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

Perfect Love

I read recently that human beings can't comprehend perfect love, because we are imperfect. We are incapable of giving or receiving perfect love. Despite this sobering notion,  I would contest that I've come close to perfect love so far in my life. I've seen it around me, I've been touched by it and I know it exists in the world albeit in its imperfect form. Perhaps like the facets of a diamond the human scope of love exists on several angles, sides and surfaces in our hearts.

One of my angles has belonged, since childhood, to wedding gowns.  When October comes around each year my pulse quickens with anticipation as I prepare to attend bridal fashion week in New York. Every year I'm mesmerized by the garments talented designers showcase. The level of detail exuding from each piece that I eagerly fix my eyes is humbling. Newborn designs make their debut down the runway as I study with a buyer's mind, but weakened in the knees with a fanatic's obsession. Imperfect love in the air at bridal week.

Tattoo lace, tulle, volume skirts, sleeves, clustered beading, illusion, color, old Hollywood are some of the themes and trends I expect to see next weekend. Each designer attempts to dazzle buyers with their version of the trends and a personal aesthetic stamp. It's a whirlwind of activity and at times chaos that overwhelms even the seasoned attendee. The excitement is palpable and the pace fast as time escapes my delirious love, sick mind. Exhausted mentally, but resuscitated creatively bridal week is stylists' marathon.

A bonus plan for this year's visit is to complete my search for vintage pieces I've been curating. My micro vintage accessory business should be completed this Fall with a launch soon after. Another facet of my heart's desire- vintage jewelry.

My trip journal will be full of notes and ideas that will propel my innate passion for wedding styling to another level. My future posts will connect with what my eyes witness on the runways. But my heart will rejoice wildly within that facet wedding gowns occupy and perhaps give me just a glimpse of heavenly, perfect love.

Relevance

One of the common remarks I hear in the dressing room is "Will I still like this dress in 20 years?" Or another is "Will I ask years from now what was I thinking?" Those questions are understandable and not uncommon. Unfortunately I don't answer my client in a way she wants, because when it comes to fashion that question shouldn't be asked. Fashion is a volatile, dynamic cyclical art. What is offered today in gown choices will not be offered to a bride 20 years from now.  Trends do repeat, but in more a recycled, redefined manner. As much as I would like to answer any question a bride has when she is choosing her gown, I can only reassure her that her wedding gown is relevant to our time now and hopefully that is enough to satiate her doubt.

Celine Dion 1994

Besides it's actually kind of fun to look back at another decade and critique the fabulous and not so great trends in wedding fashion. A quick trip to the 1990s gives us the beautiful almost regal styles. The over the top 80s gave the decade following its blessing with the continued high shoulders and opulent head pieces and veils.

Archduchess Sophie of Austria 1990 Valentino

From Four Weddings and a Funeral

Oh the sleeves, portrait collars, detachable trains and yikes the dreadful basque waist! Though the basque waist was slenderizing and quite popular for that reason, I'm glad I haven't seen it back since.

1993 Dior Gown with a basque waist- Spectacular though!

I know that decade well, because it was 20 years ago this month I was a bride. The "Modern Bride" cover photo above is from a 1993 edition I had in my extensive wedding magazine collection I started 21 years ago! The two photos above are from that magazine edition. 

These are wonderful, memories I will always hold dear. August 1994 was a different world, but it was  my time to be a bride and the styles reflected fashion trends of that time. I can giggle now at the basque waist. I'm not asking myself what I was thinking (yes, I had one!) It was relevant back then and it actually was quite flattering! Reveling the present and enjoying your time as a bride is most important. There will be time you'll look back at photos decades after your wedding day like I have, but I can assure you it will be with a smile!

Me as a bride in August 1994

The Dynamic Canvas

I must confess when it was my time to choose a wedding dress it didn't go well.  I won't deceive you, nothing tragic occurred. I was a bride years before I joined the wedding industry so my knowledge was nil. As we all learn from our mistakes and yes after my 3rd gown purchase (two were from a certain "basement" sale that no longer exists) I realized I wanted all my ideas in one dress. That was unrealistic and lead to frustration and disappointment. I found a beautiful dress I still love to this day almost 20 years later, but I had to bend and accept my dream dress wouldn't have all the elements I desired.  

Fast forward to 2014 as I stylist I never use the words compromise and bend. Today's bride doesn't need to do either. The wedding industry has exploded with designers who offer a massive, price point spectrum and clamor for your business. The internet and sites such as Etsy,  Pinterest, The Knot, Pink French Bride to name a few have augmented the planning process for a bride in ways I would never have imagined 20 years ago. Not only do brides have choice, but the sharing of ideas and inspiration is enormous via social media. The 21st century bride has everything at her fingertips literally, which is amazing and perhaps some what daunting.  One suggestion I always make is let the wedding be as unique as you are as a bride and and as a couple. Things will fall into place accordingly, because it will be a personal, reflection of you. Your dress is the canvas. What will you paint for your groom and your guests? How will you express yourself as a bride?

Some of my favorite ways to project your unique style are changing your look either boldly or ever so subtly throughout your wedding day. You might choose to cocoon yourself in veiling to add tradition to your ceremony and then reappear to your guests donning a fabulous headpiece or a heirloom colored, jewel in your hair. You could add an ornate belt around the waist of your simple, gown. 

Headpiece found on Etsy

I have a huge crush on caplets and shrugs. Maybe walk down the aisle with one draped over your shoulders and then remove it later for the party. Or slip on a shrug later in the evening when the temperature drops at your chilly,  fall or winter venue.

BHLDN

If you're going for the comfort of all out party wear and an entire second look, I cannot say enough about the haute piece by Pronovias (right). A chic, encore that will dazzle your guests as you and your groom dance the night away. The Hailey Paige option (left) is incredible as well as the skirt is removed to reveal a great, cocktail length little, white dress.

The twists and turns of your canvas are endless! There are so many options that you can personalize. I revel the opportunity to assist a bride with her ideas to express herself fully. Your wedding day is truly your day to allow a glimpse into your soul and paint a masterpiece as unique as you are.