Modest Mindfulness

My heart still skips a beat when I'm in the presence of a wedding gown. A garment intrinsically connected to the raw beauty of marriage. Besides being so appealing to the eye, wedding gowns elevate their owner's being and those around them. Symbolic, traditional, feminine, stylish, sacred wedding dresses have it all.

Vera Wang Fall 2016

I'm compelled to question some designers when I saw the latest trend shown at the October Bridal Fashion Week.  A bridal gown with an illusion aesthetic is breathtaking. The liner removed from the lace or "anti-illusion" just doesn't seem justified. There is no illusion, but parts of the body most women choose not to reveal at their wedding ceremony.                                                                                                   I've talked about trends in other posts which I usually applaud. Some of course fade quickly, while others stay, repeat and evolve. That's the joy and vitality of fashion! Couturiers are dynamic souls always surprising us with their art. I would hope that amidst that explosion of creative interpretation, they consider what and whom they are designing for when it comes to wedding garments.

I'm aware my overzealous enthusiasm for wedding gowns might cause me to be a bit over protective and defensive. They are, as I've also posted, a deep rooted passion since childhood. The gown below makes me swoon and dreamy.

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2016

The illusion detail, the color, the linear beading take me on a romantic journey. These dresses are made for one day in a woman's life. They are cherished on that day and years to come as heirlooms. They conjure a day of pure joy and a sacred, union. Wearable art I humbly respect, a liner shouldn't affect design integrity that much. It would only be a modest change for the designer, but for the bride and her admirers a decent, garment worthy to be called a wedding gown.





                                                                                                         

Don't look..DREAM

Those first few minutes are very, telling. After introductions and formalities, I can sense her demeanor. She's been blissfully mesmerized by beautiful, gowns dancing in her head or frantically frustrated with exhaustion, or thoroughly confused?  Has the search been a joy or a task?

Stylists in our industry should be adept at reading where their client is emotionally and provide options available to ultimately find her the gown she wears down the aisle. Whether a bride walks in our boutique relaxed or tense, I always ask if she is willing. Will she try on a dress I recommend even though it doesn't appeal to her on the hanger? Will she tell me her thoughts when she's wearing the gown? Will she not look for a moment or two in the mirror and..dream?

I realize asking a bride NOT to look in the mirror wearing a wedding gown may seem odd and counter intuitive. Sometimes mirrors agitate and confuse even the calmest of brides. So many thoughts race through the mind to like it, love it, hate it, compare it... Take a step back with eyes closed and think of you and your groom standing together on your wedding day. Just those few seconds to regroup may provide the clarity you need to savor the moment and make your decision.

Being a bride in the 21st century certainly has its advantage as every generation is inherently more sophisticated than the one before. Somehow modern sophistication and expectations lead to that nervous hand I briefly grasp when I meet a bride. Surrender yourself to the meaning not the look of your wedding day. By doing so, you'll find what your heart truly wants and your dress will be one that dreams of are made of.

Trendy Consideration

There is always a stand out for me when the new, season of gowns hit the runways. The "unveiling" from designers isn't usually earth shattering as many styles are repeated or tweaked from last season, which is typical of the fashion industry. What I enjoy are the nuances, the shifts that hearken new trends on the horizon. There are groundbreaking designers and there are those who are inspired by the ground breakers. In the end, the bride enjoys the variety of options available to her style and budget and I gain even more respect for designer talent manifested in garments that set the pace.

Trends to some are not appealing. Brides often tell me they don't want to be "trendy", but timeless. There will always be elements of a trend in any gown you try on. The difference is how obvious it is to you. Many times brides are surprised how they look and feel in a dress they deem trendy. Don't restrict your options simply because you fear your gown won't be timeless. Timeless is relative and elastic in the fashion industry. Your gown will reflect the time today, but most importantly who you are. When you see yourself in the mirror wearing "your gown", you'll know it, you'll adore it and you'll tell your grandchildren some day that was the trend in 2015, but it was your style.

Theia

I salute these trends of the season that trickle in some way or another to all bridal gowns. The selection brides have is so varied, which makes it an excellent time to purchase a gown! You have the spectrum clamoring for your attention in likes of strapless, illusion, cap and full sleeve, low back, super slim fit, ballgown, a-line or fit flare. It's all there, it's all on trend and it's available to try and enjoy.

