PORTRAITS of CHANTILLY

You can always recognize Chantilly lace by its delicate background and intricate detail. Named after the town in France where its still made, the patterns originating in the 18th century are to this day, still time-honored and manufactured.  My favorite of all laces, Chantilly is fragile and romantic.  It can be used as an allover lace or touches of it here and there on bodices, skirts and sleeves.  Chantilly has always been synonymous with the finest in bridal wear from dresses to veils and accessories . . .

S1 Studio

The perfect customizing for a simple gown, this three-tiered lace jabot has matching ruffle gauntlets all tied together with polka-dot grosgrain ribbons and  a cameo

S1 Studio

A Chantilly lace bordered mantilla worn with a bouffant tulle dress with lace bodice . . .

Shelah Osbrink/aka digital She

 Crepe and Chantilly lace are the perfect duo here for a gown reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood

This bodice is appliqued in Chantilly lace with shirred tulle overlaid

Ryan Chua Photography

The kick pleat in the back of this silk dupioni gown is a gathered inset of Chantilly lace

 This repro tea gown harks back to the Art Nouveau period. Chantilly lace covers the bodice and borders an asymmetrical tulle skirt

This is a perfect  Boho piece in a mix of  Chantilly laces, chiffon and brocade gold  belt

 Ryan Chua Photography

True vintage.  Another tea gown in a mix of Chantilly laces

TOPPING OFF YOUR LOOK WITH SOME OOOOH LA LA

I was so jazzed this season about creating these little head poufs and fascinators harking back to the 1940s.  The pouf above is a gathered piece of Point d'espirit topped off with a hand rolled silk floral.  Below a large organza floral with moire faille leaves makes the perfect fascinator.

A pancake hat with a silk rose is topped off with a pouf of tulle . . .

I can't take credit for this veil.  It is a genuine vintage fly away circa late 1960s complete with a jeweled and beaded Juliet cap . . .

POUFS AND CAGES

Smoot Photo
 Once reserved  for the informal wedding, short veils are not only chic for the most casual civil ceremony, we've been seeing them at many ultra-formal weddings lately.  This is partly because poufs and cages can be elegant and easy to wear all at once--no lugging around that excess tulle come reception time.  Also when brides first started sporting them a couple years back, they were a new and different statement away from the traditional veil..  Believe me, I had a ball designing these small confections of net and tulle and they're some of my all time favs . . .

 Scott Williams

Header photo: The bubble cage of Russian netting, still popular this year with the more modernistic bride wanting to add some edge to her look.  Directly above: The floral cage, a favorite of vintage brides everywhere.

I'd call the petal veil above a cage as long as the blusher is pulled over the face. Ivory tulle with  florals dappled  front and back . . .

Above: Three hand rolled silk dupioni roses and a nose veil of Russian net.  Below: A pouf of gold netting,  for the diva bride

Make up by Pretty Girl

Above: Chanel-inspired white jeweled shantung bow with eye veil. Below:  A large gardenia wrapped in Russian net.

Scott Williams

Another vintage gem, 'Two Roses'  matches up easily with any lace or dress belonging to the ages

All head wear and gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

SPRING POTPOURRI

From sophisticated to romantic, this is all about accessorizing--adding those little touches here and there that make a look very special and all your own.

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 . . . .

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