THE REMAINS OF A BEAUTIFUL DAY

Mauve and pink roses mixed in with grays, pewter and porcelain tea cups set the mood for this spring chic inspiration.  Thank you Naomi V. Goodman of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs.  Your ideas always move and make our days brighter . . .

ENGLISH GARDEN PINK

Gray and any shade of pink make for a gorgeous palette any time any season.  These inspirations are brought to you by Naomi V. Goodman of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs. Originally created via SMP Style Crcle, the beginning of many beautiful inspirations . . .

AMY-JO TATUM: PREVIEW 2012

These are just a few of the silhouettes, textures, fabrics and variations of styles I'm working into 2012. The past few years brides have broken through the traditional standard of what a bride looks like, each pioneering her own interpretation of gown fit for the bash of her life. Below are some of what I think are the most stunning break throughs . . . .

 The Tea Gown-Borrowing from the past when women received afternoon guests, this creation spells femme and gorgeous from neck to hemline. It's a silk dupioni sheath covered in Chantilly lace. The two tiered skirt is bordered in white motifs. Perfect for the romantic bride who absolutely loves lace . . .

Old Hollywood. The Priscilla gown is actually a light weight wool crepe cut on the bias with a cowl neck and brush train. A simple and draped silhouette for women who love the concept of less is more . . .

Short and chic, this silk dupioni and organza mini-ball gown silhouette with multi-colored petticoats underneath could go for an informal wedding, rehearsal dinner or reception. Add the kicky mules with satin ribbons for some real Oh La La!

All an illusion with two textures of tulle. The skirt is silk tulle and the top is a stretch silk illusion over a Chantilly lace bodice. The wide neckline creates a perfect hourglass shape . . .

Want one look for your ceremony and another for the reception? Check out this hook on/off tulle skirt. It's perfect for the bride who wants to metamorphosize herself from the solemnity of ceremony to high chic for reception. An embroidered two piece linen suit with a Sabrina neck is perfect for summer weddings, city or country . . .

Creating this skirt was a dream. The ballerina length and volume is already a mainstay in the collection.This gem out of tulle and organza cut on the bias is definitely moving into 2012. If you like the cut I'm working every season to perfect it's fit and flare . . .

All dresses and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Model Victoria Cappuccio

OLD HOLLYWOOD INSPIRATION

Another gem I unearthed from my inspiration file.  This image harks back to the 1930s by one of Hollywood's great designers.  I just don't know which.  Ordinarily I make detailed notations on the movie, the actress and designer.  The gorgeousness of this creation is the body-hugging evening gown silhouette and hand made Callas gracing Annabella's shoulders (at least I know the actress).  My version of this gown would be in an understated matte crepe with 2-3 Callas at the shoulder of an asymmetrical neckline . . . what do you think?

TULLE

Ever versatile tulle is used for making everything from full, gathered skirts to poufs on head pieces.Defined, tulle is a fine mesh netting with a hexagonal pattern that comes in silk or nylon. It's the standard material for bridal veils. It's also used in bouffant skirts like the one pictured above, proffering that ballerina look Vera Wang reinvented about twenty years back. While the big tulle skirt is classic, edgier versions of late suggest special effects like draping, ruching and pick-up treatments over more modified skirt silhouettes. Not to be overlooked for trains done in layers.

French and Russian vetting used in the head piece above is a type of tulle; Yards and layers of softer silk tulle are gathered into the skirt above.

Tulle was used in layers on this bias skirt and also the shirred bodice and shoulders.  The head piece is a gathered pouf of point d'spirit  tulle. . .

Above: A beaded French net headpiece . . .

Left: A gathered tulle skirt is dappled in rose petals.  The bodice and gauntlets are shirred tulle.  A net pouf head piece accented with a rose adorns the bride's head.  Right: A shot of tulle is just what this silk rose and antique lace fascinator needs for the right dose of chic . . .

All gowns and head pieces available through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

SALUTE TO BADGLEY MISCHKA

 I was doing research for a client wanting a lace adorned/1930s tea gown look for her wedding when I came across a few old clippings I'd stashed for inspiration.  These are from design duo Badgley Mishka.  Still relative newcomers to the bridal  scene back then, these ads and editorial clip from Martha Stewart Weddings show their purity and discrimination for excellence.  These gowns are a case in point of what happens when love of fashion history meets perfect fit and fabrication. 

GUY STYLE

Have you noticed Grooms are going a bit more casual lately? Though elegant, the suit tux has replaced the classic monkey suit as they called them in my generation. In fact, back in my day groom's attire ran the gamut of the Liberace special in pastel colors complete with a matching ruffled shirt. No wonder so many couples got married in blue jeans back then. Fast forward thirty years and we're looking at some better choices. Vintage is chic these days as long as it's not 1970s Las Vegas. If men are going to wear classics those classics have to be ones we remember as super cool. Humphrey Bogart in his white dinner jacket in Casablanca still rates cool. So does Sean Connery as James Bond in the black tie number he popularized in Goldfinger. What about the groomsmen pictured above in Beaver Cleever sneakers? Radical, a little goofy, but very in right now. Let's call it a fad.

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