T'is the season..for marriage proposals

I can’t believe my last post was spring and suddenly Christmas is nearly upon us again! - and so is the summer holiday time. This is traditionally a big time for proposals and engagements and it’s even better to be on your holiday as a new bride to be. There is finally time for contemplation and you are able to wile away those lazy summer days looking for inspiration for the perfect wedding dress.

The simple summer beach wedding is more popular than ever and really demands that you choose the gown with the simple cut, the sleek sexy hair style (so your hair doesn’t blow in your face for the outside photos) and no opulent trains to drag in the sand.

That simple summer glamour is always gorgeous and there are so many designers now that have such a variety of chic little numbers that are perfect. Simple structured slim lined gowns in silk or satin are just right and so too are pretty lace or chiffon fabrics in a plain no fuss design. When the wedding gown is simple often the groom is more casual - possibly in light coloured suit and open shirt - reflecting that quintessential Aussie style or relaxed beach look.

If summer is your dream time for the wedding then you will probably need to have a contingency plan for the outside ceremony if the unthink able happens and it actually rains in this drought-ridden environment. One can expect blue sky but there is the possibility of storm clouds – also nice and dramatic in the photos!

But if you are not planning now for the summer months but rather Spring or Winter now that you are on holiday and have some time you can start gathering a style file of all your favourite looks. It’s really fun to cut out inspiring ideas from magazines (like Bride!) and look for all the aspects of your outfit. From hair styles or bridesmaid dresses to flowers for you and the wedding table, you can create your own mood board that will keep you focused as the planning continues.

So happy holidays and lie on the beach with the latest copy of BRIDE out now.

Kirstie

Spring has sprung

Seasons are changing again and spring has sprung. Spring has always been the number one wedding season and now summer too is a very popular time to wed with girls keen to wear light and minimal gowns that are less traditional.

These warmer months mean a bride dreams of a balmy romantic day. It’s enticing to imagine the sensuous languid weather perfect for the beach or garden weddings. For these days girls are inspired to choose the sexy slim shaped gowns and fluid fabrics like slinky satin and jersey. Modern flowing dresses look sensational.

In springtime with all the flowers blooming and blossoms around making a stunning backdrop to the wedding, I Iove a bride in light and airy fabrics such as chiffons and silk crepes.

With such beautiful possibilities for capturing the day in an outside setting styles of gown with a soft construction and really pretty, feminine embellishments like sashes and bows are perfect. Your gorgeous light as a feather gown will blow attractively in the breeze and you can catch that candid moment in your ever-important wedding photos. Flowers are brilliant in spring too of course (the choice is better!) and that’s a big part of the wedding from the bouquet to the table settings.

As I have noted before with so few brides opting for sleeves – spring and summer finally make sense of this strapless look! Yes on the warm days this is quite appropriate.
As most brides are keen to enjoy a summery atmosphere with the optimistic feelings that emanate it’s not surprising that it’s the fashionable time. I feel a garden party coming on !!!

Kirstie
PS: if you are keen to see more fashionable wedding frocks don't forget the Bride picuture galleries

Catwalk fun!

Wow! - it’s been hard to find the time to do a quick bit of blog after such a busy time here at BRIDE headquarters. The Bride team’s combined energy and creative talent has been channelled into organising and presenting our annual expo at Jeff’s shed in Melbourne.

From my end of the business – fashion – it has been exciting and triumphant! The array of simply gorgeous bridal creations on our stunning catwalk was inspiring.

There is so much for brides to choose from today. Brides are SO lucky! From the ethereal 1920’s style from the designer Gwendolynne to simplicity and elegance from Baccini & Hill – theatrical and unusual creations form Dimitria, Annette Of Melbourne and Mathieu Salem Design, traditional romantic looks from Gulderen Sivasli and the grand dame of Melbourne bridal fashion Mariana Hardwick proved her worth again with gorgeous fabrics and beautifully cut designs. From innovative looks, funky style to conventional bridal they are all so beautiful.

