SALUTE TO CHRISTIAN DIOR

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

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



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

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

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

Gowns and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Make-up by Pretty Girl Make up

TULLE-ING AROUND

Divine Images

 A picture hat draped completely in tulle paired up with a tulle over skirt

I ask you, what could say bridal more than a cloud of soft tulle? Tulle is a fine mesh netting with a hexagonal pattern that comes in silk, cotton, nylon or acrylic/silk for power netting. Tulle, aka illusion, is familiar because its the standard material for bridal veils. But did you know it comes in lighter versions and is used in bouffant skirts.? The one pictured below certainly gives off  that ballerina look Vera Wang popularized a few years back. 

Photo by Ron Greystar
The big tulle dresses.  Above: A tulle  ballgown with silk roses and leaves dappled down the back.  Below: Ankle length hourglass silhouette with cinched waist and full tulle skirt and petticoat.

 Ryan Chua Photography

Make up by Pretty Girl

Moving beyond classic bridal fashion and into an edgier vintage look, this bodice is shirred with tulle over Chantilly lace. Three layers of draped ruffling gently fall down the arm.  The waist is draped with a tulle sash

While the big tulle skirt is classic, this A-line is shirred tulle from decolletage to hem.  And don' forget  stoles and wraps can be made out of tulle.  The one above is dappled with soft pink organza rosebuds.  Below left is a pagoda hat  swathed in it and the pancake hat at the right has a pouf of tulle. 

  

Right photo by Scott Williams

 

 Loic Photo

Ah yes, we can't get out of here without one last peek at all that marvelous tulle underneath.  

All gowns and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

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

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

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

PAIRING UP A BOUQUET WITH YOUR GOWN

Photography Stephanie Williams

Bouquet: JL Floral Designs

Dress: Amy Jo Tatum Bridal

Hair pieces + veils: Batcakes Couture

Make-up: Teena Hoffstetter

Hair: Kyle Rich

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DESTINATIONS

CREDITS

Photography: John Truong and Stuart Lirette

Gowns: Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Hair: Kathie Rothkop

Makeup: Juliane Chai

Models: Jen Lam and Lauren Purcell

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

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

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

Stuart Lirette

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

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

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