PHOTO OF THE WEEK

tqphoto 

The great part about blogging for brides is sharing great images by photographers like this one.  I know the dreamy quality here evokes what so many of you are feeling every once and awhile in those moments of repose . . .

HEADS UP

pickle and macaroni

While veils are still in vogue and ever traditional, the new head options are definately worth checking out. Some brides bypassing the veil are going for wide brimmed hats, fresh flowers or jewels in their hair. The idea is, if you’d rather wear a feathered toque down the aisle and it works with your gown, go for it.

Did our grandmothers have choices like this. No way. There were tight restrictions on what sort of headpiece was appropriate with the length veil she had to wear with her dress. Luckily times have changed. Wearing a veil with a headpiece is an option, not requirement anymore.



pickle and macaroni

Nigel Rayment
The Picture Hat-Starting with hats, I have to say picture hats are the most dramatic. Just look at some of these. Don't they all belong at one of Jay Gatsby's lawn parties? Also, the picture hat is the most classic for daytime formals. Wide-brimmed and typically constructed out of straw or horsehair, they are sometimes swathed in netting and organza.
Whatever look you want to create with this style, here are some tips to consider. Go ahead and put on your picture hat for the ceremony. Just do yourself a favor at the reception and take it off when you're receiving guests. Unless your hat's constructed of that bendy sort of horsehair with lots of give, when you reach out to hug and kiss people, your hat will fall off or bump someone. Picture hats go great with most silhouettes, especially ball gowns. The wide brim balances the volume in the skirt.

Amy-Jo Tatum
Horsehair hat wrapped in ivory tulle

Amy-Jo TatumStraw hat with hand-rolled silk dupion cabbage roses

Oni Onik
I think the fascinator trend helped usher in our current love affair with the hat. Even if you're wearing a veil, consider putting your bridesmaids in hats. From 1920-1950 it was a popular option to dress them in picture hats, especially for garden weddings. Think of it as just one of your many choices . . .

philiptreacy.co.uk.

The Cloche — Pictured above and below, this close fitting helmet-like hat worn low on the forehead, with or without a brim, was all the rage in the 1920s. Today's versions are mostly felt, and complement vintage dresses and suits. The Cloche looks best over a bob or other short, spunky hairstyles.

Oni Onik
The Pillbox Hat — Round and brimless, this hat's worn either centered or back on the head. Though the style was first launched in the 1930s, Jackie Kennedy revived the look. And guess what? Martha Stewart wore a pillbox when she got married in the early sixties. Generally this hat looks best with suits and fitted sheath designs, but it's super with most other silhouettes.

Hat by Amy-Jo Tatum

Photo by Henley Photography



Stephanie Williams Photography/Hat by Batcakes



The Cocktail Hat — This broad category includes toques, pancakes and beanies, to name just a few. Usually small and brimless, they sit tilted or perched atop the head, accented with flowers or a spray of long feathers. A cover of net or nose veil sometimes wraps all or part of the face. To add a touch of fun to simple gown, cover a cocktail hat fully in marabou or ostrich feathers. All cocktail hats look great with upswept hair and complement most silhouettes. They're also ideal as a headpiece attached to any length veil.

Nigel Rayment

Amy-Jo Tatum
The Turban — Adapted from Eastern headdress, the classic turban is a piece of fabric that wraps around the head. Trendy in the late 30s, the 40s ushered in some interesting variations, mixing functionality with chic. Their fame began with women workers who kept their hair safely out of the machinery with scarves tied up turban-style. Taking a cue from the street, designers hyped up the glamour, reinventing turbans in satin and velvet so they also complemented suits and evening wear. Tulle and netted turban head wraps topped off with bows or florals became the quickly-assembled head adornments of choice for wartime brides.

The Pagoda — Triangular-shaped and based on China's distinctive Cooley hat, this high-fashion version was popularized by Dior in the 1950s. Great with A-line and sheath styles.

Suzanne Couture Millinery

Wreath-Very romantic option. Pictured below, a wreath circles the head and is interwoven with flowers, foliage and in some cases, ribbons. Florists can put these together either with fresh, artificial or dried flowers. Some variations would be those made exclusively of English Ivy or dried roses and baby’s breath.

Pickle and Macaroni
HEADBAND -- typically attached to a gathered pouf veil, you can wear the headband individually without the veiling. Headband brides have that fresh, Estee Lauder look. Bands range in style from simple, narrow satin ones to those covered in pearls and crystals. A great option for hair worn down, not quite shoulder length like a bob.

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Hair Florals- They compliment simple evening gown silhouettes with a tropical feel, A-lines and ball gowns with a touch of the romantic. There are three kinds of florals: Fresh, artificial and hand-rolled fabric flowers. All are beautiful choices. Fresh can be ordered through your florist possibly echoing some of those in your bouquet.

Henley Photography
Artificial flowers are typically silk, some so well made they look like they were just picked out of the garden. Hand-rolled flowers are made out of fabric like dupioni, organza or shantung, sometimes in the same fabric as your gown. These have a real haute couture look and are usually attached to a barrette or spongy wire-wrap. You’ll need the help of a hairdresser incorporating fresh flowers into your hair. Artificial ones sometimes come with an attached comb—sometimes not. If not, you’ll need help anchoring these in. Some hairstylists will even weave poufs of netting through the flowers, creating a real high-fashion look.

Henley Photography

TIARA -- Just the tiara — no veil. This is a classic look. Most tiaras are made out of crystal and rhinestone. Best when the tiara sits upon a well-coiffed up-do.

the knot

the knot

Alice Hart

Alice Hart

The Fascinator-These fascinating fascinators of plumes and feathers by Alice Hart are the cross between headpiece and hat many brides are looking for to expresss themselves on their wedding day.

Tigerlilly

HAIR JEWELERY -- These can range from Mother of Pearl hairpins to crystal adorned hair-sticks and clips. You can wear one or many sprinkled though a beautifully coiffed head. Top notch hair styling is a must to wear these properly.

Tigerlilly

RESOURCES

Batcakes Couture

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Alice Hart Couture Millinery
Suzanne Couture Millinery
Queen of Hats
Leah C Couture Millinery
Tiger Lilly Hair Jewelry

tacori.com- tiaras and hair jewelry

Dulken and Derrick-Sounds like a law firm but it is actually a site for some of the most exquisite silk flowers.

CUT VELVET

 Scott Williams Photography

Generally we associate velvet as a heavy-weight napped fabric, that great conductor of warmth ideal for winter wedding gowns.  The cut velvet seen here is a different story.  Backed with chiffon so that it drapes makes it an ideal fabric for any season.  Patterns can vary from florals to paisleys--stripes to polka dots.  All these pieces including the draped cocktail hat are vintage-inspired.  Fashion forward creations would also be great candidates for cut velvet . . .

 Henley Photography

All gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

GRAND ENTRANCES: Brides and Celebs on the Red Carpet

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  Suddenly Fall is upon us, that exhilarating time of opening nights and colorful galas.  We all look to the red carpet for inspiration in putting our own looks together, especially if we have an up and coming  wedding or event planned.  Add paparazzi to the mix and we want everything to come together just right. To really understand life on the Red Carpet, we have to think of it similar to the coming of Christmas. Every year a woman active on the social scene has to recreate herself in a stunning way for say, the Met Ball, along with a few other glitzy functions.  An actress, has the Academy Awards for which she has to show up and look beautiful. Then, of course, the bride has the ultimate benefit of an entire event all to herself with masses of loved ones orbiting around her. 

RUNWAY VS. RED CARPET

So what's the difference between the whole fashion equation offered up to us via the  runway as opposed to red carpet?

Looking over the sometimes wakadoodle presentation of runway collections twice a year, models look 14, 40 lbs underweight and as if make up artists and hair people have run amok on them.  Red Carpet on the other hand is real women editing and adapting their own persona into a designer's blueprint.  Only when a woman steps into a gown, fully accessorized by her own hand (or a very talented stylist's), does that design really become a creation.  Thus, the designer has become the middleman between concept and reality.

With so many actresses strutting down the carpet these days, not all you may have noticed, rate style icon status.  Ever notice most have the requisite elements of chic but the picture isn't complete? the whole symmetry thrown off somehow? So, the question many are asking is, do public personalities and even brides need stylists to put them together for those occasions where there's a nanosecond to make a first impression?
You be the judge on that one. Stylist defined is, someone who puts you together literally from hairdressing, to the Manolo Blaniks on your feet. Many actresses, political figures and women on the social scene work with private stylists like Rachael Zoe, whose claim to fame is dressing stars like Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz.  A top stylist like Zoe can develop entire looks and wardrobes from sportswear to gala or simply work on premiere looks for clients who want to make that big splash at a toney bash.  Whether they lead public or private lives, some women do have a way of putting themselves together without anyone’s help, thank you. Did Jacqueline Kennedy really need a stylist?

We know during her White House days she had a retinue of hairdressers and makeup people around her constantly as well as the ever present  Oleg Cassini whom she kept busy  custom designing  her cutting edge wardrobe of the day.   But ultimately, Jackie was her own best stylist.   I’m finding the women who  really know how to paint themselves into the whole picture and make the grand entrances  have  years of fashion experience, the faux pas as well as accomplishments.  Then there are those who just plain get it.  The same way Paul Klee looked at a canvas or Mozart the piano and just . . get it. . .