Spunky boys (yes I will get some pics up here soon!) strutted their stuff in the latest men’s formal wear – and you have got to love a guy in a kilt! They looked great. If you have a bit of Celtic blood it’s a fantastic option. Guys really do look handsome in a skirt!

We are really lucky to have so many excellent designers in our small neck of the woods and seeing them up close and personal is one of the major advantages for brides going to a quality bridal event.

I think we all still like to get a feel for fabric and how it moves when we walk – how it flows or shimmies, drapes or sparkles - this is the best part of catwalk shows. It’s exciting and super glam – bridal is allowed to be over the top and Hollywood. Dreamy music and lighting add to the atmosphere. Even if you’re not getting married it’s so much fun.

It’s all over for another year but we can start imagining the next grand fashion show now!

Kirstie

Trains, not the choo choo variety

It’s a mad mad fashion world these days. All sorts of wildly impractical shapes and designs take our fancy. As I sit here thinking of Bride magazine’s latest fashion shoots which I am in the thick of planning right now and also our spectacular fashion catwalk show that takes place in late June, I am contemplating what does today’s bride want to see and want to wear??

In days gone by there was quite a desire for the formal train – luminous fabric that flows elegantly behind like a princess (think Princess Grace of Monaco)!

What an exquisite look but is it for today?? Can this work as you trudge around the winery in your high heels or have a funky modern wedding in the park, beach, restaurant or the Art gallery? Of course if you are still doing the church it’s an elegant option. Church aisles are perfect for this – aerial shots of royal weddings have stayed in our imaginations. Let’s consider the train as a practical option.

There are 2 categories of trains– the integrated or attached train and the detached or removable. These 2 are fairly self-explanatory – one being integrated as part of the gown and the other can be removed. Simple? No - far from it. If you delve into the subject of trains it could do your head in as there’s a bamboozling amount of variations that exsist. Try this and guess what they all mean?

“The Watteau”(sewn across the back then falls to the floor),

“The Empire” (attached at shoulder blades and trials to the floor),

“The Natural”,

“Floor length”,

“The Sweep” (extends 1 foot from the body),

“The Chapel”,

“The Cathedral”,

“The Royal” (not for us mere mortals as this one needs several attendants to move around as it’s 25 feet long! That’s why they need the aerial shots!).

IF you are a blushing bride- to- be you can ask a gown designer to show you drawings of all of the above, but the fact is I have seen less and less of them at modern weddings. Are they practical? Well what has practical to do with it? Again I come back to this. It’s one day and one WOW moment. If it’s your dream to glide in trailing a like a princess - go for it!

Kirstie

Where have all the sleves gone?

As the weather becomes chillier it’s quite a shock after all the stinking hot summer days we have had. It makes me ponder -what is more difficult for bridal fashion decisions? – a day too hot or too cold?

For quite a few years now brides in Australia don't seem to go for the winter wedding look. So many seem to love the summer style – it’s all that sexy, shoestring strappy or strapless “going to the Oscar’s” glam frocks that have been a winner. And it doesn’t matter what season. But winter wedding fashion – if you go the whole hog - can be really sumptuous and interesting. Plus isn’t it better not to have gone blue for the photos with your teeth chattering just for the sake of fashion? (far better to include the “something blue” part of the tradition as in “something borrowed etc..” – as an accessories not your skin tone.)

I would love to s ee the wedding gown sleeve come back. I think lace sleeves look so extravagant and glamorous. Dare I say it, if one does have what’s been tactfully referred to as difficult arms a beautiful sleeve is gorgeous and flattering.

There are pretty details that can be achieved with sleeves too. Sweet little cap sleeves in lace or sheer chiffon, long chiffon with floaty kimono like ends. I could dedicate a whole blog to sleeves.

