan.
Don joined us later on and we decided to pop into Dover Street Market to look at Comme Des Garcons 'PLAY' range.  I had a look around while Don tried on a cardigan and found these beautiful tops!!  Really simple bow silhouettes on plain knits and Tshirts!  Beautiful!

G xxx

Tsumori Chisato

For me the black and pink Tsumori Chisato bow was the first thing that attracted me to the brand.
It was used for a promotional item in a magazine, as well as the backdrop to the Tsumori Chisato x Shu Uemura collection.

The Shu Uemura collection came out whilst I was in Japan and waiting for my wages to be deposited in my account!  When it did finally arrive the bow palette had already sold out!  I did however manage to buy beautiful diamante eyelashes and a brush set!

XXG

River Island - Affordable Bows

Wow, apart from being happy that there is somewhere selling anything bow themed.  It is an even greater delight when I find out that those items are A)  available and B) cheap!!

Check out these delights from www.riverisland.com
This cream enamel bow pearl bracelet is only £7

Then there is the silver look diamante ring for £13!

There are also these beautiful silver bow diamante stud earrings for £5!

The most beautiful thing of all?  River Island ships to over 100 countries for a very reasonable fee!!

G xx

Vendome Aoyama Bows

Vendome Aoyama was one of the few Japanese jewellery stores that caught my eye whilst living in Japan. They have a beautiful, and highly seasonal range of rings and necklaces with a bow motif!  Even my engagement ring was a limited edition collaboration with Takashimaya department stores.

After the success of the collaboration they have produced a new seasonal line for 2011 called 'pink ribbon' for breast cancer awareness in Japan.  They also have a beautiful pin badge!

Sadly the website is in Japanese, so for those of you who cannot read Japanese enjoy clicking on random links to find beautiful jewellery!

Feeling the need to go shopping in Japan again!!

xx G

Liberty x Hello Kitty

A couple of months ago saw the release of this beautiful set of fabrics from Liberty of London and Hello Kitty!  As a bit of a Hello Kitty lover I couldn't help myself!  I bought a couple of metres of kakurenbo and apple tree!  Kakurenbo was first designed in 1933, and with the addition of kitty-chan's face, is vibrantly vintage with lots of girly charm.  I also purchased Apple Tree, designed originally in 1934.  Here are the fabrics that liberty produced:

Handmade bows to follow shortly!!!

G xxx

Welcome

Welcome to Ai Love Ribbon!!
As you might be able to tell I have a love for all bows and ribbons!
I make handmade bows and ribbons for hair accessories and earrings!
I will post images and links to my Etsy shop over the next few weeks.

xxx
G