PORTRAITS IN CHANTILLY

You can always recognize Chantilly lace by its delicate background and intricate detail. Named after the town in France where its still made, the patterns originating in the 18th century are to this day, still time-honored and manufactured.  My favorite of all laces, Chantilly is fragile and romantic.  It can be used as an allover lace or touches of it here and there on bodices, skirts and sleeves.  Chantilly has always been synonymous with the finest in bridal wear from dresses to veils and accessories . . .

S1 Studio

The perfect customizing for a simple gown, this three-tiered lace jabot has matching ruffle gauntlets all tied together with polka-dot grosgrain ribbons and  a cameo

S1 Studio

A Chantilly lace bordered mantilla worn with a bouffant tulle dress with lace bodice . . .

Shelah Osbrink/aka digital She

 Crepe and Chantilly lace are the perfect duo here for a gown reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood

This bodice is appliqued in Chantilly lace with shirred tulle overlaid

Ryan Chua Photography

The kick pleat in the back of this silk dupioni gown is a gathered inset of Chantilly lace

 This repro tea gown harks back to the Art Nouveau period. Chantilly lace covers the bodice and borders an asymmetrical tulle skirt

This is a perfect  Boho piece in a mix of  Chantilly laces, chiffon and brocade gold  belt

 Ryan Chua Photography

True vintage.  Another tea gown in a mix of Chantilly laces

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BOHO

If Dior's 'New Look of 1947' was a reinvention of elements from the Antebellum period, it seems Boho is 'Summer of Love' reborn. Defined, Boho is a fashion look borrowing from the peasant, early bohemian and hippie looks of the sixties. Boho can be earthy and ethereal all at once, with gowns sporting diaphanous fabrics topped off with head wreaths made out of fresh florals and greenery like ivy. 

So what does Boho have in common with bridal? Just take a look at the pictures directly above. Boho is an over-the-top romantic look and if weddings are anything they are just that. If you're into celebrating with a lot of green--both real and the eco-conscious kind, really think about this look if you haven't already incorporated some part of it into your wedding style.

Photos by Sweet Light Studios

CREDITS
All gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum
Photos 1,2 and 3:  Sweet Light Studios
Photo 4:  John Truong Photography
Photos 5 and 6: Sweet Light Studios
Photos 7 and 8:  Photos by Ron Greystar of Greystar Pictures
Photo 9: Sweet Light Studios
Photo 10: Photo by Bride Chic

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OUT OF A JANE AUSTEN NOVEL

Lizzy, Jane and Emma--a trio of strong female characters from this literary icon's romantic novels that have endured the centuries.  Evocative of 19th Century oil paintings, these images celebrate the essence of romance--simple silhouettes in soft flowing fabrics and delicate laces.  Add some fine china and a few carefully chosen accessories into the mix and it's a real teatime o f inspiration for all you die hard romantics.  BTW the china is from my own collection--I've been scouting flea markets and garage sales for years now and have ended up with a hodge podge of flowery and flow blue teacups, salad plates, tea pots--you name it,   my clients always get the royal treatment . . .

All gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum 

Top photo: The Margaret Gown/Photo 2: The Cabbage Rose Picture Hat

Photo 3: The Jayne Gown

Photos 4 & 5: The Oralie Fascinator

Photo 6: The Shanisse Fascinator

Photo 7: The Emma Gown and Antique Lace Picture Hat (price on request)

Photo 8: The Lydia Hat  (price on request)

Photos 9 &10: The Trilby Hat and Lizzy Gown

All gown prices on Request

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NEW TREND: THE SHEER OVER BODICE

Stephanie Allin

Want to really look like a traditional bride? Try the strapless with an over bodice.  This look is a hark back to the the 1950s when sheer organza or lace was worn up top for coverage (in church you couldn't bare anything back then).  Another blast from the past is the return of the removable bodice: A modest look for the ceremony and unbutton the front or back and you have a formal strapless for party time.  These sheer geniuses are from the collections of designers Stephanie Allin and Augusta Jones.  All are breathtakingly classic and the epitome of sheer elegance . . . 

 

Images by Stephanie Allin

Augusta Jones

Augusta Jones

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