I get inspired by European weddings with fur trim gowns. It evokes the ice queen from CS Lewis only more angelic. I remember loving Christie Brinkley’s Aspen wedding years ago with a gorgeous glam fur trimmed full length coat over a stunning golden coloured gown. The marriage didn’t fare so well but the wedding style was perfect. What I also love on a bride is a funky little fur stole or a wrap. Many pretty colours and styles are around these days. And of course they don’t have to be real fur – the fakes are just as hot!

We shouldn’t have to shiver on the big day to follow the strapless pack. What about originality and also practicality in the cold wind?

My Mum had a wool lace gown – beautiful mutton chop sleeves, cinched in waist. It was simple and gorgeous for the freezing London winter day back in wartime 1942. Speaking of the war that fabric was hard to come by and many had to save their coupons for that!

How lucky are we today? Spoilt for choice with fabrics. Jersey is warmer and the way it drapes is fabulous and fluid.

I know it’s not like Europe here and you won’t need a full-length fur coat but an elegant satin or silk jacket – or a little shrug is a good idea if your wedding is outside. You can reveal all later at the reception. Then (if you must ) go ahead and dance the night away in your sexy, skimpy or strapless gown.

Hope you are inspired to take a closer look at the elegance of a sleeve

Kirstie :)

Buying the ultimate sparkler

Well I finally chose the ring of my dreams and… it is mine! My chivalrous husband slapped down the cash and I am the owner of a Deco style brilliant cut diamond (superbly sparkly) claw set with grain set surrounding in 18k white gold.

This exquisite piece of jewellery has got me ridiculously excited – but wouldn’t you know it there is always a snag. The engagement ring that was 12 years coming (refer to earlier blogs for that story) is mine technically although it is NOT on my finger yet! Wouldn’t you know it having skinny fingers means adjustments have to be made. I thought that today I would get the call and drive with intense purpose to the shop and rush back in a frenzy to show off to all and sundry. However the disappointing fact is that whoever it is at the jewellery shop that toils away fixing oversized rings is busy busy busy right now. Easter’s coming, short week, HUGE back log.. blah blah blah! Grrrr! So frustrating! I am literally dying to have it on my finger and have done my nails a stunning metallic soft pink colour to perfectly set off the sparkle and glimmer.

I need to learn Buddhist like patience. – and if I was really enlightened I would learn not to get so over excited about material possessions. As if…

Until next time - when hopefully I will have a shinny ring on my finger!

Bling Bling

Did I mention I was married 12 years ago? – Because the funny thing is that it is only now that I am researching and buying my engagement ring! Well things can be a tad disordered like that in life, extenuating circumstances and all that. Here’s why:

As stated in a previous post, at the time that I was actually engaged I saw myself as funky and alternative. I wasn’t convinced that the ring was entirely necessary in order to prove our love. Surely that was a daggy tradition. Plus let’s be really honest gorgeous rings with divine unfeasibly shiny and desirable diamonds, rubies or sapphires cost a BOMB! At the time we had between us 3 young children aged 5-7 yrs. We thought of their education, their years of needs and of the fab family holidays we would have to sacrifice if we blew all our dosh on a bit of bling. But secretly I envied the flashy brilliance of the gleaming sparkly rings on the fingers of co-workers, girlfriends, even my Mum!! (one shouldn’t envy one’s Mum!)

Imagine the shock and delirious delight when my husband suggested that after 12 years he was going to get me “the ring”! He’d always felt a bit bad about not doing it and here it was our anniversary. He didn’t trust himself to choose it - or rather he did but he considered that such an outlay of $ should really meet the wearer’s requirements! Wow! Now we can go ring shopping. I am like a newly engaged gal – flipping through the magazines, sketching the ideas. Should we have it specially made or should we just find one and buy it? Such massive decisions to be made. It’s as tricky as couture v off their rack. Style wise I have little fingers so it can’t be too “Liz Taylorish” in magnitude. (for those who don’t know, the multi-married Liz had a penchant for HUGE rocks!). It must be delicate and pretty and fabulous. Isn’t this fun? Just an aside to readers who are looking for a ring – how glorious are they?? Diamonds really do sparkle more beautifully than anything. Now I know why so many have to have a diamond. All those different cuts – princess cut, brilliant cut etc and the diamond weight, the carats – the clarity (that’s how pure the diamond is). This is all new and fascinating info! Then what about the setting - white gold, pave (a cluster of diamonds), bezel, claw – it sounds like a scary movie but you need to learn all the lingo. Precious stones are an option and can be gorgeous. Styles are varied. You can choose Art deco, antique Victorian or cutting edge modern.
This will take time but I am loving it!! Why did I think it was daggy?

