It's the first day of Spring! And yeah ok, maybe you can't really tell it is by looking out the window just yet, but that doesn't stop me from looking forward to flowers, flowers everywhere. Right now I'm incredibly inspired by Brooklyn-based florist Saipua and her whimsical sense of design.Her arrangements are sophisticated yet anything but stuffy, with that 'freshly picked from a countryside meadow' look about them. She really knows how to let the flowers shine. Sigh. It's coming, sooner or later. You can get your own daily fresh flowers from Saipua by visiting her blog.
Hi Everyone and happy holidays! I'm Amy-Jo Tatum, editor of Bride Chic and I'm so happy to be guest blogging here at Weddings Fresh. Today we're talking fashion. Since my last visit back in Fall when we explored trends, so much has happened . . . We're going through changes in leadership as well as the economy that will influence everything we do from buying gas to getting married. One big change in the wedding arena is . . . Brides are searching for new ways to economize while keeping their 'chic factor' going . . .
More are opting for the simple budget-conscious gown then taking it to the dressmaker or designer to get it personally customized. So how is customizing your gown different than a custom made gown? A custom gown is made from scratch, that is, you and the designer working with a pattern and raw cuts of fabric to create it from the ground up. Customizing a ready-made gown is different. It involves remodeling and/or embellishing one already put together. It can be store bought, sewn or inherited as long as it's fairly basic and free of mass adornment. However you come by owning this gown, once it's finally delivered suppose you plan on adding a detachable train to the waist and heirloom lace to the bodice. Those two details if integrated, would make the gown ideal, distinctively yours. Customized.
Remember, the whole premise is you start with a basic dress and work from there . . . . . . . So where to shop for this basic dress if you don't have one? Check out the one above. I'd have to say Isaac and Target got this 100% silk Harlowesque number right on target (no pun intended) at a shocking $64.99."No way!" you say. But you heard it right: that's $64.99. Heck, and I thought it was a helluva steal at 129.00 before it went on sale. And admit it, accessorizing this little stunner would be a pleasure with its endless possibilities . . . which, my dear, is up to you now . . .
Below are some simple gowns in 100% silks by known designers that would make great starting points for a customized gown.
J. Crew has been on fire the past couple seasons, bringing out classically cut gowns in high quality fabric with lower than norm price tags. With a combo like that how can they miss?
Here's Ann Taylor's classic strapless A-line Deb Dress all ready to be adorned.
THE EMBELLISHMENTS AND ALL THOSE DESIGN DETAILS
Finding how to integrate all the design details you want isn't all that difficult. If you're going through one of those decision dilemmas just log onto Etsy and shop for ideas. Their designers have developed some of the most beautiful accessory and design attachments beyond anything you'll ever run across in any salon or boutique. On Etsy you'll find boleros, shoulder swags, lace collars, detachable over skirts, blouses and-- believe it or not--these lovely angel wings?. . .
This lace over blouse is a beautiful addition to a strapless sheath. While lace is expensive, with the right designer, a little bit can go a long way . . . .
The above creation was a pleasure to customize. The gown is a simple sheath with criss-cross straps. The addition is a silk organza train dappled in rose petals and silk florals
Suddenly a strapless sheath becomes a portrait collar with this beautiful organza and rose shawl.
FINDING HELP
The biggest concern most prospective clients have is, "How and where do I find expert help?" Start within your own network. You've heard the best place to find someone is through word of mouth. Usually referals come from guests actually getting a close up look at the bride's dress at a wedding. Sometimes it's a tight network of friends passing info on, other times a friend knows a friend who knows a friend. SALONS. Bridal salons and specialty stores sometimes employ custom designers or dressmakers either in house or as outside contractors. Depending on how they are set up, sometimes they’ll give a referral if it doesn’t interfere with the flow of their business.
There are a few salons, typically the boutiquey smaller ones,that will do some sort of customizing if you buy a gown there. My final words on this: Customizing is better left to specialists and sometimes a salon can recommend you to one. If you plan on customizing once your gown is delivered, get advise on whether the alterations should be factored in with the price of customizing
CONSUTLTANTS. Bridal consultants or planners are an excellent source of referrals and usually know who’s truly expert in the area by years of working with them. Some consultants are willing to work on an hourly basis or for a small referral fee. FASHION EDITORS. Fashion or wedding section editors in regionals can be helpful if you reach them directly or run across their editorials on bridal wear. Most newspapers feature a spread on weddings twice a year. Here, private designers and dressmakers are sometimes featured or listed. Ask for back issues. YELLOW PAGES. Before the internet, this used to be the first and last place people look. After word of mouth, this is the best and easiest way to find a dressmaker (not designer) in my opinion.
PRICE
I wanted to get another designer's opinion on this and I'm glad I did. Lena Kanterof Kanter Fashion Design Studio in Chagrin Falls, Ohio specializes in formal and bridal wear. When I asked what she'd charge for a detachable train, she claims her price would depend on the type fabrics used and degree of complexity of the customization. Some are so intricate with rows of unusual pleating or say, layers of inside crinolines; the cost could run neck and neck with some higher end wedding gowns; others like the photo above that I've done are simpler, panels of gathered organza attached to a cluster of purchased silk florals. That particular customization cost my client about $375.00 (excluding fabric). Shoulder swags, lace overlays, gauntlets and collars run a little less, again depending on the detail of the customization.
