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 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 . . . .

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SHEATH CHIC

The more infatuated I get with heavier weight satins and taffetas the more I realize I've turned out a few really great sheaths  lately.  The sheath is a fave of brides who work out and the eventual reward of of those who like to strut their stuff. They're a snug fitting, long, columnar silhouette in a heavier fabric like Duchesse satin or peau. Defined, the classic sheath looks like the images above and below--having waistline and skirt features that are as snug up top as on bottom. This silhouette can work for the bride who wants a stylish, simple presence as well as one who wants to make a more powerful statement with her veil or accents of laces and a train added. On the right bride this silhouette is elegant and proffers the look of class and chic combined. Adding skirt to a sheath by way of a detachable train is traditional for bridal as well as evening wear reminiscent of 1950s.

CREDITS

Photography: Taralynn Lawton

Dress: Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Julie Morgan Hair and Makeup

Model: Oasis Wideman

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