Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category

To Do This Week: Watters @ Mia Bridal Couture

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Watters Trunk Show Mia Bridal Couture

Watters is one of those bridal design houses that just GETS IT, season after season, collection after collection. Romantic, joyful, elegant, inspired–their dresses seem to embody all that it means to be a bride. This Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, get a glimpse of Watters’ fall 2011 gowns fresh off the New York runway, along with favorites from the spring 2011 line, when Houston’s very own Mia Bridal Couture hosts an exclusive two-day trunk show. And check this out: Watters VP Maria Prince herself will be on hand to personally answer questions and help you find your perfect Watters gown! Which, of course, you’ll get at a very pretty 15% discount if you purchase during the show. With this much wow on offer, appointments are, naturally, required. So make yours PDQ!: 713.622.2022.

Photos: Watters

Wedding Dresses $1,000 and Under (But Nobody’d Ever Believe It!)

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Bridal Gown Bargains

Nobody loves their luxurious couture bridal gowns more than we do. OK, scratch that. Nobody loves their luxurious couture bridal gowns more than YOU do, Houston brides. Rivini, Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Monique Lhuillier, Badgley-Mischka…we get all tingly just thinking about those acres of sumptuous silk.

But, being sensible, practical Texas gals, we also love saving money when we can. Especially when we’re spending zillions already on things like weekly (OK, daily) spa treatments, custom linens and out-of-season peonies.

If you’re in the same boat, or getting married on one, or simply not into the idea of a voluminous confection of a wedding gown, we think you’ll like these dresses. All silk, all stunning, and all $1,000 or less (some–like the gorgeous BCBG Max Azria strapless, below left–MUCH less).

Bridal Gown Bargains

Photos: (Top, clockwise) Tadashi Shoji, Ann Taylor, J. Crew; (Bottom, clockwise) BCBG Max Azria, Nicole Miller, J. Crew

Loungewear So Pretty, You’ll Want to Wear it Out!

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

Bamjamz Neiman Marcus

How yummy are these super-soft bamboo jersey tunics from Bamjamz? OK, you’ve GOT to slip into them to experience their fabulousness fully. But just check out that soft pink and dove gray. And those lovely lotus and butterfly designs? Our heart rate slows down just looking at ‘em.

We think they’re perfect for kicking back in after a long, hard day of wedding planning. Bamjamz also makes deliciously comfortable leggings and lounge pants. Worn alone, their tunics make great sleep tops and swim cover-ups (honeymoon, anyone?)…and EXCELLENT bridesmaid gifts. Paired with pants, they’re perfect for lazy Sunday mornings at home with your hubby-to-be. They’re eco-friendly, too. And available locally at Neiman Marcus. Love.

Touche Bridal Sleepwear

And speaking of local loungewear, we’ve got a major crush on Touche Houston’s simple cotton PJs. How do they manage to be so fresh and soft, like a gentle spring breeze? But still crisp, and definitely sexy—bridal sleepwear at its sophisticated best. Sweet dreams!

 

To Do This Week: Mia Bridal Couture’s Incredible Designer Sample Sale

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Kenneth PoolLiancarlo

Tiny tubes of moisturizer, itsy bitsy fragrance vials, bite-size bits of anything yummy—we love us some samples. Especially when the sample in question is a designer wedding gown. How about more than 100 designer gowns? From top bridal design houses like Amsale, Rivini, Kenneth Pool, Liancarlo and more?? That’s what you’ll find when Mia Bridal Couture hosts its sensational off-the-rack sample sale this Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Please note that dresses pictured above represent designers that will be featured at the sale, but not the exact gowns that will be featured.

No appointments, early arrival is strongly encouraged, here’s what to expect: Mia has five dressing rooms, so the salon will allow five brides (with an entourage of up to three guests each) into the store at a time. During your time in the store you can choose four dresses to try on. Once you decide on a dress, a very helpful and gracious Mia staffer will have you pay for your dress in full (at a discount of 50-75% off!!) hand you a list of alteration and cleaning specialists, and send you on your soon-to-be-married way.

A few tips when buying your wedding dress off the rack, courtesy of Mia’s Lisa Toenjes:

  • If a dress is too small, you can have your seamstress change it to a lace-up.
  • A dress can be taken in approximately three sizes before you lose the look of the dress.
  • Remember to bring a strapless bra, your favorite heels (or shoes of the same heel height you plan to wear for your wedding), your friends, a camera and lots of excitement!

Good luck, gown shoppers. And remember, patience and manners, girls. It’s just plain good wedding karma!

Houston Trunk Shows: Maggie Sottero @ Brickhouse Bridal

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Brickhouse Bridal Maggie Sottero Trunk ShowBrickhouse Bridal Maggie Sottero Trunk Show

Four days of delicious Maggie Sottero gowns begins TODAY at Brickhouse Bridal. That’s four full days of trunk show fabulousness, so no excuses if you miss it, Miss bridey-bride! Here’s what we love about Maggie Sottero gowns: The large selection of styles, each one unique and gorgeous–including the wow-worthy shimmer-satin “Darci” (left), with figure-flattering asymmetrical waist and lavishly bustled skirt (plus detachable jeweled halter straps for those of us who welcome a little extra support), and the glamorous “Gail” strapless A-line (right), with fan-pleated neckline and ethereal floral waist embellishment. Plus many, many others, of course.

