In the past three years, long term youth unemployment has increased by 329%*
With 76,400* young people in the UK in long-term unemployment, tailoring company A Suit That Fits is helping them find and get work with the second year of the A Suit For Success campaign.

Unwanted suits which will be gifted to one of their three partners: Amber and Centrepoint who both help young people disadvantaged as a result of homelessness, and Right Futures who work with young people who are not in employment, education or training to find their first long-term role. Once they’ve been suited and booted, A Suit That Fits and Right Futures will work with Amber and Centrepoint to find a number of their young people work experience placements.

Centrepoint helps homeless young people aged 16-25 turn their lives around by gaining essential life skills; tackling their physical and mental health issues and moving into education or employment. At Amber’s residential centres unemployed young people disadvantaged as a result of homelessness, criminal activity and substance abuse, gain the motivation, confidence and skills to get and maintain work and accommodation. Meanwhile, Right Futures helps 16-19 year-old Londoners apply for jobs, start apprenticeships, complete training courses and access work experience placements. Right Futures is run by Reed in Partnership, part of the Reed family of companies and one of the UK’s leading recruitment and training providers.

In spring 2012, A Suit That Fits launched the first year of A Suit For Success which helped homeless unemployed people back into work – and received over 1000 donations. Given the current climate, this year the focus is on helping young, unemployed people. And its not just men, women are being asked to donate unwanted suits too.

The donated suits will be collected nationwide until 31st May and Grooms can visit A Suit That Fits-A Suit For Success to find out where they can drop off their items.

Image by Billy Waters

1*    Long-term youth unemployment (18-24) – based on claiming JSA

2*  Long-term youth unemployment (18-24) March 2013 P – based on claiming JSA

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The Vintage Pamper Box is a traveling beauty parlour that specialises in escapism. Based in Liverpool, Betty and Lilly are the duo behind the brand and embody all that is retro and glamorous! Offering  vintage events perfect for hen parties and birthdays, glamour from the 1920′s to 1980′s in your own home, wedding day make-up and wedding photography, these ladies know how to party in style. With many packages to choose from including  the ’1950′s Deluxe’, ‘Horror Hottie’ and ‘Crafty Queen’ there is something to suit everyone and so much more than your average make-over day.

Why not try your hand at Jive dancing or become a burlesque queen with lessons as part of the ’1950′s Deluxe’!? My personal favourite is the ‘Horror Hottie’ package, transforming you into a horror gore pin-up (bagsie being the pin up zombie)! A child of the 80′s or just can’t get enough of your blue mascara? Well, the ‘Acceptable in the 80′s’ package will transform you into your favourite pop star and includes a photo shoot!

Betty Pamper is a make-up artist, writer and founder of the photography company Betty Bee and runs an online boutique; Betty Bee Vintage. Recently I quizzed Betty about the finer details of The Vintage Pamper Box…

Hello Betty! How do you and Lilly know each other and where did the idea for TVPB (the vintage pamper box) come about?

I met Lilly when she came to our studio for a pin up shoot with my husband Nicky Rockets,  we hit it off immediately (very few girls on the Wirral look like us) and we became instant friends.

The idea for the Pamper Box came about because myself and Lilly ran a local burlesque night and ladies would often approach us and say they would love to be able to do their hair and make up like us and also learn to do burlesque. Lilly was already a make up artist (I trained shortly after) and my husband is a well known pin up photographer so we decided to just put on one event using one of the burlesque dancers we knew. We taught a workshop in fifties inspired glamour, made over all the ladies, they had a burlesque class and their photo taken. The day sold out in a matter of days and we quickly realised we might have something and so the Pamper Box was born!

I love the packages you offer, are they all based in Liverpool?

We work predominately in Liverpool, Chester and Manchester but are also happy to travel countrywide as long as travel is factored in. Have make up kits will travel!

You offer everything from hen-do’s to pre-wedding pampers, the day itself and photography! Do you offer discounts if more than option is booked for the same event?

