Interviews

FashionBride Interview with Tania Borton from Magpie Vintage

Magpie Vintage was formed by the union of the creative talents of Lisa Harris and Tania Borton. Contemporary style combined with a love of Victorian opulence and the timeless quality of antique and vintage materials are reworked with silver to form eclectic one-off wearable designs.

Tania was kind enough to answer a couple of our questions and she shared with us a couple of secrets that will help us become real fashionbrides! Read it, savour it and go check out their website after!

1. When did you decided to become a designer and why did you find this domain interesting?

If your naturally talented and enjoy being creative, being a designer and creating stunning high quality work is truly rewarding. Having the recognition for beautiful creations is a bonus. Working with brides for that special moment is just heavenly.

2. Talk us trough the first years of you work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time? Are your designs different from the very beginning?

We started making vintage fashion jewellery in colours and fewer pieces in white, We became aware that many people where buying our ivory and white Jewellery for their wedding at non bridal shows.

We developed this side and found that the brides loved our designs and started telling there friends. Before long we had a reputation in the bridal market.

Brides wanted head dresses to match there jewels, which snowballed the Bridal market into wider designs. Now we work with couture houses and have exclusive collections within the Bridal industry.

We started a bespoke service where a bride could bring something of sentimental value, (that belonged to a loved one) and have it incorporated into their design. Working with the brides and having there input gave them more control over what they wanted.

3. Why should a bride-to-be choose one of your designs?

Personal taste is individual. We have many pieces that are statement pieces in there own right. these compliment simple dresses so give high impact with out being over the top. equally we have simple pearl necklace with hints of sparkle. A simple Alice band with vintage treasures

4. Do tell us a bit more about your inspiration sources.

Hollywood Glamour from the fifties. Miriam Haskell a famous designer of the twenties.

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?

All of our pieces are unique and each piece is handmade by ourselves and lots of time and energy goes into the pieces. With the feel of vintage jewels, you get a certain warmth, which reflects in our work. gives you a feel good factor.

6. From your point of view, how should a perfect bride look like?

A perfect bride should look and feel like themselves, just bringing out the princess out in them. It allows brides to make choices about there dreams, which we turn into reality.

7. And tell us what would you give her and, maybe, other brands can’t.

We offer a service where every piece of jewellery is a one off and unique in its design and originality. People are individuals and as such should be allowed to express them selves.

8. Last but not least, do you have any advice for FashionBride readers?

Follow your heart.

Interviews

FashionBride Interview with Luci DiBella

In 1996 designer Luci DiBella unveiled her self-titled label, a collection of classic, elegant and glamorous Bridal gowns. Luci DiBella is about the sophisticated and stylish woman. Inspired by the innovative 20’s, the sleek elegance of the 30’s and the stately glamour of the 40’s.

Today we sat down with her and found out a bit more about her gowns, her inspiration sources and the reasons behind her amazing creations. Read all about it and don’t forget to visit her website.


1. When did you decided to become a designer and why did you find this domain interesting?
I grew up in a workroom environment. My mother was a high-end Dress Maker in Italy, so to some degree I was influenced by her passion. However, I pursued other interests before succumbing to what seemed obvious in my early 30’s. I chose bridal, because it is more creative and allows you to experiment with design and high-end fabrics.

2.Talk us trough the first years of you work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time? Are your designs different from the very beginning?

I began my career in bridal with a vision of doing sleek, elegant gowns and have maintained this vision.
The welcome changes I have seen are the 17th century look-alike gowns have disappeared. The tragic too much jewellery, too much veil, too long of a train also finally disappeared.

3.Why should a bride-to-be choose one of your gowns?

It is a particular bride that choses my designs, my clientel consists of sophisticated professional girl who admires quality, design and one to one service.

4.How long does it take to design a single wedding dress?

The amount of time to design one single gown can vary, the usual process for me is: sketch, mocking up the design on the stand, working out pattern, do a prototype and refine the design

5.Do tell us a bit more about your inspiration sources for your collection.

I am inspired by eras like the 30’s and also by fabrics, and consider the shape of a woman whenever I put the pencil to paper. I travel a lot and get inspired by trends and art.

6.Do you also work with brides or you just try to give them the best of your designs in your collections?

I can design on the spot, but brides prefer to try gowns as they may not be visual. I always recommend to my brides to work with shapes which I have already mastered and work beautifully

7.Have you got any gown you’ve created and that has a very special meaning for you? Can you describe it or can show us a picture?

