RECLAIMED

Can you believe there's a designer out there who makes these dream dresses totally out of upcycled materials?  That means salvaged and reclaimed stuff that's about as green friendly as you can get.  Tawny Holt of Armour sans Anguish creates beauty from what might be considered by some as cast offs.  Contemporary and a bit Boho all at once, her dresses are just the thing for those weddings with character or country-rustic theme.  I love all these gems, each so unique. Tawny's Etsy shop has more to look at. 

PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: John Truong

Photographer John Truong has a few subjects he addresses in his photography.  For me weddings are his finest for capturing the true spirit and beauty of a bride.  These images of Brandi in my YOLANDA dress illustrate the skill of an artist who knows the right use of light and a beautiful composition can create a masterpiece . . .

Credits

Photography by John T Photography

Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Makeup . . . Julianne Chai

Hair by Intertwine

Model . . . Brandi

OVER COFFEE

What could be more inspirational on a Sunday morning to get going than a cup of coffee and lots of pretty stuff to match?  black and white make a powerful (or empowering) statement.  Ponder b&w and maybe some shades of gray for anything from a wedding theme to some new decor.  It's all good!  Thanks to Sticky over at SMP Style Circle for bringing us this novel medley of ideas . . .

BREVITY

Pretty things come in so many forms, sometimes dream-like.  I'm in love lately with blushed neutrals like these with a layer of white light spread over.  ThanksTuyet Nguyen over at SMP Style Circle for these pretty thoughts . . . .

BABY DOLL BRIDE

Another great Etsy find.  Check out this gorgeous little white dress by Lily Fleur The baby doll dress is one of Boho's chicest options lately especially if you're going for a more informal look.  Just the right dress for summer, this one's semi-sheer, made of ivory and white fabrics, an under layer of organza with triple layer of tatter organza at the hem. Vintage battenburg lace and handwork at the mid hem line, while vintage crochet work has been couture fitted and hand sewn onto a nude lace bra with white charmeuse satin sides and hook back fastener.

SHOOTING VINTAGE MODERN

Here are a few of my quick shots within the Art Meets Fashion shoot we did a few months back. I took these between whatever styling breaks I could manage while shooters John Truong and Stuart Lirette were setting up. So what does it take to shoot vintage modern gowns? Lots of ingenuity and a dedicated team. It helped we had a private home with an impressive contemporary art collection, the perfect backdrop to create that juxtapose I wanted for the vintage dresses.  Thanks again to that fabulous team of artistic, beauty and styling professionals. What a day we had!

And here are those folks who made this possible . . . Bless you all for being so talented

Shooters: John Truong and Stuart Lirette

                                              Gowns and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Makeup by Julianne Chai

Hair by Intertwine

Models: Lauren and Brandi

Jewelry available through Studiolo

 

IT'S ALL AN ILLUSION

                    Legends by Romona Keveza                               Carolina Herrera                                                        Monique Lhuillier

Have you ever laid eyes on such traditional brides?  According to the latest dish over at Brides Magazine, illusion necklines are the number one trend for spring and summer.  Frankly once we move into fall when the glam really amps, I think we'll be seeing even more.  Kate Middleton's Sarah Burton classic was covered in lace over the bodice and neck.  Designers will pick up on this trend as we'll finally see a return of traditional bridal techniques and applications to wedding fashion.   What's your spin on this?  Passing trend or viable option?

Photos courtesy of Brides.com

WHICH GOOSE

Here's the absolute zenith in Boho head chic for all you woodsy nymph brides out there.  How about putting a real honest to goodness crown of glory on your head?  Emily Zych of Which Goose has been wowing us with her natural twig and vine crowns.  An Etsy shopkeeper, her message is all about nature and it's ever changing landscape.  She hand gathers twigs and vines for these crowns you see here.  Says Emily,  "My crowns are made from a base of dried natural (real!) vines, harvested from along my favorite walking paths. They are stripped, woven and protected with a clear sealant. I try hard to be ecologically responsible with my supplies. I take only from places where vines are plentiful, and I usually take only the ones that are not growing anymore. . . " 
Below are just a few of my personal favs.  I highly recommend a visit to Emily's shop good for a mega dose of inspiration . . .

