These beautiful creations are from Eugenia.
These are four of my favorite gowns from Sophia Tolli’s newest collection.
The Gowns
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National Bridal Market Chicago
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National Bridal Market Chicago
I’m just back from a whirlwind two days in Chicago for Bridal Market. Everyone was showcasing their new ranges for Spring 2008.
It was wonderful to catch up with so many friends. Among them was Heather Levine, fashion editor for the Knot, Rani Totman, the force behind the fabulous St. Puchi and Mandy from Tiger Lilly Tiaras.
I am sad to say that for the most part there was nothing new. I kept hearing the comment that everything looked alike. Strapless, moderate beading, structured bodices with semi full skirts, ruching every where, fewer pick ups and lots of satin. In short the same thing, different day.
What I did see as new and fresh in some of the collections is a move toward a certain softness. Lovely soft laces and drapey silk chiffons. Soft net overlayed on beaded satin or taffeta. Two real standouts were Eugenia’s Nitsa line and Enzoani and Enzoani’s Blue.
I also got a really good look at the Sophia Tolli collection and I will have some nice shots of those in a day or two.
The Perfect Dress(es)
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Are you still struggling with finding the spot on perfect dress for your girls? You know, a style that looks great on all their body types, is fun and flirty enough to really be worn again and that each and every one of your lovely ladies will fall in love with as much as your did. Fat chance and keep dreaming; or…
Look closely at that picture. 
Each dress is different with a couple of distinct common denominators: color, length, skin on top and dark hose. At first I thought that there wasn’t enough variation to make a difference but look closely at the skirt shapes. They range from really full and poofy to that sleek little number on the girl in the middle. The same goes for the necklines; they are all completely different to suit different figures. It is the flash of skin at the top and the dark hose under the shorter length that does the magic. Brilliant! Now tell me which one of your bridesmaid couldn’t use another flirty little black dress just suited to her style.
These are all from Bill Blass but I have every faith that you can take this concept and run with it across a multitude of price points. Hmmmmm, I think I may forward this to a few of the manufacturers I know.
Is This a Foreshadowing?
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Friend of the Dish, Courtney Hammon has started sending her report on bridezilla’s wedding in Michigan. You may remember, this is the bride that insisted that her bridesmaids have hair extensions for their matching updos. I can’t wait to see the next installment. If this wedding saga begins with a bomb scare I just can’t imagine where it will go from here. I wait as anxiously as you for all the little details.
Thursday the 13th My Big Travel Day
Since there are so many friends and family coming from across the country my husband and I had decided to arrive into the Detroit area a day before the big festivities were to kick off. My parents were already there and so was my sister and her family. The flight on Northwest was great and we landed in Detroit shortly after 10:00am. Now this is where the real story begins: the flight attendant tells us that there has been a security breech in the airport so we may come across some barricades on our way out. Being the good daughter I call my dad and tell him to not wait at our usual spot until I call but instead come all the way to the terminal as he may have some challenges with the “security breech” and all. Once we are off the plane we immediately notice the airport is not right!!! There is not a soul to be found?? They have evacuated the terminal. If you look out at the gates all you see are police cars and fire trucks. We make our way to the luggage escalator and we are greeted with 10 – 15 police officers who politely inform us we cannot leave! My father is now calling telling me he cannot get to the terminal as it is blocked off by police and news crews! (Some security breech!) After 30 minutes we are allowed to go and claim our luggage – it is than we find out it was a bomb threat. Dad has successfully made it to the terminal and we are on our way to the hotel!!! Only once we get a mile from the hotel traffic is in a dead stop??? It seems the bank across the street from the hotel is being robbed! Wow my brother and future sister in law sure know how to welcome their guests to the Detroit area.
Friday the 14th Manicures Pedicures and Rehearsal
So the boys are all off golfing and I am to get my mom, sister, family neighbor and niece all to the salon in our matching pink shirts that the bride sent us to the spa. We make it there with little challenges other than learning what a Michigan left turn is! Upon arrival we see 15 ladies in their matching pink shirts sipping mimosa’s and enjoying the day together. The bride has gone from a size 10 to a size 2 and looks fabulous!! Leave it to my family that my 2 year old niece get’s her first manicure and pedicure! But she sure was cute!! I have one word to describe the rehearsal LONG maybe it’s because I see weddings every week or maybe it’s because it was my family and friends but just over a hour and a half was way to long for a 20 minute ceremony. The rehearsal dinner was lovely with all 80 people but it was great to have some time with the out of town family that we see so rarely.
Brides n’ Bumps
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Well it is about time! It’s not that you necessarily planned on walking down the aisle with a bump behind your bouquet but, girl, these things do happen. 
I have listened to my friends in the bridal fashion industry complain for years about how to size a gown for a bride with a rapidly growing tum. I have finally found a line of both wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses designed specifically for the mum-to-be.
Today’s women want to celebrate their pregnancy not hide it. The rest of the fashion industry learned this a few years back and began creating wonderful maternity wear and just now is bridal catching up. I say about time! This isn’t the 1950’s anymore.
Take a look at the beautiful looks available from Madeline Isaac-James Maternity Bridal.
Bridal Bling
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Now you did not really think that I was going to be able to go to market and NOT check out a little bling did you? Especially not when there is Halo & Co to ohh over.
Once again I stood slack jawed gazing at all the shiny,sparkly pretties. As much as I love the tiaras and fascinator in the UK they just don’t seem to have a following in the states. As much as we love bling, we seem to draw the line at really amazing hair jewelry. That’s a shame. If you are going to do it…do it all the way!
The young lady modeling for me was just another shopper in love with Halo. She was trying to decide which one she wanted for her own wedding
The Halo & Company range is available through Kleinfeld in New York
And Then There is Ian
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I can not go to Harrogate with out checking out the always fab Ian Stuart.
Named Bridal Designer of the year 4 years in a row, twice winner of the Debi Awards and a handful of various other awards, Ian is the darling of the UK bridal scene.
The biggest trend I saw this season is that it seems Ian has fallen head over heel for shark taffeta. A truly luxe Italian silk, it has an almost mat finish. He has paired it with sheers like organza and chiffon for some interesting textural effects.
As I did with all the designers I am showcasing this year, I asked Ian to pose with his favorite gown in the collection. This sexy little number is just gorgeous and I have to agree with his choice. I’d wear it in a heartbeat.
Available in the States at Kleinfelds in Manhattan, The Montclair Collection in Santa Monica, CA and the just arrived at Roma Sposa in Birmingham, MI
Cheers Ian.
J. Jennings Bridal Collection
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I stumbled upon the fabulous designer Jason Jennings, J. Jennings Bridal Collection on Monday. Jason’s 
range is full of interesting lines and gorgeous fabrics. One of the hallmarks of his Spring/Summer 08 collection is bead encrusted cutwork lace. The gown Jason is holding is a good example, you get a taste of it in the straps but those straps fan out across the shoulders accentuating the cowl draped back. His gowns are not for the faint of heart, but if you have the figure to pull them of they are truly stunning. Oh, and Jason is a darling. 
J. Jenning Bridal Collection is available in the U.S. at Kleinfelds.
