YELLOW ROSE

Yellow Rose just happens to be one of my fave head chic sites on Etsy.  Sharon creates a vintage-nature inspired collection of hats, fascinators and head pieces to top off your bridal look.  She loves finding authentic vintage laces and other rare accouterments for her projects at antique markets. A native of Ohio, she learned millinery studying under professional costume designers in Kentucky. Hat making quickly became Sharon's craft and passion as she launched the Yellow Rose label in 2010.  Right now Sharon is living in Germany with her husband which explains the Sound of Music styled landscapes gracing many of her photos.  Aside from the Etsy Shop, Yellow Rose also has a beautiful site showcasing a bit more, especially if you're into hats . . .


 

THE ART OF WEARING GLOVES

 


 If you're getting married this time of year or heading into the winter months, thank God for gloves.  They do help warm up hands and arms. Any season gloves will lend that aspect of drama and really tie your bridal look together. Whether you opt for crocheted shorties or long, sleek opera length, there are no rules anymore about what sort of gloves you have to wear with your gown. You can go with the classic white and ivory or jazz up your look with any length, color, texture, even pattern. Just like some brides are showing some pizazz wearing different color shoes with their gown, glove color is an option you have as well. Experiment, then go right ahead and be adventuresome!












Gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride /Photo credits: top photo by S1 Studio; Photos 1 &2 by Henley Photography; Photo 3 by Jim Vetter Photography

GETTING ABOARD: ALL ABOUT TRAINS AND BUSTLES . . .

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A gown with a train suggests formality; typically the longer the train, the more formal the gown. So what is a train exactly? A train is that extension in the back of the skirt that follows when you move. There are two types of trains: built-in and detachable. Built-ins are integrated in the actual skirt pattern when the dress is made. These are the kind that are pulled up and bustled after the ceremony. A detachable train is a separate component, not integrated in the skirt pattern.  Detachables are usually removed after the ceremony, although I’ve seen them bustled every so often when brides want to keep that bustled look going for the party. 





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Bustling defined is the gathering and tacking up of the train so that the bride can move around freely post ceremony. Once a gown is bustled it goes through a kind of metamorphosis as does the bride in it. There are two kinds of bustling techniques: overbustles and underbustles (French). Usually, bustling is secured with hooks and/or ribbons (narrow strips of grosgrain). Over bustling is the easiest and consists of picking up and tacking the skirt to the waist for chapel and cathedral lengths; or behind the knee for sweeps. Underbustling goes the other way—down and under, fastening to points on the under slip. Longer trains can take a combination of both over and under bustling all at once and the results can be stunning. Additional or custom bustling is done after the bodice fitting is completed. How many (more) bustle points you chose is up to you and the estimation of your alterations person. Keep in mind not every dress bustles well. Examples include ball gowns with skirts in lightweight layers like tulle or organza. The amount of layered skirts present problems. The bustling is done layer by layer which is time consuming and expensive, and you’d have to absolutely love the result to go through all that hassle. Also some gowns with sweep trains, godets or fishtails don’t bustle well. Overall, most dresses do bustle beautifully and are a joy to wear. A bustled train remains one of the most elegant and romantic elements of the wedding gown . . . .



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CAROLINA HERRERA TRUNK SHOW

Carolina Hererra's bridal gowns are perfection.  Always ahead of the curve and true to her own sense of style, for my money this designer is in the top three.  The good news is, brides living or visiting LA are invited for a preview of the New Carolina Herrera Bridal Collection.  Show up and you get 10% off your order.  The event starts October 27th and runs through the 29th.   To make an appointment call Caitlin Sleichter at 323-782-9090.  8441 Melrose Place, LA . . . .

TODAY YOU'LL FIND ME . . .

Today you'll find me over on Savvy Scoop gabbing all about Portobello.  My first glance at Portobello came about when one of my clients brought in a headpiece to top off her Valentine Day wedding dress. Since then I've been swooning over their newest head chic that you can see for yourself right here . .

