THE SKIRT WITH VOLUME

THE DEBORAH DRESS

Voluminous skirts have come and gone through history but one thing is certain--brides who love them do so with a passion.  Full skirts with yards of crinoline underneath also make a real dramatic statement about being elegant and girly at the same time.  Here are a few photos from my Dioresque Collection that I unearthed recently.  You just can't imagine how totally fun these were to create and put together . . . ..

THE ODETTE DRESS

THE AURORA DRESS

THE ISOBELLA DRESS

 THE MIRA DRESS

THE GEORGETTE DRESS

Dresses and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum

Read more »

THE FINE ART OF CUSTOMIZING A GOWN

Customizing a gown is one way of fusing your individual stamp so that design is all yours!  Take a very simple sheath or A-line, add a detachable train or overskirt and adorn it with embroidered ribbons and handmade florals.  Viola! You have a customized gown.  This isn't the only route to customizing.  You can go for a removable shrug that adds sleeves, a capelet that looks like part of the gown or a lightweight overdress you doff come reception time.  Believe me, your possibilities are endless here. Some brides opt for the most basic gown like I described then take it to the dressmaker or designer to get it personally customized?  And how is customizing your gown different than a custom made gown?  A custom gown is made from scratch, that is, you and the designer working with a pattern and raw cuts of fabric to create it from the ground up.  Customizing a ready-made gown is different.  It involves remodeling and/or embellishing one already put together. It can be store bought, sewn or inherited as long as it’s fairly basic and free of mass adornment.  

 Above: A basic sheath//Below: The same sheath accessorized with a detachable train, hand made flowers and sprigs of ivy . . . .

Read more »

CLASSIC TO CUTTING EDGE

How about a little time honored  tradition mixed in there with some of  the most cutting edge looks in bridal fashion?  Our canvas for this editorial is the pastoral Presidio Riding Stables out at Fort Cronkite in San Francisco.  My friend,  Samantha Smith who is a lifestyle and fashion photographer developed this lovely rustic theme.    When we got together to toss around concept, we knew we wanted horses, plenty of countryside and distressed old barns that look like they are about to collapse any minute.  The juxtapose of these elements seems  to accentuate the luxurious fabrics and laces.  What the whole crew who worked this shoot loved most was the incredibly gorgeous the day and how the natural light brought out the best in these pieces.  Kudos to  all who participated in creating this stunning inspiration.

Photography Samantha Smith

 Dresses and veils byAmy-Jo Tatum

Black headpiece by Jeanne Simmons from The Village Flamingo

Hair by Pins and Curls/

Makeup Julianne Chai of Pretty by Julianne

Models: Laura and Clara

 

Read more »

SHIRR GORGEOUSNESS!

 

 I'm wowed by anything shirred.  in case you're wondering shirring is an application made up of  pleats or gathers running either horizontally or vertical. Lately we're seeing shirring mostly on bodices.  This shirring over lace is hot right now in bridal and evening wear, especially with tulle, chiffon or any transparent fabric forming soft folds.

   

Dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum

Header Photo by Bryan John Hendon/Gold Dress by Divine Elegance

Photo 2 by Dominic Colacchio Photography

Photo 3 by Bride Chic

Photo 4 by Lirette Photography

Read more »

NEWS FROM THE PUBLISHING FRONT

In case any of you missed out on the At the Villa post a few weeks back, here are a few of my bouffant pieces shot by Joy Strotz for Ceremony Magazine last August.  FYI Ceremony is like the encyclopedia of wedding magazines, listing and showcasing all the finest vendors around.  You'll find loads of color and inspiration between the covers of this mag both in hard copy and on the digital version.  Below are the actual images of gowns that made it to the latest edition that's out now.  The top layout, It's All About The Bride is from the San Francisco Bay Area book and Photographic Memories from the LA one.  Can't begin to tell you how fun this shoot was and how many great folks we all met on location at the Villa Montalvo in Saratoga.  I want to do this all over again . . . .

Read more »

YOUR SLIP IS SHOWING

. . . . So my mother used to tell me that at least once a day, and yes, she thought a bit of meringue peering out beneath the hem was gauche.  If only she could see the dresses I design now; many are thought out to intentionally have more than a bit of lace or crinoline showing.  I'd say this look is borrowed from 19th Century Can Can dancers and/or 21st Century brides finding a little peek-a-boo with the slip sexy.  I've found though, this tends to be a trend brides particularly zone in on or totally wipe off their radar screen.  How about you?  A little slip peeking out of that silk hem or not . . . .?

 

 Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum

Photo Credits

Header Photo by S1 Studio

Photo 2 by Loic Photography
Photos 3 and 4 by Scott Williams Photography
 Photo 5 by Bride Chic 2011

Photo 6 by SE Photography and Imaging

Read more »

A CLOUD OF TULLE

What could say bridal more than a cloud of soft tulle? Tulle is that fine mesh netting with a hexagonal pattern that comes in silk, cotton, nylon or acrylic/silk for power netting. Tulle is familiar because its the standard material for bridal veils. But did you know it comes in lighter versions and is used in bouffant skirts. The one pictured above proffers that ballerina look Vera Wang popularized a few years back? While the big tulle skirt is classic, edgier versions of late suggest special effects like draping, ruching and pick-up treatments over more modified skirt silhouettes. There are many different tulles and uses of it. These images show some stunning examples. 

                                          Images by Taralynn Lawton Photography and dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum

Read more »