Wedding Gowns & Bridal Fashion

Wedding in the life of any person is of great significance since through this social institution one crosses the threshold and enters into a new life. To commemorate this very incident through centuries wedding dresses have been specially designed and more and more expensive and gorgeous designs are brought to the fore.

Well, it is to be kept in concern that by and large wedding dresses happen to be a matter of personal choice and for that reason are specially ordered with the requirement of a minimum order period of twelve weeks. Now you may ask what is the reason of such a long time. But before reaching any decision commit to memory that wedding dresses are regarded as icing on the cake on every bride’s wedding day.

The situation being thus the choice of the best one should be done with great care and patience. Since the tradition has been going on for centuries till now there have been several innovative designs to cater to the needs of generations of women. It has been found time and again that many brides prefer to consider different dresses for their wedding. Now days there happens to be great demand for the informal wedding dresses and are becoming extremely popular. Indeed if you even inspect it shall be found that all types of bridal dresses are both fashionable and acceptable. But the ultimate choice entirely depends on you since there are many like the informal beach wedding dresses, informal short wedding dresses, discount informal gowns along with others.

The traditional white or ivory is still the most popular choice for informal wedding dresses, but more and more brides are opting for special colors that suit or become special to them. No matter what it is, whether it matches your personality should be the greatest priority. Wedding dress is the finest expression of your personality, so don’t hesitate and allow your imagination to run wild.

Diamond engagement rings are proudly and traditionally worn by a bride-to-be as a powerful symbol that she is “taken” and will soon be married to her true love. The ring is viewed as an indication of love, faith, fidelity, celebration, and the wealth of the groom. By placing the ring on his soon-to-be-wife, the groom gives the world an outward demonstration that he not only loves his bride, but also can afford to marry her and take her from her father’s care. Diamond engagement rings, with their perfect clarity and indestructible nature, have come to symbolize the purity and eternal commitment between a man and his wife.

Diamonds are relatively new as gemstones for engagement rings, the result of some very clever marketing by the diamond trade industry about 150 years ago. Other precious gemstones like sapphires, rubies, pearls and emeralds served as symbols of an engagement to be married in many countries, especially among royalty. Today, diamond engagement rings dominate the bridal jewelry industry.

Variations among Diamond Engagement Rings
Current bridal fashion favors a solitaire diamond engagement ring set in a band of yellow or white gold, sterling silver, or platinum. However, there are limitless rings for you to choose from, or have custom-designed. The cut of the diamond may catch your eye; Princess cut, Tiffany cut, Cartier cut, Square cut, Pear cut, Teardrop cut, Bezel cut, or Round cut – all are stunning and irresistible. The gorgeous Trilogy ring with its three equal-sized diamonds is said to represent the past, the present, and the future.

The clarity of the diamond engagement ring is important to many brides. Clear white diamonds of SI-1 or SI-2 have no carbon specks or flaws. Most diamond engagement rings must pass rigorous tests by the Gemologist International Association to be declared IF-VS2 clarity, and are considered to be either Ideal or Premium cut. Alternatively, some buyers actually prefer to have a carbon speck deeply imbedded in their diamond as a reminder that the diamond is a creation of nature, formed from the blackest carbon into a thing of timeless beauty.

While we generally consider diamonds as being clear, in fact diamonds come in many colors such as yellow, blue, or pink. Gemologists say that some of the most exquisite natural diamond colors are found in canary yellow diamond engagement rings. Colored diamonds are always the subject of delighted comments from buyers and friends of the bride who see these rings as unique and very meaningful.

An increasing trend among diamond engagement rings are cubic zirconium and moissanite stones. Among diamond traditionalists, these are “fake diamonds” of little or no worth. In reality, these clear white stones are diamonds, as “real” as those mined in Australia or Africa. The only difference is that these diamonds are man-made in laboratories rather than by nature over hundreds of years. Both are made from carbon, both have a pure white color. In fact, the CZ and moissanite diamonds are more refractive than natural diamonds, giving them a blinding brilliance than never dims. These diamond engagement rings cost only a fraction of what a highest-quality natural diamond would cost. Most buyers find that the band in which the diamond is set costs more than the diamond itself! For couples with a limited budget but who also want a large, impressive diamond, the CZ and moissanite diamonds may be the answer.

Source: RingsOnline

If you are a bride who is looking for the finest in couture wedding gowns, possibly one of the easiest methods of search would be to look online. Many of the discount bridal centers may not carry this gown with fine needlework, and flare that you so desire. This is not to say however, that you cannot find a high end, or gown of couture like design in the clearance stores it just means that the gowns may only be up for sale in off seasons.

If you are a bride who just happens to be getting married in the winter months, this could pan out as you could easily find a couture gown on clearance in the spring. Planning ahead for your wedding allows you the opportunity to shop for such a lavish and detailed gown, many times with lower cost to you. When you are shopping online for gowns, it pays to start relatively early as you may have the opportunity to find a wedding dress of your dreams and at a great price. This can happen often as designers and sales reps place the older gowns out in clearance to make way for the new stock coming in.

High-end gowns with fine needlework are not an everyday dress; these lovely high-class wedding gowns are for the bride that wants to show she is worth it. Looking online gives you the option to see many different designers, and what they have to offer in the way of classy handmade wedding gowns. Brides are the center of attention, for this very reason they seek a gown that will give them every opportunity to be just that. If you are looking for a wedding dress that is hand made and makes you feel like a million dollars, look no further than the elegant style and flare of a fine gown of couture design.

Source: Wedding Guide

Celebration House is getting ready to host the Cape Town Wedding Festival, which is held at the V&A Waterfront every year.

One of the big advantages of attending the Wedding Festival is that it gives you the opportunity to meet, face to face, many of those directly involved in the wedding industry and to see first hand what they have to offer, as well as how they present themselves.

At this year’s event, visitors will be able to interact with a host of service providers — exhibits include those by leading dress designers and top venues, photographers and videographers, as well as gift registries, jewellers, florists, stationery experts, cake decorators, chocolate fountains and many more.

Capturing beauty and romance
Pam Black of Celebration House explains, “beauty and romance are the essence of a wedding, we want to capture these vital ingredients in our festival”.

During the weekend of the festival there will be mini-fashion shows three times a day. As before, the aim of these shows is to highlight the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of buying a wedding dress, and give brides-to-be some guidelines for choosing a garment that is suited to one’s individual body shape.

“We have asked our designers for some insider tips and secrets on how to look gorgeous on your wedding day, and this useful advice will be passed on to the fashion show audiences. There will be two shows on Friday and three on Saturday and Sunday,” says Pam.

After eleven years of talking to brides, they know one thing for sure — they all love trying on wedding dresses. Thus a feature of the festival that has grown in popularity is their ‘dressing-up box’ — an area dedicated to the trying-on of wedding gowns created by our top designers, with advice provided by a leading stylist. There is no charge for this service but as it is a popular attraction, but it is necessary to book a time slot to avoid disappointment.

Another popular attraction is the ‘make-up box’, where several of our leading make-up artists will be on hand to provide makeovers and, together with hairstylists, offer advice on looking stunning on your wedding day. It is also necessary to make a booking for this complimentary service, so remember to do so when you arrive at the festival.

An ‘interactive festival’
“We have always prided ourselves on having a very ‘interactive’ festival, as we feel it is important for couples to go home inspired and full of interesting new ideas to help with planning their weddings. With this in mind, we know that this year’s exciting new addition to the Festival, our ‘Inspiration Zone’, is going to be a huge hit, as it will provide visitors with a feast of exciting and stimulating ideas,” says Pam.

Festival tickets (R35 per person, under 18 free) will enable you to come and go throughout the day, at your leisure. And should the man in your life start to feel that he is on wedding-overload, there will even be a spot at the back of the marquee where he can ‘chill out’.

Throughout the weekend, a variety of musicians — from string quartets to soloists, African drummers and more — will be at the festival to entertain you.

Visitors will also be eligible to enter the fabulous Festival Competition, with a top prize this year of an original Robyn Roberts wedding dress worth R10 000. There are many other wonderful prizes up for grabs as well, including a night for two at a private game reserve, an ante-nuptial contract, wedding transport, and much more. Details are listed on their website, www.celebrationhouse.co.za or www.capetownweddingfestival.co.za.

The Cape Town Wedding Festival will be held at the V&A Waterfront (Market Square and The V & A Forum) from 7-9 September 2007.

What’s new: Paris Bridal has completed its first year in its new Norco location.

What it is: A bridal store

What it offers: Bridal dresses, bridal accessories and evening gowns. The business, the culmination of a lifelong dream of owner Candi Lawrence, offers both ready-to-wear and custom-made dresses. It is unique in the variety of dresses and coordinating apparel and accessories it offers, Lawrence said. “It’s a one-stop shop for brides,” she said.

Lawrence said she purchased the business with an eye toward increasing inventory so that brides can find everything they need — such as coordinating bridesmaid and flower girls dresses — under one roof. The 1,000-square-foot space also features purses, shoes, veils and bridal jewelry. Lawrence moved the shop from Pasadena to Norco last year to shorten her commute from her home in Riverside. It is the only bridal store in the city, she said.

When it’s open: By appointment only. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

When it opened: August 2006

Where it is: 3940 California Ave. Suite A, Norco

Who owns it: Candi Lawrence

About the owner: Lawrence has been a clothing designer for more than 30 years, 25 of which was spent primarily designing childrens and juniors clothing.

Her fascination with fashion began in childhood and propelled her to obtain two fashion degrees from California Design College in Los Angeles. Lawrence said she received her first requests for formal gowns after making a prom dress for her daughter. She then began sewing and designing formal dresses, wedding gowns and a wide range of other apparel.

Lawrence has five adult children and lives in Riverside with her husband.

What’s next: Lawrence’s long-term goal is to open two more bridal stores and to incorporate wedding planning into her bridal services. She also hopes to debut her first line of bridal wear next March.

