THE COATDRESS
By bridechic · November 5, 2009 · 0 Comments · 3 Views
Winter is almost here. Coatdresses and coat & dress ensembles are an option many brides overlook simply because the concept is being reintroduced by a few savvy designers. A coatdress is just that: a lighter weight coat (street or floor length); and can be single or double-breasted. Then there's the coat & dress ensemble. Defined, this is a coat with a dress out of matching fabric underneath it. In the 60s, these were popular mostly for formal occasions. If you like the idea of a fitted coat, you could wear one for your ceremony—long or short—over a corresponding sheath. After the ceremony the coat could be removed so you could move freely throughout the reception.
Designers offering coatdresses and coat and dress ensembles
Filed in: COAT DRESS COAT AND DRESS
BAGS IN BLOOM
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Photos courtesy Vogue Italy
Aka kissing balls, some of these bags in bloom look like small and rounded bouquets; others take on the shape of a handbag or clutch. Kissing balls and bloom bags are an alternative to baskets of flowers or the scattering of rose petals. Many churches and venues have banned the dropping of petals due to liability issues as well as carpets getting stained.
Kissing Balls can be carried up the aisle then hung from the ceiling, a chandelier or placed in a vase come reception time. During the holidays, mistletoe can be added for a festive touch. Typically a florist can concoct a pomander or purse of real flowers depending what is in season. Craftspeople though are introducing some creative alternatives on the real thing, adding anything from berries to feathers, plumes, pine cones and jewels. To check out some real off the charts kissing ball chic, follow the links to these Etsy sellers:
VARIATIONS ON THE DROP VEIL
By bridechic · November 3, 2009 · 0 Comments · 11 Views
click here to enlarge
Yes, drop veils are exactly as you see here, actually dropped onto the head in a single layer of tulle or lace, sometimes bordered with lace or ribbon. Generally, more ornamental gowns look best with simple veils, like one layer of tulle whereas all over lace veils or ones edged with wide borders require a simple gown with little adornment. Your dress might have some exquisite back details you want to show off. If this is the case select a try a layer of tulle like that shown in the images here— in a dropped style that doesn’t fall in creases and folds across your back. Tulle is the best fabric for this; it’s transparent enough without being so opaque to fog detail. The exquisite hair ornamentation in these photos is visible and even adds a little mystery with the addition of a drop veil . . .
THE DAWN OF THE SHORT FORMAL
By bridechic · November 2, 2009 · 0 Comments · 7 Views
When it comes to 1950s retro and bridal, these dresses from Posh Girl Vintage are the real deal. Owning a dress like this means you have something that's made it through the ages. And what an awesome era it was. Most dresses circa the age of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn are stunning and follow very flattering lines. By mid-fifties tea length was the standard in day time wear. The short formal became chic during this time and as a result we have a wealth of memorable bridal wear surviving this era.
PARIS
By bridechic · November 1, 2009 · 0 Comments · 6 Views
click to enlargeFirst row: dress by Vera Wang on SMP’s Look Book / metro picture via Bloom Grow Love second row: Chanel bottle via Vogue / eiffel tower and bow pic photographed by Rodney Smith/ tux via GQ third row: lace glove via Wildfox / flowers via Artfool
Style Me Pretty has some of the most creative and inspiring inspirition boards that are definately worth checking out. The mood of this one is Paris and everything that says fashion fabulous . . .
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
By bridechic · October 31, 2009 · 0 Comments · 7 Views
MTcoffinzUnderground Every year I've been posting a Halloween Bride. 2009 brings us this ensemble for the bride heavily into Goth . . .of course not everyone embraces this genre of fashion which makes it all the more original . . .
SHARING THE CHIC
By bridechic · October 30, 2009 · 0 Comments · 7 Views
click to enlargeI just had to share this medley of femme-romantique images a client sent me. It hails from In Style Weddings and acted as the inspiration point from which she wanted to begin the design process. Thanks Rachel for passing on your own muse to so many other brides out there . . .
WINTER CHIC
By bridechic · October 29, 2009 · 0 Comments · 3 Views
When asked by You and Your Wedding Magazine, what designer Sassi Holford would be doing if she wern't in the wedding industry, she replied, 'I would be unemployed!'Personally I think she'd do magnificent wherever she decided to work. Feast if you will on these gowns by the awesome Sassi perfect for chilier climates. This British designer remains one of my favorite creators of chic . . .
sourceSTALKING THE LOOK BOOKS: DANIELA GRISTINA
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 3 Views
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Daniela Gristina's gowns are green, almost casual and hint at far away places in time and culture. Ethnic in feel , you'll find flowing, feminine lines. The fabrics are all natural cottons and linens, light organza, chiffon and silk gauze.
