WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

 

Make-up by Pretty Girl

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

 

 

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...

1. 

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...

TWO WAY COUTURE

Thought I should mention the popular MIRA gown that made such a buzz last season is actually a two-way dress. First version is a halter dress. The second, hugs the shoulder with cap-like sleeves. You've seen the halter all over the blogs thanks to the fantastic photographic talents of Stephanie Williams. I finally have images of the off-the-shoulder sleeve treatment created by criss-crossing the halter ties into a waist sash. The fitted and boned bodice is Chantilly lace, the full skirt linen GEORGETTE. Some versions I've done the skirt in silk chiffon. I'm calling this cap-sleeved version 'EASTER SUNDAY 1956' for reasons you can probably figure out. Worn either way this MIRA is a stunning hark back to the 1950s and ultra-fem dressing.

MIRA: THE HALTER DRESS

Stephanie Williams Photography
CAP-SLEEVED MIRA

MIRA can be ordered through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal in silk chiffon or linen/georgette.
amyjotatum@gmail.com
415.258.8204

LACE MEDLEY

Can you think of anything more vintage bridal than lace? Here are pieces from my Spring 2010 collections along with a few other inspirations I found on SMP that show lace in all its beauty as well as delicacy from Chantilly to peau d'ange and Alencon . . .

Top Photo by Ryan Chua

Above Left: Title: Jose Villa Photography
Above Right: Photography by Shelah Osbrink/aka digital She

Below Left: Photography by Ryan Chua
Below Right:Carla Ten Eyck

Gowns can be veiwed and special ordered through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

MORE DIORESQUE

Photographs: Stephanie Williams
Bouquet: JL Floral Designs

Dress: Amy Jo Tatum Bridal

Hair pieces + veils: Batcakes Couture

Make-up: Teena Hoffstetter

Hair: Kyle Rich

Location: San Juan Capistrano, California

I want to talk a little about my 'Dioresque Collection'. The gorgeous Stephanie Williams photo series, Vintage + Rustic feature about it has been all over the net lately. Since the debut of these images you all have expressed interest in where I get my inspirations. Hurell and Dior were my icons so it makes sense most of my work is inspired by vintage looks. I'm especially fond of old Hollywood and 1950s Paris and always working on ways to bring these styles into a modern arena for contemporary brides.

I've always had a thing about dresses with tons of volume just above the ankles. Most in the 'Dioresque' collection follow this length which can easily go formal or semi-formal.

'Dioresque' is a capsule collection of 50s hourglass silhouettes. It isn't quite finished as there are four more dresses similar to these coming off the work table within the next few months. I am making a few changes in production. Next season I plan on replacing most of the crinoline underskirts with 100% cotton organdy.

Another fabric I'm incorporating into the collection is bamboo cotton. It has just the right under structure to make a great lining and feel good against the skin. Plus, little beknownst to most, bamboo has anti-bacterial properties which contribute to controlling body odors.

What could be more Paris 1950s than a picture hat swathed in tulle? When Stephanie found this piece in my collection she asked specifically for it to add as a piece in the shoot. Amber sure knows how to work this hat and gloved lady-like look.

Special thanks to all who made this shoot possible and with such skill to bring out the vintage looks reminiscent of an era we all love so much . . . .

NIGHTGOWN CHIC

beyonce!!! ... by stylist to the stars featuring Jimmy Choo heels & wedges

Fortunately we're in an era when it's okay to wear a wedding gown that looks like lingerie. All the choices here echo nightgowns from the 30s-40s era therefore also look vintage, don't you think?

Untitled by noufo0o featuring Forever21 brooches

Here's another fortunately: Your options for accessorizing are many. Pair up any of these gowns with a veil or mantilla and they go classic; nearly any hat, vintage. Try a floral wreath and suddenly the gown goes Boho.

başlıksız by Revan featuring Forever21 belts

I always thank those wonderful creative people over at Polyvore who dream up these gorgeous boards. They're so inspiring and have helped me get dressed all those days I need that little extra ommph to put myself together.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

photo courtesy of Movie Diva

Meet LYDIA. Actually, those following this blog have seen the LYDIA gown in the recent Hair Art and Smalll Veils for Fashionistas posts last month. Now it's time to meet LYDIA up close and personal.
For me, embossed chiffon is one of the most luxurious fabrics for its draping and floating capabilities. Here I've lined it in silk crepe to make it move like it's part of the bride's skin. The back drape is made out of silk gauze, a fabric so light, (even lighter than chiffon) it practically floats. Dappled here and there on the drape are small silk flowers.

Where I got inspiration for this one is a no-brainer. 1930s Hollywood is my biggest muse and will continue to amuse me as long as they keep all those old movies restored.

Embossed chiffon


You can see more of Lydia and all the new 2008-2009 collection by checking out my website, Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture (But most of the gallery is under construction, sorry for the mess)

Photos by Henley Photography

Make-Up by Rob Ward

Hair by Kathie Rothkop

WHAT'S NEW IN RETRO?

Feathers. Cocktail hats with veils. Long strands of pearls. Opera gloves.

This simple cut velvet gown with just the right accessories instantly becomes retro.

The veil of this hat easily becomes a shoulder drape.

Once this whole look is pulled together it can be reminiscent of pre-1920s as well as 1930s Hollywood.

Photos: Henley Photography
Gowns and accessories: Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture