Monday, 22 September 2008

DITCHING THE TRADITIONAL VEIL


Yes, veils are still in vogue. And yes, there are more styles out there than ever, but before you make the decision to wear one, consider your options. Today, some brides are bypassing the veil, going for special touches like wide brimmed hats, fresh flowers or jewels in their hair. The idea is, if you’d rather wear a wide-brimmed hat down the aisle and it works with your gown, go for it.
FLORALS in your hair. They compliment simple evening gown silhouettes with that tropical feel, A-lines and ballgowns with a touch of the romantic. There are three kinds of florals: Fresh, artificial and hand-rolled fabric flowers. All are beautiful choices. Fresh can be ordered through your florist possibly echoing some of those in your bouquet. Artificial flowers are typically silk, some so well made they look like they were just picked out of the garden. Hand-rolled flowers are made out of fabric like dupioni, organza or shantung, sometimes in the same fabric as your gown. These have a real high fashion look and are usually attached to a barrette or spongy wire

WREATH-Very romantic. A wreath circles the head and is interwoven with flowers, foliage and in some cases, ribbons. Florists can put these together either with fresh, artificial or dried flowers. Some variations would be those made exclusively of English Ivy or dried roses and baby’s breath.
HATS are the choice of some of the world’s chicest brides like Bianca Jagger and Rita Hayworth. Once you start trying them on, you’ll see how each works with the shape of your face, your body type and gown. A petite bride can wear a picture hat as long as it’s not massive and is in proportion with the rest of her. The evening-gowned bride will need something with enough width to create symmetry with her gown. Adornments can be feathers, flowers, ribbons, drapes and poufs of netting, to name just a few. The widest assortment can be found in millinery shops. Here you’ll get lots of personal attention. And if you don’t find exactly what you want, they’ll custom make it for you.




SNOOD- Another sophisticated look. A snood is a piece of openwork netting used to cover and wrap buns and chignons. They were highly popular in two eras: the Civil War and World War II. The contemporary versions that compliment evening and bridal wear often have pearls, or crystals on them.
HEADBAND- typically attached to a gathered pouf veil, you can wear the headband individually without the veiling. Headband brides have that fresh, Estee Lauder look. Bands range in style from simple, narrow satin ones to those covered in pearls and crystals. A great option for hair worn down, not quite shoulder length like a bob.
TIARA-Just the tiara—no veil. This is a classic look. The best tiaras are made out of crystal and rhinestone; forget the plastic pageant variety and invest in Swarovski if you can. Best when the tiara sits upon a well-coiffed up-do.
HAIR JEWELERY-These can range from Mother of Pearl hairpins to crystal adorned hair-sticks and clips. You can wear one or many sprinkled though a beautifully coiffed head. Top notch hair styling is a must to wear these properly.


Sunday, 21 September 2008

HERE COMES THE BRIDE . . . THERE GOES THE GROOM

Have you caught this great read by Valerie Frankel? She's one of my favorite writers and this gem just happens to be about a wedding. In screw-ball comedy tradition, I Take This Man profiles about-to-be-a-bride Penny Bracket jilted the morning of her nuptials. I know, I know it doesn't sound like a real uplifting premise with your own wedding two months off but believe me . . . there's some really great writing here and you won't be sorry you picked it up. I do promise you won't be able to put it down . . . Read the synopsis

Saturday, 20 September 2008

LEVITATING BRIDE

www.rongreystar.com
I just wanted to share one of my favorite photographs by Ron Greystar. Robin, the model, is in one of my gowns dancing around the lawn when Ron catches her in one of those mid-air leaps. Because the photo is over exposed she comes out looking sylph-like like a spirit . . . . I think this picture captures what a bride feels when she's wearing the right gown. She levitates . . .

Friday, 19 September 2008

A VISIT FROM THE MUSE


The Muse has been visiting ever since I got back from my big shopping jaunt. Tuesday I was in Thai Silks in Los Altos and came across this sumptuous array of silks. The above sketch is one of the evening gown silhouettes I have planned for 2009-10; it was inspired by the embroidered chiffon pictured below. The embossed chiffons I found there still intrigue me as I've been using them for years.


Looking at the rack below, visions of sugar plums danced in my head. I'm not kidding. That's all it takes to get me going--a rack this size with some of the most exquisite stuff from the east and I have thousands of options . . . .




Thursday, 18 September 2008

GOWN TLC: BEFORE AND AFTER THE WEDDING


Designing bridal gowns from the ground up has been my life’s work. Keeping those gowns white and spotless before the wedding has been as much a challenge as the design itself. Once delivered though, the gown is all yours, to have and to hold in a real world rampant with dust, blood and household pets—all potential accidents just waiting to happen.