Find out more: 951-737-5444 or e-mail parisbridal@aol.com

Source: PE.com

Award-winning Argentinean fashion designer Maria Pryor will present her latest collection of inspired creations at Couture Fashion Week in New York City.

The highly anticipated fashion show will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2007 in the Garden Atrium of the elegant Westin Times Square Hotel.

Maria Pryor’s passion for fashion developed during her childhood when she would often accompany her father to Buenos Aires’s famous Colón Theater, where he frequently sang.

She went on to study fine arts and fashion design at the famed Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy. Her unique signature style blends romanticism with a fairy world in a magical union of fantasy and mystery, the ancient and the modern.

Ms. Pryor has received numerous awards for her work including Best Fashion Show at Miami Fashion Week (2001) presented by E! Entertainment Channel, Silver Scissors Awards for Best Original Design (2001) and for Best Pre-Couture Collection (2000), Moet & Chandon Award for Best Designer (1999) and the Modex Award for cutting edge design (1998).

She has shown her designs at numerous fashion shows including Buenos Aires and Miami Fashion Weeks, and is well-established as a major designer in the Argentine capital where she is a favorite of many celebrities and socialites including Natalia Oreiro and Florencia Peña who asked Ms. Pryor to design her wedding gown. Her designs have been featured in top magazines including Vanidades, Collezioni andLive Miami.

Fashion designer J.J. Valaya, known for his rich, embellished couture lines, has now joined hands with wedding planner fernsnpetals (FNP) to design services for signature luxury wedding concepts.

He has launched a special design cell called Valaya Luxury Weddings that will create luxury concepts and details for special spaces, which shall then be executed by FNP.

‘Luxury is a relative term, but for me something unique and very special means luxury. And the entire experience of doing up a luxury space is completely different,’ J.J. Valaya told IANS after officially announcing the joint venture late Friday at his grand farmhouse in Gurgaon.

‘In India’s burgeoning wedding industry, there has been a constant demand for unique signature concepts that addresses all aspects of the ceremonies from decor to detail. This unique concept promises exclusivity, grandeur and elegance at its luxurious best,’ said Ritu Chopra, spokesperson of FNP Events and Wedding Pvt Ltd.

Decorated with floral balls and chandeliers, the luxury space created exclusively for the event at Valaya’s farmhouse saw the likes of Rathi Vinay Jha, head of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), designers Ritu Kumar, Manish Arora, model-turned-actor Jas Arora, VJ Ishita Arun and producer Bobby Bedi.

‘Couture is very niche and grand, so the showcase must be in a grand manner as well,’ said Valaya.

Valaya also unveiled his fall winter 2007-08 collection called ‘The Taj Blueprints’ - a continuation of what he showcased at the last edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW).

With Mughal architectural imprints as the backdrop of the stage, 40 top models sashayed down the ramp to showcase 70 signature pieces.

The collection revolves around a fictional world of US architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who derived inspiration from India’s Taj Mahal in his works.

The women’s range included kurtas of varied lengths teamed with churidars and dupattas, fitted pants, skirts of varied lengths and styles clubbed with cholis (blouses) and dresses in women’s wear.

The men’s wear had ankle-length sherwanis teamed with stoles, churidar kurtas, shirts and fitted pants, suits, angrakha style coats and jackets.

The colour palette veered from rich ivories to turquoise and finally to jewel reds. The collection was marked by the use of silk threads, metal threads, swarovski crystals and beads on fabrics like tulle, jacquards, lycra-based rich blends and velvet.

Source: IANS

Vera Wang, famous for luxurious wedding gowns and elegant women’s fashions, is coming to Kohl’s. The designer’s Simply Vera Vera Wang collection will be in stores beginning Sept. 9 and will include apparel, accessories, shoes, jewelry, and bedding and bath accessories.

Like other Kohl’s merchandise, it will be affordable — $34 for a long-sleeved, silk-blend T-shirt, $138 for a double-breasted brocade car coat.

Trends that pop up throughout the fall collection include layers, metallics, embellishments and volume, with oversize sleeves, bubble skirts and big coats.

Source: Herald Leader

It’s no secret: I am not a fan of black. That is to say, while black can be useful, it’s not the only answer to every dressing question. (Perhaps I’m a bit rebellious, although I prefer to think of myself as creative!)

When in the past I have mentioned the idea that some people consider wearing black to a daytime wedding a breach of etiquette, I get the impression that for most that is a new idea. To which I respond, but never aloud, “didn’t your mother teach you any manners?”

Sorry. You know I love you guys.

Erin at A Dress A Day says it much better than I could, in her wonderfully thorough Rules for Dresses at Weddings:

One: do not wear black. I can hear somebody whining that she only has one nice dress, and it NEEDS to be black because she has to wear it on New Year’s Eve, and besides, black is slimming. I am not listening to you. You do not wear black to weddings. You do not wear black to weddings because wearing black at weddings means you disapprove of the marriage. You do not wear black to weddings because someday, god forbid, you might actually WANT to wear black to a wedding in order to show your disapproval and your deep grief over somebody’s ill-advised nuptials, and no one will know that this is what you intended because there will be a roomful of women in LBDs dancing barefoot to “We Are Family” and your grand gesture will be for naught. MARK MY WORDS. (Besides, black is BOR-ing. And not as slimming as you might think.) Black and white prints are allowable if they would be unsuitable for a funeral.

To prove I am not utterly heartless, I will “allow” the following exceptions:

1. The bridal party. Often the person disputing the long-standing tradition of not wearing black to a wedding will use the new fashion of having bridesmaids in black as an example. There’s no connection. Bridesmaids wear what the bride chooses for them. Guests must police themselves.
2. The visibly pregnant. If you can only find one maternity dress and it’s black, the bride will understand. If not now, some time later when she’s looking back at the wedding pictures because she’s so big she can’t convince her pregnant self to get up off the couch.
3. For an evening wedding.

Admittedly most etiquette experts now call the prohibition against black antiquated, but fashion experts The Budget Fashionista and Angie at youlookfab still advise color as a better option.

Some other don’ts:

* Don’t wear red. This one also comes from Erin, the reason for it is because red is such an attention-grabber.
* (I’m sure you all know this but) never wear white to a wedding, in order not to compete with the bride.
* No sequins for day weddings and nothing, nothing revealing.

I once attended a wedding where the groom’s step-mother was wearing a turquoise sequined mini-dress. Believe me, no matter how good she looked in it, she was the object of pity not admiration.

Source: Rebecca Mielke

It’s the best of both the worlds that the brides want and designers are all set to give them a trousseau that’s both pretty and practical. The reds and maroons rule, but steadily finding space in the brand-new wedding closet are the creams, beiges, silvers et al. The saree gets sexier with corset and halter blouses, while the suits get a contemporary look with cigarette pants and scarves. It’s a marriage which has everyone happy.

If you have it, flaunt it
Modern, naughty, trendy, fitted, stylized, well-contoured, happening is how Divya Gurwara, the brain and heart behind the Bridal Asia show, describes the trousseau of 2007. “It’s not flared and this is the look that has been catching up fast since the last one year, and I don’t see it going anywhere,’’ Divya affirms that as far as wedding clothes go, the bride calls the shots, and the final selection is about personal taste and palate. While those with money power will go in for zardozi, heavy embroidery, swaroski embellishments and of course, designers, the working class would insist on less done up, but more constructed and stylized look, that’s not over the top in both the budget and appearance. “Today, the brides want their designers to be innovative and work out interesting modalities, and they want a fit that flaunts and complements their gym-toned bodies, beautiful backs, worked-out shoulders,’’ Divya has observed.

Dimpy Gujral, city-based designer is loving the the change in her design studio, as she gets set for a busy shaadi season. Dimpy’s excited about the fact that people are experimenting, are open to ideas and following fashion trends and not just sticking to the conventional. “The trousseau’s turning trendy and modern, so from jerseys, skirts in all lengths, tunics, princess cuts, shirts and trousers, we’re creating quite a variety,’’ Dimpy says a lot of emphasis is on stylizing, with the well-toned body accentuated and flattered. “I’m doing just about five formals for a trousseau and as many trousers and well-fitted, straight cut shirts and yes, no kurtis. The fabrics I’m using are French, velvets and the jerseys are in a linen, which appears like a sheet of metal,’’ Dimpy’s not too hot about georgettes, jaals, flamboyant patterns, and is all for exploring the subtle, sexy and minimalistic side of things.

Old-world charm
Shimmer, shine, craftsmanship, the ornate and gorgeous lehngas, odhinis, salwars-kurtas at Babi’s scream for attention. The lady’s neck-deep in work catering to her huge NRI clientele, who want the best of embroidery, fabrics, embellishments, something that’s truly Indian. So, to create a look that’s both rich and royal, Babi’s blending various fabrics and embellishments. “A mix and match of Benarasi and silks, georgette sarees tastefully done up with stone, sequins, lace. The anarkali cut is back, and short kurtis are passe,’’ Babi shows us a kurta of 200-inch ghera, she’s done for someone’s wedding. The combinations that are doing well here — brown and feroze and beige and silver. “Velvet and silk are ideal for winter and I’m doing cigarette pants and finishing these with gota-patti work, while the silhouette is fitted,’’ the designer explains. At Roop Shergill’s studio, Rubaiyat, different styles are being created for various wedding functions, and while trendy’s in for the sangeet and ring ceremony, bright, heavy lehngas rule for the D-day. People, agrees Roop, a pass-out of NIFT, Delhi and FIT, New York, have started experimenting and she’s getting many orders to do corsets, straight bottoms, backless blouses, but at the same time, the traditional zardozi, dabka, gota-patti, antique heavy embroidery is on every bride’s wish-list. The young designer is creating magic with brocade, benarsi and shemoy and doing three-colour combinations for lehngas. “These are subtle, yet a class apart,’’ Roop loves the aubergine and gold combination many brides are asking for.