VIONET INSPIRED
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pioneer of the bias cut, Madeleine Vionet, once said, '"When a woman smiles, her dress must also smile" . Translated I think madamoiselle may have meant, a woman is happiest wearing her gown like a second skin. Long before the development of knits, the bias cut was used for body-hugging silhouettes like the Vionet original above. It all started back in the 1920s when the Parisian couturier developed a technique utilizing the true cross grain of fabric rather than straight grain lines of weft or warp of the fabric. Vionnet used fabrics like crêpe and charmeuse; These were novel to women's wear in the 1920s and 30s. She also ordered fabrics two yards wider than the 19-36"norm for the time so that she could work out draping and layout techniques. As a result gowns and dresses moved beautifully when cut on the bias. Vionnet's trademark: styles that cling to and move with the wearer. Examples: Bias cut gowns with cowl necklines, the handkerchief dress of the 1920s, and halter top. By 1930, Hollywood designers took advantage of Vionet's bias cut and made it into a real trend via moving pictures. Today the bias cut gown is a classic option for brides.
sourceMadeleine Vionet in her studio circa 1920
With tulle overlay by Blumarine
Greco-Roman in inspiration, by Rosa Clara.
From Elie Saab
V-shaped neckline by Manuel Mota for Pronovias.
HE CHIC ITALIAN STYLE
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 4 Views
Monday, October 26, 2009
There's guy chic and there's Italian guy chic. Yes, Italian men have long had the edge especially for pioneering new directions in formal wear. With a certain respect for tradition while at the same time innovating, Italian menswear designers are trading regulation black, offering a host of optional colors such as bronze, ecru and eggplant. Add to that texture: we're looking at some suits with a hint of the iridescent while some sport outright shiny. The lines are going slimmer (a la Don Draper). Still with all this freedom we're looking at a return to the serious and traditional tailoring from which Italians (and British) made their mark.
MEET TWO BRAND NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 5 Views
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I'm always surprised at how many local brides and wedding pros surface when I run a Bay Area related post. The fashion/wedding world here in San Francisco is buzzing about Mocha Bride and Bride Nine magazines, two very novel concepts of Bay Bella Publishing. Mocha Bride's cover always features a bride of color as seen in the premiere summer 2009 issue pictured at the right. Bride Nine features a bride who represents one of the unique nine counties in the Bay Area. The fall issues are out and can be purchased on the website http://www.mochab.com/ or at a local Bay Area bookstore. A quick peek at editorials and I was awestruck by the inspiration factor and highly recommend both mags whether you live in the Bay Area or not . . .
LOVIN' THOSE PEEPS
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 4 Views
Saturday, October 24, 2009
FLOWER POWER
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 4 Views
Friday, October 23, 2009
GETTING HARLOW AND GARBO CHIC
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Low-waist dress with lace bodice and rhinestones brighten this multi-layered chiffon skirt. Bracelets Sharra Pagano.I love the Art Deco wedding complete with a bride making her entrance in the starlet gown. Some simply add touches of that movie star look with feathered fascinators or those rare vintage shoes. Though the peak of Hollywood Glamour was the 1930s, 40s and 50s fashion reflected its own kind of chic too. The 1940s concentrated on wide shoulders, satin and high hair-dos, usually worn half up, half down. The 1950s ushered in the strapless bodice with full skirts and layers of petticoats. Reminiscent of Golden Hollywood fashion is the long white satin evening gown, ruched and ruffled arms, sleeves and hems and of course the long, slinky gown with a train. Part of the magic of glamour fashion is designers today are using it as an inspiration point to create their own take on it . . .
A working honeycomb and rhinestones for apparel bustier with pleated full skirt. Collier Swarovski. Peep-toe René Caovilla.
Empire dress in chiffon.
Pleated organza chiffon empire dress with rhinestones on the neckline and short train. Sandals, Rene Caovilla.
Voile lace bodice with, pearls and rhinestones, pleated chiffon petticoat. Saloons Tarina Tarantino. Swarovski earrings. Bracelets Sharra Pagano. Peep toe Rodo.
sourceLightweight satin dress with tail, embellished with embroidery and crystals on the straps under the bustline.