All photos courtesy Which Goose.  All rights reserved

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEMINI

EB Photography

Happy Birthday Bride Chic!  That's right, May 21, 2008 this blog was born. Here's the very first post mid-wifed into the blogsphere in case anyone is interested.  Now, for all you Gemini Brides take a good look at these gals.  Are they twins or like most Geminis, two facets of one whole?  And is this a double wedding on the beach perchance?  Check out the stretch lace a la mermaid style, perfect for your sense of originality and whimsy.  Whether your birthday is today or sometime in June, have a great one and try to keep that mercurial mind and body spinning in tandem . . .

AQUA AND YELLOW

What an awsome combo of colors.Tuyet Nguyen over at SMP Style Circle has done it again, creating what I think might just be the perfect pallete for a beach wedding.  Would you add another color here or go with a monochromatic of blue or yellow . . .?

BLACK AND WHITE

Thank so much to Tuyet Nguyen over at SMP Style Circle for putting these sharp and awesome images together. From the white anemones to black Venice lace,  I do love the effect of black and white here with various shades of gray moving in.  This would be a great inspiration point for a Deco or old Hollywood style wedding . . .

MANTILLA

SOURCE

The mantilla originated in the warmer climates of Spain circa 1700. Lace versions were chic through the 17th and 18th centuries and you can find them in portraits by Velazquez and Goya. By the 19th century, Queen Isabel II encouraged wearing the mantilla. However, after her death the fashion for wearing them died down and by 1900 they were reserved only for special events like Holy week, weddings and funerals.
Defined, the mantilla is usually cut on a circle of lace or tulle and bordered with lace trim around the edges. The traditional mantilla, originating as the Spanish mantilla, is oval shaped and worn at the top of the head, held onto the head with pins or attached to a head piece. This one above is stunning made out of Chantilly lace  . . . .

FINDING YOUR BRIDE STYLE

 Still going through a dilemma about The Dress?  Try this:  Imagine the clothes you wear every day amped up in finer fabrics and more defined silhouettes.  Next consider your venue and overall formality of the wedding or lack thereof. Wedding dates have a lot to do with decisions too. Are you marrying in New York city mid-winter or having a country picnic in late Spring?

Since there are no rules here, only guidelines, go ahead and combine styles if you like. Blending gives your look individuality. Maybe you're a little punk and vintage all at once . . . Or cutting edge and classic. Whatever combo you fancy, your options are many. My motto has always been, "Read the rules then teach yourself the art of breaking them . . ."

CLASSIC

Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn are your icons. Everything you touch is timeless, refined, sophisticated. A Hermes scarf and cashmere turtleneck could be your everyday signature look.

Your Dress: An A-line or sheath either strapless or with bateau or V-neck. You love any fabric that has understated elegance like traditional duchesse satin and peau de soie.

Favorite Designers: Kenneth Pool, Carolina Herrera, Reem Acra, Amsale, Anne Barge, Peter Langner

Your Venue: A mansion, country club or sprawling estate defines your dream wedding site.

Veiled: A drop veil tacked to the back of a bun.

Unveiled: A tiara of course

Elle is wearing: The 'Giselle' Gown.  Empire cut silk dupioni with hand-beaded Chantilly lace bodice. Top photo: Tulle drop veil  Below:

Alencon lace and Ostrich feathered Tiara and rose adroned silk dupioni and tulle fascinator

VINTAGE

So you look into the best parts of the past to get your look, do you? Who wouldn't with such great laces and gemmies still hanging around from yesteryear? Like those satin baby-doll shoes from the forties better than brand new Jimmy Choos? Does an allover antique lace tablecloth make you think of restyling it into a gown? Then call yourself a Vintageholic and read on.

Your Dress: Mostly evening gown and chemise styles in lace and satin. You may be a 1950s retro buff who likes Candy Anthony type dresses with miles of skirt and tiny cinched waists.

Favorite designers: Pat Kerr, Claire Pettibone, Martin McCrea, Candy Anthony.

Venue: Almost anywhere the the Jay Gatsby daytime social can be reinacted. Landmark homes with acres of sprawling lawn are ideal but certain boutique hotels and B & B's work for the smaller bash.