Source: Chandigarh Newsline

Arefeh Mansouri, an established International fashion designer, recently moved to the United States and is introducing her new, extraordinary collection of evening and wedding gowns to boutiques and fashion savvy consumers across the country. Recently married, Arefeh created a stunning, gorgeous, one-of-a-kind wedding dress for her special day. It took her two months to make, and the results were unbelievable.

“I have my own style that I would describe as classy, sexy, unique, edgy, and chic,” said Arefeh. “I wanted a beautiful wedding dress that captured my style, and this dress definitely did that. I worked hard on it, and that hard work resulted in a dress that I’m very proud of.”

Arefeh was originally slated to be a doctor, but made the decision to follow her passion, and attend college for fashion design. She started her own clothing line immediately afterward, and began designing a classy casual line and sportswear for women. She just recently started a collection of evening gowns. This talented fashion designer has an amazing ability to use things found in her everyday life for inspiration for her designs.

“I get inspiration for my designs from anything,” Arefeh explains. “I can see a certain type of fabric, shape, color, or even things found in nature, and create something based on those things. I’m very creative.”

Arefeh’s transition into designing gowns was natural for her because it was something she has always wanted to do, and she felt she would be more successful with a dress collection in the United States than in Canada, where she moved to the United States from. Arefeh is unveiling a new collection of evening gowns that will be available in several stores across the country, and custom bridal gowns are also available to anyone that wants to look and feel incredible on their wedding day.

Arefeh prides herself on designing gowns that are sexy and comfortable. “The way my gowns fit is very important to me,” explains Arefeh. “No one is perfect, so I try to make dresses that everyone can wear and feel great in.”

So what really happens when a bride purchases her gown on the Internet? and why would she?

The last question is one that I ask myself over and over. Why would a woman want to buy what is perhaps the single most expensive garment purchase she may ever make in her life with a click of the mouse? The answers are varied:

“I don’t have time to shop in every store to look for my dream gown.”
“The Internet is more convenient.”
“There is more selection.”
“The prices are better.”
“I can take my time without pushing salespeople bothering me.”
“I don’t like taking my shoes off!” Yes, I actually had a bride tell me this is the reason that she purchased her gown online.

I am sure that there are more reasons and excuses but it all comes down to the individual and the choices that they make. I will confess that I urge my brides to purchase their dresses locally if at all possible. I ask them to stay away from big box national retail chains and choose a gown that can be selected from a local boutique. Why?

Again the answers are varied, but for me it comes down to customer service. (Now please keep in mind that I am only talking in generic terms as these facts, unfortunately, do not apply to every local boutique out there.) At most boutiques that I visit, I am met with a courteous smile, “Hello, how are you? What can I help you with?” They will ask my wedding date, ask about my styles, what I am looking for in a dress, and colors. They want to get to know as much about me so that the selections that they help me with are good ones. For the most part, these are salespeople that have been in the fashion and fitting industry for quite some time, so they should know what they are doing.

I don’t know about you, but I like being greeted at the door, I like knowing that my presence in their store is making a difference, an impact, or is just well noticed in case I have a question. I don’t like being ignored. Snobbery? Maybe close to it, but the point is, I like the attention. I like touching the beautiful gowns and feeling the satin slip through my fingers. I like it when the store associates ask me if I would like something to drink then brings me a glass of sparkling champagne. I like help with stubborn hooks and zippers. I like the plush seats and comfy carpets. I like looking in the wide mirrors and hearing, “Oh, my goodness! You like just like a princess!” Let’s face it ladies, this may be the only time in our lives that we are going to hear words like this directed just to us—I don’t want to miss a single moment of any of it!

I will hear from both side of the fence on this. “I just like to look. I don’t like to be bothered. I don’t like pushy salespeople trying to cram their style down my throat!” A little extreme maybe, but you get the idea. If this is the case, then the Internet option may be a good one for you, but I doubt it.

For the next couple of days, I will explore a little more in depth why Internet wedding gown shopping is not always the best deal. But until then, most brides want the fussing over so Bridal Boutiques—bring on the champagne and attention!

Source: DesMoinesRegister.com

Indian and Pakistani designers put wedding wears on display during the three-day annual fashion exhibition that began here today with the theme ‘Jashn-e-Azadi’ (celebration of independence).

As the wedding season approaches, the exhibition aims to exploit the market by bringing the business community into direct contact with the buyers, besides offering to the consumers a plethora of choices for the wedding plans.

Henna designers, wedding planners, photographers and make-up artistes are showcasing their skills at the event, seen as part of moves to give thrust to cultural exchange between the two countries.

Among the designers who transcended the borders to participate in the expo are Aiesha Varsey, Shahla Rehman and Farida Qureshi, who would showcase fashion prevalent in the sub-continent, especially in bridal wear, incorporating ethnicity and contemporaneity.

“The exhibition draws more than 100 exhibitors every year from India and Pakistan. With the onset of the marriage season, the eighth edition of the exhibition is slated to be a grand success,” International Trade and Exhibitions India Pvt Ltd (ITE) Director Kiran Sharma said.

She said the event also aims to provide a platform to aspiring designers and artists from the industry, adding that US-based buyers have already placed orders with several participants.

“We have also taken the show to other cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ludhiana as well as to overseas locations in Bangkok and London,” she said.

Organised by the ITE India Pvt Ltd, the designers displayed trousseau collection of accessories, jewellery and gifts.

Source: The Economic Times

Amsale’s elegant designs have made her the number one couture wedding gown designer in the United States, and won her the reputation as the creator of the modern wedding dress. Though most recognized for her exquisite bridal wear, Amsale has also gained a strong celebrity following for her eveningwear, as seen at the Academy Awards and other high profile events on stars such as Kim Basinger, Salma Hayek, Julianna Marguiles, and Vanessa Williams.

Frustrated by her search for a simple, yet sophisticated gown for her 1985 nuptials to film executive Neil Brown, Amsale designed her own wedding dress. Realizing that many women shared her difficulty finding the “right dress”, Amsale launched her business in 1986 as a designer of fine bridal wear for a select clientele. Her designs gained in popularity as more brides began seeking classic dresses with a modern point-of-view. Today she is known for creating timeless and fashionable gowns that combine luxurious fabrics with fine hand-crafted beading, laces, silk flowers and tailored bows to create a strong, yet feminine look. AMSALE brides radiate style and confidence.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Ms. Aberra’s New York-based wedding- and evening-dress house, claims annual sales of about $30 million. The Amsale label is in the same league as Vera Wang, another high-end wedding-gown brand.

Her designs are favorites of Kim Basinger, Salma Hayek, Julianna Marguiles, and Vanessa Williams. For those within the tri-state area, the AMSALE Flagship Salon is located on the east side of Madison Avenue between 58th and 59th streets on the 2nd floor at 625 Madison Avenue.

Amsale recently launched a line of couture eveningwear. The AMSALE Evening Collection is a natural progression from the classic, yet modern styles of her bridal line and has been featured on the fashion and party pages of Instyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Hello!, Vogue, WWD and W. Amsale’s bridal and evening collections are available at the finest boutiques and specialty retailers nationwide, in Canada and the U.K., and at her Madison Avenue boutique.

Source: Ajeeb

Now that you are engaged and you have completed the guest list, you need to start considering what colour themes will be central to your wedding.

But, before you make a decision, you must first consider your groom. Think about his colourings and consider which colours he would look good in. Then, think about your bridesmaids. Not all bridesmaids will look their best in every colour and equally it is important to consider their body shape, size and skin tone. Lastly, pay close attention to the dominant colours in your reception room as this may also have an impact on your decision.

The most popular colour choice for Autumn and Winter brides is still burgundy. This is largely due to the classy, regal and opulent feel that this colour exudes and as a result it has managed to stand the test of time. Depending on the depth of the shade, burdundy tends to suit most people. However, take care if you have a blonde bridesmaid with pale skin as she may look a little drained in a deep shade of burgundy. This colour is always best matched with deep creams and golds so when it comes to accessories, lighten the feel of the burgundy up with gold bridal jewellery, gold organza ribbon in floral arrangements, gold favour boxes, ivory crystal nets, cream and gold table scatter and gold sparklers etc. This ensures that the burgundy of the dresses stands out and is not dominated by other areas of detail.

Much as burgundy is an ever-popular choice, recent polls have hinted that chocolate tones are becoming a more common colour theme. Whether it be chocolate rose petals scattered on reception tables, chocolate satin edge ribbon, bridesmaid dresses and chocolate wedding favours. Some brides have reported though, that when some bridesmaid dresses were photographed in poor light, the dresses appeared almost black, so watch out for this.

If you are looking to have a more traditional winter wedding, then why not go flat out and make red your dominant colour? It does not need to look tacky if you are careful with the shades of red that are used. Best to stay away from cherry reds in the winter and stick with deep reds that can be teamed with rich creams. You may even choose to have some red on your dress bodice or go for a completely red gown if you are a cheeky bride. And why not? After all, if you cant do it on your wedding day, then when can you do it?

Perhaps you are looking for a safer option, in which case join forces with thousands of other brides who opt for traditional gold. No matter how you do this, you cant possibly go wrong. Gold and ivory always oozes class and sophistication and naturally suits all skin tones. There is always such a vast selection of gold stationery, wedding favours, bomboniere, wedding jewellery, shoes and handbags that will blend brilliantly with any gold wedding theme. Equally, in years to come when you look back at your wedding photo album, your pictures will not age in terms of fashion. This means your future kids will think you are really cool - and that has to be a winning factor for choosing a gold themed wedding doesnt it!?

This article is brought to you by “World of Wedding Favours” - Offering brides high quality wedding favours and bomboniere at low-cost prices. To view our vast range of wedding favours to suit your special occasion please visit: Christmas Wedding Favours.

