THE GOTHIC BRIDE

Vicious Dolls

While we're kicking in the mid-weeks of October here, let's take a look at a few Goth gowns. More brides are going over to the dark side lately, some even booking the 31st as their wedding day. If you're going Goth, you don't need me to tell you you're probably not going to find your gown in the typical bridal salon. That's right, if you dress Gothic in your day to day life why would you all of a sudden become Grace Kelly on your wedding day? The good news is, we live in a world where self-expression is finally respected; you're free to go as dark and diverse as you want ranging anywhere from Lolita to SteamPunk. Researching Gothic fashion sites, I found tons so narrowing down your shopping will mean finding what direction you want to go in the Goth world.
First off, for any of you unfamiliar, you might be asking, what is Goth exactly? Gothic is alternative and for the non-conformist. Styles of dress include punk, Medieval, Renaissance, Victorian, Lolita or combos of these styles with accents of black or white makeup and hair. The colors of traditional Goth are black, deep muted red, purple and blues. Fabrics tend to be rich and heavy: velvet and satin brocades combined with black and dark laces and even leather. Corsetry is popular and unapologetic in Goth dressing, usually paired up with voluminous skirts with heavy understructure. And speaking of understructure,the silhouette will probably be the same as a traditional bride--big gown with tons of petticoats--but the message conveyed is something different all together

Henley Photography

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Henley Photography

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Alternative styles of Goth like the photos above combine a kind of circus chic with Marie Antoinette and Hollywood. Though there's only a hint here of the dark and diverse; just the thought of Marie A for me is pretty grim . . .

Romantic Threads
Romantic Threads

Above are two versions of classic Goth Victoriana.

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Vicious Dolls

Designs by Irish designer Bonzi are a cross between Steampunk and Victoriana, The photo above celebrates a Goth element
that could fit well into mainstream bridal while still making the non-conventional statement.
The below corset by the same designer is a definite alternative of bridal dress.

Gloomth

Above: One version of Lolita-Nothing to do with Vladmir Nabokov's prenubile step-daughter instead mimicking a style of Victoriana. The Gothic Lolita fashion movement originated in the Harajuko district in Japan and is growing in popularity in the West. Gothic Lolita girls collect elaborate wardrobes of what looks like 19th century inspired doll clothing. On top of that activities for serious Lolita followers might include the romanticized ideas of yesteryear such as tea parties and croquet matches.

Morph Asylum

Goth Fashion and Shopping Sites

Red Hot Brides

Gothic Wedding Dresses

The Dark Garden

Gothic Plus

Heavy Red

Haute Indiscretion

MT Coffinz Underground

SUNDAY INSPIRATION

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Unthrifty loveliness why dost thou spend,

Upon thy self thy beauty's legacy?

Nature's bequest gives nothing but doth lend,

And being frank she lends to those are free:

Then beauteous niggard why dost thou abuse,

The bounteous largess given thee to give?

Profitless usurer why dost thou use

So great a sum of sums yet canst not live?

For having traffic with thy self alone,

Thou of thy self thy sweet self dost deceive,

Then how when nature calls thee to be gone,

What acceptable audit canst thou leave?

Thy unused beauty must be tombed with thee,

Which used lives th' executor to be.

--William Shakespeare--

Sonnet #4

TOTALLY FLATTERED

Not once but twice in one week I have been awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award. First by the very blonde and beautiful expat Susu of Susu Paris Chic and yesterday by my friend Cyn of Confessions of an Obsessive Planner

Thank you both for this and I'm totally honored. Also, turning out this piece led to a bit of much needed reflection after a heavy season of deadlines, so double thanks to my friends above. Here's how the Kreativ Blogger works:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.

5.Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated and in turn I have to let out 7 interesting and or embarrassing things about myself you might not know, like:

1.) I've never had kids. While I find kids charming and enlivening, I made the decision years back to pour all my love and energy into a fulfilling career as a designer and being a great wife to a wonderful husband. I am however the proud mother of a six-pound Chihuahua I have wanted all my life. Piccalina and I are inseparable and go everywhere together. Usually you can find her riding around in one of my many purses charming folks and canines alike and making tons of friends out there.

Our little girl, Piccalina

2.) Writing fiction is actually my first love. My greatest and most intimate moments have been spent alone, introspectively creating another world on paper. While much of writing for publication has creative limitations, writing for oneself does not. To be given the reward of time and space to write is a real gift I have at some times had, but not always. If someone asked what I wanted most in the world for myself it would be just this: time and space to write my own kind of fiction.

3.) I'm an avid fashion buff but give me fine china any day over jewelry. Don't get me wrong, I love beautiful gems and stones but don't particularly relish owning any. When my husband and I met, one of his first gifts to me was the most beautiful Flow Blue he picked up in a local antique shop. Since then we've been collecting so many pieces our home looks like a museum. There is something uplifting about drinking tea or coffee out of something so precious. Also, my clients get tea in these cups and love it . . .
4.) This is totally embarrassing. I'm a fashion designer but hate tags and labels. I mean that literally. I don't like shirts, skirts or any piece of clothing with a label in it--not even those that say, Dior. When I was a kid, I had a morbid fear of them, so much so, my mother had to cut all the tags out of my clothing. Are we being a tad Howard Hughes-like in this respect or what ?

