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

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THE SCARF VEIL MAKES A COMEBACK

 Today's chic started with a casual trend borrowed from the fifties glamorized by Audrey Hepburn—the scarf. As Audrey and fashion icons like Jackie Kennedy showed us, some women can make even a sporty scarf look elegant. I began incorporating them into my collection once I realized they looked hot with so many of the 1950s throwbacks I was creating. Keep in mind they do lend themselves well to quite a few styles. Be imaginative. You can tie a lace scarf like a bandana or go gypsy style with it. Experiment. Create your own look!
The shorter version above works with this more casual look. This is one of my ‘Marilyn’ dresses . . . My 1950s ‘Going Away’ bride is headed for a drive up the coast to that country inn in her crepe halter dress and silk chiffon scarf. A casual as well as elegant look.
Long Scarf-Pictured below: Considered more an option in head wear than veil depending on the length of chiffon or silk gauze used to create it. A 5-yard length wrapped around the head framing the face creates a long band of train that works as an extraordinary veil. Perfect for Mosque weddings.

Below: A 3-yard galloon/scarf of Chantilly lace makes the perfect 20s style cloche-cap style veil to pair up with a vintage lace gown. 

All gowns and veils by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Photo Credits

Header Photo by E Jones Photography

Photo 2: Bride Chic

Photo 3: Pixamage

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TWO WAY COUTURE

Thought I should mention the popular MIRA gown that made such a buzz last season is actually a two-way dress. First version is a halter dress. The second, hugs the shoulder with cap-like sleeves. You've seen the halter all over the blogs thanks to the fantastic photographic talents of Stephanie Williams. I finally have images of the off-the-shoulder sleeve treatment created by criss-crossing the halter ties into a waist sash. The fitted and boned bodice is Chantilly lace, the full skirt linen GEORGETTE. Some versions I've done the skirt in silk chiffon. I'm calling this cap-sleeved version 'EASTER SUNDAY 1956' for reasons you can probably figure out. Worn either way this MIRA is a stunning hark back to the 1950s and ultra-fem dressing.

MIRA: THE HALTER DRESS

Stephanie Williams Photography
CAP-SLEEVED MIRA

MIRA can be ordered through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal in silk chiffon or linen/georgette.
amyjotatum@gmail.com
415.258.8204

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SOMEWHERE IN TIME

CREDITS

Photos: Ryan Chua Photography

Dresses and Headpieces: Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Makeup: Juliane Chai

Hair: Steph Tsai

Model: Dominique Ansari

Parasols: Priscilla's Parasols

Venue: San Francisco Theological Seminary

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Inspired by dreams past, reinventing the mood of yesterday's chic comes as a delight when working with fine silks and laces like these. The newest addition to 'Dioresque' my capsule collection of 1950s creations, the above dress is aptly named, 'Aurora' (for the aurora color accents). The lace is backed with a blue/gray China silk. With the additional peach accents it looks just like a muted pastel sunset. The skirt is four layers of tulle and there's a separate slip of crinoline and tulle. Detailed touches include a row of buttons accenting the back and it is all pulled together with a blue and peach sash of China Silk. The headpiece is coral-peachy handmade silk florals attached to a tulle bow.

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Above and below: Silk dupion sheath with embossed chiffon back inset and tie-train combination. The parasols above and below are vintage, deacquisitioned from The Brooklyn Museum of Art and available through Priscilla's Parasols.
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The 'Angelique' gown is 4-ply silk crepe and an assortment of Chantilly laces and embroidered organza making for a delicate costume-inspired look here.
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