DAVID MEISTER GOES BRIDAL

 Grand entrance dressing has been David Meister's claim to fame in fashion. June 22 he launched David Meister Bridal . Considered a luxe line, it was inspired by the red carpet creations David has made for celebrities. David's designs are legendary--worn by socialites and celebs, his is the stuff of opening night galas and award ceremonies. The bridal line is all about using the drama of modern silhouettes, beautiful fabrics and exquisite detailing. “Walking down the aisle is the biggest red carpet moment of a woman’s life,” says David Meister. “She should not only feel beautiful and glamorous but also confident and comfortable in what she is wearing on her special day. My wedding gowns will be timeless and elegant.”

Pictured here are three of 12 styles from the collection; prices range from $1,500 to $3,500.

David Meister

HEAD CHIC

Nina Pak

Stephen Thorne

Like these images? Thought you might. While I don't expect you to actually go this far when topping off your bridal look, these creations by some of the world's top photographers, hairstylists, designers and makeup artists may just throw a little inspiration your way . . . .

Black Lotus Clothing

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WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

Would you wear wool on your wedding day? In summer? Meet 'Priscilla' the first wool crepe gown to make it into the collection. Whenever we think wool, winter wardrobes usually come to mind. Light weight wool crepes and jerseys are actually great fabrics thru spring and summer as long as the silhouettes lend themselves well to drapey fabrics and bare arms and back. And don’t worry, wool breathes well as long as it’s lined in lightweight fabric like China silk . Accessorized, ‘The Priscilla Gown’ goes great with last season’s Christian Loubotin’s peach floral sandals but any silver or gold delicate, strappy sandal will look awesome. I see the necklace and earrings worn as a pearl and white stone combo shown above.

The original inspiration for this gown came from the 1944 Noir Classic, Laura. Although Hollywood designer, Cashin’s gown for Gene Tierney was front loaded with intricate draping and gathers, my design above has a row of gentle pleating instead.

NOIR: A STUDY OF BLACK AND WHITE IN COLOR

Black, white and shades of gray in color offer a mood of precise and clean lines perfect for deco and vintage wedding themes.  Thanks to Tiatrate over at SMP for inspiring us with this beautiful array of haute chic . . .

THE ECHOING GREEN

The sun does arise,

And make happy the skies;

The merry bells ring

To welcome the spring;

The skylark and thrush,

The birds of the bush,

Sing louder around

To the bell's cheerful sound,

While our sports shall be seen

On the Echoing Green.

--The Echoing Green--



William Blake
 
Thank you Fleur over at SMP for this beautiful mid-June inspiration in shades of green.

HAT BRIDES

Amedeus

You'll find most hats these days borrowing from vintage looks.  Why?  I have a theory:  We haven't had a real evolution in hat fashion that ran parallel with the trends simply because hats are not a mandatory fashion piece anymore.  Nevertheless, many brides are hat happy and looking at this option when it comes to topping off their look.

 

Hat: Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal/Photo by Ron Greystar Photography

Above and below are two versions of picture hats, the most classic in head wear 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 things to consider when wearing it. 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 is made out of that bendy sort of horsehair with lots of give, when you reach out to hug and kiss people the hat will either fall off or scrape someone. Picture hats go great with most silhouettes, especially ball gowns. The wide brim balances the volume in the skirt.

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Boring Sidney

Cocktail Hats like the one above include toques, pancakes and beanies to name just a few. Small and brimless, these hats sit tilted or perched atop the head, usually accented with flowers or a spray of long feathers; a cover of net or nose veil typically wraps all or part of the face. To add a touch of fun to a simple gown, cover a cocktail hat fully in marabou or ostrich feathers. All cocktail hats look great with up swept hair and most silhouettes. Ideal as a headpiece attached to any length veil

Pictured above is the cloche, a close fitting helmet-like hat worn low on the forehead with or without a brim. All the rage in the 1920s. Today’s versions are mostly felt and straw, complimenting vintage dresses and suits. Look best worn with a bob or other short hairstyles.

Silent Shudder Photography

Top Hat or Derby anyone? Why not? If a man in a tux can wear one so can a bride in a gown.  We're seeing some minature versions lately that sit perched on the side of the head like the one above . . .

