Friday, June 29, 2018

CHIC OF THE WEEK

Here's one dress I really and truly 
loved designing!  Meet NIGELLA, a confection of silk chiffon and charmeuse with butterfly sleeves dripping in Chantilly lace.  Check out the tea-dyed lace and tulle tie front, accented with a silk dupioni rose. A row of covered buttons closes down the back of the gown. Falls into a sweep train. Easy to wear and as comfortable as a nightgown. Lined in silk charmeuse.  See more images in my ETSY Store.


Wednesday, June 27, 2018

PHANTOM THREAD INSPIRED SHOOT

The movie "Phantom Thread" was based on the House of Woodcock (a famous dress designer) in the 1950s and the love of his life. It is a love story. It won an Oscar for best costumes in March 2018. While the movie had a little bit of a dark twist, it had some intriguing aspects we thought would create a unique wedding inspiration. 
Quotes from the movie are used in decorative frames. "[He] has made my dreams come true and I have given him what he desires most in return. Every piece of me" "There are things I want to do, things I simply cannot do without you". The invitations were designed to look like hanging clothing tags and include the verbiage from fashion houses "House of Hahn" and "House of Carver" the invitations and a delicate sheen and included a little lace - again playing off of fashion houses need and usage for various fabrics.  The menu was designed to mimic the invitations.  Place cards were designed to look like the tag stitched inside of clothes and held on thread spools still containing thread for a pop of color. In the movie the main character states that he used to hide things in the linings of clothes, things only he knew were there. In the making of clothes, he did the same: he put the name of his love inside a dress he made for her. In this shoot, the groom had "Stitched to my wife" inside his jacket. In the hem of her dress was "stitched together for life". Both included the wedding date. The bottom of the cake was designed to mimic ruffles on a dress. It was also adorned with the same "H" as found on the invitations for House of Hahn (the groom's last name and bride's to take once the houses were joined in wedded bliss) Other treats included dress shaped sugar cookies hanging on tiny hangers The bride and maid of honor's bouquets were actually hanging hoops to mimic handbags. All other decorative aspects of the wedding were based on a fashion house such as.  dress forms, thread, ribbon, thread spools, bobbins, lace, other materials, buttons etc.



Photographer: Torianna Brooke Photography//Invitation Designer: Adaria Designs by ahd//Veils and headpieces: Adele Amelia//Dress Store: Ivory and Beau//Transportation:Jeff Froehle//Equipment Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals//Hair Stylist: Betsy Rothman//Makeup Artist: St John Makeup Artistry//Event Venue: The Gingerbread House//Bakery: The Topiary//Floral Designer: Britt Giltenan Events//Jewelry:Dee Ruel Jewelry Design//Jewelry: Kristen Baird Jewelry//Models: Jordon Bala//Alexis Lorbecki//Lane Swanson//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Monday, June 25, 2018

THE FINE ART OF CHOOSING SLEEVES

From a designer’s point of view, sleeves can be one of the most creative components of a gown. For me, a well-designed sleeve is a work of art; it combines fabric and adornment into the overall image of the gown. I also think sleeves are the most satisfying part of a gown to work on—the actual stitching, manipulation of fabric and trim—the real character of the gown. There are probably more variations of sleeve than any other component and once you’ve decided to go with sleeves realize your possibilities are never-ending.

Besides looking beautiful, the right sleeves can add bodice appeal as well as keep your skirt or sloping shoulders in proportion. Although not foremost, keeping arms warm could be another option for wearing sleeves. Once upon a time etiquette dictated the length sleeve you could wear during winter months or time of day you got married. Fortunately, these restrictions were lifted long ago. Nowadays, you can go for long sleeves in summer, short caps in winter if that’s your desire. Be realistic though. Just make sure you have a decent wrap or stole in New York for your December wedding. As for long sleeves next July in Palm Springs, go for them. Ever since Vera Wang popularized the detachable sleeve that ties and unties from your gown’s bodice, brides still opt for them.

When choosing a sleeve, think of them in terms of having their very own silhouette within the outline of your gown as a whole. Because of the vast variation, there is on sleeves, I’ve listed only the basic sleeve silhouettes from which many other styles derive.   
 Clockwise: Photo 1. Bishop Sleeve--Long and full  set in smoothly to the armhole, gathered at the wrist as a cuff or ruffle./// Photo 2: Bell Sleeve--Set in smoothly at the armhole, flaring into a straight across hem///Photo 3: A Bishop sleeve with Venise and tulle lace insets///Photo 4:  Long Straight Sleeves: Set in and fitted sleeve extending from shoulder to wrist, offering the classic bridal look (photo by Winter Tree Studios)///Photo 5: Three Quarter Length Sleeve: Hemmed at the elbow or lower elbow (Vetter Photography)///Photo 6:  Flutter Sleeve: Short ruffle usually cut on the bias this resembles an open bell sleeve with a hem falling diagonally, sometimes falling into a deep-V back. (Carlene Imagery)///Photo 7: Short: Longer than a cap sleeve, you will find examples of these on t-shirts///Photo 8: Cap: Tiny sleeves that barely cover the upper portion of the arm. 

Friday, June 22, 2018

A WEDDING IN THE FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE

Shot by New England photographer, Annie Meyers of A Time to Keep Photography, today's styled shoot is inspired by touches that would be perfect for a wedding in the French countryside. From the cheese board and fruit pairings to gorgeous table decor in shades of pastel blues, this project is a tour de force in elegance.  Kudos go out to this talented team of wedding pros.
CREDITS
Photographer:  A Time to Keep Photography//Makeup Artist:Amanda Orlowskyj//Cinema and Video:Creatives by Sally//Hair Stylist:Hercules Tsirovakas Hair//Apparel:Dazi USA//Favors and Gifts:Ariem Body Co//DIY or Handmade Goods Designer:Hands to Learn//Veils and headpieces: White Veils Toronto//Hair Stylist:Bonnie Rachael Hair//Design and Decor: A & R Weddingscapes//Jewelry:Ariem Treasures//Bakery: Three Sisters Cake Shop//Calligrapher: Molly Grace Makes//Reception Venue:The Salt Farm//Floral Designer: Apotheca Flowers//Submitted via Two Bright Lights