WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

 

Make-up by Pretty Girl

 Meet YOLANDA.  Inspired by an old MGM musical, this dress is layered in yards of tulle and crinoline. The bodice is a close fit covered in Chantilly lace appliques with an overlay of shirred tulle.  The rosy tint of the tulle is the result of a tea dye.  I cinched the waist with a gray satin belt.  This dress is available via special order through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

 

 

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

Meet 'Madelyn' the newest addition to the Dioresque collection. I set out to create this dress as a near perfect hourglass as I could get.  The bodice is made up of Chantilly lace under shirred tulle atop a tea-dyed tulle gathered skirt. And of course, loads of volume underneath.  Because this dress has an ecru underlining, there's a cast of pink, and beige undertones.  The waist is cinched with a gray satin tie belt.  

The back closure is a tape of hooks and eyes (dyed to match), a bit outside the box from the traditional row of buttons down the back . . . .

SALUTE TO CHRISTIAN DIOR

Christian Dior revolutionized fashion in 1947 with his “New Look”, a 180 turn out of the gray days of fashion following WWII.  Once restrictions lifted on fabric post war, Dior had the freedom to introduce the hourglass silhouette, showing off a cinched waist atop skirts flowing in yards of silks and layers of crinoline. Recently this defined  waist has made a come back and brides are loving it.

 A ball gown can be as romantic a confection as those seen in the corps de ballet, flowing in swirls of white tulle like the gowns above  Thus, sweeping skirts equal sweeping entrances especially awesome on brides who know how to work their strut.



Chantilly lace under shirred tulle makes for a delicate and gossamer look on this bodice.  The waist is cinched with a gray satin belt over  yards of tulle skirt

More Chantilly lace, tulle and shirring, this dress has the added gauntlets.  White rose petals are dappled over the full skirt . . . 

Ivory lace and charmeuse evening gown silhouette has a lace cummerbund and added lace side drape.The pancake hat with tulle veil is one of the signatures of Doir era head wear

Gowns and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Make-up by Pretty Girl Make up

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

Finally!  The first piece of 2011's Dioresque series to make it off the work table. Chantilly lace under shirred tulle on the bodice gives an ethereal, gossamer look. The bodice sculpts the wearer's body by way of inside boning and a few other materials I slipped in there to give it structure . . .

The over skirt is 10 yards of tea-dyed tulle over more layers of tulle and ivory taffeta.  White rose petals are dappled all over the skirt. 

My signature row of buttons lines the back, finished off with three ivory silk roses . . . . As you can see, the final product veered a wee bit off the original sketch.  Don't worry though, the sweetheart neck with roses over the shoulder is coming soon . . .

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

This is my first of six dresses planned for 'Short Stories' a capsule collection of above-the-knee chic for brides going the cocktail/civil ceremony route.  This dress is called, 'Jocelyn', with a silk dupioni fitted bodice and full  embroidered organza skirt.  The organza sash ties at the waist accented with two hand rolled silk roses and a black and white polka dot ribbon.  The petticoats are separate.  I usually design the slips as a separate component for versatility, especially with the shorter styles that can be switched around and worn under other skirts in your wardrobe post wedding.  This dress will go up on my site, Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture soon.  The good news is, shorter dresses like this one run around $1,100.00

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

The 'Lucinda' Gown is everything vintage. When I first laid eyes on this Chantilly lace and crepe backed satin sitting side by side on the shelf,  it evoked images of vintage Hollywood and and Art Deco.  Once I sketched out what I envisioned I had a long, sleek skirt with a lace halter bodice and cummerbund.  The five pearl buttons down the front were added later.  Appliques of beaded Alencon lace accent the neckline and lace waist drape. The skirt has a wisp of sweep train in back.

I was flattered when my husband complimented me on designing this gown.  He's a very precise guy and lover of all things symmetrically beautiful.  I also think Lucinda has a particular, body-hugging sex appeal perfect for women who want to bring out that wedding day diva.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

'Phaedra' is actually separates: a top and skirt offering you some options after the big day.  This gown was created out of many yards of tea-dyed cotton tulle hand pleated over appliques of Chantilly lace.  A row of precious white and gray stones act as buttons down the front of the bodice.  The skirt is silk chiffon with a tulle drape.  The back shows a strip of hook and eye closures--the kind used in sportswear, hinting something this delicate and diaphanous would be as awesome with jeans as the pearl and crystal jewelry above . . .

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.

PAIRING UP A BOUQUET WITH YOUR GOWN

Photography Stephanie Williams

Bouquet: JL Floral Designs

Dress: Amy Jo Tatum Bridal

Hair pieces + veils: Batcakes Couture

Make-up: Teena Hoffstetter

Hair: Kyle Rich

Check out these magnificent bouquets by JL Designs from the Vintage and Rustic bridal shoot.   Finding an inspiration point and blending that idea with your dress is just the beginning of working one or a few colors into an overall theme.

Above: A clean-lined linen Georgette dress paired with a bouquet of dark red dahlias and wine colored begonia leaves is the perfect backdrop...

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Above: Color and texture are a great mix.  The embroidered organza here is shown with lavender ranunculas and purple anemones finished in a rustic off white muslin...

An allover Chantilly lace halter dress is complimented by a pastel ranunculas in peach, lemon, pale pink and coral...