THE CHANEL BRIDE

The great Mademoiselle Chanel spanned several eras of changing fashion. Her most notable signatures are close fitting cloche style hats, halters, separates, jerseys and strands of many different pearl necklaces all worn at once. Until her retirement in 1939, she was the probably the world's most influential designer. She made a comeback in the 1950s ushering in her most enduring contribution to fashion, the Chanel suit still popular today.
 I see the Chanel bride of today much like Mademoiselle herself. Classy and fabulous, sophisticated and quirky. Above all stylish. The bride above is in separates: a Chantilly lace halter paired up with a long shantung skirt with a sweep train. All her accessories are inspired by Chanel.
Hat, headpiece/veil and separates available through Amy-Jo Tatum Bride. 415.258.8204. Email:amyjotatum@gmail.com.

BRIDES OF THE GOLDEN LIGHT

 Ask any photographer and he/she will tell you, sunrise or sunset makes for the most dramatic and flattering light.  Sweet light or golden light, many couples choose to have those most intimate wedding portraits done just as the sun goes down, or, if they are having the pictures done prior to the wedding day--sun up.  These 'Golden Portraits'  are from various stylized shoots I've done with some of the most talented photographers in the biz.  Enjoy . . .

 Above and below: From the Vintage and Rustic Shoot by Stephanie Williams Photography.  These shots were taken in the golden light of late March . . . .


 First photo: From the Midsummer Bride Shoot by Dominic Colacchio.  Second photo from the Art Meets Fashion Shoot taken by Stuart Lirette in the golden light of early October . . .


Above and below from the Art Meets Fashion shoot, photos by John T Photography

SAMPLE SALE TUESDAY

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For those of you unfamiliar with Sample Tuesday/Thursday, here's the lowdown: From time to time I sell off some of the photographic samples. So what you ask, is a photographic sample? It is a mock up made up just for the photo shoot in materials close to but not yet ready for prime time such as the almost priceless silks in which they are custom ordered by clients. It can also be the original and yummy silk dress I make that is two or three seasons old. In any case your sample will be one-of-a-kind and handmade, have couture techniques like hand-picked zipper and hand-tacked linings no machinery can emmulate. Before I sell these gems rest assured they do go through proper refurbishing and cleaning. Fabric samples on request.



What could be more bridal than a cloud of white tulle and Chantilly lace? Add to that the lace is backed with a blue/gray lining. With peach accents it reminds me of a muted pastel sunset. The skirt is four layers of tulle and a separate slip of crinoline and tulle. Detailed touches include a row of buttons accenting the back and it is all pulled together with a blue and peach sash. Can be ordered with detachable pearl straps. The headpiece is coral-peachy handmade silk florals attached to a tulle bow.


 
 
 
Photos: Ryan Chua Photography
Dresses and Headpieces: Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture
Makeup: Juliane Chai
Hair: Steph Tsai
Model: Dominique Ansari

WINTERESQUE

CREDITS
Photography by Rob Martel
Gowns and  Accessories by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride
Hair and Makeup by Shideh
Model: Natalie Angela
Venue: San Francisco Theological Seminary


Winter is almost here. Holiday and post New Year weddings can be incredibly festive and magical. Yes, the back drop of snow and raw climate can be challenging; working it you can create a haute chic look all your own.




Ever dreamed of looking like and keeping as warm as a Czarina? Covering your gown with a cape is ideal—they’re roomy and unlike close fitting coats, they won’t squish your dress. The cape here is white suede with marabou and faux fur trim with a cathedral train.  The hat and muff are made of faux Moulton lamb.  Velvet, cashmere, wool, heavy brocades all make lovely capes. If your gown is heavyweight fabric or has lots of volume (volume translates into warmth) you can even go for a shorter caplet.




Wraps and stoles are great for bare-armed brides. They may look skimpy but will keep you incredibly warm even if they are made out of faux fur. Add opera length gloves if you’re going sleeveless. Long gloves can be great substitutes for sleeves due to the insulation factor they provide. As for fur, for stoles, jackets and capes, faux is chic now. It’s also surprisingly warm too. Add a muff (maybe instead of a bouquet) and your hands stay toasty.



 There’s a reason for structured, heavy fabrics like the luxe peau de soie below: warmth and insulation from the cold. If expertly lined, thicker fabrics will keep the chill off.  This authentic vintage sixties bouffant has  Alencon lace appliques dappled over the bodice and skirt.  The satin pillbox hat with cathedral length veil was custom made to bring out the full Jackiesque look of this gown . . .