-
Benjamin Roberts 2010 Bridal Collection
Advertisements
Benjamin Roberts has come a long way in the last few years. Always renowned for their unsurpassed quality, the collections now aspire to being some of the most desirable ‘designer feel’ gowns available to you at a manufacturer’s price tag, as the majority of these dresses retail from only £750 to £1250. if this is above your budget, please visit Tia Bridal or if you prefer a ‘designer gown’ visit Constantina By Enzoani or visit our US collection Blue By Enzoani.
Benjamin Roberts wedding dresses have also evolved in the choice of fabrics too. Once predominantly satin, the collections now boast finest silks, French taffetas, printed organzas, crinkle tulles, soft chiffons and butter satins.
-
Colet Italy 2010 Bridal Collection
Advertisements
This modern, fashion-forward collection of Italian wedding dresses features intricate beading and detailed craftsmanship to create truly unique and modern wedding dresses that don’t sacrifice tradition. With gowns like this Colet Italy is one designer you should consider when buying the dress.
-
FashionBride Interview with Jennifer Fallon
Advertisements
1. When did you decided to get involved in this domain and why did you find it interesting?
When I was searching for my own wedding favors in 2003, I had a difficult time finding what I considered unique, upscale favors at an affordable price. It wasn’t long before I realized there was a definite need for an online site that offered more appealing, high-quality wedding favors at price points for brides at every budget. In 2004, My Wedding Favors was launched online from my basement, with only the best favors that met my standards. Apparently, I had found a valuable niche, and it wasn’t long before the success of MyWeddingFavors.com inspired me to design and manufacture price-conscious wedding favors, bridal shower favors and rehearsal dinner favors with the idea to make the gift-packaging part of the present, and Kate Aspen was born. Helping brides find success in even the smallest detail of wedding planning has become my passion. We now design and manufacture favors, bridesmaids’ gifts and table décor, all sold through our network of Internet resellers and brick-and-mortar stores like Michael’s. Our current collection includes more than 300 original wedding favor designs, and we launch exciting, new favor designs every year.
2. Talk us through the first years of you work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time? Are your views different from the beginning?
The biggest change was how quickly we grew. In the beginning, when we just had the one Web site, my parents and I handled all the customer service, orders and shipping, but eventually, it became clear that we needed more people for customer service, accounting, warehousing, shipping, product development and marketing, and most important, sourcing and IT. My two partners, Shirley Wang and D.J. Meng, are our sourcing and IT gurus. We now have more than 60 employees and an impressive building that hums with creativity. If anything, my passion has grown because we push the envelope every day in terms of product design and marketing. We’re always inspired by our brides, whom we survey frequently to stay ahead of the curve in tastes and trends. It’s hard to call this work. What’s more joyful and fun than being part of a wedding?
3. Why should a bride-to-be choose one of your products?
Favors are often your last chance to make a great impression at your wedding, and I believe our favors, presented in imaginative gift-packaging, provide brides with exceptional value inside and out. Some value is readily apparent, but some—like the lasting memories you give your guests—are not.
4. Do you offer help to a bride that is not familiar with this domain?
Absolutely! MyWeddingFavors.com features a series of articles on everything from wedding-planning stress busters to getting a passport for your honeymoon. The My Wedding Favors blog is all about brides, trends and ideas for every aspect of weddings and wedding planning. But best of all is our Customer Care Center, which is dedicated to being the best in the industry, and we believe we are. If a bride is looking for something special based on her wedding theme or color scheme, our customer service associates are happy to guide them to all her choices on the site. Whatever questions a bride may have, our team is ready to answer.
6. Do tell us a bit more about your criteria of choice of your products .
We design and choose favors that are top-quality, eye-catching, heartwarming and unforgettable. It takes expertise to offer the largest selection of favors that are also the very best of their genre. Every bride is unique, and we want to make sure we have more than enough choices for every bride. When my partners and I travel the world in search of new products and new ideas, we’re the eyes and hearts of millions of brides-to-be. We take that mission seriously—and happily.
Have you got any particular product that has a very special meaning for you? Can you describe it or can show us a picture?
