Wedding Hair: Braids

My girlfriends and I are all kind of on a hair changing kick.  We've all been changing our color!  But it got me thinking about trends in bridal hair styles.  We've seen some really dramatic changes in styles (thankfully!) getting away from the mass of fake-y hairspray encrusted curls piled high atop the head!  Brides these days are going for a more natural look, a look that is tradition re-interpreted, a look that celebrates the beauty of simplicity.  Of course I'm talking about braids.  Braids really went out of fashion in the late '90's and into the early 2000's but they are back and the new and interesting formations are just lovely.  Whether wrapped up as a crown or descending loosely down the back, braids are the romantic new hairstyle for your wedding day or for any day!

Image via Ivy & Aster

Image via Uptown Urban Craft

Image via Ivy & Aster

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Vera Wang Spring 2012

If you haven't seen these gown yet you're in for a treat!  After her fall 2011 collection which was quite dark, with not a white dress in sight, Vera's spring 2012 collection is a lovely breath of fresh dewy air!  Traditionalists will love the pale tones and airy layers and off-beat brides will love the contrasting sashes and unique application of lace & a-symmetrical draping!  I love that these gowns somehow seem to marry modern style with old-fashioned elegance.  They remind me of a Degas painting.

I love the way the lace is applied to this gown!

Possible my favorite of the collection! I love the fan pleating and the wide sash.

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!  This is an especially happy day for me because today I delivered Laura Whitney Couture samples to Luxe Bridal Boutique!  That's right, I'm in a brick & mortar boutique!!   I'm so stoked!

Luxe is an absolutely beautiful bridal salon in Minneapolis that caters specifically to the Plus-sized bride!  If you are above a size 6 and have ever shopped for a wedding gown you know how frustrating it is to not be able to try on any gowns that even come close to fitting!  Not a problem at Luxe, as they carry designer gowns from size 12-30 and now they carry Laura Whitney Couture bridal boleros!   I even designed a new bolero exclusively for Luxe brides!  (I would've taken a picture but I left my camera at the new years party I attended.  Whoops!)   It's a 3/4 sleeve duchess satin number with a little blingbling on it!  In addition, our Buttercream style and the super popular Basilica Bridal Bolero are also there!   Stop in to try them on for size, but make an appointment soon if you are going on the weekend, since they don't have many January weekend spots left!   You will love their stylish boutique (I'm dieing over their Moroccan patterned wallpaper!) and their spacious dressing rooms! Not to mention that Shayna, the owner, is just a doll!

Happy Friday!

I have to do a repost today from 100 Layer Cake and the "Hollywood Glamour" themed bridal shoot they did!  It is SO my personal style, as in classic silver screen starlet!  Elements I'm loving: perfectly arched eyebrows, birdcage veils, and the fox fur wraps!  Enjoy!

High Fashion Halloween Bridal by Laura Whitney Couture & Artist Built!

Happy Halloween everyone!  Remember when I said I was working on a big photo shoot?  Well in honor of the best holiday of the year, I collaborated with the leather sculptors of Artist Built, as well as an amazing team of models, hair stylists and make-up artists to create an ethereal yet dark Halloween spread using gowns from the new Laura Whitney Couture bridal line (launching spring 2012!).  I also created a few special pieces for the shoot including an Elizabethan inspired bolero, dramatic millinery, delicate paper wings, and I even got back to my corsetry roots and made an enticingly wicked "Kiss Me Deadly" corset with matching origami panniers!  I must admit, it was such a pleasure to take a brief departure from the light romantic beauty of bridal to take part in creating deep dark imagery.

Quite possibly my favorite photo!  She looks like she's up to something!

Our images followed five themes to show dark spirits of many realms : A wicked Queen of Hearts, the vengeful Corpse Bride, an Angel with a devilish side, the jilted Flapper, and a Fetish Femme Fatale. With an impeccable team of models, airbrush techniques and makeup artist, talented photographer Sasha Landskov captured the feel behind the the collaborative vision beautifully!   Thank you so much to Irma & Sienna of Mixx Salon, Soraya Hatfield of Pinup Stylings, and Dede Franks of Salon George for all their fabulous work on the hair and make-up!  City Pages has also published a slide show of the full set of images so to see more, click here.

All the killer jewelry was provided my Rewind Vintage of Minneapolis!

Our amazing make-up artists painstakingly applied real gold leaf flakes to our fallen angel!

Artist Built did all the custom leather accessories!  Contact them for custom fetish pieces!

I so enjoyed making this corset!  I'd love to do more custom pieces like this! (hint: e-mail me!)

Isn't this mask just amazing!?!  It's like Cyborg crossed with Fetish!

Vintage Wedding Gowns

Today on 100 Layer Cake, their featured bride has the most gorgeous vintage wedding dress and she paid, get this, $12 for it at a vintage warehouse!  Unbelievable!   I just had to post some picture because she is so cute (& so are her bridesmaids!).  The fabric of her dress is an embroidered cotton voile, which for whatever reason they hardly make anymore.  If I could get my hands on some I would for sure design it into the vintage warehouse!  Unbelievable!   I just had to post some picture because she is so cute (& so are her bridesmaids!).  The fabric of her dress is an embroidered cotton voile, which for whatever reason they hardly make anymore.  If I could get my hands on some I would for sure design it into the Laura Whitney Couture collection! 

Happy Friday! + BHLDN Fall preview

This popped up an many major wedding blogs yesterday!  BHLDN had an insider launch party for the release of their Fall 2011 collection (for sale next month) and I've scoured the web to bring you the best photos from it!  Their new collection features a lot more evening gowns, party dresses and accessories, many with a 1920's Boardwalk Empire vibe.  The frequent and heavy use of feathers also solidifies the feather trend that's been much talked about but little seen until now. We still see black accents, blush and champagne are also still going strong but they've also introduced some muddy autumn tones that give a more authentic vintage feel.  All and all a beautiful collection! 

Images via 100 Layer Cake

My only criticism, that wrap is really similar to a famous Valentino design!

Above images via Brooklyn Bride

Above images via Une Vie Geniale

Above images via Tick Tock Vintage

Vera Wang Spring 2012 Collection Released!

Yeah, I know it's hardly even spring 2011 yet but big designers work almost a year ahead and Vera Wang has just released the first photos of her 2012 bridal collection!

In classic Vera fashion it's over the top romantic with lots of floofy-ness and she continues to introduce hints of color to the bridal scene.  The collection is full of texture with lots of elaborate draping, over-sized bows (used vertically much of the time!), and layer upon layer of sheer ruffles and tulle.  The ball gown silhouette is used much more than her last couple collections but she still has a couple trumpet gowns as well as an A-line or two.  One of the stand-out gowns is a pistachio green number with some sumptuous draping on the back!   Another creative technique was layering tulle over lace, softening the appearance as though you're seeing the gown through a foggy glass window.  The effect is absolutely dreamy!   Below is a sampling of the collection!

I'm loving the mauve sash and the fan-like detail at the bust!