5.) I love good coffee. It is the highlight of my morning. Right now as we speak and write, I have a pot of Colombian perking away and boy does it smell great.

6.) I yearn to time travel. When I die--or by some miraculous intervention God lets me go back in time-- I want to drop right smack dab into 1920 and dwell till around 1950 or so (maybe 1960). What I want most is to smell, breathe, and see the architecture and interiors when they were new; watch how folks behaved toward one another. Maybe I would be visible and interact, maybe not. I haven't figured that one out yet . . .

7.) I'm a baseball addict. Every Spring I look forward to watching Derek Jeter do his extraordinary sport/dance thing out on the field when he plays shortstop. GO YANKEES!

SOURCE

Okay so, here are my seven nominations for the Kreativ Blogger Award:

Weddings Fresh

Ash Fox

Truly Engaging

Primadonna Bride

Couture Cookie

The Alternative Bride

Ruffled

RUSTIC

click to enlarge

Brown and ivory. What a Fall statement and how beautifully they blend into the mountain theme of this wedding. Put together by The Perfect Palette, rustic and chic elements both come into play here.

THE AFTER LIFE OF YOUR WEDDING DRESS

jasper conran
The wedding's over. Whether you’ve had your gown custom designed or special ordered it through a salon, now what? Some brides are going to be sentimental and preserve the gown for generations. That’s okay. This posting though is for all those wanting to pass on what they wore to someone else and help make our world a better place through recycling. I found the following blurb on the I Do Foundation’s website and couldn’t agree more, “If storing your dress in a box under your bed, or in a hanging bag in your closet is not your idea of a good cause, then keep the pictures, but put the dress to good use and help support the I Do Foundation.”Your gown is a very special and powerful piece of clothing. With it comes (or goes) a certain psychic energy that carries your joy and promise to the next wearer.

PLACES TO DONATE YOUR DRESS AFTER THE WEDDING

BRIDAL CONSIGNMENT- More of these places are cropping up for two reasons: Brides-to-be who won’t spend over 2000k on a designer gown, and former brides who don’t mind parting with their gown. As I’ve mentioned before, there’s little difference between second-time-around bridal consignment and the higher end salons. Owners take in top notch designer gowns and nothing goes on display unless it’s in perfect condition, cleaned and pressed like new. These shops have standards they follow too. They won’t take any Four Weddings and a Funeral style cast-offs, over altered or trashed gowns.


DONATE TO YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY SHOP-Donating to a bridal consignment will earn you a share of your gown’s percentage. Donate to a shop like The Bridal Garden in New York City and fees will benefit NYC school children. Now wouldn't that make you feel great? Few charities have a whole store exclusively devoted to bridal like the Bridal Garden though. Most will have a section for gowns and formal wear.


DONATE TO A FOUNDATION-Believe it or not there are several foundations set up just for donating bridal wear (including bridesmaids gowns). Great! Gowns are such a big biz that whole organizations distribute them to others. Here are a few to check out:


Brides Against Breast Cancer: Donate your gown here and you’ll be giving a bride-to-be a great chance to get a discounted gown while helping grant the wish of someone with breast cancer.

I Do Foundation-Through I Do you can donate to the charity of your choice.


Heavenly Angels in Need-This one makes me well up with tears. Once your gown is donated, seamstresses use the fabric to make children’s burial garments. Having a SIDs baby in our family I understand the needs of grieving families and just how much a little satin and lace can make.

Wedding Dress Ministry-Christian women leaders rent wedding gowns to women in Kenya who are not able to afford gowns to marry in. Profits collected from rents are used in the women’s ministry outreach.


Don’t forget your bridesmaids. There are foundations like the Princess Project that have a selection of prom and bridesmaid dresses that help young women get out to that big night in style.


Donate My Dress


The Glass Slipper Project

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS GETS HITCHED

One of my favorite actresses was hitched Sunday. Christina Hendricks who plays the sultry Joan Holloway on Mad Men, married fellow actor, Geoffrey Arend at II Buco restaurant in New York City. She told In Style Weddings of the place, "There will be about 70 people. The room is small and romantic and rustic and intimate, like it's in someone's home in Italy. The food is extraordinary—charcuteries, shared platters—very family style."

If you didn't happen to check out the latest In Style Weddings, Christina is modeling an array of gowns from Oscar de la Renta to Watters. And of course Carolina Herrera, her chosen designer. I have to say this gown is totally exquisite with it's lace appliques and multi-layered back bustle. About her gown she said, "It's got a bit of Sophia Loren to it, but really, it's a Christina Hendricks dress."

I've been hoping for a chance to talk about Christina's influence on fashion and here's the most golden opportunity--her wedding day. I like finally seeing someone come onto the scene who isn't Twiggy and can inspire women with a little more flesh to embrace the way they look. Thank you, Christina . . . . .

Photos courtesy of Buzz Net

STREET CHIC BRIDE

Yesterday we looked at the weekday/city hall wedding. Here's an addition by the talented Designs917 in New York. Little white dresses like this one are hot right now especially for showers, the rehersal dinner and/or reception . . . . .