Behind The Brand

Bombshell silver sequin maxi dress, elegant women's evening wear, model posing on a rock with scenic lake and mountain background

Bombshell was founded in 2007 when London designer Katya Wildman couldn't find dresses to fit her curves. As a television costume designer, she knew all the tips and tricks for dressing different body shapes, so she decided to combine her expertise with her love of old Hollywood movies to create transformational dresses that inspire confidence.

“Bombshell is not just about how you look; it’s a feeling of confidence and strength that comes from inside.”

The Inspiration

My love of fashion was born from watching 1940s films as a preschool child with my Grandma, who was a performer in WW2. I was transfixed by the gorgeous silk fabrics, the hourglass silhouettes, and the aesthetic of old Hollywood. My Grandma was one-of-a-kind, always ready to burst into song or tapdance. She had that sparkle and shine that illuminated everyone around her.

Bombshell elegant black sequin maxi dress with v-neckline and three-quarter sleeves, featuring a woman modelling next to a dress form on a textured grey background.

The Idea

In the early noughties, skinny jeans were on trend but they just didn’t suit me at all - my body type is the polar opposite! My work as a costume designer meant I was in and out of costumiers and immersed in the shapes of the 1940s & 50s. I particularly loved the wrap sarongs and bodices made popular by Alfred Shaheen who used a lot of shirring, which was a way to sculpt a body with woven fabrics before stretch fabrics were invented. It was transformational in how I looked and felt. I really felt connected to the Hollywood bombshells and everything fell into place.

The Beginning

People were always complimenting me on my dresses and asking where I got them from, so I made a small run of dresses with a family-run London factory in unusual quirky fabrics like Japanese-inspired prints and skulls and roses. I went to West London and knocked on a couple of dress boutiques. I definitely had a few Pretty Woman moments which makes me laugh to this day - so embarrassing! But there was one shop called Yates Buchanan run by Sunna Yates where my luck changed. She opened the dress bag, loved the dresses and bought seven on the spot! I was really shocked, and when she asked how much they were, I hadn’t thought about it!

“Our customers define what it means to be a Bombshell - they all have a strong sense of joy for life and recognise the importance of making every second count.”

The Production

90% of our collection is made in the UK and we’re proud to support British manufacturing. We have a great relationship with our London factories – they’re small, family-run and I feel like we’re one big team. We also use high quality fabrics that will last for years and years if you look after them.

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Assorted colorful sewing thread spools from Bombshell , crafting materials for women's clothing, high-quality textile supplies for fashion design, vibrant thread collection for garment creation.
Pencil Skirt in Black

The Designs

I find prints, museums and galleries inspiring. I love watching films, I have a membership and go to the cinema all the time. Reading flexes my imagination. I’m in a lucky position to think, ‘What would I love to wear?’ and I can figure out how to make the most flattering version of it. Bombshell has never been a vintage brand but my training in historic costume and love of old Hollywood appeals to fans of vintage. I like to think of them more as timeless, ageless, classic designs; forever dresses you can wear again in 10 or 20 years’ time, and you’ll still feel incredible.

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The Showroom

When someone tries on a Bombshell dress, I want them to feel blown away and happy. I want them to see the person they knew was there all along, and it just took a dress to show them - never underestimate the power of the dress! I want everyone to feel like it’s been designed especially for them. Come into the showroom and you’ll see for yourself.

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“I've always liked tailoring and the notion of people having clothes made for them - Bombshell is the next best thing.”

The Mission

Maxi Tea dress in Pink

Enhance

Our designs show off the parts you love while hiding the parts you don't. Big bust? Choose a waist-creating dress that makes the most of your décolletage and refines that hourglass silhouette. Pear shape? Go for a dress that sits on the edge of the shoulder with a flared skirt to balance out your proportions.

Black Velvet Sweetheart Dress

Sculpt

Expert design, quality fabrics and clever cuts means the clothes do all the hard work to make you look amazing! Slip into one of our garments and see the Bombshell magic in action as wrap bodices, tie waists, sarong style skirts, shirring and elegant necklines fit and flatter in all the right places.

Elegant silver sequin maxi dress by Bombshell featuring a v-neckline, long sleeves, and a flowing skirt on a female model with gray hair

Shine

We want women to feel empowered and confident when they're wearing a Bombshell design. We want them to rediscover their sense of self and see that this beautiful person in the mirror was there all along - Bombshell just set her free. A word of warning: feeling this good can be addictive!

“We understand what makes you feel confident. That feeling of putting on a dress or a jumpsuit and it just works and makes you feel amazing.”

Bombshell gold sequin wrap dress for women, elegant evening wear, model posing near Eiffel Tower at night, Paris, luxury fashion, glamorous outfit

Katya in Paris, 2023

The Magic of Bombshell

I’m 5ft 4, a size 12 and 30H cup bra so there isn’t a lot of space between my bust and waist. If it doesn’t work on me, it won’t work on most women. As a costume designer, I understand body shapes - smaller busts, apple shapes, pear shapes - and all these are considered when designing. Bombshell's standout strength is that our clothes are miraculously flattering, creating space between your bust and waist to give the illusion of a smaller waist, longer torso and balancing your body into an hourglass shape while also considering areas like arms and tummy. Not to mention incredibly glamorous! That’s Bombshell magic.

The Muses

The term 'bombshell' was coined for the Hollywood sirens from the Golden Age of cinema, for actresses such as Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Sophia Loren and Bridget Bardot. But in the modern world, bombshells don't have a specific 'look' and come from all walks of life: political (Michelle Obama), acting (Helen Mirren), music (Madonna), fashion (Dita Von Teese). What they have in common is their energy and vibrancy - that's what makes them a bombshell.

"Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell at Chinese Theater 2" by Los Angeles Times is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/?ref=openverse.

Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell at Chinese Theater 2" by Los Angeles Times is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

The Future

When I started Bombshell, I was working globally as a costume designer and the brand grew itself. There came a point where I had to make a decision and leave my dream career to take the brand to the next level. When Nigella bought several Bombshell dresses in 2009, that was a real pinch-me moment! Meeting my partner in 2015 made me realise that Bombshell had a lot more to give. I’m enjoying season by season expanding the Bombshell world across more styles.
There’s always something new and exciting to bring into the Bombshell world.

Bombshell floral dress, elegant woman working in vintage home office, stylish green and yellow dress color, fashion inspiration and chic workspace decor