Posts by TheFashionBrides
Mark Lesley 2011 Bridal Collection
Mark Lesley is a relatively new designer label offering a fresh and contemporary style of bridal gown. They have just won the prestigious Bridal Buyer Best Bridal Manufacturer of the Year Award for 2010 and sell beautiful structure, modern, contemporary and sophisticated styling – highly desirable dresses.
Lela Rose 2011 Bridal Collection
The Lela Rose bridal collection is founded on a clear vision to create classic silhouettes with a whimsical twist. Beautifully embellished fabrics are the foundation of this innovative collection and speak to the elegance of its personality with a nod to the era of glamour.
FashionBride Interview with Caroline from Paloma’s Nest
What is a wedding without its great details? I think every great thing has his small details that make it as grand and a wedding would lose a great lot if it wouldn’t have handcrafted modern heirlooms as the ones featured at Paloma’s Nest.
Caroline, the designer, strives to create items of meaning and purpose from these materials, while leaving the characteristics true. By adding text to the designs, written ideas, feelings, and daydreams are given a place to rest. I thought we should find out a bit more about her work and I had a small interview that will reveal more about her work and passion. Enjoy!
1. When did you decided to become a designer and why did you find this domain interesting?
I became a designer as a way to bring my art to a larger audience; to create pieces of beauty and inspiration that may be enjoyed by others. I love being a part of the wedding industry because it celebrates such a beautiful time in one’s life: a time full of love, union, and family. To create pieces, such as our Ring Bearer Bowls ™, that can be a part of this special time, and also be cherished for years into the future… that is the basis of what I do at Paloma’s Nest.
2. Talk us trough the first years of your work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time? Are your designs different from the very beginning?
I began the company on a very small-scale, from a studio in my home. Over time, as the interest in my work grew, so did the business. There is certainly a niche that my products fill a niche for hand crafted, personalized keepsakes with a timeless elegance to them. Our designs may change as the years go by, but our commitment to quality and the design aesthetic of our brand will always be the same we craft our pieces from the finest materials available, made by hand by skilled and talented artisans.
3. Why should a bride-to-be choose one of your designs?
Paloma’s Nest is the creator of the Original Ring Bearer Bowl ™, a design that has become a new tradition in modern wedding ceremonies around the globe. Our idea of using a ceramic bowl to hold the rings in a wedding ceremony, and our innovative design which makes the bowl double as a holiday ornament or home decoration after the ceremony, is completely unique to Paloma’s Nest. Our brides and grooms appreciate that the piece they use to hold their rings in their wedding can later be displayed in their home, and is destined to become a modern heirloom to be passed on for generations.
4. Do tell us a bit more about your inspiration sources.
I am inspired by the pure concept of an heirloom, and a strong sense of history the idea that something can be cherished so deeply by someone, that their family will love and treasure it, too, long into the future. The idea that an object can transcend time and decades, and land in the hands of a great great grandchild. With that inspiration, I focus on creating designs that are modern but not “trendy”. I want your heirloom-quality piece to look as beautiful in 100 years as it does today.
5. Have you got any piece you’ve created and that has a very special meaning for you? Can you describe it or can show us a picture?
The piece that holds the most personal meaning for me is the Heirloom Wedding Bowl that I created for my husband and I right before our wedding day five years ago.
This piece was made long before “Paloma’s Nest” was a company, long before I was in the position of creating my art for my clients on a daily basis. This piece I made for my now-husband is hand stamped with our names and wedding date. Though it is a simple bowl, and a bit elementary compared to the work I create now, it is one of our prized possessions and I have no doubt that it will be passed on for generations to come.
6. From your point of view, how should a perfect bride look like?
Happy. If a bride is happy, that is all that matters.
7. And tell us what would you give her and, maybe, other brands can’t.
We offer all of our couples a commitment to quality and service, based on the dedication, passion, and care that goes into creating our designs. Paloma’s Nest will be their source for handcrafted modern heirlooms for many years to come- not only for wedding gifts, or on their wedding day, but for keepsakes that commemorate the most special of occasions: births, anniversaries, holidays. The Paloma’s Nest collection offers designs perfect for all of life’s occasions, and more. We are a company based on longevity, and hope that our pieces will be a part of our clients lives at every stage and every turning point.
8. Last but not least, do you have any advice for FashionBride readers?
Follow your heart- in planning your wedding, and in living your life.
Hot stuff: Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding Showcase
Hailed the wedding show of choice by Vancouver’s most distinguished wedding experts, Crème de la Crème is sure to appeal to the most discerning bride.
