Online Anytime

A lot can be said about the ease factor when it comes to online shopping. It's fast, it's pain free and the goodies get delivered straight to your door. Convenient? Yes. Addictive? Absolutley! Lisa Ho has joined the online brigade and has launched her online store. With all your favourite pieces available you'll be able to skip the carparks, parking fees and over crowded shopping meccas to have it arrive on your doorstep. Voila! Visit www.lisaho.com to start shopping!

Milliner Magic

Emerging vintage-inspired designer Jessica Beattie has launched her inaugural bridal collection Enchanted and is set to bring old-world romance back for the modern bride. Trained by acclaimed milliner Neil Grigg, the Sydney-based designer’s unique, handcrafted headpieces are already favourites at Fashions on the Field. Her new bridal collection features a selection of headpieces, veils, and handmade silk flowers that are soft and delicate in detail, using handcrafted luxury materials and bead work (the same bead work used by the house of Chanel!). Jessica will continue her handmade tradition, tailoring pieces to each bride’s requirements. The Deluxe range of silk flowers is handmade in Australia, and can be made-to-measure, using the same fabric as a wedding dress, in any colour or size. Jessica Beattie Millinery is dedicated to giving clients a bespoke service and as part of the bridal package, customers can use the service after the wedding to adapt their headpiece for other occasions such as casual or race wear. With over 60 pieces in the collection, prices range from $130 for a standard handmade flower on a comb to $1,500 for a cloche. View the full collection launching at Sydney Bridal Expo 16 & 17 April 2011 or at www.jessicabeattie.com.au.







Posted by Emilie Harrison

Royal Wedding Roundup

I think it's fair to say the wedding of HRH Prince William & Catherine Middleton on Friday certainly lived up to everyone's expectations. With over 2 billion people worldwide tuning in to watch the nuptials and 1 million people lining the streets of London to celebrate it has certainly reignited the worlds love and infatuation with the British monarchy. Possibly the greatest kept secret of the day was Kate's dress and after much speculation it was announced she was wearing a gown designed by Sarah Burton, head of famed British houseAlexanda McQueen. Made of ivory and white satin gazar with a train of just over 6 feet long, the Royal website notes "the skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs". With her hair down Kate wore a stunning Cartier halo tiara on loan from the Queen and diamond earrings given to her by her parents made especially to match the tiara. According to reports Middleton worked closely with Burton to create the formula for her gown, with obvious notes taken from Grace Kelly's famous wedding gown. There's no doubt that Kate's look will forever be replicated by bride's worldwide as have the looks so many famous brides in the past. Kate's sister and lady in waiting, Pippa Middleton, also wore a custom made McQueen gown complete with little sleeves, a cowl neck and covered buttons. Kate's second gown, for the 80's themed evening party, was another McQueen creation with embellished waist band and finished off with a super cute angora cardigan. Princess chic perfection! Visit the official Royal wedding website at www.officialroyalwedding2011.org for all the wonderful photos.


The official photographer for the wedding was Hugo Burnand






Kate wore a Cartier tiara, on loan from the Queen, with earrings gifted to her by her parents


Kate carried a bouquet of Lilly of the Valley, which also represents 'trust' when refrencing the 'language of flowers', a floral code made popular by Queen Victoria








Kate's second gown for the evening celebration was another McQueen creation with embellished waist band and angora cardigan


The amazing cake was crafted by Fiona Cairns and took five weeks to design. The cake, consisting of 17 individual fruit cakes, was decorated in cream and white icing with 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Vintage Weddings - One Hundred Years of Bridal Fashion & Style

I have to confess I love books and wedding dresses so when this absolutely beautiful book turned up on my desk yesterday I was a little ecstatic. Vintage Weddings - One Hundred Years of Bridal Fashion & Style by Marnie Fogg is, as you guessed it, all about amazing wedding dresses. From the 1900's through till now discover the designes and trends that changed the world of bridal design forever. With foreword by designer extrodinaire Bruce Oldfield OBE it's a absolutley gorgoeus book full of wonderful pictures and information. It even includes a wedding planner and a section on groom's fashion of the time. In perfect time for the Royal wedding! Vintage Weddings is published by Cameron House and is available at all good bookstores from June 2011 for $49.99.

Ruffle Me Up

There is such thing as a dream dress; a dress that fulfills your wildest dress fantasies. For me this dress is it. Modern, feminine, intricate and sexy all at once. And the shade? Heaven. This Vera Wang creation was one of our Favourite Things, featured in our new winter issue. Thanks to Helen Rodrigues in Sydney it will be available in Australia come November. Vist www.helenrodrigues.com.au for arrival dates.

Silky Smooth

To celebrate her 12th Silk anniversary Lisa Gowing launched an exciting collection of demi-couture ready-to-wear gowns in Spring 2010. Being the uber-designer that she is, Lisa has now expanded the collection to include 15 new styles. The new collection of luscious and luxurious vintage inspired gowns is now available to view online and try in her studio in Edgecliff, New South Wales. Recalling the glamour of past era's, the collection draws inspiration from the 1920's through to the 1950's. All designs are hand made in pure silks with hand placed jewel and European lace detailing. Matching tulle and lace or jewel trimmed veils, headpieces and silk flowers are also available. Handmade locally by Lisa and her team, the ready-to-wear collection is hand made using time honoured couture techniques. The Demi-Couture gowns feature the same superb cut, luxe fabrics and feminine detailing that have become synonymous with Lisa’s couture designs, constructed in layers of silk and exclusive trims including European laces and crystal or jewel embellishments. If you'd like to register to attend one of her open days or to make an appointment to view and try the collection outside of these open days

Weather Feather

It's a fair call saying it's freezing here in Australia. Winter has well and truly settled in and if you're having a winter wedding and still have your heart set on a strapless or more revealing gown consider this gorgeous Miu Miu feather collar. There's nothing worse than being cold so it's important to still keep yourself a little rugged up.


Feather collar £412.50

Design Star Stars

Ever since the first Sarah Janks gown came through our doors I've been in love. The craftsmanship and detailing is simply exquisite. Sarah is excited to announce the opening of her flagship studio in Sydney's North Shore, introducing her debut Tempus collection. Reinterpretating classic shapes with a modern slant, Sarah employs traditional techniques with impeccable fit and attention to detail. The dichotomy of fitted versus fluid is underlined by second skin bodices accompanied by ball gown or curvaceous hourglass skirts. Slinky bias cut dresses in chiffons, liquid satins and morocains balance the tailored pieces in the collection. The intricate embellishments and fabric manipulations are inspired by pressed flowers, old hand written love notes hidden in the folds of the skirt, small tokens of affection and a nostalgia of an era where romance blossomed into love.

Sarah has come a long way from leaving South Africa where she was born and raised to landing in London with just 300 pounds. Sarah found her first job at Kashkets, who were responsible for the outfits worn by Prince William, Prince Harry and the page boys at the recent Royal wedding of Will & Kate. Twelve years on and after almost a decade working for incredible designers such as Roland Mouret, Jonathan Saunders and Jenny Packam, Sarah moved to Australia and this week opened the doors to her Neutral Bay Studio.

Be sure to visit Sarah's studio at Shop 9, 7 Waters Road, Neutral Bay, Sydney 2089. Bridal and gown consultations are by appointment.



Petticoat


Valon


Maria


Brielle


The gorgeous Adina gown we featured in issue 18

Posted by Emilie Harrison