Jess Hawkins is the epitome of a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. The ex head buyer for denim at Topshop and now founder and creative director of the unisex sustainable denim brand I & ME, jeans are her true signature. Despite having a very definite sense of style, Jess found translating her aesthetic into something bridal-appropriate daunting. Consciously seeking out non traditional bridal designers, she magically found herself at Alessandra Rich’s studio where one dress turned into two! Jess shares how she stayed true to her style while planning her wedding wardrobe and why “buy less, buy better,” applies to your bridal wardrobe, just as much as it applies to your jeans!
Jess’ Bridal Style
Did you find it easy, or difficult to decide what to wear for your wedding?
The thought of starting to look at options for my wedding day was very overwhelming and daunting. I knew I would wear something modern and new – it was important for me to find something unique and very “me.” Once I started, it didn’t take me long find some options that would work. I guess, it was more down to knowing where to look.
How did you find the experience of shopping for your wedding dress?
I only visited three places in the end. I first had an appointment at Houghton NYC whilst travelling there on holiday and tried on some amazing options (one with a bralet and skirt which I loved) but logistically it just seemed out of the question getting an outfit from across the pond. I loved the laid back experience: it was very chilled there and that suited me. I also had an appointment at Browns Bride which was a lot more formal and serious. I think that atmosphere put me off a little bit. I then was lucky enough to visit my friend Keda’s Aunty, the incredible Alessandra Rich. My heart was set from then on! Now, there seems to be a lot more out there for brides – it’s great. Even only three short years ago, I felt very limited as to what would work for my style. I think that’s why I went for something that wasn’t designed as bridal.
Looking back, do you still love what you wore?
I wouldn’t change a thing about what I wore. I was adamant that everything I bought would be something I used again and again. And other than the custom made dress, they all have been. I would 100% wear my dresses again. I feel so lucky to have worn custom Alessandra Rich for my wedding day. That doesn’t happen often and I am so grateful.
How do you feel when you look at pictures of yourself in your dress?
It feels like such a magical experience. I am normally very casual so it’s so nice to see myself so dressed up. I really feel like I made the right choice on both dresses. They really feel so “me.”
Looking back, what’s your one piece of advice for brides starting to create their bridal looks?
I think it’s important to try on a few outfits. Don’t go for the first thing you think is right, or the first dress that looks like the image you’ve had saved on your phone for months. It’s a good idea to try on options that don’t work as well as what does. Until you get the dress on, you can never know that a style or shape is right for you. Also, always think about being comfortable. It would be my worst nightmare to be in a dress that was too tight or long etc. I didn’t want to have to be thinking about anything on the day other than enjoying myself.
You had two wedding moments. Talk us through your decision to plan your wedding this way…
My husband Thomas and I knew that we wanted to get married in London. It was where we met and where we lived so it held a big role in our lives. We had our heart set on getting married in a museum or art gallery and confirmed a date with the perfect place in Camden. However, that venue later pulled out. Following this, Thomas found Dilston Grove, an Arts Council funded gallery in Southwark Park. It was perfect but unfortunately it didn’t have the license to hold the official ceremony. So, we split the day into two. We had the smaller, personal official ceremony at Stoke Newington Town Hall on the Thursday, leaving us a day to set up the blessing ceremony and to be party ready for the Saturday.
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Jess’ Bridal Looks
Talk us through your official ceremony look…
For the official ceremony, I chose a beautiful ankle length fitted white lace dress with scallop detailing from Alessandra Rich’s SS14 collection. It was as if the dress was made for me. I still absolutely love that dress and knew that it would be something I’d wear again and again.
And your blessing ceremony / party look…
For the blessing and party, Alessandra made me a custom made wedding dress based on a black dress I had seen in one of her previous collections. I had fallen for the shape and fabric she had used so she re-sourced it in white and made some amendments to the pattern to fit me. The dress is made up of layers: starting with a body-con mini skirt layered with a lace ankle length skirt and with a final split front thicker skirt over the top. It has amazing movement. The dress has a ¾ length, off the shoulders sleeve with a spotted mesh front detail. It is so beautifully delicate even with so much going on.
Where did you get your shoes? Did they stay on all night?
