Last week I had a client shoot -  Sophie Harley,  A creative jewellery designer to the star’s.  I was honoured to collaborate with such a talented artist and was in heaven when I stepped into her amazing workshop studio in London.

Sophie Harley is celebrated through out the world for her exquisitely designed handmade jewellery. Sophie has a huge following including Joss Stone, Jerry Hall, Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Kate Beckinsale and Naomi Campbell with recent features in the James Bond Films, Casino Royal and the Quantum of Solace.  You can image how extremely excited I was in being asked to design the hair and make-up on a high fashion/creative shoot  showcasing her incredible new collection.   The team involved was creative photographer Jo de Banzie beautiful model Katy McGee who i’ve had the pleasure of working with a number of times. Stylist Vintage Couture by Jane Bourvis, plus not forgetting myself for the hair and make-up designs.

We had two looks to create during the day, therefore two different changes of hair and make-up was required with timing and preparation essential.  The first shoot was on location which was a very dreamy soft look and feel with a big bridal dress.  The make-up was kept quite soft with the focus on the eyes.  I used a very heavy silver paint from Charles Fox and then added lilac/purple eye shadows, Mac/Shu uemura to create a more smokey effect to the eye.  I applied lots of individual eyelashes which always works well on camera and blocked half of Katy’s eyebrow using Cini-Wax. The silver colouring was carried form Katy’s cheekbones through the hair using a silver hair spray giving a more interesting look and feel to the make-up.

The second look was on location in a studio with a back-drop of brick stone.  The look and feel was very golden/warm and extremely expensive.
I blocked the eyebrows with Cini-Wax Charles Fox and brushed through with clear brow mascara on the eyebrow until flat (making sure the hair was going in the same direction).
I created a really heavy smokey black eye using MAC Black track blending from the lashes to the socket, also blending the the smoky eye using camouflage pigment by JackyMac and then added the gold leaf onto of the eye shadow and up on the brow bone, using more camouflage pigment to blend in everything and soften the look.  I finally added highlighter in the inner of the eyes using Pearl by JackyMac and highlighted the top of the cheek bones in the same way, adding silver hair spray through the hair and silver face paint by Charles Fox under the cheek bone.  Lips were a  little bit of a MIX using  Limecrime “Styletto” and “D’lilac and MAC Cyber, to get the perfect deep colour.

It was such a fun day shooting. Jo de banzie worked her creative magic with the camera, Katy is always a joy to work with and I think between us we show cased Sophie new collection really well. xx

The awards are only wedding industry awards that are voted for solely by the wedding clients of the suppliers who have entered; the only true representation of just how good wedding suppliers really are.

A big congratulations to everyone who won this year xx

The atmosphere at these awards are always electric… I feel honored and love being a  part of this industry. And always lovely catching up with people in the industry.

Im excited to let you all know that i will be putting myself up for nomination next year… so will ask all my beautiful brides to vote nearer the time. xx

A bright bold vibrant colour that I used on Louise’s wedding day was a MAC classic colour “Girl About Town” This beautiful bright pink, doesn’t look to overpowering and looks great on every bride.

Louise made pink a feature and added bright pink shoes and flowers to her outfit. She looked so beautiful, a wedding I will not forget.

MU/Hair: Gemma Sutton. Photography: http://www.wildweddings.co.uk/

Bride and Groom: Miss Louise Sullivan and Mr Tam Rodwell
Venue : LONDON  Fulham Palace SW6

Im excited to announce myself and Donna Crain have collaborated to create a stunning vintage inspired collection of handmade bridal hair pieces for all my beautiful brides to be.  The collection is perfect for brides who want to add a little detail and glamour to their wedding hair.

London Brides Magazine wanted to find out about our collection, here are some of the questions we were asked:

Q. What inspired you to design your own range?
Gemma: I’m constantly inspired by my brides and the collection reflects all the creative ideas over the years. My brides want stunning, unique pieces that reflect who they are, but it’s not always easy to find the right accessories. I wanted to offer my brides a complete bridal look.

Q. What made you want to work with Donna Crain?
Gemma: I saw Donna at the National Wedding Show and my first though was ‘wow’! Every piece she designs captures everything my brides have asked for. There’s something about the way she works, her energy, and her attention to detail. Donna says your jewellery shouldn’t be an after thought. It should be something you can wear again and again after your wedding. Each piece is handmade and carefully crafted.

Q. The last year has been a whirlwind of success for you. What brought you into the world of jewellery design?
Donna: “I decided to launch Donna Crain after making my own wedding jewellery.  My career during the past 15 years has been in graphic design but I’ve always been creative.. I feel incredibly passionate about designing the right accessories to perfect a brides look and It’s wonderful to be part of that.”

Q. What does the collaboration bring to the bridal market?
Donna: Brides will be able to try on the whole collection during their hair trial with Gemma and choose the exact piece to fully compliment the look for their special day.
Gemma: At a brides trial i style her hair and makeup to create the perfect look, for that perfect day. I can now complete this with hair pieces in a bridal hair trial.