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SAMPLE SALES

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

There's a whole slew of scenerios for buying a sample gown:  Suppose your wedding is next month and you need that gown now? Or suppose you love the sample but it's just been discontinued? Or else you love the sample but can't afford to special order it? You do realize next season a whole new stock will be arriving? This means your salon needs to get the old out of the way. And all those gowns with full skirts just hanging there take up space, or haven't you noticed? While sizes are limited and samples mostly run sizes 6-8-10, the good news is, sample markdowns usually go half off, sometimes less. Some salons have sample sales they advertise a couple times a year while others offer marked down stock continually. Absolutely love that gown you just tried on? Offer to buy it. Yes, that same gown. Ordinarily samples are not for sale but this may be the time they're moving in all those spring confections, especially if it is in less than perfect shape, which, more than a few samples tend to be.

Now, a word about wear and tear: Before you start bargaining, check out how much or how little that soon-to-be-yours gown has been tried on by others. This means really looking at it inside as well as out. Is it ripped, stained, the hem soiled and need cleaning? While most samples have never left the shop, tthink of them as used gowns considering how many bodies have been in and out of them.   The overall condition of most samples has a lot to do with how the salon takes care of their stock. Still, figure on dry cleaning whether the gown looks like it needs it or not. After a good clean and press it will seem revived both inside and out and take on a new life of its own. So the question is, who pays the cleaning bill? In some cases, the more service oriented the establishment, the more accommodating they'll be. As for alterations, you might save them for when and if you have your gown customized. If you are customizing, any nipping in of the waist or shortening of the hemline might have to wait anyway.

THE ALLOVER LACE DRESS

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Here's an inspiring collection of allover lace dresses: Alencon, Chantilly and the new inventions in knits as well as revivals in cotton and crocheted laces.  For me the beauty of an allover lace dress is it's  continuity and femininity.

Dress: Stephanie James Couture

Photo: Victor Sizemore

Above and below are dresses in traditional favorites, Alencon and Chantilly laces. 

Dress: Amy-Jo Tatum /Photo: Larry Placido

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Above and below are gowns in knit and cotton laces, definitely a new spin to traditional. For the eco-conscious bride, most could easily be reworn post-wedding.

Colette Dinnigan

Manuel Mota

OUTSIDE THE BOX BRIDE

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Like I've said before, brides are breaking tradition on all fronts, fashion being the first and most noticed.  The gown accented with a derby above is a definite expression of the bride's personality and way of conveying how she feels wearing the most important dress of her life.  Same goes for the larger-than-life bow on the veil below . . . What will you be doing for that outside the box touch on your wedding day?

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SUNDAY INSPIRATION:INCREDIBLE LACE

Photo by Neon O'clockworks

Only in my dreams could I imagine finding lace this unique and intact.  This gorgeous digital painting by Neon Clockworks showcases a piece of antique needlepoint lace wrapped veil-like.  Doesn't she look authentic? Just like someone's great-granny?

SOFT AND YELLOW

Thanks Kristina of the SMP Style Circle for inspiring us all this Saturday .  Soft yellow is one of those spring melding into summer colors that even works come fall as long as it is warmed up some.  The lower left bouquet mixed with luscious laces truly says spring . . .

BOHO: GETTING THE LOOK

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Borrowing from the peasant, early bohemian and hippie looks of the sixties, Boho can be earthy and ethereal all at once, with gowns sporting diaphanous fabrics topped off with head wreaths made out of fresh florals and greenery like ivy.

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Fantasia Images

So what does Boho have in common with bridal? It is an over-the-top romantic look and if weddings are anything they are just that. If you're into celebrating with a lot of green--both real and the eco-conscious kind, really think about this style if you haven't already incorporated some part of it into your wedding look. For me this style would be a natural despite my vintage. . . Let's just say my mind is still open and as curious as a woman/child's.

Gown by Katie Towers

Photo by Peter Van Beever

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PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: AMB PHOTOGRAPHY

CREDITS

Flowers: Dave Maready

Caterer: Shelly Biggs Catering

Music/DJ: Josh Dart

Cake: Heidelberg Pastry Shop

HEATHER AND TAYLOR,

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA

"There are certain people that come into your life, albeit briefly, and undoubtedly influence you to the core. It's not necessarily anything they do or even say, but who they are. This couple has been that way for me. Regardless of how long you have known these two, you can assuredly feel the profound love and respect they have not only for each other, but for everyone else as well. I absolutely loved watching these two interact one with another. They seemed to embrace so fully, and so carefully those fleeting moments of a wedding day. It was truly beautiful....

Special thanks to Heather, Taylor, and families and friends for such an unforgettable day. "

Mark Thackeray

AMB Photography