Not so much created a gown that has special meaning to me, but I apply some of the techniques that I witness my mother used when making high-end evening and bridal gowns. So her talent and passion has been translated in the making of my garments.

8.From your point of view, how should a perfect bride look like?

A bride should look elegant, sophisticated and romantic.

9.And tell us what would you give her and, maybe, other brands can’t.

I cannot speak for other brands, but only what I offer, So as mentioned before, I offer elegance, quality and one to one informative service

10.Can you give us an insight on your new Collection? What where your inspiration sources, what did you opt for as materials, shapes etc.

My latest collection is statement look with cutting edge drama, drapes, rouches, lace,textures fabrics and flattering silhouettes.

11.Do you like a more traditional approach or do you try to create a different image of the traditional bride?

Not really, I don t particularly follow a traditional approach to bridal as I feel it’s limiting and old-fashioned. A Wedding day is supposed to be glamorous, romantic, and very feminine.

12.Last but not least, do you have advice for FashionBride readers?

My advise is choose a gown that is amazing on your shape, that compliments your personality, and is appropriate for the reception you have chosen. Allow yourself to venture a little out of your comfort zone.

Tips & Tricks

If Cinderella Designed Her Own Fairy Tale Wedding Shoes…

If Cinderella designed her own fairy tale wedding shoes, what would she design? Perhaps she would forego the glass slipper for a more sleek, sophisticated stiletto in ivory satin with gold trim and an antique gold broach, a
perfect wedding day shoe designed with her perfect wedding dress in mind.

Atelier Shoes offers brides the ability to custom design their own bridal shoes, right down to the very last detail. Cost-conscious brides can choose from several basic models, which include fierce peeptoe pumps, strappy sandals
and classy mary janes.

With all of Atelier Shoes’ options, a bride can customize these for her wedding day by choosing from Atelier Shoes’ selection of satin materials. For a bride that wants something truly original, Atelier Shoes also offers brides the ability to add their own adornments, with Atelier Shoes assisting every step of the way by offering design ideas, submitting sample sketches and searching for the perfect accent adornment.

About Atelier Shoes: Atelier Shoes, LLC was started in 2007 by Kate Friedman, a creative shoe lover with an
eye for glamorous shoes and an entrepreneurial itch.

After months of sketching shoes, testing prototypes and choosing fabric samples, Atelier Shoes began to evolve into the custom design shoe company it is today where clients get to call the shots when it comes to their own fashion choices. But, of course, Atelier Shoes gets to “oh”and “ah” over their designs.

2011 Collections

Priscilla of Boston 2011: Whimisical & Daring New Bridal Ideas

 

Details are the main feature of this season: that’s what it’s all about for the new bridal trends for wedding dresses in 2010/2011 and it doesn’t stop with accessories.

Take a cue from the Carolina Herrera and Priscilla of Boston collections who introduced amazingly chic straw hats as an option for brides. Sticking with the current “feather” trend this past two fashion weeks, plums and feather quill headpieces rocked the runway for fall brides-to-be.

 

Shorter mini wedding dresses are here to stay it seems and intricate detailing with luxe fabric is perfect for a more updated version. Here are some inspirational ideas from newest collection from Priscilla of Boston.

Interviews

FashionBride Interview with Chris Barber

You may have a one day wedding but your photos will last you forever, that’s why you must find the perfect team to take care of your lifetime worthy memories. We talked with Chris Barber from Chris Barber Media and found out more on the art of photography.

You’ll love to work with Chris and his wife Dani their work is modern and the sessions (and images) are fun and  they’ll can make you look AWESOME!

Don’t forget to check their website!

1. When did you decided to become a photographer and why did you find this domain interesting?

Wedding photography got into us. We’re both still kinda young so this is something we’ve been doing all our “working” life so far. We love weddings because we see that there’s room to push the boundaries of what people think wedding photography “should” look like and what wedding photography “could” be like. All our couples book us for our off-beat, quirky and fun style. To us, wedding photography is mainly about having fun, feeling relaxed and being yourselves, we make our couples feel as though we’re just “hanging out” whilst we snap away.

2. Talk us trough the first years of you work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time? Are your projects different from the very beginning?

We’re 21 and 22, so we’re still relatively young and “new” to the industry. But we’ve been shooting professionally for the last 2-3 years and our mind-set has never changed. We aim to constantly push ourselves to produce new ideas, fresh work and eye catching images, not just for our couples, but (kind of greedily) for ourselves. We love and take pride in what we do so producing the same work, week in, week out would not cheating our couples out of fresh, modern photography, but it’d also be incredibly boring for us. So we like to try something fresh and a little different at every wedding.

