Sunday, February 27, 2011

Black Swan

With the Oscar's upon us today, we are waiting with baited breath to see the stunning gowns that will grace the red carpet!  We have our fingers crossed that Black Swan will take picture of the year.  As the thriller continues to sweep the award shows, we will begin to see its influence on the world of fashion- particularly bridal fashion.

The costumes  in the movie were spectacular. Costume designer Rodarte did an exceptional job incorporating fashion elements into the ballet costumes. Black and White and feather details are both currently hot bridal trends.  With the influence of Black Swan, it will be exciting to watch those trends intensify. We will also begin to see the film's influence on bridal beauty with more dramatic hair and lashes- and  the resurgence of the ballet bun!

Here is how a few of our favorite talents and designers have exemplified the trends!~
Fashion~

'Ebony' by Modern Trousseau



Starletta by Angela Nuran


Floral ~


Beauty~


xoxo, TWD

haute bride accessories trunk show

Haute Bride is designed for the bride who LOVES accessories! We are wild about this line of stunning pieces for the bride, her attendants and moms!

Here are some of the fabulous new pieces from the new collection that will grace us with their presence at the trunk show!

click to enlarge

Ring us at 860.669.4596 to schedule an appointment for the trunk show that runs March 3rd-5th. A 10% discount will be granted on your first Haute Bride piece and 15% on the second piece of equal or lesser value. Don't miss out on the perfect sparkle for your wedding!

xoxo, TWD

Friday, February 25, 2011

Coren Moore Spring Promo

click image to enlarge

Ring us at 860.669.4596  for an appointment to view Coren Moore's flirty collection of maids dresses.  Special discount rates apply if you place your order by April 30th!  Don't miss your chance for an amazing dress at an incredible value~ either for your bridal party, or yourself!

xoxo, TWD 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

destination inspiration: New England

We are excited to debut our second destination for our Destination Inspired Event  on Sunday, March 20th. We hope you’ve saved the date for an amazing afternoon of inspiration. We can't wait to unveil our inspiration tent filled with tablescapes, floral design and gowns, all inspired by the selected destinations.  Whether you are planning a destination wedding, or looking for inspiration for your wedding at home, this is an event NOT to be missed!


Our first destination was inspired by the romantic island of Capri where we brought in soft colors and dreamy fabrics.


As friend of The White Dress and event co-creator, Candice Coppola of Jubilee Events, is far more eloquent than I, I will allow her to describe the inspiration that she has created in her own words~ 
"What do you think of when you think of the great north east? Shades of white and blue, a breezy and cool shoreline, nautical details (stripes/seersucker, shipping knots, sail cloth), Adirondack chairs, clams, oysters and lobster, changing of the seasons, matching pearl necklaces and earrings, Federal Style architecture, the epic blue blazer… Martha’s Vineyard, Kennebunkport, Watch Hill, The Cape and of course nearly every town on the Connecticut shoreline. One thing I love about New England (aside from all those things) is that it can inspire so many different styles— and we intend to use none of the above.
Our muse is found in one of my favorite fashion brands and icons: kate spade. To me, kate is infinitely preppy, feminine, classic and, to put it simply, perfect. What could be more New England than that? With her lady-like silhouettes, high heels, bright lipstick and baubles, kate spade embodies everything about my favorite New England fashion icon, Jackie Kennedy— who was the epitome of the classic look with a modern twist."

 "We can’t wait to show you what we have in store for this look. If you are a New England lovin’ kate spade gal like me, be inspired by bright colors, simple patterns, chunky jewels, color blocking, a bit of sparkle and tailored fabrics. Their brand is so consistent in everything they put together, from the classic and sleek shapes of their staple hand bags to the cheeky little message waiting for you in your new box of perfume. kate spade is about being pretty and fun!"
We hope that you have saved the date for this amazing event… Keep checking your inbox for the formal invitation to an afternoon of beautiful inspiration! Get on the exclusive invitation list by emailing  info@eventjubilee.com.
Until next week when we reveal our third destination inspiration!!
xoxo, TWD

Saturday, February 19, 2011

introducing Lilly Pulitzer bride!