We sure do! Groups bookings over 15  the hen goes free and we throw in complimentary treatments if you book an additional service. We are also happy to offer discounts on multiple bookings.

You must have a huge team to cater for all these options!

The core team is myself and Lilly and we have a lovely girl called Pookie-Rae who also works with us. For bigger bookings we have  network of talented hair and make up artists who work alongside us.

How many weddings you can do in one day? Do brides have to book very far in advance?

Depending on what time brides need to get ready we can easily do three weddings. We often do wedding make up in the morning and hen parties in the afternoon. We like to keep busy. Its always best to book  the earlier the better really especially if you’re getting married in the summer months as those Friday and Saturdays do get booked up very quickly!

You and Lilly seem to have quite a few projects going on as well as TVPB, could you tell me a bit more about them?

Lilly runs her own boutique Lilly Von Pink as she is a very talented fashion and jewellery designer. I work as a writer and recently brought out a book as well as being a copywriter for lots of company blogs and publications. I also write a daily blog pamperandcurves.blogspot.com  which keeps me very busy.

You occasionally organise public events, the last one being ‘Heroes & Villains’, do you have any coming up soon?

We have two planned in the autumn, a ‘Horror Hottie’ one in October, a fairy/fantasy event in November and I’m working on another idea which will be revealed soon!!

Take a look at some examples of their work;

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One of the designers that was brand spanking new last year was Hazaar of London and I got to meet Rachel, one of the ladies behind the designs, at last years event. This year they are back with their 2014 collection and the gowns are better than ever. Growing in strength and confidence, they are really coming into their own. Their signature look is the dress that can be worn in more than one way, with secret hooks and fastenings keeping the dress long until you are ready to reveal a shorter style for the evening reception!

The new collection named ‘Rose Blush’ is very classic in style and here is what they have to say about it;

The Rose Blush collection revisits vintage elegance and classic style, while playing with touches of warm blush tones to create an exciting fusion of warmth and detail. This season’s collection has evolved to offer brides the option of choosing favourite pieces from a selection of gowns to create their own individual style and perfect wedding day look.

Brides can individualise their wedding dress by choosing from a selection of long skirts to wear with their favourite shorter dress. Each design and fusion has been carefully created to conceal the gowns versatility until the bride is ready to reveal her second look.

And here’s a sneaky peek at a few of the gowns that form the collection…

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I have touched on this subject before HERE, but I have just discovered a new platform for selling one or two unwanted wedding related things, WedBay. It’s literally just launched so is a bit sparse on what you can actually buy on there, but I have a feeling this will soon take off and is a great place to start getting rid of your once loved wedding items that need a new home.

Its free to register and is open to private sales and companies alike, so long as its wedding related stock. You can buy, hire, sell and advertise everything from used or new (new has to be cut-priced) wedding dresses to cravats and party accessories. This is great for companies wanting to advertise for free and shift excess stock at a discount and for the ladies looking to clear their clutter it couldn’t be easier.

Registration is fast and simple as is listing an item, all you need is a short description of the item and a photo, list it with the price you want and Bob’s your uncle! The ad will then be submitted for review and placed on the website when it has been authorised. Listings are completely free at the moment but I get the impression that won’t last for long so get in there quick!

I’ve just signed up so I could be sure that it is as good as it says on the tin, but only time will tell. As they say ‘these things are only as good as you make them’ so the more people who join, the better it will be, I sound like I work for them, but I don’t! I want you all to recoup some of the money you spent making your day special and I want couples to find that one thing that they couldn’t normally afford when it was brand new, for those of you that are a ‘bit funny’ about second hand, its only been used ONCE! Landfills are not getting any smaller and I’m all for recycling, reusing and up-cycling to make us all a little less consumer hungry (sermon over)!

Check out my ad HERE!

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Wedding designers will be showcasing their new 2014 collections at Battersea Evolution in the beautiful park, although with the weather like it has been something tells me I’ll be sprinting to get inside!