3. Why should a bride-to-be choose your services?

Usually brides come to us with a huge sigh of relief, often with something along the lines of “we nearly had to settle for our Mum + Dads posed, rigid, same old/same old wedding photographer”. All our couples appreciate good photography, they love our quirky/off beat style and want to avoid stiff, rigid, posed photographs at all costs.

Another reason is because we’re a husband + wife team, which brings a completely different approach to that of other photographers who shoot alone or simply hire a second shooter. Our couples love the fact that they get to know who we are and what they can expect on the day rather than some random dude that just turns up and meets the couple 5 minutes before the ceremony.

Also – we make our couples look and feel freakin’ awesome!

4. Do tell us a bit more about what a bride should do or say to help you – let’s say maybe give you some more details about the lighting on the venue or about the style she will choose for her wedding attire.

There’s so many things we try and find out from our brides before the big day. Firstly, we want to get an idea of who they are: what they enjoy doing in their spare time and what their approach to planning the wedding is. A few months before, we meet the couple again to discuss timings and any formal photos they may wish to request. We deliberately only photograph the groups that the couple request so that we can keep the “formal” part of our service fast-paced, fun and energetic.

We couldn’t think of anything worse than spending an hour and a half lining up 20 different combinations of the same family whilst the rest of their guests get bored. It’s important to give the photographer whatever time they require. We request a small amount of time for each part of the day and it’s quite easy for this time to be significantly reduced. The more time you can honor your photographer with, the more chance you have of obtaining the images that you booked them for in the first place.

5. Have you got any wedding you’ve photographed and that has a very special meaning for you? Can you describe it or can show us a picture?

This is going to sound really naff, but every wedding is genuinely important to us in some way. We build a rapport with every couple and get to know “their story”, so it’s super awesome when they finally tie the knot. Needless to say, every couples story is different so some “hit us” harder than others.

We recently did a wedding for an American couple in Edinburgh that have an incredible story. I’ll save you every detail but the basic outline is that they both moved to Scotland a couple of years back because they loved the city of Edinburgh and for the brides education.

They chose to get married there, with a small intimate crowd of around 20-odd guests. The couple were totally on our wave length and loved our quirky, fun approach to wedding photography. They were super care-free and live life as it comes, we completely fell in love with and they’ve left a huge impression on us and where we see ourselves in the future.

6. From your point of view, how should a perfect wedding be like?

Every wedding should have a cake in the shape of a Freddo chocolate bar. If it aint got that – it aint a perfect wedding. Just kidding, I guess the perfect wedding is subjective in that as long as it’s perfect to the couple – that’s all that matters.

Being wedding photographers, we see some things that want to make us get married all over again and some things we’d rather avoid but at the end of the day, as long as the bride and groom are enjoying their day, that’s all that matters. Personally, a wedding for us should be relaxed, fun and a chance to party hard!

7. And tell us what would you offer a future bride and, maybe, other photo teams can’t.

That’s easy. We offer us. There our 1000’s of photographers out there, and we know that our style and personalities aren’t for everyone, but if a couple feel some kind of connection with us and our work, then we HAVE to photograph their wedding.

8. Last but not least, do you have any advice for FashionBride readers?

Don’t think too much. Oh and party hard. Love you!

2011 Collections

Alex Perry 2011 Bridal Collection

Custom made is a special experience and the ultimate luxury in fashion. Alex Perry is the master of Couture in Australia and ensures that each client’s Haute Couture experience is unforgettable.

Your gown is personally designed by Alex over a series of private consultations with you during which the design and fabrication of your gown will evolve.

Tips & Tricks

Great news for your Green Wedding!

The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, the international organization of drycleaners specializing in gown cleaning, restoration, and preservation, is pleased to announce it has partnered with the Green Bride Guide, the #1 green wedding website.

Brides will have greater access to green gown cleaning and preservation and can purchase destination wedding kits together with carbon offsets for greener honeymoons. The Association will also provide expert content for the Green Bride Guide website.

Kermit Engh, president of AWGS, noted that the ZeroCarbonTM green gown care offered by members of the Association is unique in the industry. “Brides are concerned about their carbon footprints,” said Engh, “and our ZeroCarbonTM cleaning and preservation allow brides to ensure the beauty of their wedding gowns and safeguard the planet’s future, too.

The new partnership,” continued Engh, “means more brides will find our members because GreenBrideGuide.com is the most comprehensive and credible green wedding resource online. Their Directory is like a Yellow Pages for green weddings and provides a centralized resource of green wedding vendors, searchable by geographic area.”