One of the delights of my job is to visit area wedding gown boutiques to keep on the latest fashions. Looking through rows and rows of beautiful silk and chiffon creations is a treat. I can only imagine what it must feel like to pick and choose from such exquisite gowns knowing that there is one perfect dress out there just waiting to be discovered. Every style, every color, every pattern, every adornment from beads to lace to feathers. Silks, satins, chiffon, and more are there for every bride in almost every store.

I have discovered in my travels that every bridal store is an unique as its owner. They strive to carry an inventory that will appeal to even the most discriminating tastes and sizes. Most stores carry a rather large quantity of gowns, flower girl dresses, mother’s gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and tuxedos. Then there are the shoes, hair accessories, jewelry, ring bearer pillows, unity candles, invitations, and the list goes on and on. Quite impressive for even the small mom and pop stores as well as the larger more established big-city boutiques. But regardless of the size and location of the store, all bridal inventory is expensive.

Try pricing a wedding gown today and then multiply that cost by 200-300 or more! Add in bridesmaid’s dresses, mother’s gowns, flower girl clothing, accessories, and pretty soon you get the idea that this business is not cheap! It takes a lot to open a bridal boutique and even more to keep a successful one running. In addition to all of the above, there are operating costs, advertising, alterations, hired help….well, you get the idea.

Bridal Boutiques are in business because their owners love what they do, not because they like loosing money which is precisely what happens every time a girl goes on the Internet to purchase her wedding dress. This is becoming more and more increasingly popular among current brides. The reasons why can be varied but the number one reason that I hear over and over again is to save money.

Why brides would even consider purchasing an online bridal gown is beyond me and one that we will explore in upcoming blogs.

What actually happens when you make an online wedding gown purchase?

Source: DesMoinesRegister.com

Her story just keeps getting better. And now super-star bridal gown designer, Monique Lhuillier, who burst onto the scene in 2003, is opening her first flagship store. Naturally, it will be on star studded melrose place in L.A.

The store will feature her bridal couture, ready to wear clothing as well as a new handbag capsule collection. the collection will feature 10 styles and according to fashionweekdaily.com, has lots of buzz surrounding it. The store will officially open october 10th.

Finding a beautiful yet affordable wedding dress can take time and effort. Many wedding gowns are too expensive for the average bride’s wedding budget. Here’s some tips to help you save money on your wedding dress.

Don’t buy from the bridal department. There is usually a surcharge for dresses in the bridal section of a store. Instead, go to the formal evening wear section or even the prom dress section. If you’ve got a lot of time before the wedding, look for sales at wedding salons. After the month of June, many bridal gowns go on sale. Also, check out sample or floor model gowns. Many of them still look fantastic. Some discontinued bridal dress models are very inexpensive compared to most other bridal gowns. And sadly some bridal gowns are paid for but not picked up. These can be bought at a low price.

Don’t forget that wedding veils are cheaper than wedding gowns. Spend more on a great veil while saving money on the gown. Ebay and the local newspaper are good places to find inexpensive gowns. Also, use Google search by searching these terms: “wedding dress +discount”, “wedding dress +cheap”, and “wedding dress +bargain”.

As you’re on the internet, search for wedding outlet stores. You may find a great deal at these internet bridal stores. Make sure to find out the manufacturer and style of the dress you�re interested in. Bridal outlet stores will ask for this information. Also, give them your measurements to see if they have a dress that will fit you. If you do buy a dress from a wedding outlet store, the dress will be sent in a box. However, a trip to the dry cleaners will make the dress look great.

Think about renting your wedding dress. The guys get to rent tuxedos, so why can’t you rent your bridal clothes? Renting will save you much money. You can expect a 90% discount on your bridal gown. This means you can wear a $1000 gown for $100!

Scout out the dresses at consignment shops or high fashion/couture wear second hand shops. You can find these shops at every major city. Ask your relatives and friends. They may have a dress you can borrow.Think about having your dress made. This is a great alternative if you want the elegant, sleek dress. Plus, designer dresses use the same silk found in fabric stores.

Finally, you can use these tips to find affordable dresses for your bridesmaids. Did you know that the wedding industry is a big money making business? In fact, most wedding products and services are priced higher than similar products and services.

On Sunday, September 9, 2007 from 2 - 5 p.m. Weddings in Style Magazine presents, “A Who’s WHO in I do”…Bridal Show. This event will provide a rare occasion for brides to meet with more than 100 of the finest wedding professionals from around the country at the Windsor Court Hotel, located at 300 Gravier Street.

Experts from every field associated with weddings from honeymoon destinations to extraordinary wedding venues, ice sculptures, unique florist, caterers and exceptional photographers will be on hand to ensure couples make their wedding dreams a reality. Plus, brides-to-be can register to win countless door prizes and a free honeymoon.

Guests will experience a fashion show like no other in one of the grandest hotels of the city, The Windsor Court, consistently recognized as one of the “Top Hotels” in the country by the leading travel magazines including Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. There will be a preview of 2008 couture, wedding gowns from acclaimed designers such as Lazaro, Carolina Herrera, Rivini and Jim Hjelm. Theses gowns along with a plethora of accessories and ideas for hair and makeup will be modeled by some of our most stunning local brides.

“There is a huge movement coming our way this year in wedding gowns. When we pre-viewed the 2008 Spring collections, we witnessed a fetish for conservatism. The abundance of cap sleeves and higher necklines are all indicators that designers are appealing to the softer more elegant side of the blushing bride. A number of designers have added a jacket accessory of one sort or another. The best news is that and after the big day, brides can wear the jackets again with jeans and skirts.” says Weddings in Style Magazine Publisher, Christine Breaux.

Beyond previewing breathtaking fashion, you can savor the delectable variety of homemade pastries, desserts, and confections by Windsor Court’s Executive Pastry Chef, Melissa Grim. She holds an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and has traveled extensively training with some of the best in her field. Melissa made the move to New Orleans with her fiance in October 2005 after Hurricane Katrina to be the Pastry Chef during an inspiring and challenging time for the city, continuing the tradition of The Windsor Court’s high standards of excellence for award-winning cuisine, service and presentation.

This grand bridal event is open to the public and will be held from 2 - 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 9th sponsored by the Windsor Court Hotel located at 300 Gravier Street. The Fashion Show Tea will begin at 4:30 p.m.; separate reservations required in advance and include basic tea package at $30.00 per person. Tickets to the bridal show are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and can be ordered by calling Christine Breaux at 504.525.BRIDE (2743). For more information visit www.weddingsmagazines.com.

Source: Nola.com

Accomplished fashion designer and Albanian native Katerina Bocci will present her latest collection at Couture Fashion Week (DFW) in New York City.

The highly anticipated fashion show will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2007 in the Roof Ballroom of the world-famous St. Regis Hotel.

After graduating from the renowned SITAM Institute of Design in Padova, Italy, Ms. Bocci opened her own fashion atelier in Albania.

In 2001 she moved to the United States - what she calls “My Promised Land” - and quickly became known in the Detroit area for her impeccable fashion designs, selling to a discerning private clientele as well as to boutiques such as Alessandra Bridal, Janet Verner and Impulse.

Her designs have been featured in Detroit Hour, Style and Inside Weddings magazines, and she is a favorite designer of TV news anchors Lila Lazuras and Rhonda Walker.

Ms. Bocci has worked with a number of charities, including the Rhonda Walker Foundation and the North American International Auto Show’s Charity Preview.

At the latter’s recent event, the Detroit News named as Best Dressed “WDIV-TV Channel 4’s Rhonda Walker’s glam and sexy cranberry gown custom made by Shelby Township’s Katerina Bocci.”

She also designed the evening gown for a photo shoot by Fadil Berisha Studio in New York with Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera and Miss Albania Sadina Alla in the 2007 Miss Universe pageant.

At another recent photo shoot, singerFergie admired Ms. Bocci’s work, so the designer presented the pop star with a beautiful gown to wear at an upcoming Hollywood event.

“I design to make a woman feel feminine, to feel a silky touch on her skin, and show off her curves,” says Katerina Bocci.

In 2007 Ms. Bocci opened the largest fashion design studio in Michigan. The 3,200 square foot facility caters to savvy fashion clients with the best in custom couture bridal gowns, cocktail dresses, evening gowns, fine suits and coats made from luxurious fabrics, imported laces and silks.

All clothes are hand sewn and tailored to the client’s specifications, made to flatter the wearer and bring out her best.

“Katerina is an artist with a contagious energy for creative design and life itself,” notes Couture Fashion Week producer Andres Aquino.

“Her participation in this upscale fashion event will surely bring more recognition to this talented designer as she continues to develop and succeed in her field - one for which she has such great passion.”

Couture Fashion Week and Bridal Fashion Week are multi-day events showcasing luxury couture and fine fashion including eveningwear, elegant fashion, couture bridal as well as accessories.

Attendees include upscale consumers, invited VIPs, the press and selected high-end store buyers. The events also include exhibits of luxury brands as well as entertainment and networking cocktail and after-parties, and are held in top venues in New York City, Palm Beach, Naples, Florida and other selected cities.

In addition to its ongoing offering of uniquebranding opportunities for luxury products and services, Couture Fashion Week works in conjunction with lifestyle industry leaders around the world in offering attendance at the fashion shows as part of lavish travel and shopping experiences for those with exquisite tastes.

Source: USA International Fashion Shows

Award-winning Russian fashion designer Tatyana Parfionova will make her USA debut with the showing of her latest collection at Couture Fashion Week in New York City. The highly anticipated fashion show will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2007 in the Roof Ballroom of the world-famous St. Regis Hotel.

Tatyana Parfionova introduced her first collection in 1995. Premiered at the Vilnius International In-Vogue Festival, the collection received the “Golden Button” first prize, presented to the designer by Paco Rabanne. Since then she has shown her stunning creations in London, Prague, St. Petersburg, Beijing, and of course, in Moscow at Russian Fashion Week where she has received numerous awards including the “Golden Mannequin” award for best collection and the “Silver Gown” award for excellence in Russian fashion development. At the last edition of the event, Ms. Parfionova presented her collection for Swedish brand “Duchessa di Almia.”