I had a fab time last year and got to meet some great new designers like Rachel of Hazaar of London and labels like SADONI who were breaking into the English market for the first time. I met Hamid, one half of SADONI’s founders last year, and I’m pleased to give you all a sneak peek at their new collection launching at this years White Gallery.

“Nordic Surface” is the latest bridal line for 2014. The Norwegian designer duo are offering a refreshing Nordic look which is based on simplicity, function and elegance. Founded in 2003, the couple returned to Oslo, Norway after studying and working in Paris together. The company’s signature look has become a great hit across Europe and is set to take England by storm!

Appealing to the bride who wants clean, unfussy lines, elegant and simple shapes and a more modern take on the classic wedding dress.

In SADONI’s new bridal collection at White Gallery London you will find a reflection of the contradicting bride of today opting for a modern look, a vintage feeling and pure natural elements at the same time. The highlights of the collection are portrait backs, fluid silhouettes, structured fabrics, layered features and soft drapes: all dazzled with nostalgic lace and crystal detailing.

I’m really looking forward to seeing the new collection in person, the last offering was so silky soft and light, and I’m hoping this year will be no exception! Here are a few designs that will form “Nordic Surface”…

SUMMER

STONE

SKY

SHANTAL

SELINA

SANNA

SADIE

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The ethos behind the brand is ‘beautiful imperfection’ with a eco-concious core;

reuse. recycle. renew

kimberly believes that true beauty evolves from imperfections. the unique pieces kimberly creates mimic life and nature and the imperfections in each of us. kimberly collects, updates, reworks, meticulously edits, creates and presents only the most unique and fabulous ever-evolving treasures for your collection.  every creation embraces beauty in its simplest form and is one-of-a-kind, as it should be.

From 2007 to 2010, Kimberley moved to Los Angeles to develop her ready-to-wear and Couture collections. Her collections have been featured in Vogue and InStyle magazines and are handmade using high end 100% reclaimed or recycled vintage fabrics, each featuring intricate beading and embroidery.

I have no idea how much these fabulous creations cost and I don’t care! My head is full of romantic possibilities, where I am renewing my vows next to the ocean or with my head encircled with wild flowers and am surrounded by nature in a meadow somewhere!! These dresses are for the bride who doesn’t have a budget, and doesn’t need to worry about what the parents might think. They promise a day of total glamour and on your wedding day you should be who you want to be not what others expect. I urge you to reconsider that meringue and drench yourself in a skin of sequins and silk instead!

K.Hendrix designs are available online and a list of stockists can be found here. Their Facebook page is here.

Below is the Spring 2013 collection, drool away!

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Sylvia was Liz’s mother who sadly passed away six years ago and imparted her love of confectionery on her very willing daughter. Sylvia was self-taught and would make wedding cakes for free, just for the love of it, and would gather her children round the kitchen table and teach them how to use a piping bag. With great patience, this talented lady passed down her keen, artistic eye to Liz in particular and now her daughter has made it her career;

Mum was a huge influence on all six of us and we’ve all grown up with a great love for food and enjoy our cooking.  From a very young age Mum would always encourage me to have a go myself with a piping bag or some paste to make something whilst she worked on a cake, which I now realise and appreciate showed great patience – it can be quite stressful sometimes when working on a wedding cake and to let your toddler sit there and play is quite something – it has made me ensure I have done the same with my own children and my daughter Millie is a dab hand at knocking up cakes on her own!

Having always worked in law, it was one Monday morning after having a baking free weekend that Liz realised things needed to change. Realising that baking is as therapeutic as it is fun, she made the life changing decision to give it all up and start making cakes full time, it wasn’t easy and a very hard year ensued. Having a supportive husband and family certainly helped. Baking in the early hours and building up Sylvia’s Kitchen as a solid business while still maintaining a day job was tough but at the end of last year she did it! Leaving her career and launching her own business was hard work, and to make things a little more difficult for herself took part in a charity bike ride from Land’s End to John O’ Groats raising over £7000 for Chestnut Tree House (a hospice providing specialist palliative care to children and young adults).

