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

THE GOLIGHTLYESQUE BRIDE

Let's do December right! Loving all these hats and wraps by the talented Sasso. Wouldn't it be nice to walk down the aisle on your wedding day in something a touch different? If you're a Winter bride these hats and feather stoles are it. Chic and fun, poufs and plumes do add that bit of Golightlyesque for those wanting to bring out their Breakfast at Tiffany's side.

INSPIRATION SUNDAY

Yvette Jelfs

Here's one of those delicious hybrids between hat and headpiece. A gigantic spray of baby's breath like this would be magnificent with almost any gown. From milliner Yvette Jelfs' 2010 collection, this designer of couture hand makes hats and head-dressings as well as creating one-of-a-kind looks for her clients. Her passion and flair evident in every design, makes Yvette one of the UK's leading milliners.

JUST LISTED ON ETSY

Just listed my 'Deborah' gown on Etsy. Made of tulle and imported Chantilly lace on the bodice, it's another addition to the 'Dioresque ' collection--a line of 1950s ohh la la! dresses with nipped waists and yards of skirt. The skirt is circularly cut on the bias as opposed to gathered--this means if you want volume and fullness in the skirts you have it without the pouf and pooch that typical gathering adds to a waistline. The skirt is lined in three layers of tulle and has an underskirt of satin. There's also a separate crinoline full slip with added layers of tulle.

Most of the dresses in the Dioresque collection are designed to fall just above the ankles and have a separate full slip to give off that real ballerina look so popular circa 1950. They can easily be worn to a formal function after the wedding with or without the full under slip.

You can see better and more detailed images of Deborah on Etsy. The photos here on Blogger are enlarged as much as I can get them (I'm as techie as a flea) On Etsy there's a finer resolution and more information about materials, price, etc. You can drop by my website as well, where 'Deborah' is already up in the Gown Gallery.

Bodice has intricate Chantilly lace detail finished off with a gray satin ribbon tie belt.

STALKING THE LOOK BOOKS: CHARLOTTE BALBIER

Are you ready for a sneek peek at Spring? Permit me to share with you one of my favorite designers. A little bit boho, mix some romantic in with cutting edge and you have the beauty of Charlotte Balbier's collection. She has a deft hand at fusing soft pinks, ivories and gossomer fabrics while her shades of white usually incorporate fine laces.

Photos Brides UK

GOLD STANDARDS

Looking for a bit of inspiration perchance? Check out these custom creations by UK designers. Swarovski Crystals and a little imagination sure goes a long way.

source

GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS

St. Pucchi

Do you know the difference between tea-length and ballerina length? Short or mini? Here are some images to inspire you along to finding your perfect hemline. . . .

FLOOR-LENGTH

Sassi Holford
Most common length for bridal gowns, this hemline is graceful and elegant; typically not touching the floor in front but 1-3" above for ease with walking.

BALLERINA

Amy-Jo Tatum
Photo by Stephanie Williams Photography

Ballerina-length skirts fall just above the ankle and are wide and full just like the skirts seen in the corps de ballet.

TEA-LENGTH

Candy Anthony

Falls mid-calf and can be either full and volumonous or fitted. Mostly worn at the informal or semi -formal wedding.

KNEE-LENGTH

Peter Langner

This style of skirt finishes just below or above the knee. A very flattering length, it's perfect for cocktail and the less formal civil-style wedding.

MINI

Jenny Packham

A whimsical and playful , this skirt sports a certain radical chic first worn in the 1960s. Perfect for a cocktail wedding or a bride with great legs.

ASYMMETRICAL

click to enlarge

Irregular hemline falling diagonally. Can start as a mini and go to the floor as in the above image. Tres chic this year along with asymmetrical necklines.

GRADUATED

Max Chaoul

Hemline is short in front and generally extended into a train in back.

A STATE OF GRACE

Check out these lovelies by The State of Grace. UK designer Lucia Silver brings the influence of chic from the 20s and 30s, fusing a retro-style trademark on all her creations. I'm loving her personal mix of vintage and sophisticate . . .

WHERE TO SHOP FOR A BRIDAL SUIT

Jesus Peiro

If you are picturing yourself more tailored than romantic on your wedding day, you may have noticed the mainstream of bridal fashion remains focused on plunging necklines and layers of tulle. Fortunately more designers are putting bridal suits in their collections. There was a time when the only suits out there were those Mother-of-the-Bride numbers, sometimes bordered with pasty appliques and sequins. Now, thanks to an era of savvy fashion brides, the suit may just become traditional for a chosen few. In your Grandma's day, war brides had swift weddings with quick preparation out of necessity and her 'best suit' was often a woman's only available answer to the wedding dress. Today brides are fortunate. The wedding suit is a choice having more to do with lifestyle and many times the belief, less is more…

Piedad Rodriguez
The trick might be as simple as shopping for a simple sheath or short dress you can accessorize into a tailored look with a custom jacket, shrug or wrap as in the Jesus Piero image above. Or, you may have to shop the opposite direction the traditional bride would. The exception is the bridal salon that features one or more of the few designer lines that offer suits such as Carolina Herrera. Selections as of this writing are still pretty limited though. Initially your search for ideas will probably begin online. Once you get a thought of how you want the skirt and jacket to look, print out or bookmark the combinations. From there sketch them how you want. Next you might go to a fabric shop. Yes, to look at fabrics but also to comb through the pattern books. Pattern books are great for finding looks you can take with you. Or go online to vogue patterns. Look under coats and suits and think white. You’ll find plenty to browse through and get inspired. Below are a few images I found to get you started . . .


Vogue



Vogue



Vogue
If you take the department store route for buying a suit, you might find a particular designer has the suit you like but it’s available in every color but white. The designer or store carrying it may be able to special order it in white. If you’re satisfied with the idea of a ready-made suit, department stores might be a better option than anywhere, especially if they have an established relationship with the manufacturer. Salespeople within departments know their lines and designers well and can steer you in the right direction. You might be able to find your jacket by one designer—your skirt by another. Be warned though. Just make sure the shades of white aren’t too far off that they can’t be worn together.There is on the other hand a down side to department stores: If you want that particular fashion edge their merchandise probably isn’t as forward-looking as say, the one-of-a-kind boutique or specialty store. And believe me, a bridal suit should be classic, yes, but something about it has to be different. The kind of different only a tailor or designer can translate. Check out boutiques and specialty stores. They may not have the exact suit you want but they may be able to create one or point you to a first-rate tailor or custom designers who can. . If you can’t find what you want in a salon, department store or boutique and are serious about that real ‘tailored look’, find a good tailor, preferably a men’s tailor (they’re so skilled). Use some of the same guidelines for finding a tailor that you would a designer or dressmaker. Once you find your good tailor, he (most likely a he) will either have an array of fabrics in house or help you scout your desired materials out. Chances are you’ll want an exclusive fabric you can only find in a specialty store. A tailor knows how to take all the proper measurements and create a look you want . . . the look that undoubtedly says, You and sets you apart.