Hooray For Hollywood

There’s so much financial gloom and doom at the moment! It’s enough to make you want to panic and do everything on the cheap and yet amongst all this negative financial gloom, a touch of luxury or extravagance at one’s weddings is still desired. There was a telling article in the paper recently. A bride was interviewed about where she’s likely to cut the budget in this financial climate and it reinforced my instinct that the dress will be the last thing anyone will skimp on. This bride made it clear that she was looking at all aspects of the wedding carefully and would probably pull back in a few areas but the gown was not negotiable! Maybe fewer guests, a more boutique approach but looking exceptional, sumptuous and glamorous on the big day seems to still be paramount.

The recent Golden Globes Award ceremony featuring unfeasibly expensive designer gowns continue to thrill us average gals. Is it a depression mentality again like when Hollywood thrived back in the 30’s as it was so far from real life? Times have changed. Now the gossip mags show our celebrities at the supermarket without make up so we see that hair, make up and the right frock is transforming! There’s a feeling that we too could attain that look! - and It’s certain that design features from these couture frocks can also serve as a starting point for a bride’s gown ideas. The Oscar’s are coming up and that’s going to serve up even more inspiration. Not just gowns but hair and make up, classic hairstyles, beautiful flawless make up. I think that’s still what a lot of girls are after. At the wedding they are after all the star of the show! It makes sense to look to the crème de la crème for inspiration.So here’s my hot picks from The Globes – LOVE all the hair and LOVE this array of dresses. If you can’t afford the real deal then you can use your creative wiles to get the looks. Find someone who can help – a local gown designer in your price range, a hair and make up person you can trust. Knowing what you want is the key.

Finally what about this for a laugh – some wacky fictional Hollywood influence here – Top 10 wedding dresses from movies:
http://boxwish.com/features/view/164-top-t en-movie-wedding-dresses?page_number=1

What about Muriel?? Did you see any gowns you wanted??Enjoy the awards season.
Kirstie

Image source: Fairfax digital media
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

Dec 2008

Christmas again!! Time to spy those summer weddings on beaches and in parks! I must admit to having a big soft spot for the summer wedding as I had a 35-degree temperature for my own big day & loved it. I was always keen on the balmy summer wedding idea. It’s romantic, sensuous, and exotic – that ‘s what I thought anyway. However I was interested to read a fashion piece in the paper recently about how there are those who love summer and those who hate it! Too true! This seems to relate to age and body shape - all very relevant to bridal fashion decisions. The more comfortable one is with one’s body the skimpier the summer wedding frock can be. I think this is because of that age-old adage: “if you have got it flaunt it” and may I add you are quite happy to do so! This goes for bridesmaids and mother of the bride outfits too. A sexy summer look is excellent as long as one is happy to wear it.

However spare a thought for the summer haters – due to the exposure of problem areas such as arms, legs, midriff etc – they need to find a cool and flattering ensemble.
I am adamant that brides really shouldn’t be coerced to wear a style that they are not comfortable in just because they think this is de-rigueur for summer time. Take for instance either the strapless or the slinky look. If you have reservations about whether it suits you – don’t go there! You want to look and feel beautiful not self-conscious.


There are so many other options - cute soft sleeves, floaty fabrics. (See pic here from designer Rose Zurzolo).
The goddess look in summer is divine for brides and attendants eg: empire line so not clingy, usually a nice light natural fabric that will blow in the wind and look rather ethereally pretty. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean that you can’t be traditional either by wearing a more structured gown to hold everything in and veils are always gorgeous in the summer light.


It’s the mother-of-the-bride that often has a real challenge to find the right outfit for the summer wedding too. Especially if they are a summer hater! (I told you about age being a factor in hating summer and there are exceptions to this rule but my word of mouth research tells me it’s a fact!). Looking and feeling cool and glamorous, dressed up but not too stiff and uncomfy. It’s a challenge no doubt. You may be attracted to a beautiful slip dress but think it’s not flattering but remember you can wear either a beautiful light jacket or a little shrug to cover the arms if that worries you.


Go for amazing fabric that you fall in love with. There are definitely lots of dresses with loose, gorgeous sleeves around this season and the glam caftan look is one of my faves. (see link below Camilla Franks in Sydney is the best!). Great local designers are worth checking out. They design for our climate! I have popped a few pics here from George Gross’ collection and I suggest some of the links below may be a great help to Mum:

http://www.camilla.com.au

http://www.leonaedmiston.com/

http://www.antheacrawford.com.au/

http://www.roseandruby.com/

http://www.agclothing.com

http://www.georgegross.com.au/catalogues/catalogue_gg.asp

Stay cool till next time.
Kirstie