Throughout the '60s and '70s, the Lilly Pulitzer line was the uniform of the affluent at play. Today, the brand continues the same traditions it began more than 50 years ago. Wardrobing women, men, children, homes and now brides, every piece is designed to lift people's spirits, help create lasting memories and inspire us all to Lead A Colorful Life® ...even in wedding white!

image by Abby Scott

We are thrilled to be carrying The Lilly Pulitzer collection exclusively in Connecticut at The White Dress by the shore!

To celebrate the launch of this adorable line, we will be offering 10% off of the Lilly Pulitzer collection through March 12th!  Ring us at 860.669.4596 to be the first to try these beauties on!

xoxo, TWD 

Friday, February 18, 2011

Bliss Celebrations cover and feature

There is a new publication in town, and we are in LOVE!!!!  Bliss Celebrations just launched its premier issue, and we are honored to say that our Marie Antionette inspired photo shoot is gracing the cover and is featured as an editorial spread.




This shoot was created as part of photography workshop for Carla Teneyck.  Check out the behind the scenes 'making of the shoot' video by Vantage Point Films .  We were honored to collaborate with some of the brightest talents in the industry on this shoot!  The shoot was styled by Candice Coppola of Jubilee Events and the beauty was done by Dana Bartone and her amazing team! The floral design that is artfully captured on the cover is by the lovely and talented Elizabeth Zemetis of Blush Floral Design.

We were also thrilled that one of our real bride's weddings was featured inside the magazine!  Abby Shaughnessy's flirty Ocean House wedding shot by Leila Brewster and designed by True Event, was a perfect additon to this lovely publication!


We are beyond excited to not only have such a lovely and inspirational publication to introduce to our brides, but also to have our work featured within it!  Stop by The White Dress to pick up your copy of Bliss Celebrations, or look for it in Barnes and Noble, Target and CVS in the coming weeks!

xoxo, TWD

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

destination inspiration....the isle of Capri!



inspiration created by jubilee events


I love to travel!  Whenever I travel I am inspired- by the architecture, landscape, artwork and of course local fashion trends!  We decided to create a Destinations Wedding event that will inspire our brides with some amazing destination locations.  

 We hope that you have saved the date for March 20th, 2011. Be on the look out for a formal invitation in your inbox! If you did not receive our save the date email, be sure to get on the exclusive invitation list by emailing our event co-creator, Jubilee Events at info@eventjubilee.com.

Our event is going to explore some of the most beautiful and romantic destinations for your wedding. Even if you are or not you are able to travel to these romantic destinations for your wedding, we hope that they will inspire you for your wedding at home.

Leading up to the event, each week we will be featuring ideas and content for your destination inspired wedding– at home or abroad!  This week, we’re featuring the island of Capri located on the Almalfi Coast in Italy.   With it’s turquoise coast line, rich Italian food, rocky cliffs, windy streets, gorgeous boats, local artisans and diverse history it is an amazing location for a destination wedding! We can’t wait to share with you our mini Capri-inspired wedding at our
Destination Weddings Event
, but in the mean time, enjoy our inspiration board designed by the lovely and talented Candice Coppola of Jubilee Events.

In her words, " Purely romantic, carefree and colorful, our board was inspired by the natural landscape of Capri– the interesting colors and textures– along with the dreamy ocean views. You don’t have to be in Capri to evoke the ambiance and atmosphere there– bring in this color palette along with diverse patterns, smooth finishes and rough textures. Build a menu around regional Almalfi Coast dishes, robust with fishes, lemon (!), handmade pasta, cheeses, and fresh local vegetables. And of course, wine! Be inspired by their beautiful architecture with its greco-roman curved arches, stucco finishes and tiled floors. Think about the narrow windy streets, fresh food markets, local textile artisans, little piazza’s and houses built into the cliff side."

xoxo, TWD 

Monday, February 14, 2011

Sunday, February 13, 2011

happy valentine's day!