WHEN
Saturday, October 30th from 11am-6pm
WHERE
Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver
HIGHLIGHTS
• Amore theme
• Over 60 hand-selected Vancouver wedding exhibitors, from wedding planners to jewelry
designers to gift registries
• Complimentary services, including bridal hair consultations, manicures, make-up touch-ups
and glam shots
• Haute Couture Fashion Show boasting New York runway designers Vera Wang, Monique
Lhuillier and Oscar de la Renta
• Tastings of the city’s finest cuisine and elixirs
• A new Destination Wedding category, featuring top resorts from around the world, including
Four Seasons properties, Cayman Islands and Air Canada Vacations
WEBSITE
www.cremedelacreme.ca
TICKET INFO
General tickets $45 per person, includes fashion show, deluxe gift bag and scrumptious tastings.
VIP tickets $65 per person, includes exquisite keepsake bag and consult with a ‘personal
wedding stylist’
ABOUT CRÈME DE LA CRÈME
Crème de la Crème, now in its 6th year, was created on the shoulders of enormously talented people. While producing this event was marked by many late nights, lost weekends and triple Americanos, the final product is one of true love and passion for extraordinary weddings and lifestyles. It’s simple really, Vancouverites have incredible taste and style and we are proud to present a showcase worthy of the spirit that makes each bride so beautiful. So welcome to Crème de la Crème, the grand wedding showcase, a gift to Vancouver; a source for countless sensational inspirations for your wedding and lifestyle.
Hannibal Laguna 2011 Bridal Collection
Hannibal Laguna has been a regular presence on the Spanish catwalks since 1990, appearing at the Cibeles and Gaudí fashion shows. Since 1998 he has presented in Autumn-Winter and Spring-Summer collections for men and women at Barcelona Estilo Hombre (Barcelona Men Style) y Barcelona Estilo Mujer (Barcelona Women Style). Since 1997 he has also presented his bridal wear collections at the annual Novia España Show (Spanish Bride Show), part of the Barcelona Fashion Week.
Jesus Peiro 2011 Bridal Collection
Ivory, flour white, and in its absence, the lightest off white, are combined with a very slight vintage touch in the details on the appliqués and ribbons. The colours are transparent, and the sheens give hues of colour to a very light off-white palette.
Elena della Rocca 2011 Bridal Collection
Elena della Rocca has never stopped, passing from a small workshop to a business reality acknowledged in Italy and abroad. It has alway looked at the future, at fashion trends, at development opportunities, managing to keep its identity, its handcraft heritage, its collaborators, extraordinary contribution.
Fashionbride Interview with Kimi Weart from Printable Press
Art is made to be admired and that’s one of the many reasons why we should surround us with beautiful designs and pieces. Wedding preparations are a great way to include art and its multiple forms in your everyday life. Today I’m gonna recommend graphic design and the team that know all about making the best wedding prints ever: Kimi Weart and Paul Galloway from Printable Press.
I’ve had a small talk with Kimi and found out more about her work and her passion. Read all about it right now! (ps. don’t you just love her wedding gown? note to FashionBride – must make a post only ’bout Kimi’s gown 😉 ).
1. When did you decide to become a designer and why did you find this domain interesting?
I entered the design world way back in 1997, when I got a job as an assistant at a children’s book publishing company. And don’t tell my old boss, but I knew nothing about design at the time, I just loved children’s books.
2. Talk us through the first years of you work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time?
Design at first seemed like it was only about learning computer programs, but my boss had been an art director for over 30 years (long before computers were introduced into publishing) and taught me about the long and wonderful tradition of design. Eventually I decided I didn’t want a typical 9 to 5 job, and left to become a freelancer. I have continued to design children’s books, but two years ago I got married and suddenly the idea of designing for one of the biggest celebrations in life became very attractive. Just six months later I opened A Printable Press, doing print-ready wedding stationery, so people could have the option of gorgeous stationery at any price.
Are your designs different from the very beginning?
I began A Printable Press sort of as an experiment, and I think my early stationery designs are pretty rough. Over the past year and a half I have refined my sensibility so that now they are much more original—the early ones feel very generic to me (I knew very little about the field).
3. Why should a bride-to-be choose one of your designs?
They should only choose one of our designs if it resonates in their heart! It isn’t our low price-point that attracts people the most—it is actually the uniqueness of the designs. Your stationery should be an expression of yourself and your idea of love, not of wedding trends.
4. Do tell us a bit more about your inspiration sources.
I am in love with old engravings, their attention to detail and the fact that they were originally made to bring artwork to people who couldn’t afford paintings. I also collect vintage food labels and tins, and have filled our home with branches and feathers and leaves. I’m a little obsessed with the woods. But I am probably most inspired by stories—if I read a Victorian novel, I’m inspired to make an invitation that Jane Austen may have used for her wedding.
5. Have you got any piece you’ve created and that has a very special meaning for you? Can you describe it or can show us a picture?
Probably my favorite piece is one called “Starry Night”, that shows falling stars. It is from a 19th century woodcut of a spectacular meteor shower, and the artwork felt so magical to me that I had to use it. I created a contemporary feel with an off-center frame and strong colors, and to me epitomizes that starry-eyed feeling you have when you get married. I wish I had designed this for our own wedding!