A Swiss cotton eyelet dress with a bouquet of solid wheat is wrapped in brown lace...

Greenery makes up some of the simplist and most stunning bouquets. Here silk chiffon and linen Georgette mix well with Spring foilage . . .

Not to be forgotten is the groom here who wears a pale green succulent finished with a touch of cream reindeer moss.  It makes a simple and stylish boutonniere...

DESTINATIONS

CREDITS

Photography: John Truong and Stuart Lirette

Gowns: Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Hair: Kathie Rothkop

Makeup: Juliane Chai

Models: Jen Lam and Lauren Purcell

Your wedding destination could be as close as the park down the street or half way across the world. Wherever you pick for your backdrop, finding the gown to compliment is part of the fun. In the header photos a silk chiffon and Chantilly lace dress with a full skirt is the perfect match for a villa on the sea. Above a fitted silk taffeta sheath and organza train pair up for a country-inspired wedding . . .

Above: A vintage bouffant goes nicely with the Italliante style setting.  Below: A pasture on a farm.  The rustic setting works with this silk and lace boho gown.

Classic Grace Kelly chic goes just about anywhere including this vineyard-like setting

Stuart Lirette

A vintage gown covered in antique lace works with the rustic, country setting

Costume-inspired gowns are always lovely.  This one conjours images of Natasha from War and Peace.  Silk chiffon and Chantilly lace with a brocade belt . . . .

More costume-inspired chic.  Dupionii and lace is complimented with some exqusite tropical hairdressing by Kathie Rothkop. 

GARDEN INSPIRED

Linen/silk chiffon and Chantilly lace cap-sleeved dress with full crinoline petticoat. Ecru silk headband with ivory silk dupioni handrolled rose has a pink jewel button in the center

Embroidered ivory lace organza fascinator with gathered mini pouf. Edge of hat is bordered in Venise lace trimmed with pearls.

The Chanel Look 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. Pictured here is a Chantilly lace halter paired up with a long shantung skirt with a sweep train. The sizel hat is a combo cloche and picture hat so evocative of Chanel's time.  A Shantung Bow with netting lends a great 1940s feeling. 

Boho is back! Theres a mix of imported Chantilly laces on the bodice. The full skirt is gathered silk chiffon lined in crepe backed satin. Bodice has lace cap sleeves and is accented with a gold braid tie belt. Floral head wreath is made up of dried roses and Baby's Breath  . . .

A versatile and modified A-line in luxe dupioni silk . . . Here the skirt is hiked up to show off the meringue on the petticoat--- a Chantilly lace border. The complimentary fascinator is 'vintage with an edge'. Ivory Dupioni with handmade silk organdy florals. Has tulle pouf veil and Venise lace edging with hand-sewn pearls.

Val lace over blouse with blue satin tie belt gives this design a very Audrey look. The skirt is four layers of tulle and a separate slip of crinoline and tulle. Detailed touches include a row of buttons down a V-back
and it is all pulled together with a blue sash.

Above: This tea gown could be right out of a Jane Austen Novel. A white silk dupioni sheath draped with Chantilly lace on the skirt and bodice. Back details include a row of covered buttons and lace tie-back. Price upon request. It can be special ordered in white or ivory through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

Below: Perfectly chosen accoutrements to go with the romantic tea gown.  At top right the fascinator is Ivory Chantilly lace and crepe with beaded Venise lace edging. Embellishment is two handrolled silk shantung roses. Below left is the horsehair fascinator/veil hybrid accented with a tulle rose and bow.  Below Right:Something old.  A pair of genuine antique pearl earrings.

All bridal Wear and accessories available through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

THE BOMBSHELL BRIDE: GOING FOR A SEXY LOOK ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

CREDITS

Photography by S1 Studio

Headpieces and gowns: Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Make-up Artist: Nida Nafees 

Hair: Dana Faulkner

Flowers: Victoria's Florals and Events

Models: Shauna Yonan

Corinne Doherty

Olay! A mantilla paired up with a lace dress to match can say old world traditional and sexy all at once.

The Vintage Chic Bombshell-Above:A strapless silk dupion and chiffon gown topped off with a Venise-lace trimmed pancake hat circa 1940s with cage veil.

Below: A Chanel neck treatment of multiple strands of pearls gives this Silk dupioni dress a real 1940s look. Added touches: the point d'espirit and hand rolled silk rose headpiece.

Another vintage classic, the silk taffeta sheath above is accented with silk flowers, dappled petals on the train and a Chantilly lace bodice.

What could go more bridal than a classic ballgown silhouette? Layers of white cotton tulle skirt over yards of crinoline beneath. Chantilly lace bodiice backed with pastel blue satin makes the floral motifs on this bodice really pop . . .

Classic and modern: A traditional silk and lace sheath with a sleek and contemporary down do. Why go for a veil when your hair could be your crowning glory . . . ?

Boho's back.  The floral head wreath, lace and tulle conjure that waif look reminiscent of A Mid-Summer Night's Dream, fairy tales, and wood nymphs . . .

Be a 1950s bombshell in this organza and lace hourglass with a halter and generous splash of petticoat

Why not add some edge to your bridal look with a Chantilly lace jabot and jaunty gaucho hat? Black and white polka dots really cinch the look . . . .

The right accessories always offer the perfect finish.  Glam girls love the sparkle of silver and gold right down to the toes . . . .