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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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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DRESS VERSUS GOWN

Photo by Danielo
Okay, so . . . is there really a difference between a wedding gown and a wedding dress? I mean you hear designers and savvy merchandisers referring to what you wear on your big day as either gown or dress. So which is it?

Defined, gowns are anything to the floor and definitely ones with trains and/or extensions are considered super gown-worthy. For me the gown at its quintessential best is 'Harlowesque' lean-lined and clingy, something Hollywood designers borrowed for evening wear from sexy nightgowns back in the 1930s (hence comes the gown). The dress on the other hand can be any silhouette--even a ballgown--as long as it's ankle length or above. A good example of ballgown silhouette as dress is in the second image. BTW my favorite length and silhouette for bridal wear right now is Ballerina, just above the ankles and very full . . .

Photo: Sweet Light Studios

Dress and gown 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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SAMPLE SALE ON ETSY

Well, it's that time of year again.  While my design studio is packed with a few really great samples from seasons past and I love looking at these gems, bottom line is, we gotta part company and make room for the newbies coming off the work table.   For those of you who aren't familiar with how buying a sample works here's the lowdown.  Most of the dresses you see here are photographic samples made up for photo shoots and trying on.  A few are in fabrics close to but not as ready for prime time as the imported silks custom ordered by clients.    Just so you know, a few of them are indeed in yummy 100 percent silks but a couple seasons old, hence the lower price.  In any case your sample will be one-of-a-kind and handmade, have couture technique likes hand-picked zipper and hand-tacked linings no machine can emulate.  Before I sell these babies rest assured they do go through proper refurbishing and cleaning. 

Top Photo: The Beatrix Dress/Photo by Diana Maire

Second Photo: The Valerie Dress/Photo by Diana Maire

Bottom Photo: The April Dress/Photo by Stephanie Williams

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SUZIE AND IAN'S YOSEMITE WEDDING

My favorite weddings are those where a bride gets married in a dress I designed.  Suzie's version of my MARISOL dress is one I'll never forget.  The details are so simple: A silk chiffon and Georgette dress.  Add navy shoes and sash rating the overall look magnificent.  She replaced the self belt with the navy blue silk ribbon to pick up the blues in her bouquet composed mostly of wildflowers.  With this easy change she made the dress truly her own.  Naturally I was wowed once these pictures of Suzie and Ian started coming in a few weeks back.  Shot by photographer Patrick Pike against the backdrop of Yosemite National Park, this sweet and private ceremony couldn't have been more intimate.  Just a few friends and family . . . .

CREDITS

Photographer: Patrick Pike Studios

Dress: Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Hair and Makeup:Bellissimo

Officiant: Rev. Carol Dewey

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ILLUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

A very happening 2012 trend is the illusion neckline. I for one love the look of sheer necklines and sleeves and am planning on adding a least five more of these dresses to the collection over the next few months.  Popularized in the 1950s this style allowed modesty as well as showing some skin, albeit opaque but sexy and demure. These days illusion is found in a few varieties of sheer fabric: tulle, power netting, organza and chiffon to name a few. Designers are using softer and stretchier fibers for the max in comfort . . .

What's your spin on this? Would you like a sheer and almost naked look to your net top or more opaque like an ice skater would wear . . . .?

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OH LA LA!

How I love organzas, tulle, crinolines and organdy with a mix of laces thrown in for good measure.  Put it all together and you have some really serious Oh La La! happening.  I lucked out recently when I met up with Natalie, the model in this series who has studied ballet all her life.  Put her in my dresses (inspired by the 1950s, Dior, Giselle, La Sylphide, and Swan Lake) and she just seems to float even in still photographs . .

The beauty of the 'Beatrix' Dress above is in the silhouette.  A full circular skirt and layers of tulle give the dress its hourglass shape.  Gardenias add a touch of romanticism and top off the ballerina look . . . .

Above and Below: Feeling frou frou?  The A-lined  'Gigi' Dress in an embroidered organza topped off with a tulle uber-pouf  is the perfect froth for Oh La La! weddings. . .

 

Above: The White Rose Fascinator is just the right head chic to mix up with satin, embroidery, tulle, crinoline and lace.  What beautiful movement . . . .

Below: A ballgown silhouette in embossed file is accented with and embroidered taffeta sash and silk dupioni headpiece . . . . 

 

 
 Above: The look of a traditional bride in a bouffant gown paired up with a hand embroidered belt . . .


Credits:
Photography by Bride Chic 2012
Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

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