HYDRANGEAS AND SATIN

HYDRANGEAS AND SATIN
Looking forward to Spring this year? It's all about new beginnings. With a little help from the wonderful tools over at SMP, I've put together a medley of tones found in the Aurora Borealis range I just couldn't resist ringing in the New Year with. Happy 2010!
Credits: Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture; Shoes by Kate Spade

NEW LAUNCH!

As editor of Bride Chic I can't tell you how excited I am about this new launch! For those of you following Bride Chic, The Blog, The Zine is a hand-picked assortment of features focusing on all the best of the blog and Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture combined. That's right, if you love those fashion editorials you can catch three at a time on the Zine. In addition will be a few postings from some of my favorite sites out there. And for those of you just stumbling upon Bride Chic for the first time, we're all about wedding fashion starting with the gown and moving on to Mom dresses, bridesmaids, guests, kids, as well as rehearsal and shower options. An entirely new feature for the blog as well as Zine will be 'Access', a spotlight on all accessories bridal from tiara to shoes. And if you love top notch photography stick around. All the newest, off-the-charts fashion and wedding artists gather on Bride Chic, The Zine . . . .

COCKTAIL CHIC


Here's something festive to ring in the New Year. Check out this cocktail-chic little gem from
Max Chaoul's, 'I Love You 2010' Collection. A real dazzler, don't you think?

GOWN VERSUS DRESS

Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture
Stephanie Williams Photography


Okay, so . . . is there really a difference between a wedding gown and a wedding dress? I mean you hear designers and savvy merchandisers referring to what you wear on your big day as either gown or dress. So which is it?

Defined, gowns are anything to the floor and definitely ones with trains and/or extensions are considered super gown-worthy. For me the gown at its quintessential best is 'Harlowesque' lean-lined and clingy, something Hollywood designers borrowed for evening wear from sexy nightgowns back in the 1930s (hence comes the gown). The dress on the other hand can be any silhouette--even a ballgown--as long as it's ankle length or above. A good example of ballgown silhouette as dress is in the second image directly above. BTW my favorite length and silhouette for bridal wear right now is Ballerina, just above the ankles and very full . . .

INSPIRATION SUNDAY

O Mistress mine, where are you roaming?
O, stay and hear; your true love's coming,
That can sing both high and low:
Trip no further, pretty sweeting;
Journeys end in lovers meeting,
Every wise man's son doth know.
What is love? 'Tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What's to come is still unsure:
In delay there lies not plenty;
Then, come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth's a stuff will not endure.


--William Shakespeare--

VIVA LA BELLE EPOQUE!

La Belle Epoque--Paris

The gown here fits perfectly into the Belle Epoque theme. Titled, 'Evening in Paris', the gown is by Elie Saab; veil and flower headpiece by Dolce & Gabbana; rings by Dior Fine Jewelry.
Credits: The Independent Online, Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Four Seasons Magazine, Weddings in France-Belle Epoque Restaurant

Special thanks to

Lauren Kolalski of SMP Style Circle who created this lovely board . . . 

WINTER BRIDES

Enjoy this array of winter wedding gowns and off the charts accessorizing ideas shot by some of the finest photographers in the world. If you're on the hunt for that wintery fashion twist for your wedding or Christmas Day, keep browsing . . . . . .

HEADLINES

In celebration of Christmas, this hat and veil combo by Hats on Heads looks a little Dickensian. The Venise lace application combined with small silk roses is has a real one of a kind
chic.

MORE WINTER CHIC


Winter brings so many opportunities. Did you realize adding a jacket or needed accessory like a belt can improve the look of your gown? These additions can also be put to use after the wedding. The feathered coat would totally rock with a pair of jeans.


A LITTLE MONDAY INSPIRATION

Christmas Wedding

Credits: lepapierstudio (2), brides.com, marthastewart (2), "LOS CABOS" by Dolly Couture

In the midst of all the holiday hoopla, stop a moment and glean a bit of inspiration from this array of images I found on Style Circle. The decorative accents like a spray of berries, miniature pine cones embellished with needles are simple and elegant touches. If you have all the right materials handy, you can decorate a package or table top in a few minutes. The dress is a total dazzler from Dolly Couture lending itself beautifully to holiday chicness . . .

THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING


Love to say I dreamed up this array of holiday cheer myself but I lifted it off one of my favorite sites, The Perfect Palette. They ran this about a month back and if you missed out on it, now's your chance to share this winter wedding with all the ice- white beauty of falling snowflakes and bare tree branches, candy canes and hot cocoa.

VINTAGE BOUDOIR

Boudoir!

Credits: Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair (2), Showtime

You might just find you love vintage-chc lingerie as much as you do retro fashion and bridal. What women wear underneath it all changes with the eras of course. These Vargas-like images go from WWII pin-up to mid sixties funk. Reminiscent of boudoir photography--those shots you have done in a session with a photographer specializing in this niche--this is a gift you could give your groom pre or post wedding. For some, a present like this to their beloved is the equivalent of sitting for a bridal portrait (sans the gown of course). If you're contemplating boudoir photography have fun deciding which era or mood will be yours. Here are a few tips to ensure a successful portrait session.

1. Bring underthings in which you feel sexy and beautiful: Bras, panties, corsets, stockings, garter belts, tank tops, sports jerseys & even the man’s business shirt complete with homberg. All are trendy.

2. Bring accessories and props for each of your outfits. You know what I mean by props: flowers, feathers, parasols, gilded hand-held mirrors. And of course those sexy shoes. What's a girl to do without those high heels?