6. From your point of view, how should a perfect wedding should be like?
A perfect wedding should be one where you feel perfectly yourself—it should not cater to anyone else’s idea of a wedding (except be sure to have comfy seating for Grandma, that’s just polite). It is your own story, your own fairytale. Don’t worry about tradition, don’t worry about what a bride should look like, concentrate only on feeling like YOU.
7. And tell us what would you offer and, maybe, other brands can’t.
There are two things we offer—a variety of truly unique designs, and a way to have professionally designed stationery at a fraction of the cost. Because we let you choose how you want to print your cards, whether at home or with a professional shop, your stationery can be made to suit your budget. But these are not your typical budget-looking cards, they have beautiful details and each one is customized so that your wording looks perfect.
8. Last but not least, do you have any advice for FashionBride readers?
My best advice is to remember that the most important thing about a wedding is not how it looks, but instead that every detail feels true to your deepest self. You are two individuals coming together and celebrating the start of a new adventure, an adventure that will be utterly unique to you.
Cupid’s Bridal 2011 Bridal Collection
Your Bridal gown is your wedding centre piece. It is the culmination of your personal dreams brought to life with the expertise of Cupid’s Bridal specialists. The Bride’s fantasy becomes a reality in a symphony of satins and laces and embroidery. Beautiful embroidery is Cupid’s specialty.
Fashionbride Interview with Roxanne Wickware from Roxycakes
“Cakes have always been at the forefront of joyous events. Today, I work with clients to create original cakes that capture their unique style and add to the joy of their special occasions”, says Roxanne Wickware from Roxycakes and I must admit that’s the first thing that crosses my mind when I see a wonderful cake – the love and passion of the maker!
And that’s exactly the reason why I love Roxy’s cakes and her approach on the modern wedding. Here are a couple of questions I’ve sent her and her lovely answers. Enjoy and don’t forget that this article must be read only after eating a delicious piece of cake (it’s a must!).
1. When did you decide to become a cake designer and why did you find this domain interesting?
I’ve always had talent in visual arts but never knew how to translate my skills into a full-time job, so I settled for another career. One day on a break, I walked into a book store and flipped through a book of wedding cakes. I had a light bulb moment. That very day, I booked a week off work and attended a workshop called Introduction to Cake Design. A week later, I resigned from my job and signed up for a full-time internship in cake design. I enjoyed what I did before, but everything felt forced and unnatural. Suddenly, everything came naturally and felt completely right. That’s how I knew I was headed in the right direction.
2. Talk us trough the first years of you work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time?
Before I opened my doors for business, I spent a lot of time honing my skills and fine-tuning my recipes. I worked with local shops, offering free samples to their clients in exchange for feedback. I also found my own style and built a portfolio around it, which I hoped would set me apart from competitors. Clients used to come with specific ideas in mind and often, with photos of cakes they wanted me to replicate. Now, they ask for ideas and hope that together, we’ll come up with the perfect design.
3. Why should a bride-to-be choose one of your designs?
I think my clients choose to work with me because they know they’re not just notes on a clipboard. I do my best to understand their vision, and the best ideas emerge when everyone’s on the same page.
4. Do tell us a bit more about your inspiration sources.
My clients are definitely my greatest source of inspiration. I also draw inspiration from textures and colours combination in landscapes and architecture.
5. Have you got any piece you’ve created and that has a very special meaning for you? Can you describe it or can show us a picture?
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate the couples’ personalities into their cake, but when one of my clients approached me with the idea of making their wedding cake resemble their favourite books, I thought it may be too much personality. We got to know each other well over the months leading up to their wedding and by the time I delivered this creation, I couldn’t imagine any other cake for their wedding, it was just perfect. This one means a lot to me because it really breaks boundaries and shows that the possibilities are endless!
6. From your point of view, how should a perfect wedding be like?
In my opinion, the perfect weddings are the ones when you walk into the room and you instantly get a feel for what this couple values, what they’re about and where they plan on going together. To me, it’s not in the budget but in the details. An invitation hand-drawn by a talented friend can feel as rich as the thickest and finest letterpress.
7. And tell us what would you offer and, maybe, other brands can’t.
I think couples who are looking for something unique are drawn to my business because they see the cakes in my portfolio and feel that I’ll be able to realize their vision. Other than that, a lot of laughs and wild imagination!
8. Last but not least, do you have any advice for FashionBride readers?
When you’re ready to select a wedding cake, the first step should be to browse cakes online and in bookstores. Gather photos of cakes that really catch your eye, as these will give your cake designer insight into your personal style. Examine the photos and determine what they all have in common. It may be flowers or even their simplicity. From there, begin browsing the online portfolios of cake designers in your area. If you’re drawn to floral cakes, narrow down the designers who make the best sugar flowers. If it’s simplicity, then find the ones with the most immaculate execution, and so forth. Set up consultations and follow your intuition; select the one you feel most at ease with, as you’ll be in contact with them over the next few months. Finally, have fun with it and let your imagination guide you!