Doing something you love as a full time job is very rewarding and wedding cakes in particular yield a high satisfaction rate. Working with couple’s and being part of their special day is very important to Liz;

I love meeting couples, discussing their ideas and themes, coming up with a design that is unique for them and makes them feel that they have a bespoke cake that will complement the rest of their day, and be a great talking point too! Every cake is so different!

That’s what gets my pulse racing, making people happy with the service that I provide, it does make me feel proud to be able to do that, and proud to have my mum’s name at the forefront of everything that I do.

To me, Liz’s family life sounds idyllic! The house she shares with her husband and children backs onto the family farm Hook & Son which her father and brother run (they even star in their own documentary “The Moo Man” made by Trufflepig Films which has been part of the Sundance Film Festival both in America and here, in London).  She even catered for the cast and crew of The One Show when they did a feature about “The Moo Man” a few months ago. Whenever the eggs run out, Liz pops round to pick some more up from the farm along with milk from the now famous cows! 

Sylvia’s Kitchen is now regularly featured in cookery magazines and has become a recommended supplier for some popular wedding venues such as The George in Rye and Horsted Place Hotel and many more besides.  She also the caterer for Walnuts Farm where she recently fed the crew  on a Laura Ashley photo shoot with a good old fashioned Sussex Sausage Pudding (my grandma’s recipe)! With such growing demand for her wares, I don’t know where she finds the time, Liz will now be starting cookery classes! Launching a chocolate cake course on the 11th June, the fixed dates are as follows: 11 July, 2nd October and 13th November, these will be whole day classes in Lewes using HB Ingredients. Keep your eyes peeled for the forthcoming cookery classes in her own home too, starting with the basics and working up to more complex work.

To get your own slice of the Good Life contact Sylvia’s Kitchen at liz@sylviaskitchen.co.uk and get yourself on one of these tasty courses!

Credits: Image 8 by Peter Prior Photography

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For customers wanting that little extra bit of luxury, they have designed a popular VIP shopping experience. You will receive cupcakes and cocktails on arrival (I’m there!), a complimentary make-over and vintage styling tips from a team of professionals and all the help you need in pulling together an outfit for a special event. Stocking vintage style gems such as 1950′s dresses, figure hugging 1940′s style pencil skirts and vintage style jewellery you will be in heaven!

Why not book the whole evening for you and your friends for a birthday treat or have the evening tailored to you for a hen-do? You can also book single tickets and mingle with like minded ladies who love vintage too, treat yourself with a goodie bag at the end of the day, and make the whole experience last a little longer!

Shopping couldn’t be easier online, if you’re not sure what you are looking for you can shop by colour, prints and personality and with such a personal shopping experience in-store you can’t go wrong. This shopping experience just got a little more special too as they have just announced the launch of their new Dollydagger Bridal range!

Here is a sneak peek of the first dress to be released from the collection…

Named Norma Jean, this is a classic 1950s dress with a gorgeous sweetheart neckline. It gives us a real taste of what’s to come and I will keep you posted on the launch date for the new collection and will be reporting from the launch party, although this news is all so new, I have no idea when it is!

Dollydagger Boutique can be found at 6 Brighton Place, Brighton BN1 1HJ or take a look online.

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Florence the Vintage Caravan was found by Matt on ebay, she was once owned by a dairy farmer who used her to sleep in between milking sessions (!) a strange former life, but we all have our stories! After deciding to start a new life the dairy farmer dragged Florence down to the fields where he was planning to set fire to her! Luckily the farmers wife saw potential in this little caravan and persuaded him to try and sell her instead, this is where Matt stepped in to save her…

Florence is a 1970′s Cadet 10 caravan and Matt has spent the winter giving her a new lease of life and a make-over with some posh Farrow and Ball paint and a new beautiful oak floor.  All the ‘farmyness’ has  been removed and all the love has been put back in, and now you can hire her to make her feel really loved! Available to hire for wedding day fun, and hen party madness, Florence can be dressed up in three different themes depending on your tastes which are vintage, rustic countryside or seaside. If you would like to fancy her up in your own specific style, this can be arranged. She is a blank canvas for your day.

