Monday, December 28, 2020

OH LA LA!!!

I'm taking a few minutes here in these last days of Christmas to share some playful and hopefully inspiring shots of romantic headwear. Spring is almost upon us full of ripe and budding greenery.  The beauty of pouf style headpieces is they can go from earthy Boho to all-out vintage Vogue elegant.  In other words, you could easily change out this look for a suit (like they did in the 1940s) or evening gown with opera gloves, and the pouf would still be on trend and stunning! 
I loved taking these behind the scenes shots of Natalie dancing in my designs. She's a little bit Boho and Oh la la French can-can dancer all at once.  What a beautiful day we had!


Wednesday, December 23, 2020

A ROMANTIC CHRISTMAS WEDDING IN FLORIDA

 

'Tis the season to be married!  Especially in Florida.  We have to admit, there's nothing quite like Christmas nups.  This year it could be more of an elopement with just the two of you. Still, you can have a romantic and quiet celebration with all the trimmings. This striking set of images hails from sunny Florida yet has all the hallmarks of a cozy winter wedding from red berries to the sprigs of fragrant Juniper.  READ MORE . . . . .

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

Of all the gowns in the 2019/2020 collection, this is the one I really wanted to get right.  It was inspired by the 3-D mood of the Alencon lace used in the bodice. When I added a mix of Chantilly laces over silk chiffon and tulle the gown came to life.  Meet BRIGITTA taking her rightful place in The Gatsby’s Bride Collection, something incredibly fem-fatale and romantic harkening back to Downton Abbey.  Price on request–available via Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture.

Monday, December 21, 2020

AWESOME SHOOTERS AND FRIENDS

 

The Awesome Shooters series is back!  My appreciation for photographers and the teams that work with them to capture beauty worldwide is no secret.  Today we're sharing a styled shoot celebrating the ultimate elopement.  These days weddings are small, sometimes just the bride and groom tying the knot with only a couple friends or family on the scene. READ MORE . . . . .

Friday, December 18, 2020

CHIC OF THE WEEK

 O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. 

.–William Shakespeare–

Dresses by Amy Jo Tatum Bridal Couture///Photography by Devon Lach

Thursday, December 17, 2020

GATSBY OR BOHO?

 A medley of quick inspo today for all you out there deciding between a Gatsby and/or Boho look.  Did you know the two are so different yet interchangeable?  With a switch of accessories, the look of the era is changed out easily.  Even though Gatsby conjures images of the 1920s and Boho was all over the 70s, certain elements echo through both themes and eras.  The leaner gown silhouette for instance is symbiotic of both as well as yards of lace and flowing sleeves. Start with these images and come up with your own details!

Photo 1: Sean Sato//Photos 2&3: Bride Chic//Photo 4: Sean Sato////Photo 5: Jim Vetter Photography///Photos 6,7&8: Bride Chic// Photo 9: Sean Sato

Monday, December 14, 2020

WHITE CHRISTMAS

 Happy winter everyone!  Inspired by a seasonal theme, the imaginative images taken by John Truong are a good starting point for winter brides. The winter wonderland here has a bit of Avante Garde drama thrown into the mix to celebrate new options.  High sheen satins and moires are festive and fun against bright snowy backdrops while a white tablescape sets the mood. And then, check out those elements that always say Christmas like pinecones icicles, and sprigs of pine.

Photo: John T Photo///Tablescape: via Pinterest ///White wrapped gifts:via Pinterest ///Fur hood by Amy-Jo Tatum and photo by Rob Martel///Snowy Pinecones photo: Aesthetic Nest ///Tree Cake photo: via Pinterest ///Model in white photo by John T Photo//Cupcake photo: Pinterest   ///Last Photo by John T Photo


Tuesday, September 8, 2020

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

 
The COLUMBINA Dress is yet a newer addition to the Dioresque Collection. This bit of meringue was inspired by the Comedia dell’Arte character, Columbina, Harlequin’s girlfriend or mistress.  I see a kind of mime element to this look, that kept running through my head.  Imagine a cloche headpiece with a long veil. Or for the more traditional brides out there, just the long veil.  A taffeta bodice is encircled with handmade white flowers and sits atop a tulle skirt.  Note the skirt is layered and underlined in just a hint of blush and ivory. Each floral on this dress is handmade–a total of twenty-three in all.  Available via Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture.

