WebsiteBride Chic
Draping and playing with fabric started some twenty years back when I did a three-year stint as a bridal fabrics buyer. After that I opened Bridal Alternatives, a custom design studio and ever since have had the opportunity of working with brides who want that extraordinary one-of-a-kind dress. I’m in love with fashion history and re-invention of the past. Other connections to fashion? I’ve been a columnist for San Francisco Art and Fashion News and written articles for The Wedding Gazette. I founded The Design Project of San Francisco, a networking organization of fashion professionals collaborating their skills and talents on projects. I’m currently working on a book called—you guessed it—‘Bride Chic’, all about that white gown and very special designer/client relationship. I live with my husband Edgar and Chihuahua Piccalina in Marin County California.
Recent Posts by Bride Chic
Trend Spotting: The Drop Veil
Mantillas and drop veils are showing up more and more in the weddings submitted to Bride Chic. I wanted to share this tidbit with you simply because this tells me something about brides and what's going on with their heads: Some of you still love topping it all off with a long and flowing veil. Defined, a drop veil or mantilla style is circular, has no poufs or gathers at the crown and can literally be dropped onto the head in a single layer of lace or tulle. They're often bordered...
The Fine Art of Choosing a Wedding Hat
So you're going for a hat on your wedding day. Hats, fascinators, headbands, and many more are all a given these days for topping off your white aisle look. Not long ago, society's code for brides wearing hats instead of a long, flowing veil meant you were either a second time bride or over thirty-five and marrying for the first time. Interesting isn't it? There were, of course, exceptions to the rule: A bride having a very small or 'going away wedding' as they were called back then...
Bride Chic’s Best of Spring 2013 Bridal Week, Part 2
Picking up where we left off last week, I'll begin by saying Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta continue to hold high esteem on my top three list of the best designers (Dior is the other) and never is it more evident as when bridal week rolls around. Each year is better than the last for these icons who never disappoint. Really zeroing in on this years trends I'm intrigued with how many details are showing up in bridal wear. Details not every designer offered a few years back...
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Wedding Dresses
Bride Chic’s Best of Spring 2013 Bridal Week, Part 1
Bridal Week Spring 2013 in NYC may have wrapped up but we're still processing all the new trends. True, all these little style changes may not have shown up overnight but we definitely could see most coming throughout 2011-12. The biggee was sleeves thanks to the Kate Factor. When the now Duchess of Cambridge emerged from her Limo last year to marry her prince, we all knew her wedding dress would be the one most defining thing in the bridal arena for years to come; her lace sleeves...
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Wedding Dresses
1940’s Chic for the Romantic 21st Century Bride
There's yet another new kid on the block getting into the bridal game. Edisen just launched Say 'I Do', a collection of little white and blush colored party dresses and vintage-inspired accessories. The new line reflects that kind of 'playing dress-up' feel: 3/4-length sleeved cover ups and wraps, a white dotted nose bridal veil and silk and satin sashes in romantic blush hues. Each and every piece captures the best of the1940's with that twist of 21st Century thrown into the...
Adding Your Own Personal Bridal Touches
This week I did a post on, Adding Character to Your Dress. It really got me thinking about how bridal fashion has metamorphosed the past few years. Thanks to some indie designers and new generation brides, restrictions that were once de riguer can be relaxed or broken all together. Notice I said, can--you have a choice now and if you want to don that long, flowing bridal veil anytime of day be my guest, ditto the long gloves in polka dot if you want. Still, I get clients who ask,...
The Cage Veil vs. Traditional Bridal Veil
Here's an ongoing trend alert for all of you pondering options for topping off your white aisle look. I'm finding almost every one of my clients this year is going for some kind of cage veil. Sheath, A-line or full ball gown, the practical cage veil goes with any wedding dress silhouette, amps up the glam factor and is easy and light to wear. Traditional veils take work and the longer ones like chapel and cathedral lengths (though beautiful) either involve removing layers come...
Inspiration from Beijing Fashion Week
Welcome to Beijing Fashion Week, where we can finally see just how creative and innovative the people are who discovered that all time fave fabric of bridal wear, silk. I've been following Beijing Fashion Week since it premiered in 1997 and have always been left inspired. Yes, the majority of fluff on the catwalk is more like something you'd find in an art-to-wear exhibition at MOMA, a bit over the top... but then, isn't most fashion on this level? Overall it's interesting that...
Would You Wear a Wool Wedding Dress?
We've been going over 2012 bridal trends the past few Fridays and here's another worth looking into. Have you heard some designers are using wool for wedding dresses? Not too long ago I fashioned the Harlowesque-style above out of wool crepe. Sleeveless with silk flowers on the shoulder and waist it definitely had all the earmarks of a spring bridal gown. The big question I asked brides was, "Would you wear a woolen dress on your wedding day? In spring?" I got back the...
Swoon-Worthy Spring Bridal Finds, Part 2
The 2012 indie design series for swoonworthy spring fashion continues this Friday with a look at some ongoing trends I think brides are absolutely loving. Have you noticed designers are finally redefining the great, big princess dress? The newer version is a spun chiffon confection that says Boho more than playing princess for a day. This dress, by Pantora by Andrea, is a perfect example of what is happening for women who still want to go for ultra romantic but want to keep it...
Swoon-Worthy Spring Bridal Finds from Indie Designers
I knew the coming of spring would usher in some phenom finds from my fellow indies. What are we drawing inspiration from this 2012? For starters retro trends are going more niche. That means bridal designers are zoning in on a particular era and piece and embellishing it almost to authenticity. That touch of blush is still with us showing up under lightweight fabrics as well as added through accessories. Pleat and ruffle variations are everywhere and we're just beginning to see...
Lace and Organza, the Magic of Alice Padrul
Alice Padrul is a true romantic when it comes to creating bridal fashion. I've loved this particular designer's work for so long, finding her use of laces and the fabrics she works with downright inspiring. Luckily if you hail from Chicago (like OneWed's editorial director) you can find these magnificent bridal gowns in her flagship salon in the West Loop neighborhood. She also does the most out of this world custom work well-worth checking out!
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Wedding Dresses
The All White Wedding
Once upon a time the all white wedding was a terribly formal affair. Defined it was high dress formal usually held after 4PM with no less than 400 guests. Today the 'all white' scheme is perfect for just about any style wedding you can imagine, from high dress in a cathedral to the casual picnic in the woods. All White means just that: The bride in white alongside her bridesmaids wearing the same--sometimes the groom as well (but not always). Often all white bouquets are...
A Country Western Wedding
Howdy! Believe it or not you don't have to live in Wyoming to have a celebration the likes of any of these pics. Any country setting will do...all you need is a ranch, farm or meadow to kick up your heels and wing ding it country style. And check it out: Nearly any wedding dress properly accessorized can look cowgirly chic. A western bride with b-maids in cowboy boots and short dresses sure is hot right now. Add in some rustic elements like a weathered barn, pip berries and a...
New Concepts in Shopping for a Wedding Dress
The last couple years we've been hearing about the new concept out there, In Home Boutiques, offering everything from sportswear to lingerie. Defined, they are just that: A clothing store in a private residence allowing for that one-on-one shopping experience by appointment only. As of Febuary 5, Bride, an 'in home bridal boutique' in Los Angeles is open for brides wanting something a little different. Owned and run by designer, Maria Diaz, Bride carries pieces from...
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