Today, the name Tatyana Parfionova defines the art of Russian fashion design. Every year a team of more than 50 artisans produces two seasonal and two interseasonal collections. All garments are hand worked and individually crafted from the highest quality fabrics. The result is custom-designed apparel that is at once elegant, fashionable and artistic. Embroidered elements add a warm touch of decorative detail, a signature of the style that is distinctly Tatyana Parfionova. Her designs are sold at her flagship boutique on Saint Petersburg’s chic Nevsky Prospekt. According to Frommer’s Review: “Arguably St. Petersburg’s most famous fashion designer, Parfionova creates unforgettable, original clothes and accessories. Her shows are the hottest ticket in town and her pieces are displayed in the Russian Museum. For something you definitely won’t find at home, stop at her boutique.”

“We are looking forward to presenting the exquisite artistry of this highly accomplished designer in New York City for the first time,” says Couture Fashion Week producer Andres Aquino. “Tatyana’s runway show is sure to be one of the highlights of this season’s fashion week.”

Couture Fashion Week and Bridal Fashion Week are multi-day events showcasing luxury couture and fine fashion including eveningwear, elegant fashion, couture bridal as well as accessories. Attendees include upscale consumers, invited VIPs, the press and selected high-end store buyers. The events also include exhibits of luxury brands as well as entertainment and networking cocktail and after-parties, and are held in top venues in New York City, Palm Beach, Naples, Florida and other selected cities.

In addition to its ongoing offering of unique branding opportunities for luxury products and services, Couture Fashion Week works in conjunction with lifestyle industry leaders around the world in offering attendance at the fashion shows as part of lavish travel and shopping experiences for those with exquisite tastes.

A limited number of tickets to these events are available for non-trade and may be purchased online at www.usafashionshows.com/showschedules.htm

Winners of the New Models of the Year contest Nicole Faria and Sujit Sebastian modelled wedding wear put together by Tamanna and choreographed by fashion guru Prasad Bidapa.

Prasad presented the monsoon collection featuring rain drenched colours and cloudy jewel tones — perfectly in sync with the wedding season in Bangalore. “Lokesh and Dhanya Pandya source these gorgeous ensembles for brides and grooms from all over the country. They follow current trends and order specific colours for their Bangalore customers in myriad designs and choices, and, best of all, control the prices to make bridal trousseaux extremely affordable,” says Prasad.

Sponsored by Shadab Hothur and the Chancery Pavilion, the sensational show stopper at the event was the Victorian Skirt, a lush ensemble that can be teamed with fitted corsets for a modern look, and which uses 22 metres of silk. Lehengas with cholis, fishtail skirts, graceful dupattas and incredible embroidery were featured in the collection.

Two stores on Commercial Street and the new outlet at Total Mall in Koramangala are where you could spend hours deciding just what to wear for your wedding.

Source: Bangalore Times

The corset dates back to inhabitants of a Greek island in 2000 BC. In the thousands of years since, corsets have changed based on cultures and trends, and are now worn for reasons from comfort to fashion.

“It just depends on what you want,” said Robin Richardson, who last month opened Ivy’s Custom Corsetry in Royal Oak.

“I custom-make corsets for whatever reason a person would want a corset for,” she said. “My corsets are Victorian and Edwardian styles, which is what gives you a real hourglass curve.”

Richardson does all the work on each corset she makes. First she takes measurements, creates a mock-up, has the client try on the mock-up and makes final adjustments.

Each corset contains three to four layers of fabric, and Richardson stocks a variety of materials, including raw silk from India, Chinese brocade, satins and PVC.

Just as the purpose for corsets has changed, so has some of the material used in them. Instead of whale bones and feathers, Richardson uses stainless steel for the boning.

Richardson has been making fashion professionally for over 20 years and began making corsets in 1997. “I thought they were cool. I thought they were fun,” she said.

Her cozy store contains photos of women wearing corsets, from vintage images of corsets used as undergarments to modern images of corsets as fashion pieces.

Richardson, who has female and male customers, said some people use corsets to improve their posture, pick one up to wear when going out or use under or as part of a bridal gown. Corsets are also used in tightlacing, a regimen of wearing a corset for up to 23 hours a day, seven days a week to reduce waist size. “And some people just wear them for fun,” she said, pointing out her red corset she was wearing.

Nancy Gage of Berkley was at Ivy’s with her friends Eleni Currie of Birmingham and Sylvia Scott of Detroit to try on mock-ups. Gage said they came to the store on a whim in July and all decided to pick up corsets.

“It’s being ultra-feminine,” she said. “It’s kind of sexy. There’s a risque feeling to it … we’re going to become sexy, mature women.” Currie liked the individual attention given to each of them as well as the choices available. “That’s the other thing that’s so wonderful, you personalize it if you like,” she said.

Name: Ivy’s Custom Corsetry
Owner: Robin Richardson
Address: 208 W. 11 Mile, Royal Oak
Phone: (248) 298-0954
Web site: www.ivyscustomcorsetry.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Opened: July 2007
Products: Custom corsets and skirts

Source: Hometown life

For most women their wedding day is their chance to be the center of attention and they know that at some point if not the entire walk down the aisle, all eyes will be on them. This is why it is so important to choose a bridal shoe that will compliment the wedding dress and also show off your ankles and the beautiful toes with the bright colorful polish from your new pedicure.

Many women are taking the advice of those who specialize in weddings and wedding planning and are going with bridal shoes that have at least a 3″ heel because the high heels make the walk a little sexier and also cause the bride to arch her back which also gives a look of femininity. In tandem with the high heels are ankle straps. This style has all but taken over the hot bridal shops that feature top designers like Jimmy Choo and Manolo.

The reason that the strapped wedding shoes are becoming so popular is because they offer such flexibility in design and they also help to hold the shoes in place where they need to be while at the same time looking carefree and open. You can choose from criss cross designs made from high quality satin which are wrapped around the ankle and then tied in a ribbon or you can choose a single strap design that uses some type of clasp to fasten the strap. This style usually exposes the toes and also features rhinestones fro a classy and elegant look.

The strapped variety of wedding shoe is not just for high heels. Even though most high heel wedding shoes feature straps to help hold the shoes where they need to be low heels can feature straps as well and add a certain look of beauty and elegance. This is important because many brides who are not used to wearing tall heels may feel uncomfortable in them and therefore should not give a second thought to buying the lower heels so that they are not feeling unsure of themselves as they make that important walk to the altar.

Even slip on wedding shoes are now coming with straps, of course they are in most cases the do it yourself type of strap but they can still be very sexy and elegant looking at a lower price in many cases. You can find these shoes in a variety of fabrics and in leather as well.

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about bridal shoes as well as women’s shoes at www.footwearforall.com

Hoping for a share in India’s burgeoning wedding market, Pakistani fashion designers are again readying to showcase their creative brilliance during the eighth edition of the ‘Bride and Groom 2007′ wedding exhibition here later this month.

Organized by the International Trade and Exhibition (ITE) Group, the three-day extravaganza is scheduled for Aug 18-20.

“Since the auspicious season of weddings is coming up, we are delighted to announce the eighth edition of the exhibition. It draws more than 100 exhibitors every year from India and Pakistan,” said ITE Group India director Kiran Sharma in a press release.

This is the fifth year running that Pakistani designers are participating in the exhibition.

“It is one-stop shop for making the big day as perfect as can be. The event brings a convenient and exciting array of virtually everything one needs to buy or plan for a wedding - from the pre-nuptials to the honeymoon,” Sharma maintained.

During the fair Pakistani fashion designers Shahla Rehman, Summaya Warsi, Farida Qureshi and Moina Faroogui will woo visitors with their designs.

The works of Indian designers like Gaurav Om Chabra, Yuvraj, Seema Agarwal and Ekta will also be on view.

Revealing the USP of the fair, Sharma said: “The affordability of products at our exhibition helps us in creating a niche for ourselves in the growing wedding industry”.

Other than clothes, the exhibition will also showcase wedding solutions ranging from trousseaus, accessories, jewellery, gifts, make-up, wedding planning, photography, and honeymoon packages - all under one roof.

Source: Indian Muslims

Wedding dresses are a matter of especially personal choice and it is often the case that imagination can be a much greater plus point than money. Wedding dresses are usually white, but there are many other colors available. Wedding dresses are factually the icing on the cake on every bride’s wedding day. Informal wedding dresses are in soaring demand and very popular. In general popular wedding dresses are sleeveless or strapless therefore look for complimenting accessories.

Style
Wedding dresses range in styles from simple and elegant to flamboyant and everywhere in between. Consider the different options when deciding on a wedding dress that will show your fashion: a beach wedding dress, a short wedding dress or long wedding dress, and also styles: Strapless, spaghetti, halter, or tank. The type of fabric that will make your skin feel and look good: Chiffon, satin, lace etc. Fishtail or trumpet, sheath, A-line, sweep train, chapel train. Often when you actually try on a gown, you can be surprised what styles would look good on you.

Accessories
After choosing your perfect wedding dress, you will have to think about wedding accessories to match. Accessories ought to complement your dress and add to the look that you are going for. Simple, yet pleasing to the eye, accessories are the perfect way to add a little something to your wedding dress. Always try to set aside a little money for alterations and accessories.

Shoes
Other wedding accessories to think about are shoes. As for shoes, sandals or ballet flats will compliment an informal look. High heels often become uncomfortable for most women.

Information
Find related local information for planning your wedding. Many bridal magazines will offer tons of information. Often these magazines also have websites which you can visit to receive more helpful hints and tips to make your wedding day the best day of your life.