Monday, August 24, 2020

INSPIRATIONS FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD

 

How about a bit of 1930s glam? Every designer in love with the Golden Age of Hollywood has to have a version of the Letty Lynton dress in at least one collection. Designed by the great Adrian for Joan Crawford in the 1932 production of Letty Lynton, it was the dress that changed fashion. The long, lean silhouette in satin and crepe had been the established 30s chic till Adrian's cream puff in white organdy came along. In the workroom, Adrian mused it was a bit over the top, never realizing how this dress with huge sleeves would or could rock the fashion world. In the era of depression, Macy's knocked off thousands and every designer had a big, ruffled version of their own. 90 years later, my Letty Dress follows the same lines. Kind of. The bodice is ruffled organza, twirled into giant roses at the shoulders instead of rows of ruffles attached to bias strips. Dappled down the front bodice I added beaded handmade flowers (no cute little Peter Pan collar or jewel neckline). My skirt is tulle and tied at the bodice with a Chantilly lace sash. No peplum because how many of us sport Joan Crawford's barely there hips?  Available via Amy Jo Tatum Bridal Couture.

Thursday, July 30, 2020

VARIATIONS ON A THEME

From the Dioresque Collection, my perennial favorite. has to be The MARILYN DRESS.  It's so 1950s in an allover Chantilly lace with a halter bodice. I bring out a different variation on this beauty about once every couple of years. The lace version above is definitely in the spirit of Christian Dior complete with net gloves and horsehair picture hat. 
The below variation is as close to the Travilla version created in 1955 for Marilyn Monroe when she starred in The Seven Year Itch.  This one is a white crepe (sans the pleats) with generous yards of circular skirt.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

A TRIBUTE TO IRENE CASTLE

Today is a tribute to Irene Castle. The EDYTA Dress, just off the worktable, is inspired by the early 20th-Century ballroom dancer Irene Castle who strutting alongside her tall and sinewy partner Vernon, popularized The Cakewalk and Foxtrot.  She set the fashion as well as dance trends in the period before, during, and after World War I. Fashionwise, she's known most notably for ditching her long locks for what became known as "The Castle Bob".  
 I personally love the way Irene wore the designs of madame Lanvin, a Parisian milliner turned designer. This confection of mine is also inspired in part by Lanvin. EDYTA  is made up of a layer of tulle over ecru Chantilly lace.  Handmade florals are dappled throughout the skirt and flounce on the bodice.  Price on request–available via Amy Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Header Photo Credits: Vernon and Irene via Brittanica

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

CHIC OF THE WEEK

The CALLIOPE Dress. Loads of back interest, this dress is appropriately named after the Greek Myth. Calliope is the muse who holds dominion over poetry and eloquence and is known for her legendary voice. If vision speaks Calliope says it all. Photo: Erica Garlieb

Thursday, July 16, 2020

A LITTLE GEM OF A THING

I thought I'd put this little gem DAPHNE out there today to remind brides-to-be out there about the many advantages of separates.  Filmy and transparent, this blouson with a cowl neck is easy to wear over a slip dress or evening gown. Separates are something you can wear again post-wedding to that art opening and/or theatre date night.

Monday, July 13, 2020

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

I've been fascinated with garden weddings for years and many of my designs reflect this.  It comes from old black and white flicks, especially those from the 1930s when garden weddings were all the rage. Vintage goes more costume here when I added the Cabbage Rose picture hat-- a pinch of a 1700's Aristocrat walking through the Tuileries punctuates this lovely confection.   I'm calling this the MONET-INSPIRED Garden Wedding jacket and skirt.  I can envision this ensemble amongst paths of roses, Hydrangea, and tall wild-looking blooms somewhere in France (or the British Isles looking at this Celtic cross).  Maybe the bride would carry a basket of Peonies instead of an actual hand-held bouquet.  A corset encrusted in antique lace is worn under a tulle and lace jacket matched up with layers of tulle skirt. A final layer of tulle veils ecru Chantilly lace in the skirt to give it a kind of opaque 'hint of lace' look.  For this design,I kept in mind brides who like the concept of separates, using the corset, blouse, and skirt for  something gala or formal post-wedding.
Available through Amy Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Thursday, July 9, 2020

INSPIRATION POINTS

Bridal fashion lately has embraced 1920s-30s inspired veils.  No pouf up top, the veil of this era was either tulle or an allover lace that hugged the skull or was simply dropped upon the head.  Shorter chemise style dresses sported veils much longer than hemlines like the dresses shown here.  These early 20th-Century-inspired veils are perfect for Gatsby styles yet easily pair up with 2020 gown silhouettes creating a kind of vintage mash-up.

 A vintage veil circa late 1920s-early 30s, dappled in Alencon lace.  Paired with the ANASTASIA Dress available through special order Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

 
A drop veil in tulle bordered in Chantilly lace-- the IVORY LACE MANTILLA
 

Header Photo: 1920s Illustration via Tumblr

Monday, July 6, 2020

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

Just off the work table, The XAVIERA Bolero and slip dress from The Gatsby's Bride Collection. An allover lace dress and bolero with handmade florals strewn throughout the bodice. Inspired by late 1930s eveningwear--maybe not Gatsby's era precisely but close enough.
The florals are made from ecru and ivory lace cutouts and hand-beaded with crystals and pearls.
Front and back of the slip dress, the detail is in the allover lace pattern and a line of covered buttons down the center back of the gown.