Aussie Wedding Style Through The Years

Can't resist sharing this link: Gallery of Past Frocks 
It really took my eye today! It's so fascinating to trace the evolution of the wedding dress.. and it continues to evolve of course. Where once it was all chaste (high neck!) and overtly feminine, these days despite the return to a bit of a vintage influence, gowns are so red carpet and glamorous. Brides are pretty  keen to look sexy as well as pretty. 
I really like a red-hot frock on the right girl. How about this for contemporary sassy! I love it!

Check out more options from the here and now on Bride's fantastic online fashion gallery.

 

  Kirstie

Gorgeous Gowns

Our magazine team is still so excited about our re-launch issue with it's fabulous new look and equally excited about the new look bride.com.au. If you are on the hunt for your frock, the best part of our re-vamped website is the gown gallery. Check it out! We have tried to make it easy for you gals on the hunt for the perfect dress by dividing up the various styles.  Most of you who have a strong sense of your own style have that picture in your mind of the type of gown for you. From my experience girls are either modern and no-fuss or they crave the princess, ball gown look. Then there are the girls in between. We are pretty sure it's all covered and you can go straight to the type of gown you already have in your mind's eye.
Funnily enough I clearly remember that when I got engaged I was convinced that I wanted a very simple gown until I started looking at some collections of wedding dresses and started drooling over the exquisite french laces and various other embellishments. It wasn't long before my oh so simple, dress started to have a few more complications - such as the a fore mentioned french lace! Anyway you will find in the gallery all the incredible editorial shoots that we have done for Bride magazine in the last few years so there are an abundance of wedding dresses for you to peruse - inspirations galore!! You will have to see something that fits the bill.
You are such lucky brides - today there is much choice!!
Until next time - enjoy the search.

Kirstie :)

Exciting News - Bride Re-Launch

Once again the Bride fashion team have been hard at work creating the most beautiful fashion pages for our summer 2010 issue. It's been a while since my last post but there are very exciting reasons for this neglect. Soon readers you will get to enjoy and experience a whole new look Bride magazine, websites and blogs - all devoted to really helping you with this super fun and meaningful time in your life!
For the past few months our whole talented gang of writers, web developers, designers and innovative thinkers here at Bride have been flat chat finding the best and most useful types of information, search options, genius functionality not too mention stunning inspiring images that will help you find all things bridal 100% better!

In just weeks - mid September - you will get to experience our very pretty new look magazine and hot on the heels of this will be the fantastic new website you'll find when you go to bride.com.au.
From then on you won't just get to read blogs from me but also from our very clever (and constantly being bridesmaids) editorial team.  Our Bride editor Jamie, assistant editor Virginia,  Bride's web genius Kimberley (currently in Canada being a bridesmaid - see? dedicated to the cause!) and me too! These gals are immersed in all things bridal as they bring you the well researched and informative stories in the magazine and online plus all their friends keep getting married. Just which of them is going to actually do the deed themselves will keep all of us guessing for the next few years! In the meantime they are getting the facts together for all you current bride-to-bes and loving looking at the many real weddings sent into us from you! I will continue my obsession with the gowns both here and on the brand new blog that you will find on the sparkling new bride.com.au!! If you girls are anything like I was, the dress is one very enticing part of the experience.

So exciting! We are dying to unviel - the suspense is killing us ...but we have to finish it off before we deliver it! So stay tuned!!!!
In the meantime I have been out in the cold as usual shooting a summer issue in winter... it's a fashion editor's lot in life. Probably why I am sick in bed today!! But last week we were jumping for joy.....check out me and the uber-talented photographer Marija Ivkovic (she's in the blue) workshopping a few cover looks!! Maybe not quite bridal enough......what do you think?

Until next time... keep your eyes peeled for our September re-launch issue and our simply fabulous new website!!

I am jumping with joy! Very "September Issue" for those who saw the movie!
Kirstie

Is Couture Fashion Art?

So you’re about to be a bride and you’re searching for or maybe you just found your wedding dress? Your appreciation for couture or just plain gorgeous frocks should be heightened!!!