Most wedding dresses are perfect for a theme wedding or objective wedding whether you are getting married in a church, castle, on a beach or at a country side. Classic wedding dresses are a great way to complete a nostalgic wedding party theme. Used wedding dresses are wonderful if you’re looking to save money, but also if you desire a unique classic wedding dress instead of a more contemporary design. Remember, women come in all different shapes and sizes, so a lot of wedding gowns are made to suit each body type, and many can also be altered to make them more comfortable.

Source: BestVideoFlix.com

Many people when they are getting married and having to pay for everything themselves are constantly looking for ways to shave down the cost of their impending wedding. One way to save a little is to shop for discount bridal shoes instead of going to a fancy designer store where you may pay over $500 for a pair of shoes you may only wear once.

Some people get a negative connation in their heads about discount bridal shoes and think that it means your shoes are going to look like you bought them at a thrift store or something. The term “discount” simply means that you are buying them at a reduced price; it has nothing to do with the quality of the shoes.

Many of the famous makers that you may be familiar with offer bridal shoes at a discount. Companies such as Macy’s, Nine West and Kate Spade are just a few of those that sell discounted wedding shoes. As mentioned above you need not feel as if you are wearing a pair of inferior shoes on you special day and shoes from these companies will be well above average quality while not making it look like you are trying to cut corners. Even some of the more popular designers such as Vera Wang and Jimmy Choo offer discount designer bridal shoes!

Each year most shoe designers introduce two lines of shoes for the seasons of Fall/Winter and then Spring/Summer. The reason they group their collections in this way is due to the fact that the shoes needed in the fall or very close to those of winter and similarly the same reason for the spring and summer combinations. With bridal shoes you can expect to see shoes that are more closed during the fall and winter so if your wedding is in the spring or summer and you want the shoes ahead of time you may have to buy the season before.

As far as the best places to shop, let’s look at the places not to shop instead. There are certain locales that are major wedding destinations and as such they are not apt to offer discounts but instead charge a surplus for their wedding related clothing and accessories. Places like Hawaii, The Bahamas, and Las Vegas are to be avoided when shopping so if you live in one of these areas do yourself a favor and buy from somewhere else. With the internet you can buy from anywhere in the world, just be sure they have a liberal and fair return policy incase your bridal shoes don’t fit properly and you need to return them.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about bridal shoes as well as women’s footwear at www.footwearforall.com

Source: Articlestoreprint.com

Every bride would agree that her wedding dress should be perfect - not only does she want to look her best, on her special day, but her wedding dress also is the center of everybody’s attention. But how would you select the best one for you? Here is advice about selecting the best dress for your wedding.

Your wedding dress style should match the wedding style
Do you plan a very formal wedding in a cathedral or is it going to be an informal beach ceremony? Before deciding on the dress, you should decide how formal your wedding is going to be. A long and puffy princess style wedding dress is no longer your only option - informal weddings and beach weddings are progressively becoming more popular. So now you can find all kinds of wedding dresses - short or tea length dresses, colored wedding dresses and even white sarongs, for a Hawaiian wedding.

One advantage to an informal wedding dress is that it is much cheaper and more comfortable. Also, while a formal wedding gown almost always needs serious alteration, an informal dress is much easier to fit. So if you don’t have that much time left before you wedding, an informal dress could be a good choice.

How to chose the right bridal salon
If you want to find the best dress, you will need to spend a couple of days visiting different salons. However, before you visit a bridal shop it is a good idea to call them and ask a few questions - this will save you trips to places that would only waste your time. When ringing a bridal salon you should ask:

* Can you just come to the shop or is an appointment required?
* What dresses styles do they have and what is the price range?
* Are alterations free and, if not, how much do they cost?
* If they don’t have dresses in your size, can one be ordered?
* Do they also carry bridal accessories, like hair decorations, veils and shoes?
* Can they hold a dress you like for a couple of days?

When you get to the shop, try as many dresses as necessary, until you find the perfect one. Don’t listen to the sales person, when they say that the first dress you try on is great and you should take it. Remember they want to sell the dress and it is their job to say it looks great, even if in fact it is hideous.

When you finally find the dress that you always dreamed of, ask them to put it on hold; don’t let them convince you that you should buy it straightaway. Return to the shop the next day and look at your dress again - you would be amazed how often something that seemed perfect, after trying on 10 different dresses, won’t impress you when you see it with a fresh eye. However, if you look at your dress again and feel “yes this is the one”, than it is time to buy it.

Tanya Turner is a fashion expert and a founder of http://www.Cheap-Wedding-Dresses.info where you can find unbiased information about wedding dress styles, what is in fashion and how to get your wedding dress at a reasonable price

Source: Ezine @rticles

High-end jewelers are turning their attention to the engagement-ring market as the lure of the diamond ring spreads into Europe and Japan.

French jeweler Cartier decorated the windows of its Fifth Avenue flagship earlier this year with ivory-and-gold wedding cakes to fete its new bridal salon, a room dedicated to diamond solitaires and wedding bands — a feature it will roll out in other U.S. cities over the next few months.

Down the street, De Beers, a joint venture between De Beers and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, recently unveiled an imposing engagement-ring counter complete with white-leather bar stools.

For years, most European high-end jewelry houses turned up their noses at engagement rings. Brands such as Cartier and Italy’s Bulgari SpA were content to leave this firmly entrenched American tradition to Tiffany & Co., which dominates the $9 billion U.S. ”bridal jewelry” market, a category that includes diamond engagement rings and less-lucrative wedding bands.

But that is changing as the lure of the diamond ring spreads.

American passion
The engagement-ring tradition may date back to European royalty giving jewels to their betrothed, but the diamond solitaire took off in the United States after World War II, when De Beers launched its ”A Diamond Is Forever” advertising campaign. Solitaires later caught on in the United Kingdom and Japan, too. But in continental Europe, engagement rings with colored gems and family heirlooms remained more popular.

However, now more European couples are buying new diamond rings to mark their engagements. China is another growing market as increasingly wealthy Chinese consumers adopt the rite of passage. ”The engagement-ring phenomenon has gone worldwide,” says De Beers Chief Executive Guy Leymarie.

The engagement-ring market isn’t easy. Customers know their carats, making it more difficult to simply add a signature look and mark up the price of what is otherwise a standard product.

”You have to be conservative on design, because it’s a traditional purchase,” says Francesco Trapani, chief executive of Bulgari.

Bulgari and other European brands that don’t have a long tradition in bridal jewelry first built up their business in Japan, where the engagement-ring tradition has long been strong. Already avid consumers of fashion, young Japanese are highly brand-conscious. Ten years ago, Bulgari designed the Corona line, an engagement-ring series with a four-prong setting and thick band, specifically for the Japanese market. Around the same time, Cartier launched an advertising campaign in Japanese fashion magazines featuring solitaires, to help associate its brand with engagement rings.

But the jewelers discovered that Japanese men weren’t big spenders for their betrothed; for a Tiffany ring, last year they spent an average of $1,600, about one-third what American men budget.

Changing traditions
European jewelry brands are taking advantage of changing bridal customs in their home countries. Van Cleef & Arpels, which also belongs to Compagnie Financiere Richemont, earlier this year opened its first ”bridal bar” in its Paris flagship. Salespeople serve Champagne and chocolate to customers seated on stools at a counter. The store stays open late to cater to young executives, who are among their major buyers of diamond engagement rings.

Boucheron, part of Gucci Group, the luxury division of France’s PPR SA, says the pink-gold rings it offers at its boutique on Place Vendome in Paris sell well to local customers who want to mix the French tradition of color with the diamond-solitaire trend. A few doors down, Chaumet does a brisk business in brushed platinum bands.

Chinese couples are the latest to be smitten by the bridal-jewelry tradition. In April, Cartier started rolling out its salon concept to its 14 stores on the mainland.

Source: MiamiHerald

You just got engaged. Congratulations! What is the first thing you want to do? Go shopping for a dress. You can’t wait to find the perfect dress. Even brides who are strictly jeans and a t-shirt type can’t wait to shop for their wedding dress. Some have the perfect idea of how their dream bridal gown should look, others haven’t got a clue. This is where you are relying on finding the perfect shop for that perfect dress.

I am here to say that you need to kiss a lot of toads before finding your prince, and the same holds true for finding the perfect wedding dress. You need to try on lots of gowns to find the one that makes you feel like you are the most perfect and beautiful woman in the entire world. And to try on lots of gowns, you will need to visit lots of shops.

Bridal shops are not all created equal. There are small boutiques and large shops. Mom and Pop businesses and national store chains. Some stores carry exclusive lines only to them, some can get anything you want shipped in and still others opt for a more customized approach by making your gown only for you—a one of a kind creation. Whatever style, color, and material you choose please choose a store that cares about you. You will not be sorry.

You want to shop at boutiques that cater to you; bring you something to drink; ask your opinions and listen to them; help you in and out of the dresses; don’t run to answer the phone leaving you unattended; offer to alter any part of the dress that needs taking in (or out); and generally makes you feel very welcomed and special. If they don’t ask your name, ask if you getting married or make you feel welcome after 30 seconds of entering their store, then they are not the store for you.

I recently visited such a business a couple of days ago. I had 20 minutes between appointments and decided to visit a very well-known bridal store in Des Moines. Many of my brides get their gowns from this establishment so I decided to find out what the hoopla was about.
Maybe I looked too old to be getting married (I’m not) or maybe it was because I didn’t have a ring on (it could have been at the jewelers getting cleaned), but I could have been a gnat for all this store cared. Nothing–nada, no greeting or anything. I walked around the store very slowly, looked through dresses and jewelry, feigned interest in a pair of shoes (that’s not hard for me), and glanced through a leaflet on one of the side tables. I even held a dress up to me in the mirror. Nothing. After 15 minutes, I left.

Gosh, they must have been awful busy. I was the only customer in the store (not kidding).
Maybe they had bookwork to do. If talking on the cell phone is bookwork, then I’ll buy that.
They didn’t want to pressure you. Saying “hello” doesn’t threaten me, nor make me want to flee in a panic.

