PRETTY THINGS

PRETTY THINGS

Fall is just about here, ushering in all those luxe, opulent fabrics that suggest a certain formality.  Here's Sabrina in the new silk taffeta separates: a silk white bouffant skirt and Audreyesque top cinched with a matching belt. Check out her accessories--a satin pillbox hat and white silk purse.  The shorty gloves add a little something 60s to really pull the look together.

An asymmetrical Chantilly lace and tulle shirred top is paired up with the taffeta skirt.  Still vintage with a dash of  modernesque thrown into the mix . . . .

Separates and accessories are from The Bouffant Collection by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride.  Shot at  Villa Montalvo, Saratoga, Ca.  Photos Copyright Bride Chic 2012.

Sabrina's makeup by Makeup by Audrey/Hair by Intertwine Design

Fall is just about here, ushering in all those luxe, opulent fabrics that suggest a certain formality.  Here's Sabrina in the new silk taffeta separates: a silk white bouffant skirt and Audreyesque top cinched with a matching belt. Check out her accessories--a satin pillbox hat and white silk purse.  The shorty gloves add a little something 60s to really pull the look together.

An asymmetrical Chantilly lace and tulle shirred top is paired up with the taffeta skirt.  Still vintage with a dash of  modernesque thrown into the mix . . . .

Separates and accessories are from The Bouffant Collection by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride.  Shot at  Villa Montalvo, Saratoga, Ca.  Photos Copyright Bride Chic 2012.

Sabrina's makeup by Makeup by Audrey/Hair by Intertwine Design

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

I've always loved the weight and feel of a fabric called antique satin, a cross between shantung and satin crepe.  Here I mixed it up with a little white Chantilly lace, adding a tulle overskirt for a real romantic look.  Modeled by the lovely Sabrina, she's showing off just about every aspect of this dress's charm, as a fitted sheath and ball gown all at once. Oddly enough this particular piece was inspired by another Sabrina--yes, the fictional one played so beautifully by Audrey Hepburn in the 1954 film of the same name.  If you remember the scene where she shows up at the party in a number she describes as, " Yards of skirt and way off the shoulder . . ."   This dress is as lovely inside as out, lined in soft China silk.  The hand-rolled floral headpiece is also available as a custom order.

 
                                    Gown available through Amy-Jo Tatum Bride. More pictures available on request . . .

I've always loved the weight and feel of a fabric called antique satin, a cross between shantung and satin crepe.  Here I mixed it up with a little white Chantilly lace, adding a tulle overskirt for a real romantic look.  Modeled by the lovely Sabrina, she's showing off just about every aspect of this dress's charm, as a fitted sheath and ball gown all at once. Oddly enough this particular piece was inspired by another Sabrina--yes, the fictional one played so beautifully by Audrey Hepburn in the 1954 film of the same name.  If you remember the scene where she shows up at the party in a number she describes as, " Yards of skirt and way off the shoulder . . ."   This dress is as lovely inside as out, lined in soft China silk.  The hand-rolled floral headpiece is also available as a custom order.

 
                                    Gown available through Amy-Jo Tatum Bride. More pictures available on request . . .

NEW TREND: THE SHEER OVER BODICE

NEW TREND: THE SHEER OVER BODICE

Stephanie Allin

Want to really look like a traditional bride? Try the strapless with an over bodice.  This look is a hark back to the the 1950s when sheer organza or lace was worn up top for coverage (in church you couldn't bare anything back then).  Another blast from the past is the return of the removable bodice: A modest look for the ceremony and unbutton the front or back and you have a formal strapless for party time.  These sheer geniuses are from the collections of designers Stephanie Allin and Augusta Jones.  All are breathtakingly classic and the epitome of sheer elegance . . . 

 

Images by Stephanie Allin

Augusta Jones

Augusta Jones

Stephanie Allin

Want to really look like a traditional bride? Try the strapless with an over bodice.  This look is a hark back to the the 1950s when sheer organza or lace was worn up top for coverage (in church you couldn't bare anything back then).  Another blast from the past is the return of the removable bodice: A modest look for the ceremony and unbutton the front or back and you have a formal strapless for party time.  These sheer geniuses are from the collections of designers Stephanie Allin and Augusta Jones.  All are breathtakingly classic and the epitome of sheer elegance . . . 

 

Images by Stephanie Allin

Augusta Jones

Augusta Jones

SEASCAPES

SEASCAPES

Today I'm doing my guest blogging thingy over on One Wed where today we're exploring how to make your dress beachworthy.  Did you know there's been a real surge of beach weddings within the last fifteen years?  Did you also know any style dress can be worked into a beach wedding providing you add or even subtract the right touches that give it that sea chic look? Above and below are some real gems by one of my fave designers Augusta Jones perfect for the destination/beach wedding.    READ MORE . . . .

Today I'm doing my guest blogging thingy over on One Wed where today we're exploring how to make your dress beachworthy.  Did you know there's been a real surge of beach weddings within the last fifteen years?  Did you also know any style dress can be worked into a beach wedding providing you add or even subtract the right touches that give it that sea chic look? Above and below are some real gems by one of my fave designers Augusta Jones perfect for the destination/beach wedding.    READ MORE . . . .

LACE

LACE

The most bridal of all laces, Chantilly.  Corbin Gurkin Photography

Lace as we know it evokes images of woven florals and scalloped edges on flounced skirts and collars. Though these time-honored looks will always be with us, lately we’re seeing new spins on the use of lace in bridal wear. Not only are the traditionals like Alencon and Chantilly now used in cutting edge ways, new inventions in knit and revivals in cotton and crocheted laces are showing up. Some of it is being used discreetly on no more than a sleeve or yoke while the high drama of donning all over lace from collar to hemline is chic as well.

 via Pinterest

An Edwardian recreation that combines aspects from one of the finest eras with the contemporary bride in mind.