Finally, once you're through customizing your gown, you'll get that first glimpse of yourself in the mirror. What you'll see yourself in is the equivalent of a custom made gown, one-of-its-kind and like no other in the world . . . yours.
of course i would love to do an exhaustive review of the entire bridal week for spring 2010 but this is a wedding blog, not just fashion. and not to mention, i honestly do not have time to do it :) but that is why i have provided you with the "best of the best" so you won't have to scour through pages and pages of gowns, but you can just see the goods :) and if i have left you wanting more, well, that my friend is what gown fridays are for! so don't you worry, i shall continue my search and zeal for fabulous design and unparalleled wedding fashion and bring it straight to you! so to finish off our hot list for spring 2010 here it is:
angel sanchez (also seen above) has created such masterpieces in his 2010 spring collection! gorgeous detailing with feminine touches on a very structural design makes for a stunning combination! i love his designs full of clean lines, intricate millinery flowers, and crisp white silhouettes--a perfect spring romance!
i am so happy to see vera wang continue with color in her collection. as i have said before, not all brides will want to wear yellow or perhaps black...as it was a dream come true for the fashion designer to create a black wedding gown (not shown and black? really?)...but you can't deny the beauty of a soft blush taffeta gown. right? and for all of you vera lovers: thanks to her hard work and graciousness she has given us the same intricate and chic design but at more reasonable prices for these very unreasonable economic times--some of her gowns are under $3,000!! oh my goodness, i may have to convince my husband i need another wedding dress just for good measure :)
jenny packham continues to dazzle us with her vintage hollywood inspired gowns--love them!!
reem acra brought a sense of royalty to the runway with his fairy-tale inspired collection. in an effort to beautifully detract us all from doom and gloom, he said, "I had enough of fashion, fashion, fashion. I wanted this to be dreamy, dreamy, dreamy..." well said! who doesn't want to get lost in the thoughts of cinderella, snow white, or sleeping beauty? sleeping beauty is my favorite damsel in waiting...though i don't know which of his gowns is her. but i'll take the middle one :)
oh the sweetest thing...yes, and finally we have melissa sweet. wonderfully romantic! can't get enough of this first gown. ah! breathtaking!
Thank goodness. Not only does the New Year bring new gowns and new inventory to D.C.'s very own Hitched, but the store is also celebrating its second anniversary with a huge sale on sample items including bridal gowns, veils, shoes and jewelry. To help kick it off right they're having a Sample Sale Soiree on Thursday, January 10th from 5-8pm. First there was Papier Parties now this? I'm just loving the idea of throwing a party around something that can be stressful. The best thing about a sample sale - once you've made your selection, your dress is yours to take home with you!
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: Sample Sale or your favorite show on TV?
Girl has the hardest decision of her life. Whether to take advantage of a sample sale for an amazing pair of shoes, or her favorite show at home. Hint: She doesn't have to choose thanks to Startover by Time Warner Cable.
Title: Julie Haus Sample Sale
I had already planned to check out New York based designer Julie Haus' sample sale in the Garment District this week. But after a Sample Sally reader's glowing report and Racked's favorable write-up, I thought I'd better make a beeline for the sale before all the bargains were gone.
At the end of the day yesterday, there were still plenty of goods to be had at the designer's showroom on West 38th Street. Like Haus' previous sample sales, this one had a slew of samples (past and some current season). Also on offer were overstock. Look for fun feminine frocks and tops for spring and summer months. Dresses start at $25 for the "Red Heart" items to $55 for recent season samples. Tops are going from $20 to $45. Bottoms, including shorts have been picked through. But there were still some great long and short wool coats from $45 to $95. The samples here were in great condition unlike other brands where items are unwearable having rips, torn and SAMPLE sharpied on the inside. In the front of the showroom, you'll find overstock pieces from Fall '09.
The designer was on-hand along with her business partner and husband, Jason Alkire to help customers. Jason helps Julie with all things creative with the line. He showed me one of their more popular prints of giraffe spots, which he created by blowing up the spots and if you look closely at a piece with the print, you'll see an actual giraffe drawn on the garment.
Haus is know for her edgy, feminine fabrications and intricate tailoring. You'll find plenty of her signature pieces at this sale and for a fraction of what it sells in stores.
Where/When: 39 W. 38th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, sixth floor (no phone). Thru Friday, April 16. Daily 10am—8pm.
Her arrangements are sophisticated yet anything but stuffy, with that 'freshly picked from a countryside meadow' look about them.
She really knows how to let the flowers shine. 
Sigh. It's coming, sooner or later. You can get your own daily fresh flowers from Saipua by visiting her blog.
Her arrangements are sophisticated yet anything but stuffy, with that 'freshly picked from a countryside meadow' look about them.
She really knows how to let the flowers shine. 
Sigh. It's coming, sooner or later. You can get your own daily fresh flowers from Saipua by visiting her blog.
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