Tough question. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I love our “With This Ring” Chrome Diamond Ring Bottle Stopper in the jeweler’s box gift presentation. Here’s a photo:
For me, it’s everything a wedding favor should be. Besides the symbolism of the diamond engagement ring as the very beginning of building a life together, this bottle stopper favor is elegant, practical and adds sparkle to your table decor. You can be certain your guests will take it home and use it. Last, but in no way least, the jeweler’s box gift presentation is unique and simply breathtaking. Though small in stature, a well-chosen favor not only thanks your guests for sharing your celebration, it gives them unforgettable memories of the most important day in your life. That’s what a favor is supposed to do!
8. From your point of view, how should a perfect wedding should look like (from the wedding favors perspective)?
As far as I’m concerned, every wedding is perfect, no matter what crazy things may happen that day. When choosing wedding favors (or bridal shower and rehearsal dinner favors,) the bride or hosts should consider the theme, the color scheme and most of all, personality—not just the bride’s, but their personality as a couple. For example, let’s say the bride and groom are avid golfers getting married at a country club or golf resort. I’d recommend this golf ball tea light.
If you’re an eco-conscious couple, look for eco-friendly wedding favors like our bamboo coasters.
If you’re planning a summer wedding or a beach wedding in a sultry, tropical location, your guests would be eternally grateful for a fan, and we have a couple of beauties!
Wine aficionados planning a wedding should check out wine-themed favors. This Petite Merlot Wine Glass Gel Candle is one of my favorites. I should mention that lots of favors also make exquisite table décor, so brides and shower hosts should keep that in mind when they’re browsing for favors.
Some couples have wild and crazy personalities, and we take care of them as well, with some smile-inspiring, whimsical favors, like “The Gratest Love of All” Stainless-Steel Cheese Grater and the Flip Flop Photo Frame.
Needless to say, wedding trends have moved us toward a variety of themed favors, too—Asian, Indian, Italian, Las Vegas, fairy tale, garden favors are all in our repertoire—and they might be candles, tea light holders, cheese graters, place card holders, bottle stoppers, note pads, salt and pepper shakers, bookmarks, soap, glass coasters, luggage tags, packets of coffee, tea, cocoa or lemonade, margarita drink mixes, purse valets, kitchen timers, photo frames, eco-friendly favors, refrigerator magnets, cookie cutters—we even have a pizza cutter! Creativity is endless, and we take advantage of that every day.
9. And tell us what would you give her and, maybe, other brands can’t.
That’s an easy one. We offer our brides (and all our customers) the largest, unique collection of favors at affordable prices and customer care that’s second to none. We’re especially proud of our In Favor of a Cure™ Pink Ribbon favor collection. Ten percent of sales go toward breast cancer research and other women’s health organizations.
10. Can you give us an insight on your new products?
I’d love to! Here’s a look at a few of our just-launched favors for 2010:
“Razzle Dazzle” Raspberry Iced Tea Mix “Fluttering Heart” Chrome Butterfly Bottle Stopper
“Imperial” Tea Light Holder (Coordinates with Kate Aspen’s “Imperial” Glass Photo Coasters)“Mod Dots” Black-and-White Polka Dot Glass Photo Coaster;
“Whimsical Fields” Spring Leaf Coasters; “Let’s Do Lunch” Personalized Insulated Lunch Tote (Bridesmaids Gift)
11. Last but not least, do you have advice for FashionBride readers?
In every aspect of your wedding planning, do what makes you happy—but first, do your research. Listen to the experts and those who have been there before. They can save you time, money and mistakes. Shop around and negotiate for the best price on your big-ticket items like your venue and catering. And don’t forget the favors!
-
Sarah Houston’s Fashion Trends for this Season
Advertisements
"Eternity" This is an exciting decade when it comes to bridal gowns. 2010 brings lots of choices to bridal fashion.
The focus this season is skirts with fuller and more dramatic silhouettes. Embellishments such as flower appliqués, bows, masses of ruffles or draped layers are incredible details that create individuality and style.
Fabrics for the next year are leaning back to the industry favorites. Lace, taffeta and tulles take the limelight. These light fabrics can create lots of airy volume allowing for a more comfortable gown on a hot summer day. Perfect for the ball gown bride because one thing is for sure…the ball gown is back. The only difference is that there will be a lot more drama on the lower half.
Another emerging trend is eye catching accents with the use of beading. Less fabric detail and more glitter is definitely in vogue. Embellished “jewelry style accents” in skillful patterns are incorporated into the design which forms part of the dress. This means less searching for that perfect piece of jewelry.
Finally, two emerging fashion trends worth noting:
1. Colour
While our society still thinks of a wedding dress in white, many brides are now confident enough to step outside the box and embrace a colour that flatters their skin tone. Shades such as, silver blue, muted pinks, soft yellow and purple are popular choices.