Valentine's Day is a day to reflect on who and what you love.....
When I think about what I love, many things come to mind...fashion, shoes, the color pink, anything that sparkles, chocolate, champagne and of course my family!
I asked my 10 year old daughter, Lindsay to write something for the blog that represents what love means to her. She chose to write a poem. Our wish for you today is that you feel every letter in the love alphabet!
Love within the ABC's ~ by Lindsay Chapman
The A is amazing
The B is brilliant
The C is content
The D is delectable
The E is exquisite
The F is fantastic
The G is great
The H is happy
The I is intellectual
The J is joyous
The K is kissable
The L is laughter
The M is merry
The N is nice
The O is outstanding
The P is perfect
The Q is quaint
The R is righteous
The S is stupendous
The T is terrific
The U is undefinable
The V is victorious
The W is wonderful
The X is xoxoxo
The Y is yummy
The Z is zest for life
Love means all this and much more to me...what makes love special to you?
xoxo, TWD

Saturday, February 12, 2011

loving lace!

We are thrilled to announce our first ever Lace Event!
February 15th - 26th we are offering 10% off any lace gown, veil or bolero.
Here are just a few of our favs...
modern trousseau

amy kuschel
anne barge

melissa sweet
judd waddell
~


Call 860.669.4596 to schedule an appointment.


xoxo, TWD

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

save the date!



click image to enlarge

Join us for a day of inspiration!
Details to follow~ this is an event you will NOT want to miss!

This event will kick off a destination bridal trunk show that will run March 22nd - 26th by appointment .  When you purchase a gown during the event, a 10% discount will be granted off of our stunning collection of gowns appropriate for your destination wedding at home or abroad.

  Designers include~ Modern Trousseau, Anne Barge, Judd Waddell, Amy Kuschel, Jenny Yoo, Nicole Miller and Augusta Jones.

xoxo, TWD

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

communion dresses

White dresses are not just for big girls! We have an adorable collection of white communion dresses from Coren Moore and Us Angels. Here are just a few of our favorites!





To schedule an appointment to view our communion collection, please call 860.669.4596.
xoxo, TWD

Monday, February 07, 2011

new york city bridal shoot

In October we were asked by Robert and Kathleen Trenske to style a shoot for their Taking Off Photography Seminar- the same seminar that took us to Paris last spring!  The day before the seminar we participated in  a fabulous fashion shoot in downtown Manhattan. We went with a 1960's vibe with a little edge for this shoot.  Pour yourself a martini and enjoy!

 











To see even more stunning images from this shoot, check out the feature on wedding chicks!

 
shoot credits~
event design: jubilee events
floral design: datura~a modern garden
headpieces: maria elena and amirah creations

xoxo, TWD

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

ask the experts~ an interview with our head seamstress

As part our Ask The Experts series, we have interviewed our head seamtress, Penny Barone.  We hope that this post will enlighten our brides as to the amount of work and talent that goes into altering their gown.  Bridal Alterations is a truely a lost art form!



How did you get started working with wedding gowns?

I started sewing Barbie doll clothes at age 9. My first job working on wedding gowns was at a bridal store in Hartford 35 years ago, which is where I got hooked on bridal. The following year a wedding gown factory opened in Enfield, Connecticut and I became their first seamstress. I later worked directly with the designer as his sample maker. The factory closed after only 2 years and I unhappily joined the insurance industry.

During the insurance years I would make or alter the wedding dresses of friends and family, and performed part-time alterations at various bridal shops in Connecticut. I eventually left the insurance industry and devoted all of my time to dressmaking and alterations. I estimate that I have worked on somewhere between 4500 and 5000 bride, mother, bridesmaid or flower girl dresses in the past 35 years. I love what I do and am blessed to be doing it here at The White Dress by the shore.


What goes into altering a wedding gown?

 Our gowns are from the top couture designers in the industry. As a result, they are extremely well constructed. Each gown has multiple layers and when altering them, each layer has to be taken in exactly the same amount to ensure a proper fit. We appreciate the delicate silks and laces and the special handling required to alter each gown. We always take the time to do the job properly. There are No shortcuts- EVER. Shortcuts create lumps and bumps that no bride wants.

At The White Dress by the shore, we spend an extraordinary amount of time with the bride and her gown. Generally, we have 4 fittings for each gown. We concentrate on making the bodice fit at the first fitting because the bodice affects the skirt length. The hem and bustle are the focus at the second fitting. At the third fitting we check the overall fit of the gown and ensure that the hem is perfect. At the final fitting the brides puts the dress on one more time to check for perfection, the wrinkles are removed and the dress is packaged and placed in her car. We devote one hour to each fitting and two hours for the final pickup, just in case any minor tweaks need to make while the bride waits.

Although the bride may see the seamstress for 3 to 4 hours in fittings, the dress also spends many hours in the sewing room getting carefully taken apart and stitched for the next fitting. Our goal is to ensure that the dress feels as great as it looks.

Hemming even a simple design can take several hours due to the number of layers in the gown. Each layer of the skirt needs to be measured, stitched, checked, trimmed and pressed separately.

Lace hems take much longer because the lace usually needs to be removed and re-attached after hemming the shell and petticoats of the gown.

What is the most difficult aspect of altering a wedding gown?

The wedding dress has evolved over the last 60 years from a single layer of satin worn over a bra and separate petticoat into elaborately constructed multi-layered works of art. Gowns today often are designed with the petticoat built-in, and often with a bra or fully boned corset built-in.

Each layer needs to be altered in the same exact manner or the overall result will be less than perfect.

A common question is how do you alter a gown with a lace hem?

It depends on the type of lace and the style of the dress. Sometimes we need to remove the lace, shorten the fabric portion and then reapply the lace along the new hemline. Sometimes we need to carefully cut along a design in the lace pattern, reposition the lace, sew it, and then cut away the excess. If there is a horizontal waistline seam, we sometimes shorten from the top of the skirt. The waist seam is taken apart and then we cut away the unnecessary inches from the top of the skirt panels and then put the bodice and the skirt back together. Either way is very time-consuming and can be tricky, but it's our specialty is making any changes to the dress imperceptible.


How do you feel about customizing gowns from their original design?

We love to customize dresses at the White Dress by the shore. It is what makes the dress truly unique for each bride. We can do just about anything imaginable. If the bride wants a slimmer skirt, a dip in the neckline, a "V" in the back, shoulder straps, a sleeve added or taken away, or a little bling added here and there, we can do it all!

One thing we love to do is place a personal memento into the dress. It can be a piece of fabric from their mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress, a strand of yarn from her grandfather’s favorite afghan, or a piece of tattered handkerchief sewn to the lining near the hem. We once added a tiny pocket inside the gown for a special coin or medal. A Dad once hand embroidered the couple's names and wedding date onto a piece of silk and I stitched it into the lining. That was truly sweet.


What are the biggest misconceptions about your job?

1. That we have a magic wand in the back room.

2. That if the right size was ordered they wouldn't have needed alterations.

3. That we can do a hem without the proper shoe.


What words of wisdom can you provide brides going through the alterations process?

If you plan on losing weight and have a specific regimen that you are using, tell your seamstress at the first fitting. It is important to formalize a plan for the weight loss so that the gown does not have to be taken in at every fitting.

Proper undergarments are KEY! It is important to come to the first fitting with the foundations that you plan to wear under your gown. The appropriate foundation makes all of the difference in the fit of your gown. We love that we share our space with Beneath the Gown so that Josie can outfit all of our brides in the perfect undergarments for their gown.

It is critical that you have the finalized shoe by the second fitting. We need the EXACT shoe at the fitting in order to ensure that the hem is perfect.

What do you love about the process?

I just love working with brides. They are women who are happy and in love, at one of the best times in their lives. The most gratifying part is that one moment during a fitting when the bride sees herself in the mirror and realizes that, yes, it really is HER wedding gown and she feels fabulous in it. All those months of wondering how it would turn out are over and bridal worry and silly nightmares were unnecessary. They get that glow, do a little twirl or let out a little squeal or a couple of laughing tears and say they don't want to take the dress off. It gets my heart every time.

xoxo, TWD