Category: beauty

I’m always on the look out to find new brands and clothing apparel that is a little unusual to what you might find on the high street. Imagine my delight when I came across Cupcake Couture whilst browsing through Instagram one day. Ever the profile stalker I seeked out who was behind it all and it led me to Cara’s own personal Instagram/twitter account. Since that day I have ogled the website deciding what garment I should order when I finally had money again after the wedding. Rather than me ramble incessantly about what an amazing brand it is I thought I could do a quickfire Q&A with the lovely Cara from Cupcake Couture (so she can do an equal if not more level of gushing!)

Hi Cara, tell us about the lady behind this cute brand?
I’m a 26 year old fashion lover from Leeds. I like tea, polka dots, cheese and wine. When I’m not busy working and sewing I like to go out with friends, spend time with my family and boyfriend and go hoarding round the charity shops for my latest little find. I have a degree in Theatre& Performance from Leeds University so I particularly enjoy watching musicals and going to the theatre. I love cooking (which I think my boyfriend really appreciates) and I am always looking for new and exciting recipes. In my spare time I like to take Cupcake Couture to different vintage fairs to share my brand with different cities and I have recently become a registered trader for Britain Does Vintage and Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair so keep an eye out for an event near you.

What made you start picking out these amazing pieces and also creating them yourself?
I originally started experimenting with sewing because I wanted to have unique and one off pieces of clothing. There’s nothing worse than being on a night out and spotting someone in the same outfit as yourself, especially if they look better in it. I started off just sewing embellishments and bits of fabric on tops and dresses to make them different and then it developed from there. I am self-taught but I think I inherit it from my mum as she used to knit us dolls and clothing when we were younger. My first proper dress made from scratch was one I made for a family trip to Ladies Day at Ascot – I felt so comfortable knowing that nobody else would be wearing it and got complimented on it so much I decided to start designing and making dresses more and more. As my confidence grew I branched out into skirts and tops and I now have the Couture Unique items on my website which are solely handmade by me. I finally took the plunge after thinking about it for a while and did a Fashion Course at college in 2012 where I learnt lots of new skills and techniques which I have used going forward on my handmade pieces.

You’ve won my heart with your clothes but seriously, you bake cupcakes too?! What is your favourite type of cake & why?
I absolutely love baking, if I’m ever feeling down or a bit stressed there’s nothing I enjoy more than grabbing my mixing bowl and whisk and whipping up some cupcakes, buns or brownies. I think it’s kind of therapeutic in a way. On the down side it’s extremely difficult to stay skinny and diet when I am always trying out new baking recipes, my colleagues at work are always being dished out treats so I don’t eat them all myself when I’ve been testing out ideas. My favourite cake has got to be chocolate cake. Forget diamonds, I believe chocolate is a girl’s best friend, the more chocolate the better. I love making the ‘Chocolate Joy’ cupcakes, they are chocolate sponge with buttercream icing and a large white chocolate button decoration and they are yummy if I do say so myself.

What’s your most favourite piece on your website?
I pride myself on sourcing the best quality vintage and using durable fabric when making my handmade pieces so my customers receive the best they can get so I do have quite a few favourites. My all-time favourite piece, and something it took me a while to put on the website and not keep for myself is the 80’s Polka Dot Blouse. It reminds me of Bette Midler in Big Business (whose wardrobe in most of her films I envy) and the shoulder pads just make it amazing. The fabric is soft and really flattering and it can be worn with anything. I found this piece in a charity shop in Tenerife (I really can find one anywhere – it’s a gift!) and fell in love straight away. Clothing from the 80’s is my favourite – statement blouses, big shoulder pads, large faux-gold earrings and clothing covered with sequins and diamante. A lot of trends from 1980’s are coming back which I am very pleased about; jelly shoes, crop tops, patterned jumpers and oversized blazers so when I find a genuine piece of vintage from the 80’s I get very excited indeed.  

You are a local Yorkshire lass (honorary sister in my eyes!) so where do you shop when you aren’t wearing Cupcake Couture?
As the Arctic Monkeys would say I really am a ‘Topshop princess’ however I do like to support local and small clothing brands too. I look out for brands on Twitter and Instagram and try to vary where I buy my clothing. My wardrobe is a bit of everything ranging from Urban Outfitters to clothing imported in from American brand ModCloth. I really do have a bit of everything. Recently on my shopping list is Drop Dead Clothing, ASOS, Fashion Union, Ark, and Zara. I also love to have a snoop round other stalls at the vintage fairs I do and use DIY blogs to create cute accessories and handbags – www.abeautifulmess.com – this is a personal favourite of mine and I am looking at making their Leather Cat Purse.

If there was one piece of clothing you had to wear FOREVER what would it be? Pick good!
Ooooh that’s a toughie! It would have to be my liquorice allsorts skirt I made; it sums me up to a tee. I made the skirt because my surname is Bassett, it’s also what everyone calls me – to most people I don’t have a first name. Since making it most of the family with the same name want one too. It matches my personality because I’m fun, unique and quirky and it’s got a personal touch with the Bassett’s Allsorts pattern on it. I am absolutely gutted that it is now too big for me so has taken a place on my website but I will be without a doubt making myself another one.

Last but not least sum up your clothing brand in 3 simple words!
Buy. Something. Now! Just kidding, I’ll go with: Unique. Fun.  Memorable.

Thank you so much Cara. So what are you all waiting for, go & head over to Cupcake Couture and have a look at all things pretty or you might just catch Cara at one of the local Vintage Fairs this summer.

Let me know if you buy anything!

Rebecca xxx