3. If you are recreating an era, do study up on the lingerie, hair and make up of that era.


4. Find a great photographer. Here are the few greats I have had experience with through my clients who will deliver more than you ever thought possible. . . . Check out their sites where you can glean some knowledge and inspiration. Albeit, they are scattered far and wide around the world though best at their craft . . .

Critsey Rowe Couture Boudoir



THE SNOW WEDDING

ice pink

Credits: Delicious Desserts, James Christianson (3), ABC Dragoo, James Abel Events (2), Belathee Photography

The thing I miss most about living in New York is the marked change of seasons and the drama of a snow-sparkled climate come Christmas time. Here in California we do get our share of snow but not in San Francisco. As a kid, watching holiday TV specials like, Perry Como's Christmas in Hawaii with hula dancing Santas, just didn't cut it for me. I guess I'm just a traditionalist at heart . . .

EYE CANDY

This unique headpiece aptly named, 'Candy' by Yvette Jelfs needs few words. I will say, we seem to be in an era celebrating the hat and/or headpiece as a work of art--especially in Europe where some events like Ascot and Ladies Days revolve around wearing the chicest you can find.

DRESSING THE LITTLE PEOPLE IN YOUR WEDDING

At last. Since some of you have emailed me about where to find flower girl and page outfits that don't look like Little Miss Contestants and Halloween costumes,, I 'm happy to report my designer chum Stephanie Staub of Little Eglantine in the UK has added some new dresses and suits to her collection. Specializing in outfitting those little people in your party, Stephanie offers traditional bridal wear in wearable, comfortable fabrics sutable for kids to go through the day as kids.
As part of this new collection, the Isobel ivory flower girl dress has that romantic elegance reminiscent of French sophistication. The dress combines the luxury of gold embroidered taffeta and the softness of ivory tones. The flounce sleeves add a touch of mischievousness, essential for children.

Complimenting this lovely dress, Peter the page boy outfit is composed of a white cotton double breasted shirt, a pair of ivory knickerbockers and a gold cummerbund.

Both outfits are made–to-measure and available exclusively from Little Eglantine in sizes to fit toddlers through to 8 year olds. Orders can be done by email or by contacting the designer.

Little Eglantine designer, Stephanie Staub explains her thoughts behind the creations: “Many of my clients want gold and ivory as their wedding theme, and I wanted to create something especially on that theme: outfits that would mix the softness of ivory colors and the perfection of embroidered taffetas. I personally very much like the flounce sleeves, which give a dimension of mischievousness to the flower girl dress. Peter is a very traditional page boy outfit and both he and Isobel make a lovely couple.”

The Little Eglantine client receives that personal and sophisticated touch of French “Haute Couture” . What makes this service so unique not only lies in Stephanie's designs but in the choice of her unique embroidered taffeta fabrics. She'll actually take time to help the bride choose and develop designs that look perfect on children.

WINTERESQUE

winter III


Shell and Bead Embroidered Clutch Bag - Evening Handbags - FunkyAccessories...
funkyaccessories.com

Warehouse - Category List
$165 - warehouse.co.uk






Miu Miu Strappy bejeweled sandals
$1,295 - net-a-porter.com
You may be thinking New Years Eve or even what you're going to wear to all those shimmering events. This set off Polyvore really struck me in the sense it has all that glitters as well as cool green/blue pastels that look great in cold weather.

WRAPPING UP

For all those snow and cold weather brides, you have some great options for keeping warm this season. From shrugs to jackets to full length coats and stoles, anything with fur--real or faux --will snuggle and toast you warm once you brave the elements. I'd have no problem wearing any of these coats or this shawl with a pair of Guess after the big day.

A PINCH OF BLUE

A pinch of blue

Credits: thisisglamour (3), ritzybeeblog (2)

This board features an image by my favorite photographer, Chris Nicholls.I found this lovely combination of beautiful things on Style Circle, a treasure trove of ideas. Titled, 'A Pinch of Blue' there's just enough to add a little something--that kind of something found in old French paintings . . .

INSPIRED


Hats on Heads

Check out what's in store for Spring! Love this design by hats on Heads of the UK. I hope this designer's creativity has inspired you as it did me when I first saw it. My thoughts? Initially? 'I only wish my garden looked half as nice . . . . '

GOING REGAL

How do you get that regal look? Think Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. She wore the jewels and carried off that stunning hairdressing that made her look like royalty. With just a few choice accessories, you can get a look perfect for any grand ball room wedding.



Start with the opera gloves. Add the silver bracelet and it's 'Your highness"



All images iosposa

A REAL HOLIDAY TREAT

Just in time for the holidays, Christmas brides will want to check out this gem with a wreath collar by Gianni Calignano. Reminscent of the 1930s it has a sort of movie star quality going on with the damask skirt. This would be a great look for the Christmas Wedding in a place like The Plaza or Waldorf. Add some bling in the way of earrings and a necklace and your shimmering.

BRIDESMAIDS

Alfred Sung is one designer who has my complete, unobstructed and undivided attention this 2010 season. His bridesmaid collection really has some great Audreyesque dresses of which maybe a few maids can get some after-milage. Now, if we can just find a fabric that goes to a wedding as well as lunch in Santa Barbara, we'll have a Eureka! situation. I'm hoping more designers wise up and bring out more state-of-the-art silhouettes like these.




















Images courtesy Brides UK