And here’s what we love about this week’s Maggie Sottero trunk show at Brickhouse Bridal: 10% off the already reasonable price of a Maggie Sottero gown–but only on purchases made during this exclusive four-day show, March. 16-19 !

Call 281.681.3430 to schedule your appointment. And bring a friend!

Our March-April 2011 Cover (And How To Steal That Look!)

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

Cover Shot

 

You’ve been asking about the cover of the latest Weddings in Houston (“Who’s she wearing?” “Where did that stunning headpiece come from?” “That necklace–OMG, I gotta make it mine,” and so on). So we’re answering. Here’s the who, what, where and how much on the items worn by our gorgeous model, styled by the ridiculously talented Summer Salah, and shot by the superb Larry Fagala.

Gown: Rivini, $5,900, at Ivory Bridal Atelier

Headband: $149, at Parvani Vida

Jewelry: Earrings, $49,650; ring, $59,665; necklace, $99,230; all at Zadok Jewelers

Set Design: Darryl & Co.

So there ya go, now ya know. We are so thrilled to work with such outstanding Houston wedding vendors and professionals, and delighted when you take notice, get excited and let us know. Please keep it up!

 

 

To Do Today: LulaKate @ Bella Bridesmaid

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Bella Bridesmaid Trunk ShowBella Bridesmaid TrunkShow

A combination trunk show AND open house? We think we’re in heaven! Bella Bridesmaid is inviting Houston brides-to-be, and their best gals, to sip champagne, nibble hors d’oeuvre and marvel at the loveliness of the LulaKate bridal collection this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. The Charleston, S.C.-based design house, well known for its ready-to-wear and vibrant bridesmaid dresses, launched an “alternative bridal” line earlier this year–think clean lines, crisp shantung, not to mention very nice prices–and we are loving it. Loving Bella Bridesmaid, too, who showed such sweet, fun frocks at our January I Do! Bridal Soiree at The Houstonian. Don’t you think?

Call 713.528.2778 to let them know you’re coming, would you? And bring a friend…or two!

Bold, Beautiful Bridal Headpieces

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Bridal HeadpiecesBridal Headpieces

Somewhere between veil and headband (with a little bit of tiara tossed in for good measure) lies the wedding headpiece. If you can get over that word, which, to our thinking, makes it sound kind of Vegas showgirl-y, which these are so NOT, a headpiece can be the answer to one of your biggest bridal accessory dilemmas. If you’re not the traditional veil type, but, at the same time, can’t imagine a complete bridal ensemble without some kind of statement-making hair accessory, a wedding headpiece is a great way to go. We’re showing some of our favorite headpieces here, including gorgeous new feather-and-jewel creations (above) from the ever fashionable Jannie Baltzer. For a sense of how a headpiece can transform a bridal look, have a look at our “Glamorous Gowns” features, on pages 326–339 of the new print issue of Weddings in Houston.

Bridal HeadpiecesBridal Headpieces

Happy Anniversary, Winnie Couture!

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Winnie Couture 2011 CollectionWinnie Couture 2011 Collection

She loves outfitting women for the most important milestone celebration of their lives. And now she’s celebrating a milestone of her own. We’re so happy to wish Winnie Chlomin, and her beloved bridal design house Winnie Couture, a very happy 10th anniversary. That’s ten years of stunning gowns, ten years of beautiful brides, ten years of success that all started right here in Houston, with Winnie Couture’s flagship salon.

She may have branched out to Beverly Hills—with, incidentally, one of the loveliest stores around in a town full of high-glam bridal salons and high-profile clients. And, of course, there’s Winnie Couture’s many star turns on wedding TV, including “My Fair Wedding,” “Bridalplasty” and, coming up later this month, the CW’s “Shedding for the Wedding.” But through it all, Winnie has stayed true to her Houston brides, whom she calls “chic, confident and fun,” not to mention fashion savvy and very discerning when it comes to wedding attire (but then, you knew that, didn’t ya?).

What else is new for Winnie Couture in 2011? “This season is all about romantic and whimsical styles,” the designer says. Look for “light, flowing fabrics with layers of ruffles and tulle,” plus “delicate dreamy rosettes with glints of sparkle” that evoke “glamour in a fresh, organic way.”

…and, cue the collective swoon.

Here’s to another 10 years of Winnie Couture. Congratulations, Winnie!

Winnie Couture 2011 CollectionWinnie Couture 2011 Collection

To Do This Week: Ines di Santo @ Ivory Bridal Atelier + More

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Ivory Atelier Ines di Santo Trunk Show

Have you been in to Ivory Bridal Atelier yet? If not, here’s a little incentive: This Friday and Saturday, Houston’s newest bridal salon is hosting an Ines di Santo trunk show. Gowns from the Italian-born, Toronto-based designer’s spring 2011 collection will be the highlight, and you can expect the warm, attentive, expert service for which Ivory Bridal Atelier is fast developing a rep among in-the-know Houston brides. Plus, there’s the salon itself, which is so darn lovely, it’s ridiculous. We absolutely adore the big, beautiful dressing suites and sophisticated, intimate furnishings. And, of course, the Champagne.

Appointments for this exclusive two-day show will fill fast, so make yours now

Ivory Atelier Ines di Santo Trunk Show

And while you’re at it, you might want to schedule a consultation at Brickhouse Bridal, which will be showing Simone Carvalli, also on Friday and Saturday, or at Weddings by Debbie which has Eve of Milady/Amalia Carrara, same days.

Each trunk show offers a different discount—check with each salon for details. Happy shopping!