Bride Mail and Veils


Ever since I put up the head shot of the bride in the mantilla, there have been several emails asking for more shots. Well, here's another--same veil more legnth. To wear or ditch the veil is a real hot topic these days. For brides deciding to don the veil after all, the first question usually is, "What kind?" Check out Favor Ideas where you'll find an article by Yours Truly explaining the A-Z of it from poufs to birdcages--dropped to cathedrals . . .

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?


Eva, a modified A-line in silk dupion. The empire front of silk chiffon works into a sash and ties in front.



Inspiration: Richard Avedon's shot of Yves Saint Laurent's first dress for House the of Dior. This photo appeared in Harper's Bazaar, 1955.
I always liked the long lines on this dress. I knew when the time was right a certain design like 'Eva' would come out of it. This dress is all about the sash that adds height for brides who want to go vertical. Picture is so unusual, so original.

RIGHT FROM THE EDGE

If you're lucky enough to be a Floridian bride check out Michelle Oeil. She looks at her real brides (and grooms) through an edgy/romantic/sureal lens. Her real brides look like models . . . or the kind of people getting profiled in Vanity Fair. http://www.oeilphotography.com/



I couldn't include all her great photos which are like picture stories that need no words. You can check out her blog on the website for more.
























Thank you Michelle for sharing your great talent!


AN 11 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE: SOME TRENDS NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE

I think the only predictable thing about fashion is its so unpredictable and bridal fashion is no exception. If less was more a few years back, 2008 seems all about adornment. Designers this season rocked the runways with gowns all done up in feathers, skirts layered in rumba ruffles, and shorter hemlines. While those strapless A-lines and slinky evening numbers from seasons past are still with us, hot off the runway versions incorporate laces, jewels and feathers, some intricately decked out. Still, the barely adorned classic is as chic as ever. Think Carolyn Bessette. She wore the classic of all classics when she and JFK Jr. tied the knot. Why is it that same cut-on-the-bias crepe can be worn ten years later and still look cutting edge? The wow factor of her gown had to do with who was wearing it (we all know that) and possibly something else: her body-hugging simplicity was a refreshing change after years of so much pouf and paste on the 1990’s bridal racks. She set the trend for small, simple bouquets, no fuss hair and going without nylons when you wear sandals. For brides in tip-top physical shape who like to strut trim bodies, Carolyn’s is still an ideal look. Be warned though. Toned and tight through the belly, hips and thighs are a must here.

GOOD-BYE YVES



Last week the fashion world lost one of its most influential icons. Yves Saint Laurent died at 71 on June 2. He apprenticed under the most revolutionary designer of the 20th century, Christian Dior. So I remember YSL as the new maverick of my generation (yeah, I'm that old); the man who made it okay for women to wear trousers also designed some great wedding gowns. Check out the one here, http://www.fashionwindows.com/fashion_designers/ysl/2002C/yslCS0210.asp, not his only version of ethnic chic . . .

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?








Every so often I'll be adding new photos as samples are finished. Meet Cosette, the newest member of the Spring/Summer 2008 collection; a silk chiffon and crepe empire with peau d'ange lace at the bodice. There's a sweep train and the gray satin ribbon is a sash all the way down the back. This gown was inspired by a dress I saw in Follow the Fleet, a 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers flick. When the 'Cosette' design first started going round in my head, I envisioned it on a bride at an outdoor garden wedding. But I think 'Cosette' would also look awesome at a cocktail or evening wedding. As far as the head chic goes, you have so many options with this gown: flowers in the hair, a snood, a veil of almost any legnth . . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARILYN!


Though she wasn't exactly a fashion trendsetter she was an icon who could work it with a few really great dresses. At top is her famous white halter from Seven Year Itch which inspired my bouffant chantilly lace below it.
Did you know Marilyn had three real life weddings in her lifetime? For her first marriage her guardian managed to find her a full length satin A-line to marry boy next door, Jim Doherty. Her next two weddings were rush events. She married Joe DiMaggio in a dark suit with an ermine collar; Arthur Miller in a lightweight daytime dress with a fly away veil.
My favorite Marilyn dress comes from her Arthur Miller phase. I tried to find a photo of it last night but couldn't. In any case, in this photo I couldn't find, she's hugging a tree and wearing a cotton eyelet dress. That particular embroidered eyelet always stayed in my head. Look for some 'a la Marilyn inspired' eyelets and cottons in the upcoming months in my collection.