So if you live in Brisbane (wish I did!) you are lucky enough to be able to go and view some of the most exquisite couture creations ever made at the Qld Gallery of Modern Art.  The incredible gowns are featured in Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future

“Valentino The Last Emperor” was one of my favourite films from last year. 
This most amazing doco followed around this brilliant but madly eccentric and diva like designer who’s one of the last real haute couture designers in the world. It showed a little glimpse of this retrospective, which was first mounted in Paris.  The film includes the most incredible opening night of the show that will take your breath away!! Frock lovers (and even those with just a passing interest) would gasp at the beauty of this event cleverly used as the finale of the film. The combination of the superb gowns and all that theatrical flair is awe-inspiring.  
There has been some interesting debate I discovered on the weekend in the Australian newspaper about whether fashion is art. What a great question!  Is it more appropriate to see fashion or more specifically dresses in a museum as cultural references of the time then in an art gallery as works of art? Is fashion more a commercial venture than an artistic one?  Well as a couture lover I honestly think that the creativity and the aesthetic beauty in a precious couture gown has merit as art. When you think of the imagination & inspiration followed through to the final realisation of all the style elements, the ornamentation, the use of fabric, it seems to me that this is artistic genius at work!  
I have always adored couture-wedding gowns for this reason. I admire the beauty and the creativity that leads to the wonderful end result. The perfect delicate intricate details that make them special.

Back to that Valentiono show  - and I am seriously thinking about hopping on a plane to go and see for myself  - the frocks there include his first collection designed in 1959 through to his final one in 2008 . There’s also some from the Autumn/Winter 2009–10 creations by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli – who became creative directors for Valentino in 2008. The fact that Valentino’s designs span over five decades is another revelation. What a career! What an inspiration. I love his red obsession too – it’s the wedding dress colour for both Indian and Chinese cultures .....(or girls who want a bit of drama!)

For brides who are immersed in this world of couture and can imagine themselves swanning about in a Valentino – I think check  him out – either on film or up close!

Till next time.
Kirstie

P.S.  There is a brilliant book as well (see below) – I snapped this up for my coffee table last year. Elegance galore!! 

The September Issue

 
After our huge weekend at our very own Melbourne Bride Magazine Wedding Expo, the Bride team is  getting back to working on our exciting Spring issue.  After that fantastic film about US Vogue "The September Issue" we all delight in that title! If only there was a film crew following us around!

Anyway Bride's September issue is the very special annual "real life wedding special!" As that name suggests there are a bumper amount of real weddings inside to inspire all you brides out there. We know you love looking at other people's weddings - even if it's to say that you don't like something and of course to see really interesting little stylish details that you want to emulate. We are picking and choosing the most gorgeous we can find to give you lots of ideas. As for fashion.. Spring is such a great season and we are always shooting Spring in Winter outdoors!  Tough on the models (freezing see pic right at the bottom fo the page) and bit of a pity that the blossom isn't out. That aside my thoughts about wedding dresses for spring is that they should be lovely and soft, flowing goddess shapes or if fuller cuts then light as air fabrics like tulle with delicate and feminine trimmings. Because flowers are abundant in Spring they should be teamed with the prettiest of fresh spring blooms- and I favour those pretty soft antique pinks (see pics!) or just green and white. (you can't go wrong with those colours - always elegant!)  

It's so cold right now that I wish it was Spring already!!
Put your coat on and forge on. There's wedding browsing to be done!

Kirstie

Expo's Bridal Fashion Highlights

Well our Expo is over for another year and according to visitors and exhibitors it was one of our best shows! The Bride team are exhausted but very happy with such a successful event! I was particularly proud of our amazing local designers and their simply gorgeous creations that we saw on our catwalk during the runway shows. Thanks to all of them and our incredible team - especially Olga our very talented choreographer. Check out some pictorial highlights!

.....and as you can see the crowd loved it all!!

If you missed out on our amazing fashion shows this time - The Melbourne Bride Wedding Expo will be back for 2011 so stay tuned!
Kirstie

Hot Bridesmaids!!

Had to share with you some of the highlights of our runway shows yesterday!! We had gasps from the audience at some of our stunning couture gowns from Mathieu Salem, Anna Campbell, Izaro, Dimitria, JASONGRECH White, Annette Of Melbourne & Mariana Hardwick. Also on the catwalk such pretty bridesmaid dresses from Nicolangela, twobirds bridesmaids and Baccini & Hill in beautiful colours and innovative styles! One more day to go - today!! shows at 12pm, 2pm & 4pm. See pics from Saturday's shows here! Bride team loves all these images.  See you there today .........

All About Us

  
Organising your wedding can be exciting, challenging, possibly a bit stressful and we all want to avoid becoming an obsessive "bridezilla"! We also don't want to lose sight of what the wedding is all about. I know the event itself with all those little stylish details that make it special, the wedding dress search (a huge issue for a fashion editor like me!), the flowers, the music, the speeches can become uber important and maybe overpower other instincts.

But take five and consider - it really is all about you and your partner making a commitment to one another - it's emotional and poignant too and sometimes you can forget that until the last minute. It's about you two. Brides - I think it's really important not to leave the guy out of all the arrangements. Doing it all together is actually quite special, a very romantic bonding experience.

And another thing don't forget to spend some quality time with your fiance in the lead up to the wedding too. If you are planning things together then it's perfect to bring your hubby to our expo this weekend - there will be stuff for him there as well! Cars, suits, sparkling wine! It will be a memorable day out! And for those very loved-up dates, (but not too expensive because you have the wedding to pay for!) there's a very cool website we have discovered called  $30 Date Night for hundreds more creative date ideas


It's such a good idea for a website. Especially for a bride-to be as you will have so much on your mind that you need inspiration!! You certainly don't want to neglect your relationship while you are distracted with the whole wedding palaver! See we are here to help! - and to keep those passionate sparks flying right through the wedding and beyond!

Until next time... see you at our fabulous  expo this weekend - Jeff's Shed in Melbourne.

Kirstie

P.S Our pic is of a very loved-up couple Olivia & James photographed by Leo Farrell Photography... and he will be at our expo too!

Designer Fashion Runway Show!

Excitement grows and the whole Bride team is flat out! It's only days until our annual Melbourne Bride Wedding Expo weekend.

As always our runway shows promise to be exceptional! There will be so much inspiration for brides no matter what style they're after. There are incredible local designers showcased on the catwalk. See pic at left: here's me hanging out with the very talented 2, Harry & Jason from JASONGRECH White. They will be showing some divine creations from their new collection. They tell me they have been totally inspired by Art Deco shapes and decorative patterns. You can see it in the interesting laces they have chosen to embellish their fabulous gowns. Even more  exciting thing is that one lucky bride-to-be who visits expo will win a gown from them. It's a prize to covet! Apart from this the runway show features hot young talent with Anna Campbell. She is a gorgeous young girl who's come up with some really pretty contemporary designs. Her shop has recently opened in Brunswick - see below I snapped some pics of her shop window. (below right)  I love the fresh feminine style - it should be a great segment in our show. These more recent designers join some of the best Melbourne has to offer in bridal such as Mariana Hardwick, Matthieu Salem, Dimitria, Izaro, Annette Of Melbourne and Baccini & Hill.   

I took an iPhone pic at Mariana Hardwick's  recent showing  (left) lots of new gowns from them too.

 

 What with all these reasons to come -  trust me this runway will be unmissable! 
There's 3 shows a day - 12, 2 and 4pm so put it in your diary or calender - this Saturday and Sunday (19th & 20th June) at Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre in Southbank opposite Crown Casino.
Hope to see you at the shows!

Kirstie

Vintage Accessorising

I have definitely been a fan of the "less is more" style and I have seen many brides in recent times wearing  the very simple and understated gown. However there does seem to be a resurgence of a touch of opulence! This could be expressed in the accessories alone and there are some really stunning jewels, headpieces and veils that can add that little touch of something special to your look.

I know that word Vintage is a bit over used but I have to admit to loving old world pieces - lace, cameo brooches, pearls, rustic colours, beads and enamels. I love it all! A gown designer that I recently chatted too told me that she is seeing a definite trend in popularity of a slightly fussier and less plain gown. It seems that girls love a little vintage detail. Maybe it's in the design of the gown like an ornamental belt or brooch but it could just be the accessories.  I think I can understand what that desire is. It's because it's so pretty and feminine plus it's a bit funky and charming. (see images -  jewelery from Michal Negrin. They do quite elaborate and colourful bits and pieces that work really well with bridal gowns).

The trend toward those wedding dresses in antique cream colours and French lace on the bodice of the gown are perfect to team with vintage jewels or head bands.
Also those dusty pinks and gold coloured gowns really look superb dressed up with interesting pieces.

Some of my favourite sites:

http://www.michalnegrin.com

www.helenefayefauxfur.com.au

http://www.girlsmadethis.com

http://www.juliefleming.com.au

http://www.keshett.com.au/


Hope you have fun searching things out.. remember the something old in that age old traditional rhyme....

Kirstie

Simply Beautiful

Hectic times! I have been planning and shooting our fashion pages right now - in fact we're right in the middle of our Spring issue's production. Whenever we embark on creative ideas for fashion shoots the team here love looking at all the real weddings that are submitted to us all the time. I must say I am seeing some really gorgeous simple frocks! Especially the short ones. Even though I've always loved the whole glamorous ornate and embellished couture look as in the full length red carpet thing, it doesn't mean that parring it back and keeping it simple isn't a viable alternative. The fresh and simple short look is really cute and modern and is incredibly refreshing. One of our favorite wedding photographers Leo Farrell (check his blog and link in my favorite links below) sent us one of the funkiest and sweetest looking weddings recently. The couple were married at the historic homestead Emu Bottom in Victoria. Great location with the rural beauty, sweeping paddocks etc and  I love the style of this wedding - it's individual and rustic but with a really stylish edge. This dress is fabulous! Really makes me want to see some more shorter skirts on brides. This one is ballerina length so not a mini but it's just so cute.

Actually check out our September issue of the magazine as I think we are all infected with enthusiasm for this look and we are going to deliver a good story about the shorter trend for all of you brides still on the hunt for the perfect frock.

Now it's back to the shooting schedule!
(and thanks to Emma our beautiful bride -  great style!)

Kirstie

Logies Frocks for Brides!

Apologies girls, we are a bit late with our Logies de-brief!
It’s nearly a week – how did that happen?!   
Well –  I know it’s not Hollywood but there are great advantages to frock watching at our local awards ceremonies. The biggest advantage for all you brides is that if you like a gown on the red carpet  at The Logies – chances are you can give the  designer a call straight away! Not quite as easy to call up and chat to Dior, Chanel or Oscar De La Renta!

The usual suspects made a splash like J’aton that fab Melbourne designer duo. See Jeesica Marias (top above) and Natalie Basingthwaite (below her) in their creations. I love Jessica’s but have to say not quite so sure about Natalie but if you are into a fussy look it could be for you. Rebecca Twigley (down the bottom) reporting on CH 9 on Logies night looked very elegant in her midnight blue slinky J’aton gown and of course the guys from J’aton would be hard at work making her wedding gown -  (an interesting wedding dress to check out in the future!)  - so you would expect her to be dressed  by them.

Lisa Ho dressed Esther Anderson who once graced the cover of Bride magazine a few years back! (see our cool cover and her Logies dress below). Actually I prefer her look on our cover but perhaps I am biased!

The important thing that struck me was that many of our very best local designers named by those strolling the red carpet on Sunday night will be gracing our very own catwalk at the exciting runway shows a the Melbourne Bride Magazine Wedding Expo on the weekend of 19th & 20th June. (Quick put it in your diary!)
SO for serious frock watching I know that’s where you should be!
Jasongrech White, Baccini & Hill, Mariana Hardwick, Mathieu Salem are just some of the designers you can catch at our gorgeous shows and if you book now you can get a really hot VIP front row seat and feel like you are Anna Wintour for a day.
You also go in to the running to win a Jasongrech White wedding gown which would be amazing. His designs are very cool.

Book early to avoid a back row seat!!  Ticketmaster

See you at the show.. and let's all keep up the frock-watch!!

Kirstie

Diamonds- A Girls Best Friend

It's certainly true that a real deal diamond has a magical effect on a girl! I haven't wanted to brag but after a recent exciting visit to NY - (the big apple!) - for my 15 wedding anniversary, I was lucky enough to have a thrilling visit to the original Tiffanys on 5th Avenue. As you can see from the iphone pic (left) at the point of purchase I am definitely awestruck and in a state of bliss. This I believe is a universal feeling that comes from being presented with beautifully crafted, fine jewellery. Diamonds however big or small are special and gorgeous. This very little heart shaped diamond necklace filled me with joy and my smart husband knew it would! My point is on your own special day, along with your gorgeous couture dress and fabulous engagement ring, a little bit of subtle or not so subtle real jewellery is perfect if you can afford it. They do make some brilliant man-made look alike gems these days and they are popular I beieve but there's nothing to make you feel quite so perfectly put together as those precious sparkling stones.
The next suggestion I have for brides is that New York city would be a brilliantly romantic honeymoon destination if you haven't got your heart set on a tropical island paradise. Try and have one day where you go to the top of the Empire State building, catch the ferry to Staten Island and see the Statue Of Liberty and whatever you do take your new husband to Tiffany! You never know what may happen!...
Special thanks to my husband too.

Till next time. I remain sparkling..
Kirstie

P. S Check this article about Honeymoons in New York on our website!

Wedding Gowns Online???

I have to admit to feeling shocked that anyone would actually buy a wedding dress online.
I understand that there are all these super fashion savvy gals who trawl through e-bay and find the most amazing designer pieces. Cute Chanel skirts, Chloe frocks, boots from Christian Louboutin. I have friends who have found all of that online and it seems to work out brilliantly. But your wedding dress??  All I can think of is the risks!! Maybe you have dressmaking skills so you can fix it up if it's ill fitting, but I fear that is the least of your worries.
We recently had a bride email us about an utter disaster. She was sent the wrong dress and then sheer panic set in as the wedding date loomed and she had NO DRESS! 
Perhaps this indicates only that you should be careful who you buy from online, but my personal view is different. How can you be confident about the gown unless you have actually eye-balled it? In fact if you love clothes and fashion the gown search is a big part of the intense joy of getting married.
Furthermore when it comes to your wedding gown don't you need to:

1. Feel and choose the fabric and embellishments? 
2. View all the work of the couturier or designer up close?  
3. Have that exciting expereince of trying lots of different styles on (in lots of places)?
4. Have the opportunity to customize the gown to suit you?

That's just a few basic questions. My answer is yes to all.
Can it be that the motivation to purchase online is that you may get a bargain?  Could it be the thrill of the internet search? If so you can still search online and no doubt assist your knowledge of where to go to find what you want. However I can't imagine forfeiting the fabulous experience of visiting many glorious parlors full of stunning wedding creations and being pampered by the experience.
I've said it before - it's only once in your life (hopefully) so why compromise?

Kirstie

(See below gorgeous strapless, ruffle skirt couture gown from Annette Of Melbourne.)

Wedding Shoes

 (pictured shoe from Cinderella Bella called "Scarlet")

For some the humble shoe is an after thought. A thought that takes place after the wedding gown choice. It's that gown you have to match so shoe spotting is a bit of a waste of time until you know about the rest.  Following that huge decision about the dress, suddenly you can get shoe panic. You don't know where to turn and what to go for! It's worth remembering some key things

• How long will you be in these shoes and if you want a killer sexy heel then how much foot pain can you bear? (Weddings are always a long day!! Anybody who's had agony at the race knows to avoid it on the happiest day of your life.)
• Colour does not have to be perfect match of cream or white. 
• Colour options with a cream or white dress are metallic- silver, bronze gold
• Couture shoes do exist - so if you must match with exact fabric of dress - it can be done.
• Expensive shoes aren't always more comfy but often natural materials eg; leather, silk fabric are less painful than synthetic ones.  
• Your size and type of foot - (I mean narrow, wide, long, tiny) has to be considered before you choose a shape. Avoid the squeeze!

For a certain gal shoes have equal importantance from the start - shoe connoisseurs or dare I say shoe fetishists are devoted to a gorgeous shoe and believe it pulls everything together . This type of fashionista is usually willing to sacrifice comfort too. Even if they are under a big long dress and only glimpsed occasionally that shoe has to be HOT!

Can you have it all? - comfort and beauty? - some say yes - depends on your foot and the shoe. They have to go together. So many people I know swear that outrageous shapes and heels are "really comfy" when I know it would kill me. Maye it's their own peculiar foot! I totally understand that for your wedding a shoe that's pretty or even better outstandingly beautiful can win over some practical compromise. As usual it's up to you.

Anyway I love these shoes pictured - all available at the gorgeous Melbourne shoe shop Cinderella Bella. Great name for a shop as Cinderella got the perfect fit didn't she?    

That nice big pretty heel is from Badgley Mischka and is called Miscka.
The practical and flat - very cute! is called Samantha.

Till next time.
Kirstie