Thinking spring in Winter Blog

One of the joys of being a fashion editor is planning summer issues in the dead of winter! It is enjoyable to imagine tropical summer weddings when we are all shivering but having to shoot at the beach in the cold is always challenging – especially for the model!
The good part though is checking out what’s new from the other side of the world where it actually is warm right now.

I have been browsing Spring collections from the US that can be viewed on Martha Stewart’s website.(link below). There’s some fabulous gowns to peruse from Monique Lhuillier, Oscar De La Renta, Vera Wang etc. Runway show videos can be viewed too. All great for research and just as good for the brides-to-be as for me! It’s fun for a bride to dream!

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/gowns-by-designer-spring-10?backto=true

Very inspiring. I am loving the soft overlay fabrics – a really special look, the senorita flounced skirts (see images from Monique Lhuillier collection I have picked out) and the gorgeous embroidery details. Some of these OS designers can be bought here in OZ, although an expensive option, but it’s good to check out top international designers in order to get design ideas.
Of course there are plenty of amazing Australian couturiers to drool over too, but if you are having your gown made from scratch it’s good to have a few thoughts of your own.

Here’s another google find on Bridesmaid trends from OS:

http://www.getyourfashionfix.com/2009/06/spring-2009-wedding-trends-bridesmaid.html

Have fun browsing around!

Number 1 in Catwalk Couture

It’s been that time of year again when I have been neglectful of my blog!! Sorry to all those waiting for fashion news…
My excuse was our annual event in Melbourne – The Melbourne Bride Wedding Expo that has now been and gone for another year and didn’t we have a ball again? This year was probably one of the best catwalks that we’ve ever done with such a fantastic array of bridal couture – we all felt proud as punch!

Exciting young designer Jason Grech (right) has just arrived on the bridal scene with his JASONGRECH White collection. Just gorgeous – all soft fabrics and swishy trains – the models on our catwalk sashayed around in these ultra modern looking and feminie too. Just gorgeous! Other designers that came on board this year for the first time were Izaro – (see below Mel & Hong from Izaro with their models backstage) and Shane McConnell.

The girls from Izaro opened the show with some stunningly pretty and varied styles of gown. Their inspiration is Hollywood glamour and it was very appealing, One lucky bride won a gown from Izaro as a part of our major Expo giveaway and she was so excited she could hardly breathe when we called to let her know!

Shane has been around for some time and is known for beautiful evening wear – his name often pops up at the Logies etc and he does stunning wedding gowns. His creations are exquisitely cut & finished and gorgeous fabrics too. For some great bridesmaid ideas and some more left-of-centre bridal ideas, legend of the Melbourne fashion scene Jenny Bannister added colour and movement and tons of fun with cute short styles, avant-garde shapes and sexy silhouettes.
All the above were very inspiring and well worth checking out their websites for inspiration. Mariana Hardwick and Angelina Baccini from Baccini & Hill have lost none of their class either. Both of these designers have been a part of our show for a long time now and never disappoint. Added to this mix were Annette Of Melbourne – amazingly decadent and incredible couture, Dimitria - strong, dramatic and beautifully finished, Gulderen Sivalsi – pretty, soft, girly and well structured and Mathieu Salem –artistic, versatile and theatrical, showcasing 2 black gowns. Wow!
Although catwalk shows are tons of work – and madly chaotic (see our backstage pic) they are quite thrilling and a great experience for the bride-to-be. We had fabulous feedback from brides and that makes it all worthwhile. If you missed out this year – hope to see you next time around in 2010!




(All images courtesy of Bride’s editor extraordinaire Jamie Doyle!)