ULTRA-FEM HAIR FOR THE ROMANTIC BRIDE
While I was going through my ‘getting blonde’ routine yesterday I asked Betty, my stylist some questions about hair for the romantic bride. First, her advice covered pretty much everything about bridal hair in general: find a top notch hairdresser and start working with him/her trying out different dos pre-wedding . . . your wedding day isn’t the time to try radical hairstyles, cuts and color . . . your wedding hair should be an enhanced version of you at your loveliest. That said, as part of Romance Week, we’ve gathered up all the head shots we could from recent photo shoots having to do with romantic hair and hair treatments. This year we’ve been so fortunate to work with a group of passionate and devoted stylists who not only believe in styling hair but taking it to the level of creating art. Romantic brides tend to adorn their hair with florals and jewels—anything ultra feminine—regardless of whether or not a veil is added.
Hair by Kathie Rothkop
Makeup by Rob Ward
Photo by Henley Photography
Hair by Kathie Rothkop
Makeup by Rob Ward
Photo by Henley Photography
Hair by Kathie Rothkop
Makeup by Rob Ward
Photo by Henley Photography
Hair by Kathie Rothkop
Makeup by Rob Ward
Photo by Henley Photography
Hair by Kathie Rothkop
Makeup by Rob Ward
Photo by Ron Greystar
THE ART OF THE BALL GOWN
Jim Hjelm
Oscar de la Renta
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 Justine McCaffery, 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.
The ball gown is indeed 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. 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.
Max Chaoul
Max ChaoulRegardless 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.
Variations of the Ball Gown
Bouffant or Hourglass-Fitted bodice with cinched natural or dropped waist atop gathered or pleated full skirt.
Bubble, Poufed or Bunted-Pick-ups and poufs are trendy now. Bouffant shaped skirt swelling out of a cinched natural or dropped waist. Skirt curves in a balloon like shape at the hemline.
RS Couture
Bouffant or Hourglass-Fitted bodice with cinched natural or dropped waist atop gathered or pleated full skirt.
Bubble, Poufed or Bunted-Pick-ups and poufs are trendy now. Bouffant shaped skirt swelling out of a cinched natural or dropped waist. Skirt curves in a balloon like shape at the hemline.
RS Couture
Petal-Very structured overskirt. Imagine a fuchsia. A cinched natural or dropped waist sitting atop a full skirt with curving understructure that slits open in the front. Sometimes shows a bit of sheath-like under dress peaking out.
Shirt Dress-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.
Shirt Dress-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.
THE ROMANCE OF THE LONG VEIL
What constitutes a long veil? I’d start at the ‘finger tip’ length and work all the way down to the twenty-five foot cathedral. Long veils convey a romantic mood by way of all that added gossamer sheer. Wearing a veil dates back to ancient times and most cultures. The bridal veil in particular has been a symbol of purity as well as mystery in many traditions. Since Biblical times every era it seems has innovated the veil and how it’s worn. Victorians donned yards of handmade laces they passed on to daughters and granddaughters; 1960s brides popularized the pouf veil still stylish today.
Below: Fingertip drop veil tacked to the back of an updo
LEGNTHS
Fingertip-Most popular length; can be worn by nearly every figure type with most silhouettes. Waltz-Falls anywhere between knee and ankle.
Chapel-Considered formal. Extends about a two feet beyond the hemline.
Cathedral-Most formal. Extends three feet or more beyond the hem.
Double Tier-Two layers, typically the shorter one a blusher but not always.
Chapel-Considered formal. Extends about a two feet beyond the hemline.
Cathedral-Most formal. Extends three feet or more beyond the hem.
Double Tier-Two layers, typically the shorter one a blusher but not always.
Below: Chapel length drop veil
STYLES
Pouf-width of veil is gathered at the crown and can be attached to a headpiece. Generally made out of tulle or English netting.
Dropped-Yes, actually dropped onto the head in a single layer of tulle or lace; often bordered with lace or ribbon. A Mantilla is a type of dropped veil.
Pouf-width of veil is gathered at the crown and can be attached to a headpiece. Generally made out of tulle or English netting.
Dropped-Yes, actually dropped onto the head in a single layer of tulle or lace; often bordered with lace or ribbon. A Mantilla is a type of dropped veil.
Below: Cathedral length veil
ValentinoCHOOSING YOUR VEILMost brides wait till the gown is ordered before making a decision. In addition to complimenting your dress, you’ll need to consider your body type. Petite brides want to create the impression of height. They can wear pouf veils as long as the volume up top doesn’t imitate an Indian-headdress, dwarfing rather than extending height. Also if you’re short, a cathedral length veil isn’t the best choice—even a dropped version with zero density. You can get the drama and extension you need by scaling down to a waltz or chapel length to fit your proportion. Heavier and/or thick-waisted brides look best in a one layer dropped veil tacked onto a bun, falling in a swirl down the back. Go long here if you can. Try keeping your lines back and delicate, avoiding elbow length veils with lots of volume. Ditto veils edged in ribbon; they can form lines across the waist, creating width. If you’re tall you’ll want to keep the poise of your height intact without going over the edge. Go ahead and wear that cathedral veil with your long-trained ball gown. But realize even tall, sylph-like women have limitations. Princess Diana who was a stunning 5’10”, over-volumized her height her wedding day when she piled layers of tulle atop a dress already screaming of über-pouf. Face it, we all have to work on getting the symmetry right.
Generally, more ornamental gowns look best with simple veils, like one layer of tulle with narrow edging or no edging at all; 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 shorter veil like a fly away or net pouf. Want a more romantic look? Try a layer of tulle— preferably 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. If your gown has no train, wearing a chapel or cathedral length veil can create one—especially elegant when bordered in wide-edged lace or there’s a concentration of lacework on the train portion.
AFTER THE CEREMONYIf you’re in a long veil and want to remove part of it for the reception, have your salon work out the fastening system with you and whomever is helping you. Taking off the entire veil? Exactly when during the reception is up to you; it depends on whether you want to be veiled in photos cutting cake, toasting, dancing, etc. Some brides wear their veil the entire day. And I suppose this is because there is nothing quite like a white veil that says . . . Today is the only day I will ever be a Bride . . .
Valentino
ROMANCE WEEK AT BRIDE CHIC
Photo by Rachael Dante
Welcome to 'Romance Week' here at Bride Chic. Kicking off our theme for early November is Dana from Broke Ass Bride sporting one of my favorite creations on her lovely redhead. I love doing headpieces; not only do they top off, they can create or change your whole bridal look. This birdcage veil is perfect for Dana. The yellow tones in the flower really pop that red hair to its most vibrant.
I think Dana's very lucky. She has not only looks and rapid-fire wit, her fiancee is uber-bodacious too . . . Also check out Rachel Dante's blog. She's the photographer on this project. Once you study more of her work, you'll agree her use of light and color is awesome.
So what's scheduled for the rest of 'Romance Week' ? We'll be covering as much passionate and starry-eyed stuff as we can get into our posts like long veils, ballgowns and storybook weddings. Also we have an interview with Australian bridal designer, Clarissa Grace. Once you check out her work you'll agree the muse is definitely her frequent guest.
GOWNS FOR VOLUPTUOUS BRIDES
Amy-Jo TatumMaybe you’re voluptuous which simply means carrying around fifty more pounds than Twiggy. Personally I’m not a fan of dieting just so you can fit into a size –2 on your wedding day. I mean why even bother if you can look good in all your curviness? Furthermore, I’d like to know how come women a few pounds over the real norm (not fashion norm like Ally McBeal), don’t just go for dresses that accentuate the positive and downplay the negative?
Sarah HoustonHere’s my recommendation: Instead of crash dieting concentrate on keeping lines vertical while bringing the rest of your silhouette inward. Consider a curve darted A-line or a princess style with some contrast to the center panel. If you have pleasing curves and/or a full bust, focus on empathizing these attributes the Great Masters have painted for centuries. Think Rubenesque rather than heavy, realizing you can carve out your own special style niche. Consider Minnie Driver. She’s definitely somebody who knows how to ‘rock it’ with her full-figure. Though you won’t find her too often inside the pages of Vogue, she’s definitely tres chic.
Joyce Young
Edgardo Bonilla
VeroniaGO FOR:
*An empire waist. It looks great on you. It plays down a thick midriff and hides big hips and bottom. Real power is knowing that God actually created some of us to be curvaceous
*A ball gown. If you have full breasts, some tummy, rounded hips and bottom you can wear a ball gown well as long as there’s a determined waistline. The voluminous skirts hide the tummy, bottom and hips, focusing on a nipped in waist. .
*Low, wide necklines. Consider the scoop, sweetheart, keyhole and V-neck, all of which empathize your cleavage and decolletage.
*Long and fitted sleeves, preferably in lightweight fabrics to make your arms look slimmer.
*Basque waists atop either an A-line or ball gown slim you out.
*The trapeze or tent style; one of your best options.
Stephanie AllinPASS UP:
*Any gown with massive embellishment and go for clean lines and fabrics like crepe, matte satin and shantung; they even your body out. Pass up any weighty fabric like brocade or velvet that add bulk in the folds and seams. Ditto the heavily beaded laces and organza.
*Shiny fabrics like satin. High shine equals volume. .
*Mermaid, evening gown and sheath silhouettes; all too form-fitting for your figure.
Three-quarter length and big puffy sleeves. Don’t even think about shoulder pads!
Off the shoulder necklines. Full-figures usually have broad shoulders and arms and this neckline adds volume there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