2. The Two Dress Dilemma
Celebrities have set the tone here, by changing from their traditional wedding gown after the ceremony to a more contemporary slinky silhouette by evening. Whether the choice is a short number to show off a great pair of shoes or long and slender silhouette, it is a great excuse to buy another wedding dress. As long as the budget permits not too many of us would require much arm twisting here.
Our latest ad features an alternative to the two dress dilemma: lace sheath with removable tulle overskirt…we call it the “two in one dress”.
The 2009 trends that still carried forward to this year
1. One shoulder dresses have taken the runway by storm in 2009, so it is no surprise that it is a focal point in bridal fashion Drama created by architecturally manipulating fabric into many different types of details gives the basic strapless dress a whole new look.
2. Asymmetry, ruching and draping are still the rage and you will find it everywhere. It is rare to see a plain dress that doesn’t have some type of fold, pleat or gathers.
Today’s brides are exercising their right to portray their unique personality by selecting the perfect dress. Choosing a wedding gown is always a special time in a bride’s life. No matter what their taste is, they are sure to find an incredible creation in 2010.
-
Christos by Amsale 2010 Bridal Collection
Advertisements
The CHRISTOS collection, now under the creative direction of Amsale, owner and creative director of AMSALE, has long been established as the couture collection for the classic, romantic bride.
CHRISTOS was established by Cyprus-born designer Christos Yiannakou. After heading his collection for over 20 years, he retired in 2005, leaving Amsale at the helm of the CHRISTOS collection. As creative director, Amsale has upheld CHRISTOS legacy for tradition while infusing a touch of her own modern sensibility into the collection. Amsale sees CHRISTOS as a natural extension of her own collection, as both are rooted in classic timelessness. A romantic at heart, she reveres CHRISTOS as a venue for her more traditional side. In opposition to the modern aesthetic which defines the AMSALE collection, CHRISTOS evokes a feeling of fairy-tale, femininity, and romance.
-
Carol Peretz 2010 Bridal Collection
Advertisements
The Carol Peretz collection is beautiful, striking, and unusual. The gowns are designed to flow and move with you, and to catch the eye with unusual cuts, light, breezy fabrics, and wonderful vintage accents.
-
Bridalane International 2010 Bridal Collection
Advertisements
For more than 30 years Bridalane International has been creating bridal fashions to make every bride’s fantasies come true! Bridalane wedding dresses are more than a fantasy though. The Bridalane International collection features beautiful and affordable bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, and dresses by Rena Koh.
They even offer accessories for the bride and the entire wedding party to complement any of their styles.
Tutto Bene bridesmaids are available in more than 90 colors from sizes 00 to 30! -
Bellantuono 2010 Bridal Collection
Advertisements
The Bellantuono bride is fascinated by the Eastern world and following in the footsteps of the Geisha , the expert in the art of seduction, abandons her feminist ideas and rediscovers her own femininity. In the wake of this, the collection is the blend between East and West: the obi sash belts, the atmospheres on shades of blue, mixed with cream and the imperial blue, the embroidery, the peony, the fans and any other ornaments all lead to the floral prints of the ancient kimonos and to Japanese art in general.
-
Ilenia Sweet 2010 Bridal Collection
Advertisements
The Cover girl is the inspiration for the IleniaSweet bride. The bride who has one eye on fashion, another on gossip, and who wants to wear the dresses she finds on the glossy magazines, those hyper draped, fresh and coloured dresses with the bitter rose nuance or with the watery and brilliant sheen.
Dresses with a clean line which make the embroidered lace stand out, luminous embroidery, a fine wear ability.
-
Justin Alexander 2010 Bridal Collection
Advertisements
Justin Alexander had a vision of affordable, couture bridal gowns that had an accent of glamour, drama and luxury. From this vision the Justin Alexander Wedding Dress Collection was created. Justin Alexander’s international design team pay close attention to detail, designing sophisticated bridal gowns for brides across Europe and North America.
The collection of gowns are made from the finest fabrcis from around the world and include pure silk, rich satins, soft laces, hand crafted beading as well as elegant Swarovski crystals. With corsetry is based on original Victorian patterns and techniques sculpting the classic hour-glass figure to perfection these beautiful wedding dresses allow each bride to feel as if their wedding dress were created just for her.