Handmade Bits and Pieces via Pinterest

Doilies?  Yup, these crocheted doilies pieced together make a gorgeous fabric for dress up.  Backing it with green sure makes the lace pop!

Sunday in Bed via Pinterest

A mix of Venise and lace apliques.  Stunning . . .

The most bridal of all laces, Chantilly.  Corbin Gurkin Photography

Lace as we know it evokes images of woven florals and scalloped edges on flounced skirts and collars. Though these time-honored looks will always be with us, lately we’re seeing new spins on the use of lace in bridal wear. Not only are the traditionals like Alencon and Chantilly now used in cutting edge ways, new inventions in knit and revivals in cotton and crocheted laces are showing up. Some of it is being used discreetly on no more than a sleeve or yoke while the high drama of donning all over lace from collar to hemline is chic as well.

 via Pinterest

An Edwardian recreation that combines aspects from one of the finest eras with the contemporary bride in mind.

Handmade Bits and Pieces via Pinterest

Doilies?  Yup, these crocheted doilies pieced together make a gorgeous fabric for dress up.  Backing it with green sure makes the lace pop!

Sunday in Bed via Pinterest

A mix of Venise and lace apliques.  Stunning . . .

PORTRAITS of CHANTILLY

PORTRAITS of CHANTILLY

You can always recognize Chantilly lace by its delicate background and intricate detail. Named after the town in France where its still made, the patterns originating in the 18th century are to this day, still time-honored and manufactured.  My favorite of all laces, Chantilly is fragile and romantic.  It can be used as an allover lace or touches of it here and there on bodices, skirts and sleeves.  Chantilly has always been synonymous with the finest in bridal wear from dresses to veils and accessories . . .

S1 Studio

The perfect customizing for a simple gown, this three-tiered lace jabot has matching ruffle gauntlets all tied together with polka-dot grosgrain ribbons and  a cameo

S1 Studio

A Chantilly lace bordered mantilla worn with a bouffant tulle dress with lace bodice . . .

Shelah Osbrink/aka digital She

 Crepe and Chantilly lace are the perfect duo here for a gown reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood

This bodice is appliqued in Chantilly lace with shirred tulle overlaid

Ryan Chua Photography

The kick pleat in the back of this silk dupioni gown is a gathered inset of Chantilly lace

 This repro tea gown harks back to the Art Nouveau period. Chantilly lace covers the bodice and borders an asymmetrical tulle skirt

This is a perfect  Boho piece in a mix of  Chantilly laces, chiffon and brocade gold  belt

 Ryan Chua Photography

True vintage.  Another tea gown in a mix of Chantilly laces

You can always recognize Chantilly lace by its delicate background and intricate detail. Named after the town in France where its still made, the patterns originating in the 18th century are to this day, still time-honored and manufactured.  My favorite of all laces, Chantilly is fragile and romantic.  It can be used as an allover lace or touches of it here and there on bodices, skirts and sleeves.  Chantilly has always been synonymous with the finest in bridal wear from dresses to veils and accessories . . .

S1 Studio

The perfect customizing for a simple gown, this three-tiered lace jabot has matching ruffle gauntlets all tied together with polka-dot grosgrain ribbons and  a cameo

S1 Studio

A Chantilly lace bordered mantilla worn with a bouffant tulle dress with lace bodice . . .

Shelah Osbrink/aka digital She

 Crepe and Chantilly lace are the perfect duo here for a gown reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood

This bodice is appliqued in Chantilly lace with shirred tulle overlaid

Ryan Chua Photography

The kick pleat in the back of this silk dupioni gown is a gathered inset of Chantilly lace

 This repro tea gown harks back to the Art Nouveau period. Chantilly lace covers the bodice and borders an asymmetrical tulle skirt

This is a perfect  Boho piece in a mix of  Chantilly laces, chiffon and brocade gold  belt

 Ryan Chua Photography

True vintage.  Another tea gown in a mix of Chantilly laces

2010 TREND: THE MANTILLA

2010 TREND: THE MANTILLA

Flowers by Victoria's Florals Gown and veil by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal /Photos by S1 Studios

One real hot look for 2010 is the drop veil–or to be more preciese–the mantilla. . . There are actually a few ways of wearing a mantilla. Because this veil lacks density, you can fold it over into a layer and tack it to the back of a bun. You can also literally drop it atop your head and wear it over the face or further back with or without a headpiece. Plastic or metal combs sewn to the center can secure the veil in place. How about an alternative to a traditional mantilla? Try a mock mantilla veil, which has low dense gathers and is cut into one or two tiers. Lace is then added to the edges. A cascading mantilla is another option and has a top layer worn over the face. For a really extraordinary effect, Alencon, Chantilly or Venise lace can be hand beaded. The above version is a square of tulle bordered with Chantilly lace . . .

Flowers by Victoria's Florals Gown and veil by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal /Photos by S1 Studios

One real hot look for 2010 is the drop veil–or to be more preciese–the mantilla. . . There are actually a few ways of wearing a mantilla. Because this veil lacks density, you can fold it over into a layer and tack it to the back of a bun. You can also literally drop it atop your head and wear it over the face or further back with or without a headpiece. Plastic or metal combs sewn to the center can secure the veil in place. How about an alternative to a traditional mantilla? Try a mock mantilla veil, which has low dense gathers and is cut into one or two tiers. Lace is then added to the edges. A cascading mantilla is another option and has a top layer worn over the face. For a really extraordinary effect, Alencon, Chantilly or Venise lace can be hand beaded. The above version is a square of tulle bordered with Chantilly lace . . .