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

CELEBRATING THE A-LINE

Lirette Photography
The hourglass wasn’t Christian Dior’s only reinvention. His A-line hit big in 1955 and stayed with us. An A-line cut is a more modified form of hourglass, bringing with it refinement and understatement. Fitted through the bodice, the A-line can have a slight to moderate flair in the skirt. Dubbed by fashionistas as “The Deb Dress” it’s been one of the most popular silhouettes for the reason it flatters just about every figure type.

Variations of the A-line
Classic-Can be slightly flared to full, you see it everywhere; mostly with a strapless bodice in medium to heavy fibers. Below is a cotton version with a Sabrina neckline.  Stunning.


Princess-Fitted bodice flowing into a skirt that has two parallel vertical seams running up front and back; can have a slight to full flare in the skirt. Very flattering. Especially great for petites or any woman wanting to add height. Heavier brides benefit too from the vertical seams drawing the eye, up, up, up.


Modified-Header photos and below are modified versions of the A-Line.  Slightly flared, both keep within the framework of an hourglass silhouette . . . .


All gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

PAPER DRESSES

More likely to be found in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, I don't think you'll find these gems in your favorite designer's flagship store.  Believe me, this medley of paper dresses are indeed works of art that have my undivided attention.  Art to Wear exhibits can be truly fascinating; the spectrum of ideas you'll find will amaze and inspire you to be a little bold and get you thinking outside the box on your wedding day  The above work with the model flaunting layers and tiers of newsprint was photographed by Stephen M Loban

Paper or plastic?  We know what photographer Adri Krisnadi asked for.  This tour de force strapless and belted number out of brown paper shopping bags is pure innovation.


Buck Holzemer
Wardrobe stylist Jennifer Lynn of Anomalous Designs hand-created each and every one of these incredible newsprint dresses above and below. Her understanding of cutting edge fashion fused with her application and technical  skill of producing these works of art is amazing. 

Michael Rosen

VINTAGE SUNSET

I hope this board inspires a vintage feeling in all of you looking toward a Gatsbyesque or Hollywood style wedding.  The pale salmons and beiges suggest sepia tones evocative of the start of the last century when lace and intricate embroidery applications were more commonly used.  If you can find just one vintage item or accessory to work into your wedding day it will make a real difference sentimentally (especially if the item is passed down from a loved one) as well as adding panache to your look . . .

HOLLYWOOD BRIDES

Claudette Colbert as Ellie Andrews, Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton. No, they weren't real brides but the designers, writers and producers who created them certainly were. Hollywood designers and the actresses who wore their creations influenced the way we look at weddings and fashion today. All the gowns pictured here are works of art and stellar representatives of their times. What could be more 1930s than Robert Kalloch's creation for Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night? The body-hugging bias cut was still a new, even radical concept in 1934, especially for a wedding gown. During this golden era, it was not Paris as much as Hollywood that decreed fashion. This simple satin gown with florals surrounding the neckline could be found today in a few designer collections. The look has become timeless. Attached to the cap head piece you'll see miles of chiffon netting, a light and airy fabric the designer chose because in this story, Colbert needs to become the runaway bride once she decides Clark Gable is the one. As she runs, the veil, long as it is, lifts and floats beautifully off the ground to produce a kind of 'bride in flight' look.
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The Givenchy on Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face has become a favorite for brides of every decade. When clients bring in inspiration photos so I can get an idea of what they want in a gown, this photo is pulled out often. And sometimes it is not the exact same dress a bride wants so much as 'the look' it evokes, the epitome of pure, flawless design.

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Above is one of the purest, most traditional wedding designs out there (the other is princess Grace's--also by a Hollywood designer, Helen Rose). I'm glad I finally found this image of Julie Andrews in Dorothy Jeakins shantung wedding gown. It's from one of the most beautiful movies ever made, The Sound of Music. Raised in an abbey by cloistered nuns, when Maria marries Captain Von Trapp she marches down the aisle alone. This really touched me when I first saw this movie as a kid. So much so that when my own day came to meet my intended and take my vows, I too walked alone and gave myself away.
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The gown Elizabeth Taylor is wearing was standard for its time. Post war, the world celebrated lifts on fabric restrictions by using vast amounts of it in skirts. Bridal gowns were the ultimate show-off the hourglass shape vehicle. The MGM release of Father of the Bride coincided with Taylor's own real, life nuptials with hotel heir, Nicky Hilton. Both her own and fictional wedding gown was designed by Helen Rose.


Below right is Carrie Bradshaw's Ivory silk taffeta confection. It's actually one of the finale pieces from Vivienne Westwood's 2007 "Wake Up Cave Girl" Collection. Hand picked by Sex in the City stylist, Patricia Field, personally, I was surprised Sara Jessica didn't rate a custom designed gown for her role in the film. I mean heck! Check out Audrey Hepburn. Didn't she rate that one-of-a-kind-designed-to-fit-her-character Givenchy tulle wedding dress pictured above? The suit on the left would have been my choice . . . and . . .ultimately it was Carrie's as well.

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Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson in Bridal Wars, 2009


There are so many 'must see' movies for brides who want to gather ideas. Some are golden oldies, others like Sex in the City are relatively new. All are romantic, all are incredibly inspiring . . . . Most below are out on disc/DVD or available through streaming. Watch your favorite and listen to the commentary if there is one--you'll learn so much.


Here are some of my favorites--not necessarily the movie so much as the designs . . .


It Happened One Night (1934)


Father of the Bride (1950)


Father of the Bride (remake 1991)


Panama Hattie (1942)


Design for Living (1933)


The Sound of Music (1965)


The Graduate (1967)


Penelope (1966)


Sex and the City (2008)