WOMEN WHO  GET IT

Anne Hathaway: Actress

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This gown by Marchesa that actress and style icon, Anne Hathaway wore to the Oscars in 2008 was introduced to me via the designer of the floral swag on this gown.  Taking the actual gown fabric, each rose was crafted by hand.  Anne paired up this crepe creation with a 10-carat diamond earrings worth more than 1m.

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 And here Anne does it again in Versace at  the 2008 Venice Film Festival. Off the charts chic at its finest, accessorized with a gold necklace, simple matching gold clutch and Christian Louboutin stiletto sandals. Notice in both how minimally she's accessorized and the principle of less is more?

Cate Blanchett: Actress

 2008 had to be the year dubbed Gorgeous Gown with the Hollywood crowd.  Here Cate Blanchett gets it right at the 61st Cannes Film Festival even after giving birth just one month before.  She wears this pale peach ruffled Armani Prive gown.  Check out her exquisite hairstyling . . .

  

Deepa Pakianathan: Style Setter on the Social Scene

Drew Altizer Photography

 Recently at the 2010 opening of the San Francisco Opera, Deepa Pakianathan stunned us with this creation by Zuhair Murhad that had all the crucial elements of a grand ball gown while incorporating the time-honored and ancient art of silk screen.  Five layers of tulle underneath, the top layer of white silk skirt is bordered in tones of black and gray depicting a scene out of 18th century London. The final touch is an asymmetrically placed black bow and sash cinching the waist.  Again notice the accessories.  Clearly, less is more.

Drew Altizer Potography/Deepa's jewelry by Rosalina

Mingling with Joe Lacob and Nicole Curran at the SF Opera

THE RED CARPET BRIDE

 Chelsea and Bill/Vera Wang Rendering of Chelsea's Gown

On July 30, 2010 she was a vision in a whipped parfait of silk-white swirling organza.  Suddenly longer veils are chic again.  I have to say, Chelsea's right up there with Grace Kelly when it comes to rising to the occasion and creating the ultimate in bridal looks.   Of course, you can't go wrong with Vera Wang as your designer now, can you?

 

Chelsea at Derby

WHAT IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE MORE AND LESS OF ON THE RED CARPET

more* HAIRSTYLING: Whilst the simplicity of slicked back hair and ballerina buns is tres chic in my book, wouldn't we all love a return to some real hairdressing like we had in the sixties?  Think Audrey Hepburn and her bouffant updos.  The intricate swirled chignons and buns of the 1940s were gorgeous too.

more* Going for more of a total look.  Albeit this is easier for some than others but it usually means clinching the look with something as simple as a particular piece of jewelry or great pair of sandals.

less*GLITZ and more couture.  Hollywood is getting better but stilll hasn't shucked the Jayne Mansfield kitch lingering from the 50s. Those who insist on gowns with a sheen or uber-bling might look to cinema designer, Edith Head for inspiration.  Also, Hollywood has more blondes than Sweden did back in 1055 AD.  Personally, I'd love to see a return of the Hitchkock Blonde a la Grace Kelly and 'Tippi' Hedren who really knew how to wear couture while practicing the art of being stylishly blonde.   

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Marion Cotillard in Jean Paul Gaultier.

A FEW LAST WORDS ABOUT WHITE

For me, white is the most powerful  and stunning statement a woman can make with a grand entrance.  The downside of this is, brides over the past few years seem to have have commandeered white as their very own.  Shucking the traditional high-collar and  long sleeved straight jacket designs of yesteryear, we’ve seen women marching down the aisle in backs so low and fronts a plunging, even Rudi Gernreich is turning in his grave.   Add to that ditching the veil for little  cocktail hats or gardenias in the hair, and this leaves women who want to sport a an all white  look come gala night, open to more than a few, “Don't you look as pretty as a bride,’ comments.  To all the actresses in Hollywood and women on the social scene who have sported an all-white look, I totally applaud you and encourage you from my little corner of this blogsphere to keep wearing the white satin/jersey/crepe proudly.    And believe me if white isn't your game, there’s room for every style and color on the red carpet.

Additional credits:

Obama photo  
Michelle in Naeem Khan

Jacqueline Kennedy
in Oleg Cassini

SULTRY SAND

Every color and tone in this medley gives me inspiration and an appreciation of that ombre and ochre autumn light that changes the whole picture of life this time of year.  Thank you Lori Smith of Mi Amor Wedding and Events for putting together this array of images . . . .

ESMERELDA

Green is such a lovely and ever present color, almost a force of nature that frames flowers and is the essence of gardens.  Here from jewelry, clothing to decor are the different shade that inspire us . . . Thank you so much to Helena over at SMP's Style Circle for inspiring us  . . . .

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Urban shoots always intrigue me, especially when
done in black and white.  Check out the groom chic in these photos. 
Totally proves my theory that yes, the fashion scene is a' changin' on all fronts, including
menswear.  Kudos to Renata Kaveh Photography and master wardrobe stylist, Tania
Pedro