Kirstie!

School of Chic

Of course there is the school of chic and the “less is more” type. Slim line is less likely to date . Less fussy is more relaxed in keeping with the more casual weddings. However glamour is still high on most girls’ lists.

The sumptuous fabrics that are a part of the dream - lace, silk, duchess satin, organza, taffeta, georgette, chiffon – floaty, slinky, sensuous, divine. A dress made just for you is such a luxury. For fashion lovers couture is the bomb!

These days there are so many gorgeous options for the special day and a wide range of brides – most hoping for something really different and unusual but in the end most really want to be like me ie: v.pretty etc. but somewhat breathtaking – ie: big gasp as she enters!

The wedding day for most is a life-affirming and ceremonious occasion. As there is not much ceremony left in our society there is lots of excitement about planning the big moment when you commit formally to each other and although it sounds shallow it ‘s also all about the dress!! It isn’t exactly shallow though as expressing yourself through your clothes is creative. The gown says something. The mood of the day – the look you want – at the wedding it is so meaningful and a reflection of your personality.

Our sense of style is who we are. You really want your whole style type encapsulated when you walk toward the one you love on that day & you promise to stay together. You want them (and everyone else) to go – Wow! How magnificent she is – star for the day, “in love” and feeling impossibly gorgeous!

Kirstie :)

My fashionable life...

My life is all about bridal fashion. As the fashion editor on BRIDE Magazine most days are spent looking at or thinking about wedding gowns. Either I pour over real life weddings, or I am arranging to showcase beautiful bridal couture in our fashion shoots or on our catwalk. For a lover of clothes (that’s me!), being able to immerse myself in outfits that dreams are made of – it’s a dream job.

There is nothing like a wedding gown to make a fantastic statement. The sheer quality of bridal fashion - so intricately and skilfully made and the use of superb fabric, expert design plus the cut and line of the dress - so sophisticated and superior to everyday wear. It’s thrilling to envisage and my privilege to inspire girls in the lucky position to choose a gown.

I came to publishing and bridal fashion by a strange route having worked for many years as an actor, a radio announcer, a singer, dabbling in PR & writing.

Everything I have ever done though was somehow connected to fashion & style and my obsession with clothes, accessories, make up – frivolous girlie delights - but even at my own wedding day – (12 years ago now) – choosing a wedding gown was a BIG DEAL! Even though I thought I was groovy and alternative therefore not one to get all fired up about a wedding dress, once I had the excuse to get one it was a major excitement. All contemporary style notions were out the window -this was special. It was almost overwhelming to think of making the final decision on such an important outfit. This included accessories and flowers – the whole look it was just so vital to do it right. I wanted to be pretty, glamorous, stylish, timeless – an endless stream of adjectives. Never has the question loomed so large - What will I wear??

In my work as a performer in a big Latin band I had already enjoyed some pretty massive and impressive costumes (check out my white satin with black lace ensemble to above!) especially made for me so it wasn’t the first time I got to come up with a design concept and wear it (and get attention) but the emotion that comes with your wedding style is the difference.

I opted for silk taffeta slimline with a dash of pretty femininity – lace & chiffon.

The fact that I had done opulent before in a costume for the stage is possibly why I didn’t opt for the big gown. I totally understand girls who do. Why not? When will you ever be able to wear something as extravagant? The days of big fancy balls have long gone so your wedding is the only time to feel a bit royal or like a ***Hollywood*** star.

Kirstie