Elizabeth Filmore Spring 

Vera Wang 

Angel Sanchez

Claire Pettibone

Naeem Khan

Ersa Atelier

Inbal Dror

My heart skips a beat at the ebb and flow of trends in wedding apparel. You may or may not share my enthusiasm. Either way trendy or not, your gown is only fabric unless you are wearing it. It's you, the glowing bride, that brings it to life and the trendy part fades into the true meaning of the gown's purpose on your wedding day and years to come.

Fabricly Speaking

Each time I closed that book my heart sang as it was read to me.. "Happily Ever After." I studied her dress, her veil and her expression. Jubilance on her face, her dress billowed with love. The book that was read to me over and over was "Cinderella." Still today as a grown adult I swoon in the presence of her in my beloved fairytale. Now treated to an updated version on the screen, I'm beside myself with anticipation.

The very talented, costume designer Sandy Powell captured Cinderella's brilliance so precisely in the cast wardrobe. She used ethereal, shades of blue to reflect the kind, innocence of Cinderella's character using yards of fluttery, soft crepe line silk. The butterflies add a sweet, symbolic touch.

Sandy Powell sketch for Disney Studios

The wedding gown Cinderella wore in the film was an updated version Ms. Powell created so beautifully again using layers of silk organza in stunning creamy beige. It respected the original animated creation that began my Cinderella adoration many years ago, but added a fresh perspective that again without words expressed her kind spirit and goodness. In contrast, the counter characters of the step mother and her daughters were incredibly costumed with heavy, over the top frocks conveying wickedness and contempt. 

By Sandy Powell for Disney Studios

Your walk down the aisle is your moment to speak to an audience without saying a word. Your gown will speak for you. Whether you purposely chose a certain type of fabric or not, it will convey who you are. I wouldn't go as far as saying you're wearing a costume on your wedding day, but your dress does play a very important, part in the production. Likewise, if you choose a heavy satin gown that has vivid architectured angles, I am certainly not suggesting you are remotely similar to an evil step mom!

As a stylist, I am blissfully aware of all the fabrics designers offer brides. Your stylist you work with should present many fabric options to you so you can get a feel for the structure of the gown on your body and how that makes you feel. Your selection, unique to you, will be your voice of joy, love and happily ever after.

Kaleidoscope

I can recall swirling echos from my childhood saying don't wear those two things together "They don't match!" It's not about who repeatedly drilled those instructions, but why. It just wasn't cool to be unmatched, un put together, un kept and certainly un chic!

Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting those that like to have matching items in their closets are not style deprived. It is not a bad thing to match. Sometimes it is quite essential for things in life to match and match well!

I'm simply presenting another perspective that isn't for all tastes, but has gained momentum in recent years. I always go back to the mismatched table setting to illustrate my point.

Not one plate is the same, but together they are magic!

Translate this to clothing and we've got something here I'm crazy about. Keeping similar color tones, but doubling or tripling prints and textures results in a divine kaleidoscope of wow. 

Naples Illustrated January 2015

A myriad of print on these maids framed by the tonal bouquets 

Accessories get in the act as well. The lines on these earrings above accent the paisley print beautifully as does the hibiscus print with the Tory Burch green floral. Pattern on patten really works and it's super chic and very put together!

I recently purchased the clutch below from an incredible designer, Suzanna Niles, who has an Etsy shop. You must visit "Sewzanna" on Etsy if you admire this glorious example of pattern and texture mixing. It truly epitomizes my love of pattern mixing with a vintage, feminine touch!

"Sewzanna" original design

Perhaps you're still not convinced? That is the beauty of personal style. You can create your own kaleidoscope for your wedding. Yours may be a winter white wedding and you use your grandmother's blue, embroidered table cover as an accent on your place card table. Believe it or not, you mixed! Old with new is always the perfect dare I say match!

Side note: So glad to be back on the blog! I missed it, but have been busy putting the final touches on my new, venture "Brooch" Vintage Accessories. Would love for you to follow me on Facebook by clicking on the photo on the right above! It's been fun so far! I truly wish all the best to you in 2015 and greatly appreciate anyone who stops by to read my posts! 

One last note... Have to share some pics of designers who blew me away at bridal market NYC in October. As always, I was inspired and will talk more about these Spring 2015 looks in upcoming posts. Inbal Dror has set the bar and Ersa is another designer I'm smitten with. Haley Paige is a delight as a person and as a talented, young designer. She has truly made her mark this season. ENJOY!

Ersa Atelier 

Inbal Dror

Haley Paige