Veiled: A cage veil adorned by head florals

Unveiled: A picture hat

Ana Marie is Wearing: Embossed chiffon gown with silk gauze detachable train with Rose cage veil.  Below: the organza rose cage veil

BOHO

Do you love peasant styles and the flower child  looks of the sixties?. Are you earthy and ethereal all at once? Consider yourself Boho if your eye is drawn to gowns sporting diaphanous fabrics topped off with head wreaths made out of fresh florals and greenery like ivy.

Your Dress: Something long and flowing, crocheted and/or full of lace and tulle. 
Favorite designers: Temperley of London, Lanvin, Claire Pettibone, Elizabeth Fillmore.

Venue: Any wooded or pastoral setting

Veiled: A floral head wreah with a drop veil

Unveiled: A Daisey or flower chain
Elle and Ana Marie are wearing: Above-Chantilly lace and point d'espirit chemise with silk gauze hankercheif hem and a dried floral head wreath.  Below-Silk chiffon gown with flared hem and Magnolia head wreath with foilage.

CREDITS

Photography by Sweetlight Studios

Gowns and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal
Makeup and hair by Christal Saville

Models; Elle and Ana Marie

SALUTE TO THE BALL GOWN PART 2

Gown by Dior/ Photo by Frank Balthazer

Monday we looked at the definition and origins of the ball gown, today we'll explore all the different variations out there . . .

Oscar de la Renta

Bouffant or Hourglass-Fitted bodice with cinched natural or dropped waist atop gathered or pleated full skirt.

Justina McCaffery

Bubble, Poufs and Pick-ups have been trendy a few years now with no signs of disappearing anytime soon.  Defined, a bubble is a bouffant shaped skirt swelling out of a cinched natural or dropped waist. Skirt curves in a balloon like shape at the hemline or picks up throughout the skirt.  Pick ups were reinvented by designer Ulla Maja back in the 1990s, now they are everywhere in bridal . . . .

Amsale

Petal Skirt-A very structured over skirt. Imagine a fuchsia. A cinched natural or dropped waist sitting atop a full skirt with curving under structure that slits open in the front. Sometimes shows a bit of sheath-like under dress peaking out.

Oscar de la Renta

Shirt Dress-Say what? How could something so utilitarian make it into bridal?  Well, the shirt dress so popular in the Kennedyesque sixties lends itself well to lighter weight fabrics.  Above is a more relaxed version of the hourglass, a classic and tailored look concentrating as much on the bodice detailing as the skirt. Typically has long shirt-like or billowing sleeves and full gathered skirt. Can be made out of lightweight fabrics like organza, chiffon and crepe, as well as medium weights like linen. Nice for a garden reception, especially with a wide- brimmed hat.

WAY OUT HEAD CHIC

 Now here's some inspiration for the bride looking for a real outside the box look on her wedding day.  Hong Kong Stylist, Maribaybee has brought shades of white and textures to a whole new level of chic.  Her asthetic is, 'One picture tells a story better than a thousand words do . . . .'

SALUTE TO THE BALL GOWN: PART 1

Dior

Does any dress say ‘bride' more than a beautifully designed ball gown? Ball gowns have been the trademark of some contemporary designers like Kenneth Pool, Amsale and Reem Acra, to name just a few. Going back sixty-some years, Christian Dior revolutionized fashion with his “New Look”. Cinched waists atop skirts flowing in yards of fabric marked a turning point in twentieth-century fashion. The hourglass, the most defined female silhouette, was back.

 From the ballet Giselle

The ball gown is definately an hourglass and remains the most dramatic of all bridal silhouettes. A ball gown can be as romantic a confection as those seen in the corps de ballet, flowing in swirls of white tulle; or as edgy and structured as the silk faille versions in 1950s Paris Vogue (see below). But it doesn’t matter whether the fabric used to create it is delicate, mid-weight or heavy, one aspect of the ball gown always remains the same: the skirt and its understructure are both based on volume. Thus, sweeping skirts equal sweeping entrances especially awesome on brides who know how to work their strut.

Dior around 1949

  Regardless of its formality, a ball gown seems to have flex when it comes to showing up anywhere and looking beautiful. While they go great in all the splendor of a full-blown cathedral ceremony, imagine an outdoor garden wedding where nature, big and diverse as a thousand cathedrals can be the perfect sanctuary.