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.