I always imagined that finding the perfect wedding shoe would be the hardest part but actually this is what I bought first. I opted for a pair of Gianvito Rossi pointy heels that I still wear now. And no, they came off as soon as the music started.
What jewelry did you wear on your wedding days?
My parents had given me a Cartier Trinity bracelet for my “something new” and Thomas had given me a gold Celine bracelet for my wedding gift.
Did you wear any other accessories? If so, what were they.
I had treated myself to a suede clutch bag from The Row that I used for both days. Again, this is still on heavy rotation in my day to day wardrobe.
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Describe your bouquet to us.
My friend Cressida Jamieson did all of the flowers and helped me pick what I had in my bouquet. We chose whites for the ceremony and soft pinks, whites and maroon accents for the blessing. It was perfect.
What did your bridesmaids wear and how did you find their looks?
I had four bridesmaids and a gorgeous flower girl, Florie. The girls wore nude floor length dresses from Reformation’s bridesmaid collection. They are all different shapes but this dress really looked amazing on all of them. I was not strict on what they had to wear or if they had to match, I just wanted to make sure they all felt comfortable and themselves. Florie wore a dress from Zara Kids.
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Did you help your husband decide on what he would wear? What was he suited and booted in?
Describe your wedding make-up and hair to us? Who did these for you.
I am not normally that into hair and make-up so it was important for me to not look too “done up” on the day. For the ceremony, I had my hair down and I did my make-up as normal. For the blessing and party, my friend Alice did my make-up perfectly – very natural and with my hair in a messy bun.
Did you do any skin prep/ hair prep in the lead up to your wedding?
I had a facial, a scrub and I got a fresh trim around 10 days before the wedding which ended up being shorter than I wanted. I was soon researching ways to enhance hair growth on the Internet. It worked out ok in the end! It always does.
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Date
20th & 22nd August 2015
Wedding Location
Stoke Newington Town Hall
Dilston Grove, Southwark Park
Number of Guests
120
Stationery
Gold leaf on grey card by Joni Kirton
Wedding Planner, Flowers & Decor
My friends: Liz Linkleter for planning and amazing flowers and foliage by Cressida Jamieson
Food
By my darling friends Forrest Food
Music
We didn’t have a band, just all of our mates (and us ) DJing
The most memorable moment from your wedding
All of the love and support from friends and family who helped out in all sorts of ways across the three days.
Date
20th & 22nd August 2015
Wedding Location
Stoke Newington Town Hall
Dilston Grove, Southwark Park
Number of Guests
120
Stationery
Gold leaf on grey card by Joni Kirton
Flowers & Decor
Amazing flowers and foliage by Cressida Jamieson
Food
By my darling friends Forrest Food
Music
We didn’t have a band, just all of our mates (and us ) DJing
The most memorable moment from your wedding
All of the love and support from friends and family who helped out in all sorts of ways across the three days.
Jess’ Life as Founder & Creative Director of I AND ME
You are the founder of a lifestyle and denim brand. Tell us about what you’re setting out to do with it?
I AND ME is a unisex denim and lifestyle brand with a ‘Buy Less Buy Better’ vision. The collections are seasonless and trendless and instead focus on premium, high quality fabrications in wardrobe favourites. We run small production runs to reduce our wastage and use responsible and sustainable manufacturing processes to lower our footprint.
What led you to start your own brand?
After ten years in the buying and retail industry I was ready to start my own company. I felt frustrated with the fashion cycle and wanted to stand for a change. I developed the concept behind I AND ME pretty seamlessly. I never really sat down and planned it to be a ‘slow fashion’ brand, it just happened that way. I am very proud to be a brand that questions the norm. Change needs to happen in the fashion industry and we are so grateful to have a voice that is heard.
What are the highs and lows of running your own business?
It is an incredible feeling releasing collections under your own name. There is nothing quite like having the creative freedom to express yourself, it is definitely a highlight. I love producing beautiful products that have meaning and a backstory and getting customer and press appreciation, there really is nothing better. It makes the long long hours and never ending workload worth it. Of course, as a start up finance is tricky to manage and that can be very scary at times.
Where is I AND ME stocked?
I AND ME is currently stocked across London, Brighton, Margate, LA, San Francisco and Tokyo. You can also shop via our website www.i-and-me.com