With prices starting at £199 she is perfect for tea parties, a festival themed chill out area or a children’s creche area with retro games and Beano comics to keep them entertained (no pens on the walls please!), Florence can fit in anywhere. Think of her with vintage china teacups on the table, bunting and fairy lights adorning the roof and outside with blankets laid at her door with you munching from picnic baskets! How about ‘Kiss Me Quick’ hats and rude ‘Wish You Were Here’ postcards, buckets and spades and of course sticks of rock

You can also hire Florence in conjunction with Matt’s photography as she will make a fantastic backdrop to your wedding photo’s, or as a photo booth, fill her with props and your guests will be queuing up to get their picture taken with her! This month, Florence will be attending her very first Wedding Fair, the Brides Up North Wedding Exhibition which will take place at the Bowdon Rooms in Cheshire on the 19th May. See her in all her glory and all tarted up for her debut!

And just so you know, Florence loves 1950s chic, The Lumineers and glamping!

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Thought I’d better get that out of my system before I begin!

So, I love finding out about companies in their first year of launching, all bright eyes and bushy tails! Skinny Boy Weddings are just that, all spandangly and new. Kate, Steve and Lauren are a trio of bright young things and have just set up this video production company making bespoke wedding films. They are down a team member for now as lucky Lauren is off sunning herself at the mo in Florida, so Kate and Steve are left doing all the hard work!

Steve is the resident videographer and editor and after studying Film Production in Leeds and going on to work in film and television he decided to set up his own company. Having made wedding videos for friends and family, he caught the bug, and decided it was time to go for it! Kate is Steve’s other half and is the ‘M’ of the enterprise, although she’s a lot younger than Judy Dench she has all the creative genius! Kate is behind all the ideas for their ‘video wedding invitations’ and does love a wedding! Lauren is Kate’s brother, Mark’s, girlfriend (!?) so they are keeping the business in the family! Lauren is the 2nd shooter and stills photographer and grew up in Florida (hence the holiday) where she completed a degree in Film Production. Phew!

Now down to brass tacks, and so I don’t get this wrong, I’m going to write it word for word what they say about what they do!

We specialise in creating wedding films presented in a short form format. This means that we shoot as much or as little as you want to include from your day’s events, to create an edited film, which presents all the highlights of the day and lasts around 20 – 30 minutes.  We don’t use a strict formula, so we are able to create a wedding film that is unique to you and tells the story of your wedding day.  Our films aim to give an impression of who you are as a couple and offer an overall impression of the mood and feel of your special day.

We understand that some people like to have a record of the wedding ceremony and speeches, so  we also include the footage of the ceremony, speeches and first dance in an unedited format, presented as part of your DVD.

To this film you can then add extras such as a personally chosen soundtrack, opening titles and credits, online trailer and behind the scenes footage. Build your bespoke package from the list of added extras and then you will receive your quote, easy! They’ll even make you your own personal Youtube channel and fill it full of wedding clips

As well as the wedding videos, Skinny Boy also offer the aforementioned ‘Wedding Invitation Video’ to be used instead of traditional wedding invites. Each video invitation will last between 60 and 120 seconds, you can send them directly to your guests via email or can send a link so it can be viewed online. You are able to include all the information you would on a standard wedding invite but can also add images of the venue, pictures of yourselves or anything really…keep it clean, nothing you don’t want your mum to see! Create your own little mini movie about the story of you, its a really cute idea and here are some images from their latest vid-tation (I’ve just made that word up obvs!). Click the last image below to see  the whole film put together…

Click this image to view the video!

Credits: Photo of Kate and Steve by Rhys Parker

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