FICTIONAL BRIDES AND THEIR WEDDINGS
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 6 Views
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
If you've been following my blog for any length of time you know by now how much I respect Hollywood's influence as well as contribution to bridal fashion. These may not be real brides but the designers, writers and producers who created them certainly are. Thus, actresses who wear these creations inspire the way we look at weddings and fashion .
Kate Hudson in "Bride Wars" (2009).
Jennifer Aniston along with Owen Wilson in Marley & Me. Gown by Susana Molina.
Sarah Jessica Parker wore a Vivienne Westwood dress in the film "Sex and the City" (2008).
This dress made fashion history. Yes, Carrie Bradshaw is fictional but we've gone through too much with her--men, career, relationships--not to deem her real in her own way to each of us. For me she's what 2008 bridal fashion was all about: brides finally willing to take a chance with their look, (her ready-for-take-off headpiece is a good case in point). What would have once been considered too theatrical or gauche for a proper wedding not only became fashion norm, it's changed the bridal scene entirely.
Carrie's Ivory silk taffeta confection was actually one of the finale pieces from Vivienne Westwood's 2007 "Wake Up Cave Girl" Collection. Hand picked by Sex and the City stylist, Patricia Field, personally, I was surprised Sara Jessica didn't rate a custom designed gown for her role in the film. I mean heck! Didn't Audrey Hepburn have a one-of-a-kind-designed-to-fit-her-character Givenchy tulle wedding dress in Funny Face?
Amanda Seyfried as a bride dressed in "Mamma Mia!" (2008).
In "What Happens in Vegas" (2008), Cameron Diaz wore a champagne colored minidress, definately a popular option for today's bride . . .
Here's Angelina Jolie. This is not the actual wedding gown worn in the film, The Good Shepherd, but costume designer Ann Roth's sweetheart gown, a design popularized by young women like Judy Garland and Debs of the late 1930s-early 40s era.
Julia Roberts in "Runaway Bride" (1999).Now's the time to curl up with a good old-fashioned wedding movie. Most below are out on video or disc/DVD. Watch your favorite and listen to the commentary if there is one--you'll learn so much.
It Happened One Night (1934)
Father of the Bride (1950)
Father of the Bride (remake 1991)
Father of the Bride (remake 1991)
Panama Hattie (1942)
Design for Living (1933)
The Sound of Music (1965)
The Graduate (1967)
Penelope (1966)
Sex and the City (2008)
Runaway Bride (1999)
The Graduate (1967)
Penelope (1966)
Sex and the City (2008)
Runaway Bride (1999)
What Happens in Vegas (2008)
The Bridal Wars (2009)
THE LITTLE GIRL WEDDING
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 5 Views
In Europe, kids make up the wedding party almost entirely. Remember Lady Diana's wedding to Prince Charles in 1981? Her eldest attendant was a junior bridesmaid. The rest were taffeta-clad flower girls and pages dressed in the traditional costume of the English Court.Imagine a parade of pretty little girls ranging in age from 3-13 processing their way through a garden in delicate organzas. Although this line-up doesn’t fit the typical wedding, the ‘little girl’ trend is different and delightful. For those of you considering a ‘wee chic’ wedding, I Love Gorgeous offers some fantastic kid couture. Also the top images are from one of my favorite Bay Area Photographers, CinZo who captures the essence of childhood with such a sensitive eye . . . .
THE GOTHIC BRIDE
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 8 Views
Monday, October 19, 2009
While we're kicking in the mid-weeks of October here, let's take a look at a few Goth gowns. More brides are going over to the dark side lately, some even booking the 31st as their wedding day. If you're going Goth, you don't need me to tell you you're probably not going to find your gown in the typical bridal salon. That's right, if you dress Gothic in your day to day life why would you all of a sudden become Grace Kelly on your wedding day? The good news is, we live in a world where self-expression is finally respected; you're free to go as dark and diverse as you want ranging anywhere from Lolita to SteamPunk. Researching Gothic fashion sites, I found tons so narrowing down your shopping will mean finding what direction you want to go in the Goth world.
First off, for any of you unfamiliar, you might be asking, what is Goth exactly? Gothic is alternative and for the non-conformist. Styles of dress include punk, Medieval, Renaissance, Victorian, Lolita or combos of these styles with accents of black or white makeup and hair. The colors of traditional Goth are black, deep muted red, purple and blues. Fabrics tend to be rich and heavy: velvet and satin brocades combined with black and dark laces and even leather. Corsetry is popular and unapologetic in Goth dressing, usually paired up with voluminous skirts with heavy understructure. And speaking of understructure,the silhouette will probably be the same as a traditional bride--big gown with tons of petticoats--but the message conveyed is something different all together
Henley Photography
Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture
Alternative styles of Goth like the photos above combine a kind of circus chic with Marie Antoinette and Hollywood. Though there's only a hint here of the dark and diverse; just the thought of Marie A for me is pretty grim . . .