No, they just plain ignored me and I walked out. I will grant you, I could have asked for help, but why should I? If they don’t want my business enough to ask me my name or at least give me a courtesy greeting, then they don’t deserve my business. Give me a flash of smile and genuine interest in my visit and that store will get my business every time.

Boutique owners, don’t complain to me about not getting any business if you can’t be bothered to say hello to each and every person that walks through your door. If Quick Trip can do it—so can you!

Source: DesMoinesRegister.com

This is very important advice for those brides when choosing a dress!

It is important that you do your homework. All bride don’t want to waste time running into the wrong stores and boutiques and find out at the end of the day that you have achieved nothing. Keep reading if you want to make your next run-around a success.

The most important thing should be taken care of first. You obviously would like to know how much to pay for your wedding dress. The prices of wedding dresses vary. They can range from as little as £500 to as much as £50,000. This also depends what you get for your money. For instance, you can buy a perfect dress from well-known bridal chains and pay a measly £300. Keep in mind that a dress at this price is probably shipped from the Far East. Also, it will be unlikely that these dresses are silk and unique.

Don’t let this put you off. There are also well-known brand dresses for £3000 and more. These dresses are also manufactured in the Far East, but they are altered to fit. There are top end bridal stores that is better and there you can expect silk, but remember that if you are paying for a dress that has to be altered to fit you, you are just paying for a name, and this name costs you £3000.

If a bride is prepared to pay £3000 for a dress, it should be “made to measure”. Purchasing a dress and then having it altered to fit is sometimes not successful. There are stores that charge you anything from £1800-£4000, but this means that the wear is handmade to fit the princess.

Altered to fit dresses and made to measure dresses have a huge price difference. If you think about, you would probably think that you are been over-charged. Here are the reasons why this is not true:

Made to measure dresses are individually, handmade and labor will cost you. Overheads are higher than dresses that are being manufactured in the Far East. Bridal stores offer a high service level and also have an investment in many sample dresses for the brides to try.

Another reason is that brides are experiencing what designers have, and what they have acquired in the business over the years. You are dealing with professional designers that design and make their own dresses, and with this, brides should feel confident knowing that at the end of the day the dress is going to fit and when the time comes it will be ready. This is not the case with dresses from the Far East. These dresses have to be altered once you put it on.

There are cases where brides decide to use a dressmaker to copy the design of a designer dress to budget what is in the pocket. Dressmakers can cut a designer’s price in half because of the low overheads. The brides should first ask for a few references before considering this option, because this can prove disastrous.

Neil MacLeod writes for Johanna Hehir, who has one of the largest selections of different wedding dresses in London and is one of London’s top wedding dress Designers. Specialising in made to measure designer wedding dresses and evening wear.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_MacLeod

In the fashion circuit, she shares the crown with the high priestesses of style and design. Leading ladies scoot to her for their wardrobe overhauls and other nip and tucks. Her famous mojris and potlis roll down the fashion weeks at Durban and Rome. We hear Big Brother’s new-found sister Shilpa Shetty rushes to her all the time. Oh, and how can we miss her ‘hand’ in the Abhi-Aish wedding? “I did the clothes for the wedding and the mehndi, that’s all I can tell,” Neeta Lulla gracefully evades (perhaps) the only question journos were really excited to know more about. Actually, everyone at the Inter National Institute of Fashion and Design (INIFD) Sector 8, where Neeta held a workshop with the students and filled them with some creative, and wise, inputs.

After a round of designs on board and quick look through the portfolios, Neeta, who is still teaching at a Mumbai University, feels that “the creative level in Indian is way beyond expectations. The only problem, though, is that students get disillusioned with the fact that they’ll all be fashion designers someday. Here’s the fact - the industry cannot sustain so many designers, and this is where the students get disheartened. There are other allied fields that require technical help to support the industry for it to grow to a qualitative level like Paris and Milan, and this is something we fail to take note of.”

On with some more valuable inputs, Neeta, who won the award for Lamhe, and is currently working on Jodha-Akbar, says that fashion has become this huge industry where the costume designer is no longer invisible. “We have gradually transitioned into complete styling, where we help build up more drama and lend more character to the actor.” Dressing up the ladies is like having lunch, sometimes a quick snack too for deadlines can create quite a mayhem. But the challenge lies in the fact that celebs know they are trendsetters. “And so they want to look the best. They are equally careful about what they show on the screen for they are well aware of the level of glamourisation and characterisation they have to achieve. Bollywood, in India and abroad, is a platform for fashion. It is the trendsetter.”

While the Russians came to India looking for sarees and the person behind Devdas’s elaborate whole nine yards, (it was Neeta, of course) Durban and Rome opened doors to the opulence, the colour and fabric India, courtesy Neeta, had to offer. “Our forte lies in cuts and styles, in hand embroideries and a multitude of fabric, but we have to perfect our production capabilities like them,” feels Lulla, who brings back with her, “the warmth, quality and friendship of Durban, and the richness, culture, colours and beauty of Rome.” Let’s see what Paris has to offer. Till then.

Source: Chandigarh Newsline

It’s the foundation of every woman’s wardrobe, but lingerie designers, like their product, aren’t as visible as their clothing designer counterparts.

That’s why Ben Yedder, who publishes intimate apparel industry magazine Contours, established the Contours International Lingerie Awards (CILA) last year in order to recognize the creative efforts and technological advances of the top lingerie companies and designers in the U.S. and abroad.

On Monday night in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, the 2nd annual CILA awards, sponsored by the U.S. Intimate Apparel Council, took place culminating in a fashion show featuring the finalists in 19 categories, who ranged from familiar brands like Wacoal and Le Mystere to smaller speciality lines like Marlies Dekker and maternity intimates label Larrivo.

This year more than 80 designers from over eight countries entered the competition, with the winners selected by an independent panel of industry members who included buyers, designers and consumers.

Some companies, like Le Mystere, who was last year’s “Best T-Shirt Bra,” were finalists in multiple categories.

“I thought we had the best shot at winning ‘Best Innovative,’ because what we have done there is come up with a bra specifically for augmented women, and we had a doctor who spent over 10 years getting it to fit perfectly, so I was sort of surprised we didn’t win that one.” said Michael Rabinowitz, founder and CEO of Le Mystere, whose company won “Best Bridal” this year. “I was pleasantly surprised to win for the bustier. I was in London earlier this year, and we had one of the biggest windows of Harrod’s where they were displaying this one item in the window! It was quite amazing.”

Other winners included John Galliano for “Best Fashion Couture,” Marlies Dekker for “Best Fashion,” Chantelle for “Best Technically Innovative,” and Wacoal for “Best Seamless.”

Source: FWD

A change of season brings new fabrics, styles and colors to the mother of the bride or groom dress market. Find the same high quality selections online as those that can be found in more exclusive bridal shops.

Mother of the bride or groom dresses in new fabrics, styles and colors for the 2007 Fall season are on their way to Formalwear-Outlet.com. A change of season brings new fabrics and styles to the Mother of the Bride or Groom dress market.

Brocades, Chiffons, Pepple Crepe and Floral Jacquards top the list of fabrics for the new styles for Fall 2007 weddings. Selections come with wonderful color names such as Chestnut, Lapis, Merlot, Raisin, Cognac, Expresso, Wine, Sapphire, Dark Chocolate, Cabernet and Amethyst, just to name a few.

Among an array of styles to choose from include:

• Satin suit jackets atop a skirt of brocade
• Chiffon tiered dresses with long sleeve jackets
• Embroidered three-quarter length sleeve tops over crepe skirts

Both short and long lengths are in style for this wonderful season. Formal pantsuits are offered in the same fabrics and colors as the dresses.

Brides and bridesmaids spend multiple hours searching for the perfect wedding gown to complement the bride’s selection. Now mothers can add the finishing touch to a dream-come-true wedding by making a very important fashion decision.

Formalwear for the mother of the bride or groom in just the right style and color can be difficult to find, but one online boutique is making it easier by adding new styles to its selection.

Formalwear-Outlet.com has been assisting brides in the selection of bridesmaid’s dresses for seven years. Last year it added its own line of simple, yet elegant, wedding gowns. Even more recently it has included a line of formalwear for the mother of the bride or groom.

Kathy Dooling, who manages this online boutique, says, “Our customers want personalized assistance with up-to-date contemporary styles in the latest fabrics and fashionable colors. We can accommodate all their concerns in a wide range of sizes.”

Shop from the comfort of home at Formalwear-Outlet.com from the same selection of formalwear found in some of the more exclusive bridal shops. In addition, buyers will receive personal attention from some of the most highly trained wedding apparel coordinators in the business.

Future wives, few men flock to Bridal Showcase for flowers, fashion, fun.

Pop quiz: What Richmond event attracts hundreds of beautiful women, yet — as one woman put it — a lot of men “wouldn’t be caught dead here”?

Answer: the Richmond Bridal Showcase.

Yesterday, about 1,800 people visited vendor booths at the Greater Richmond Convention Center to consider wedding dresses, photographers, caterers, chocolate fountains, ballroom dance lessons, bachelorette parties and a variety of other products and services.

Though the vast majority in attendance were brides-to-be and their teams of female supporters, some men tagged along — and earned major kudos from fiancées.

“It means a lot. I know that he actually cares,” said 29-year-old Treda Smith of Chester.

Her fiancé stood beside her with a wide smile on his face.

About 125 wedding professionals were on hand, according to organizers. Women could look through several racks of wedding dresses, and a wedding fashion show began around 3 p.m.

The mere thought of flocks of women in search of everything to perfect their weddings was enough to frighten husband-to-be Juan Martinez, who plans to wed in June 2008. The 25-year-old from Colonial Heights said that he had pictured “a really big, big hall with nothing but women in it,” but said that it ended up being more fun than he expected.