You can now order this collection on www.gemmasutton.com or www.donnacrain.com

Donna Crain specialises in eclectic headbands using the finest vintage gems, carefully chosen and restored, quality fresh water pearls and swarovski pearls from around the world making them the perfect accessory for any bride to be.  Mention “Gemma Sutton” to receive a 10% discount off any of Donna’s collection.

Photography by David and Rosanna. xx

Lipstick is HOT right now, I think go red and bold with a bridal twist. Celebs like Gwen Stefani, Georgia Jagger and Katy Perry are all lovers of a brighter, vintage-esque sexy fuller lip.

My Top Tips to get your perfect red point.

• Smooth concealer over your lips to lock down the colour.
• Work in thin layers, starting from the middle of the lip and work outwards.
• Apply lip liner after the lipstick and Use a lip brush for a smother finish.
• Add clear gloss after to make lips look even fuller.

My favourite reds are Colour Fever Lipstick in 151 by Lancome, Signature hydra lustre lipstick in Rich Red by Estee Lauder and Moisture Drench Lipstick in Dare Devil by No.7

If you want a modern look with an edgy hair do, why not try a . This is a look both male and female can do! Adding curls to the your mohawk will make the look softer and more refined.

Venue : Altitude 360 & The River Room
Photography:  Sergerius Bruce Photography
Planning & Styling: Always Andri Wedding Design
Hair & Makeup: Gemma Sutton.

More Pic’s and info @ Rock My Wedding. xx

All makeup used was water proof and glitter was added heavily with water proof glue to reflect the light underwater.
Hair was left loose for a few shoots to give movement underwater, I also added a number of hair pieces to create a bigger more powerful look.
All the models were excellent underwater, I think they all said it was a lot harder than they thought, as they had much more to think about and do underwater.

Many Thanks to all team member’s of this shoot. xx

These and many more images will be featured in Wedding Magazine. Feb/Mar and Apr/May.

“Remember to buy your Wedding Magazine” x

Photographer: Juliet McKee
Wedding Planner: Stacey Marie Chalk
Dresses(lou Lou, Jesus Peiro)supplied by Miss Bush Bridal
Hair & MU: Gemma Sutton
Cake: Janet
Sweeties and jars:
Flowers: Steph Turpin
Table decor:
Additional glass wear,
Venue: Pendell House, in Surrey.

Last week I attended the Surrey Wedding Tweet-up party held at the beautiful venue Fetcham Park. This event was organised by Weddings in Surrey, Wedding Ideas Magazine, Parallel Venues, Fetcham Park, Laura, Sandra, Pamela, the WIM team and with an army of helpers they put on the most glamorous and delightful evening with musicians, champagne, cake, and bridal fashion by Miss Blush.  All the guests were wedding tweeters from Surrey and surrounding county’s. I had a lovely evening acting up with old and new people in the wedding industry.
The ‘Shell Room’ was dedicated to showcasing the bridal dresses of Miss Bush Bridal wear, Fairynuff Flowers and Naughty but Yummy.

All picture’s were taken by EFC Photography.

With the collaboration of Gemma Sutton & Donna Crain they have teamed up to create this stunning collection of handmade bridal pieces exclusively for Gemma’s beautiful brides.

COMING SOON. x

Having worked in the bridal industry for over ten years Gemma appreciates a hair piece beautiful in design and of the highest quality, for Brides wanting something a little different and very special on the most important day of a their lives. With this is mind Gemma and Donna have created a stunning range of inspired, vintage and glamorous collection of elegant flowers and decedent hair accessories. Made with Donna’s love and passion in creating something special for the most important day of your life. x

Photography: David Wickham

Planning a Wedding next Summer….  Here’s one for you!!!!!  An opportunity to go as wild as you like with colour styling using the yellows and lime greens.
These beautiful images showcase how the bold and bright colours of yellow and lime green can be used to style your wedding. “Im a big fan”

This shoot was the result of a collaboration of a number of people in the wedding industry. Juliet McKee and Stacey Marie Chalk of Cherry Topped Bespoke Weddings. The dresses were supplied by Lou Lou Bridal which were customised for the shoot with green sash made by Emma Meek of Miss Bush Bridal. Hair and makeup was by myself.

Makeup and hair was kept to a late fifties/early sixtes modern look and feel. Hair was back-combed to add lift and volume so the green bow was not too over powering, hair pieces were added to give a fuller look of hair adding a graceful wave. Makeup was kept flawless with a black thick liner with lots of individual lashes and a soft rose red to the lips.

Photographer: Juliet McKee
Model: Kitty Sage
Styling: Stacey Marie Chalk
Vintage frock: Miss Bush Bridal
Hair & MUA: Gemma Sutton
Flowers: Steph Turpin
Venue: Pendell House, Surrey