Alternative styles of Goth like the photos above combine a kind of circus chic with Marie Antoinette and Hollywood. Though there's only a hint here of the dark and diverse; just the thought of Marie A for me is pretty grim . . .
Romantic Threads
Romantic ThreadsAbove are two versions of classic Goth Victoriana.
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Designs by Irish designer Bonzi are a cross between Steampunk and Victoriana, The photo above celebrates a Goth elementthat could fit well into mainstream bridal while still making the non-conventional statement.
The below corset by the same designer is a definite alternative of bridal dress.
Above: One version of Lolita-Nothing to do with Vladmir Nabokov's prenubile step-daughter instead mimicking a style of Victoriana. The Gothic Lolita fashion movement originated in the Harajuko district in Japan and is growing in popularity in the West. Gothic Lolita girls collect elaborate wardrobes of what looks like 19th century inspired doll clothing. On top of that activities for serious Lolita followers might include the romanticized ideas of yesteryear such as tea parties and croquet matches.
SUNDAY INSPIRATION
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 4 Views
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Unthrifty loveliness why dost thou spend,
Upon thy self thy beauty's legacy?
Nature's bequest gives nothing but doth lend,
And being frank she lends to those are free:
Then beauteous niggard why dost thou abuse,
The bounteous largess given thee to give?
Profitless usurer why dost thou use
So great a sum of sums yet canst not live?
For having traffic with thy self alone,
Thou of thy self thy sweet self dost deceive,
Then how when nature calls thee to be gone,
What acceptable audit canst thou leave?
Thy unused beauty must be tombed with thee,
Which used lives th' executor to be.
--William Shakespeare--
Sonnet #4
TOTALLY FLATTERED
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 4 Views
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Not once but twice in one week I have been awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award. First by the very blonde and beautiful expat Susu of Susu Paris Chic and yesterday by my friend Cyn of Confessions of an Obsessive PlannerThank you both for this and I'm totally honored. Also, turning out this piece led to a bit of much needed reflection after a heavy season of deadlines, so double thanks to my friends above. Here's how the Kreativ Blogger works:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.
5.Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated and in turn I have to let out 7 interesting and or embarrassing things about myself you might not know, like:
1.) I've never had kids. While I find kids charming and enlivening, I made the decision years back to pour all my love and energy into a fulfilling career as a designer and being a great wife to a wonderful husband. I am however the proud mother of a six-pound Chihuahua I have wanted all my life. Piccalina and I are inseparable and go everywhere together. Usually you can find her riding around in one of my many purses charming folks and canines alike and making tons of friends out there.
Our little girl, Piccalina
2.) Writing fiction is actually my first love. My greatest and most intimate moments have been spent alone, introspectively creating another world on paper. While much of writing for publication has creative limitations, writing for oneself does not. To be given the reward of time and space to write is a real gift I have at some times had, but not always. If someone asked what I wanted most in the world for myself it would be just this: time and space to write my own kind of fiction.
3.) I'm an avid fashion buff but give me fine china any day over jewelry. Don't get me wrong, I love beautiful gems and stones but don't particularly relish owning any. When my husband and I met, one of his first gifts to me was the most beautiful Flow Blue he picked up in a local antique shop. Since then we've been collecting so many pieces our home looks like a museum. There is something uplifting about drinking tea or coffee out of something so precious. Also, my clients get tea in these cups and love it . . .
4.) This is totally embarrassing. I'm a fashion designer but hate tags and labels. I mean that literally. I don't like shirts, skirts or any piece of clothing with a label in it--not even those that say, Dior. When I was a kid, I had a morbid fear of them, so much so, my mother had to cut all the tags out of my clothing. Are we being a tad Howard Hughes-like in this respect or what ?
5.) I love good coffee. It is the highlight of my morning. Right now as we speak and write, I have a pot of Colombian perking away and boy does it smell great.
6.) I yearn to time travel. When I die--or by some miraculous intervention God lets me go back in time-- I want to drop right smack dab into 1920 and dwell till around 1950 or so (maybe 1960). What I want most is to smell, breathe, and see the architecture and interiors when they were new; watch how folks behaved toward one another. Maybe I would be visible and interact, maybe not. I haven't figured that one out yet . . .
7.) I'm a baseball addict. Every Spring I look forward to watching Derek Jeter do his extraordinary sport/dance thing out on the field when he plays shortstop. GO YANKEES!
SOURCE
Okay so, here are my seven nominations for the Kreativ Blogger Award:
RUSTIC
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 4 Views
Friday, October 16, 2009
click to enlarge
Brown and ivory. What a Fall statement and how beautifully they blend into the mountain theme of this wedding. Put together by The Perfect Palette, rustic and chic elements both come into play here.
THE AFTER LIFE OF YOUR WEDDING DRESS
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 4 Views
Thursday, October 15, 2009
jasper conranThe wedding's over. Whether you’ve had your gown custom designed or special ordered it through a salon, now what? Some brides are going to be sentimental and preserve the gown for generations. That’s okay. This posting though is for all those wanting to pass on what they wore to someone else and help make our world a better place through recycling. I found the following blurb on the I Do Foundation’s website and couldn’t agree more, “If storing your dress in a box under your bed, or in a hanging bag in your closet is not your idea of a good cause, then keep the pictures, but put the dress to good use and help support the I Do Foundation.”Your gown is a very special and powerful piece of clothing. With it comes (or goes) a certain psychic energy that carries your joy and promise to the next wearer.
PLACES TO DONATE YOUR DRESS AFTER THE WEDDING
BRIDAL CONSIGNMENT- More of these places are cropping up for two reasons: Brides-to-be who won’t spend over 2000k on a designer gown, and former brides who don’t mind parting with their gown. As I’ve mentioned before, there’s little difference between second-time-around bridal consignment and the higher end salons. Owners take in top notch designer gowns and nothing goes on display unless it’s in perfect condition, cleaned and pressed like new. These shops have standards they follow too. They won’t take any Four Weddings and a Funeral style cast-offs, over altered or trashed gowns.
DONATE TO YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY SHOP-Donating to a bridal consignment will earn you a share of your gown’s percentage. Donate to a shop like The Bridal Garden in New York City and fees will benefit NYC school children. Now wouldn't that make you feel great? Few charities have a whole store exclusively devoted to bridal like the Bridal Garden though. Most will have a section for gowns and formal wear.
DONATE TO A FOUNDATION-Believe it or not there are several foundations set up just for donating bridal wear (including bridesmaids gowns). Great! Gowns are such a big biz that whole organizations distribute them to others. Here are a few to check out:
Brides Against Breast Cancer: Donate your gown here and you’ll be giving a bride-to-be a great chance to get a discounted gown while helping grant the wish of someone with breast cancer.
I Do Foundation-Through I Do you can donate to the charity of your choice.
Heavenly Angels in Need-This one makes me well up with tears. Once your gown is donated, seamstresses use the fabric to make children’s burial garments. Having a SIDs baby in our family I understand the needs of grieving families and just how much a little satin and lace can make.
Wedding Dress Ministry-Christian women leaders rent wedding gowns to women in Kenya who are not able to afford gowns to marry in. Profits collected from rents are used in the women’s ministry outreach.
Don’t forget your bridesmaids. There are foundations like the Princess Project that have a selection of prom and bridesmaid dresses that help young women get out to that big night in style.
CHRISTINA HENDRICKS GETS HITCHED
By bridechic · October 28, 2009 · 0 Comments · 4 Views
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
One of my favorite actresses was hitched Sunday. Christina Hendricks who plays the sultry Joan Holloway on Mad Men, married fellow actor, Geoffrey Arend at II Buco restaurant in New York City. She told In Style Weddings of the place, "There will be about 70 people. The room is small and romantic and rustic and intimate, like it's in someone's home in Italy. The food is extraordinary—charcuteries, shared platters—very family style."
If you didn't happen to check out the latest In Style Weddings, Christina is modeling an array of gowns from Oscar de la Renta to Watters. And of course Carolina Herrera, her chosen designer. I have to say this gown is totally exquisite with it's lace appliques and multi-layered back bustle. About her gown she said, "It's got a bit of Sophia Loren to it, but really, it's a Christina Hendricks dress."
I've been hoping for a chance to talk about Christina's influence on fashion and here's the most golden opportunity--her wedding day. I like finally seeing someone come onto the scene who isn't Twiggy and can inspire women with a little more flesh to embrace the way they look. Thank you, Christina . . . . .
Photos courtesy of Buzz Net
www.amyjotatum.com 
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