Tickets were $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Brides were given heart-shaped pins, making them easy targets for vendors, and many companies had giveaways and prize drawings — not to mention free food samples from some caterers.

Several brides-to-be — those joined only by female companions — said some future grooms refused to visit a bridal show.

“I wouldn’t expect him to come look at flowers,” said Jennifer Bush, 25, of Glen Allen who said she didn’t even waste time asking her fiancé to come. “He would have laughed at me. . . . He would have been like, ‘Are you kidding me?’”

First Things First of Greater Richmond, which promotes happier marriages through sessions on topics like “How To Avoid Marrying A JERK (or JERKETTE),” had a booth. Board member Janet Broadway said that the happiest weddings unite two people who know they love one another and are excited about having a long marriage.

Her husband, Brian Broadway, also volunteers for the nonprofit organization. He said women are more likely than men to think of their wedding as their personal special day. To prove his point, Broadway stopped a passing bride-to-be and asked her, “What is today all about?”

“Me,” said Christina Hovey, 25, of Fredericksburg. She said the best thing she’d seen yesterday was a chocolate fountain. The excitement was evident in Hovey’s voice when she chatted with Broadway about her fiancé, whom she plans to marry after he returns from military service in Iraq.

Her mother, Sue Hovey, who has been married more than 26 years, gave this advice to brides-to-be: Look at weddings as the start to a marriage, not just an event — and have separate bathroom sinks.

Source: inRich.com

The eighth edition of ‘Bride & Groom 2007’ exhibition showcasing all wedding-related paraphernalia opens at Hotel Ashok here later this month. The three-day exhibition opening on August 18 will display the complete wedding range including trousseau, accessories, latest jewellery and wedding gifts. To give all the minute tips to prospective brides and grooms about what they should purchase to look their best on the D-Day, the exhibition will organise one-on-one sessions with experts, make-up artists, wedding planners, specialised wedding photographers and honeymoon packagers.

Besides providing a wide array of dresses to consumers, this year’s exhibition will also bring the business community into direct contact with buyers.

Speaking about the upcoming exhibition, International Trade and Exhibition (ITE) Group India director Kiran Sharma says: “Every year the exhibition draws more than a hundred exhibitors from India and Pakistan. It is a one-stop shopping destination. The event brings an exciting array of virtually everything one needs to buy for a wedding.”
Budding designers

“Our exhibition,” adds Kiran Sharma, “is aimed at providing a platform to talented and aspiring newcomers in the fashion industry. Providing myriad choices in each category, this exhibition brings together designers and shopping marts all under one roof for three continuous days.”
Sneak preview on August 16

The exhibition will be preceded by a sneak preview on August 16 at the Ashok. A large number of participants from across the country will display all the distinct traditional as well as contemporary styles. While Indian designers will include Sagar Mehra, Gaurav Om Chabhra, Renu Dadlani and Seema Agarwal, designers from Pakistan include Aiesha Varsey, Monia Farooqui and Shahrek Lala.

Source: The Hindu

Designer Neeta Lulla may have just got back from a successful showing at the Alta Roma Fashion Week but that’s not to say that she is taking it easy. If anything, her schedule is more packed than ever. She’s set to hold a bridal workshop today at the World Trade Centre as part of the Mega Wedding show.

Says an excited Neeta, “I always look forward to such workshops. This one is totally an interactive session. So it’s not just me who is going to do all the talking; I’ll be mainly answering queries.” Neeta is planning to focus on how one can get the entire bridal look right, from selecting the right sari to the accessories.

Now one can’t help but bring in the Ash connection – given the fact Neeta did design one of the famed actor’s wedding outfits. So do people ask her about how one can get the ‘Ash’ look? “As a matter of fact, they do. But then again, it isn’t a surprise — Ash is nothing short of an icon and many want to emulate her.”

Where her future projects are concerned, Neeta has her hands full with ‘Jodha Akbar’ and one Priyadarshan film. “It’s still too early to speak about either of them,” she smiles. However, she does have a lot to say about Rome Fashion week. “It was a great experience; we received a very good response,” she enthuses.

And how different is the European market from the Indian one? “To be honest, the two markets are not strikingly different – there is greater awareness today about fashion and that too, at the global level. But we continue to reign where embroideries are concerned and the West does it well with flat basic colours.”

Source: DNA

Stacey Hutchens, grand prize winner at Bridal Fair 2007, and Greg Stover were married Saturday at Ewing Creek Baptist Church in Clear Creek.

The daughter of Joyce Hart of Cool Ridge and Edward Hutchens of Lexington, Ky., the bride is a 2004 graduate of Shady Spring High School and attends Concord University.

Stover is the son of Kim and Danny Stover of Clear Creek and is a 2003 graduate of Liberty High School.

An employee of Belk, one of the sponsors of the annual bridal fair, the new Mrs. Stover was as surprised as anyone to take home the grand prize that included $1,000 in merchandise from All Seasons Floral and Tuxedos, Party King Rentals and Lite Side Cakes and Catering in Beckley.

“The grand prize helped us with the food, decorations and flowers,” she said. “It really came in handy and helped us a good bit.”

The fair was sponsored by The Register-Herald, Belk, Harvey’s Fashions and Bridals, Tamarack Conference Center, Party King Rentals and Sales, Lite Side Cakes and Catering and All Seasons Floral and Tuxedos.

“I think I can speak for all of our sponsors in saying we enjoy providing the bridal fair each year,” said Chuck Jessup, advertising director for The Register-Herald. “It’s a really nice event that provides the convenience of one-stop shopping, not only for brides, but for anyone planning a special occasion. They can check with florists, caterers, fashion experts, photographers and other businesses that provide services for weddings, receptions, anniversary celebrations and special occasions.”

Source: theRegister-Herald

Maria Guzman, a Rutherford couturier specializing in bridal gowns, spared no effort when her daughter Beatriz made plans to walk down the aisle.

“My mom gave me the wedding gown of my dreams,” Beatriz Vautin recalled. The antique-white gown had a tulle skirt, lace appliques and 5,000 beads hand-sewn onto the dress, train and veil.

“She began hand-sewing the appliques on the material the day I announced my wedding,” said Vautin, of Melrose, Mass.

Ms. Guzman, who operated her studio, Maria Guzman Designs, from her home, died Monday. She was 59.

The cause was lung cancer, Ms. Guzman’s family said, emphasizing that she was a non-smoker.

Ms. Guzman, a native of Cuba, graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and had a bridal shop in Passaic before opening her studio in 1984. She was founding president of the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers’ New Jersey chapter.

Well before her cancer diagnosis last year, Ms. Guzman became active with More Than Friends, a group of Latino, Caribbean and African-American women whose focus is raising funds for cancer victims and survivors.

Elise Bourne-Busby, a founder of the support group, said Ms. Guzman always provided the bushels of apples that served as centerpieces at the annual dinner-dance and last year organized a fashion show for the More Than Friends’ inaugural tea.

“Maria was a vivacious, funny and talented woman who had a solution for any problem,” said Bourne-Busby, principal of Teaneck’s Whittier Elementary School.

Bourne-Busby said this year’s dinner-dance — Nov. 10 at Michele’s Restaurant in Garfield — will be dedicated to her friend’s memory.

Ms. Guzman could not do much sewing in her final months but managed one labor of love for her daughter: converting the train of Vautin’s wedding dress into future christening outfits, one for a girl and one for a boy.

In addition to Vautin, Ms. Guzman is survived by her husband, Philip Weisbecker; two daughters, Bernadette DiPasquale of Sparta and Jennifer Weisbecker of Wood-Ridge; her mother, Loida R. Guzman; a sister, Amarilis Kielbasinski, and two grandchildren.

The funeral Mass, under the direction of Macagna-Diffily Funeral Home in Rutherford, is today at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, East Rutherford. Interment will be private.

Source: NorthJersey.com

Couture Fashion Week (CFW), the distinguished fashion event that showcases fine international luxury and couture fashion and accessories collections, will be presenting fashion shows this coming season in several new locations, in addition to its home base of New York City.

The fashion shows in New York will take place September 8-10, and then be followed by a special appearance in Atlanta, a day of shows in Palm Beach in late November, and in Naples, Florida in early December.

Plans are also underway for fashion shows on the Caribbean island of Curacao, as well as in Cannes, France to coincide with the world famous film festival in 2008.

The event producers will also stage bridal fashion shows in New York City in October 2007, showcasing couture and fine bridal fashions and accessories.

Along with the exquisite fashion shows, guests at the Couture Fashion Week events enjoy world-class entertainment and chic after parties. Attendees include high-end consumers, boutique and specialty store buyers, international press, VIPs, socialites and dignitaries.

The event creates unique branding opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors looking to reach the luxury market. Media partners include Book Moda (Italy) and Fashion Syndicate Press (USA).

Exciting new developments:
CFW to Bring Luxury Designs to Atlanta:
Following the fashion shows in New York, Couture Fashion Week will partner with Haute.Lanta Fashion Week in kicking off the latter event in September 19.

Source: fibre2fashion

Lacis Museum is not precisely a museum — it is a shrine to all things lace: a shop, a library, an exhibit hall, a history lesson.

Playing on a small screen is a video, How to Make a Victorian Corset; lace doilies and veils shroud the walls; tatters tat away in a library nook; and tucked away in a back room full of delicate wedding laces is the current exhibit. A dozen wedding dresses and accoutrements outline a bridal history from the 1850s to the 1930s. We learn that Queen Victoria was the first to wear what we now think of as a traditional white wedding gown (in 1840); gaze upon folds of luxurious cloths and the sparkle of thousands of tiny beads; and glimpse wedding-night garters, bras, and intricate silken robes. These garments are as much testimonies to painstaking work and delicacy of craft as they are to the questionable power of the bridal fantasy and the price one will pay to live out one’s own. (Through August 4 at 2982 Adeline St, Berkeley; LacisMuseum.org or 510-843-7290.)

Source: East Bay Express