CUTTING EDGE VINTAGE

Look what I found!  Etsy designers, vetrans as well as newcomers never cease to amaze.  Relatively new to this happening site, Kitty Andrews designs reflect her years spent in Japan as well as love of pin-up, punk couture and costume.  The best thing about Kitty's creations is, she only uses top-notch fabrics and materials and each piece is hand-crafted.
The powder puff pouf shown here would be the perfect statement for the bride wanting to add some cutting edge chic with a little vintage thrown in.

GARDEN INSPIRED

Linen/silk chiffon and Chantilly lace cap-sleeved dress with full crinoline petticoat. Ecru silk headband with ivory silk dupioni handrolled rose has a pink jewel button in the center

Embroidered ivory lace organza fascinator with gathered mini pouf. Edge of hat is bordered in Venise lace trimmed with pearls.

The Chanel Look spanned several eras of changing fashion. Her most notable signatures are close fitting cloche style hats, halters, separates, jerseys and strands of many different pearl necklaces all worn at once. Pictured here is a Chantilly lace halter paired up with a long shantung skirt with a sweep train. The sizel hat is a combo cloche and picture hat so evocative of Chanel's time.  A Shantung Bow with netting lends a great 1940s feeling. 

Boho is back! Theres a mix of imported Chantilly laces on the bodice. The full skirt is gathered silk chiffon lined in crepe backed satin. Bodice has lace cap sleeves and is accented with a gold braid tie belt. Floral head wreath is made up of dried roses and Baby's Breath  . . .

A versatile and modified A-line in luxe dupioni silk . . . Here the skirt is hiked up to show off the meringue on the petticoat--- a Chantilly lace border. The complimentary fascinator is 'vintage with an edge'. Ivory Dupioni with handmade silk organdy florals. Has tulle pouf veil and Venise lace edging with hand-sewn pearls.

Val lace over blouse with blue satin tie belt gives this design a very Audrey look. The skirt is four layers of tulle and a separate slip of crinoline and tulle. Detailed touches include a row of buttons down a V-back
and it is all pulled together with a blue sash.

Above: This tea gown could be right out of a Jane Austen Novel. A white silk dupioni sheath draped with Chantilly lace on the skirt and bodice. Back details include a row of covered buttons and lace tie-back. Price upon request. It can be special ordered in white or ivory through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

Below: Perfectly chosen accoutrements to go with the romantic tea gown.  At top right the fascinator is Ivory Chantilly lace and crepe with beaded Venise lace edging. Embellishment is two handrolled silk shantung roses. Below left is the horsehair fascinator/veil hybrid accented with a tulle rose and bow.  Below Right:Something old.  A pair of genuine antique pearl earrings.

All bridal Wear and accessories available through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: STUART LIRETTE

LIZ AND AARON'S SAN DIEGO WEDDING

CREDITS

Photography:  Lirette Photography

Dress: Shadows in San anselmo, California

Flowers: San Diego Floral Design

Venue: San Diego Botanic Gardens

Aaron and Liz didn't have to twist photographer Stuart Lirette's arm once they announced they'd tie the knot in the San Diego area. They wanted him to travel down and capture all the festivities. "August in San Diego, beachside... are you kidding. I brought the whole family and stayed a few extra days," says Stuart

Liz and Aaron both work in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is where they met, but the bride grew up in San Diego and that was all the reason they needed to plan a SoCal wedding. The weather was magnificent and the outdoor venue, San Diego Botanic Gardens (formerly Quail Botanical Gardens), was a dream come true for a photographic location. "I like out of town weddings because once I leave the home office I have nothing to distract me from the event so I just immerse myself in the couples lives for the duration. In this case I not only attended the wedding and reception but also the rehearsal dinner friday night as well as going away brunch on Sunday. When you spend that much time with a couple, you can't help capturing some special moments . . . ."

About the Photographer: Stuart Lirette is a graduate of Brook's Institute of Photography.  He's made a living listening to his clients needs, and producing photographs that answer those needs on a budget they can afford.

UPCYCLED!

Alee Svensson

Here's a great tid bit I ran across on Facebook.  Natalie, the model above was one of my client-model-friends.  Check out her skirt.  It originally belonged to one of her bridal ensembles I designed (yes, she had more than one).  The ballerina skirt pictured here can certainly be used after the big day--even combined with sportswear as you can see.  And no, it isn't bad luck to wear your dress/gown or any piece thereof after the wedding . . .

SPRING 2011: OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Oscar de la Renta is one of the top three designers in the world today (House of Dior and Chanel are the other two in no particular order).  His name conjours up one word for me: Gala.  I've been a great fan all these years watching him create a look and brand all his own via yards and layers of silks and ruffles.  This season every piece in this extensive collection is as magnificent as the next.  He's gone back to some of the styling that put him on the map in the 1970s: peasant skirts with gathers and plenty of ruffles, head scarves, minis in scrumptous fabrics.  His special talent is grand entrance dressing, keeping the overall look balanced and in perfect harmony.

images courtesy Getty images