PROTECTING YOUR GOWN BEFORE THE WEDDING
Getting your gown home safely is the first step. You’re going to have to treat it with all the love and care of a newborn. No, you won’t need an infant seat but just about any size back seat of a car will do. In all probability once delivered your gown will be packed in plastic. Hang it on the hook above the back door draped across the back seat. Once home, remove the dress from the bag and make sure to put it on a padded hanger. An alternative to the padded hanger is my hanging dress form below. This is a display hanger I use in the studio to show off my designs. They have another function: keeping your gown shaped and taking the stress off the shoulders or from whatever point your dress hangs. You can order one from Robert Hamm





Next find a hook. A chandelier would be great if you have one. So would hooking it to an armoire or highboy. Cover the floor below your gown with a clean sheet and let the train fall. This will prevent wrinkles. Ideally the room you hang your gown in is low on traffic.
No spare room? Okay, find an empty closet or one with enough room to accommodate the volume of your gown. Actually, hanging your gown on a dress form that is dialed to match your own measurements would be optimal. I know, I know, you don’t sew but if you can borrow one from a friend or if you find one cheap in a thrift store, grab it.





Here’s another option for storing your dress especially if your wedding is more than three months off. Lay your gown on a spare bed or sofa and spread it out. This will ease stress caused from hanging.









YOUR WEDDING DAY

Some suggestions about pressing. If your gown is made out of tulle, don’t you dare press it! Steam it instead. The same goes for your veil; ironing scorches tulle.
Pressing wrinkles out of your gown is done with a cool, dry iron over a piece of broadcloth or muslin, called a press mitt. Forget worrying too much about wrinkling your gown going to and from the ceremony. Just push the bulk of your skirt aside once you’re in the car.





source


AFTER THE BALL IS OVER

Did you know Victorian brides have us beat when it comes to going green? Tradition was, they not only wore their gown to exchange vows in, a bride of yesteryear was expected to wear her gown out and about. That’s right, she wore it to the opera and dining at Delmonico’s for about a year till everyone knew her status. In other words, a bride could revel in her bridaldom while putting some mileage on her gown. So how come we're not out there reinventing this trend?
Whether you’re preserving or consigning your gown after the wedding you’re going to need to find a cleaner that specializes in wedding gowns. Specializing means years of experience as in: just about every time you drop in to pick up your silk blouses a couple Vera Wangs are ready to move out.
Expect common wear and tear after your wedding day to be dirt and grass stains along the hem and train, makeup stains inside the bodice, a torn seam, bustle hooks missing. Oh yeah, and the proverbial splash of red wine on the skirt. After cleaning your gown should be professionally pressed even if it will be stored away in a box. Remember to ask it be packed in acid-free tissue in an acid-free box to prevent any staining. Remove any dress shields or bra cups, otherwise they’ll fragment through the years, soiling arms and bodice.


Tuesday, 16 September 2008

FASHIONISTA SPY



What a wonderful creature this one is. Camilla Skovgaard, while discussing her design perspective, was quoted saying "Shoes appeal to one's fantasies about what you are going to experience in them." How is a shoe like this defined? How and when would you wear it? Is this an ankle boot with cutouts showing more foot or is it a sandal with straps giving more coverage? Perhaps both. Perhaps neither. Depends on your imagination. Made from Italian leather and built on a very wearable 100mm (4"+) heel. The buckled straps are functional. (source)

What do you think? I want your opinions on what designer's work you think would best show off these Romanesque little darlings. Look for more of Camilla's beauties at Halo Shoes.

Monday, 15 September 2008

THE COTTON WEDDING DRESS

Photos by Smoot Photo
Hair by Gayle Parker




The cotton wedding dress. Easy and comfortable to wear, these dresses are surprisingly affordable.




Most of us associate cotton with everyday wear. Since cotton is the ultimate in laid-back casual, we rarely think of it in terms of bridal wear. Think again. Especially about the imported Swiss eyelets in the photos above and below.




Imported swiss eyelet with scalloped neck and hem.

Cottons are not just for kids dresses anymore. High quality cottons like these have always been a stylish option for summer brides and garden weddings.



All over eyelet A-line with Sabrina neckline





Not every bride wants the formality of silk on her wedding day so some designers are getting this message, offering at least one cotton option in their spring/summer collection.




Close up of 'Gretel', a sweetheat neck trimmed in cotton lace


Want to see more of what's going on with the cotton collection? Visit Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture.