Cut a Shapely Figure

Surprisingly there are only six basic silhouettes to chose from, once you have nailed your favourite, make it truly yours with jawdropping fabric.




Ball Gown
It’s the dress favoured by teeny waisted, romantic royal brides from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana and even pop princess Victoria Beckham. the tight bodice, corseted waist and billowing skirt are pretty and ultra feminine. a bustier will most often be involved.





Princess
Princess Mary put this shape into the spotlight. Flattering and slimming, the boned dress hugs the bust and waist tightly then flares into an ungathered skirt giving a long, lean look. An elegant cut for the ultimate sophisticate, minimal in a strapless version.




A-Line
From the skinny bodice with an under-bust trim, the dress skims the waist to a wide ungathered skirt. This hip-slimming cut gives a look that’s sweet and innocent. Devotees of this flattering style have included Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson




Empire
The tight bodice is the focus, often with a deeply scooped neckline; the fabric then falls to the hemline. Nicole Kidman’s wedding dress followed this comfortable empire line in a cloud of french lace and silk chiffon, with an up to the minute micro-pleated sleeve detail.





Mini
Short is back for perky brides, the knee length shows off lovely legs and puts pretty feet and enviable shoes in focus. It’s a less formal choice, perfect for beach weddings and cocktail hour nuptials. Cindy Crawford wore this raised hemline and made the confident look a hit.





Slip Dress
Sexy and slinky but the most unforgiving shape of all, the bias cut hugs the figure all the way from the bust to the ankles and highlights every curve and bump. Carolyn Bessette’s cigarette-thin frame suited this daring and deadly sexy line.



images via firstVIEW

Pictures: Holly Valance and Billionaire Nick Candy Wedding

 Holly Valance and  her billionaire  Nick Candy wedding on Saturday was magnificent .The happy couple tied the knot  during a lavish ceremony held in Beverly Hills.

Actress-turned-singer Holly Valance 29, wore a meringue-style wedding dress with a bodice top and carried a dark red bouquet, while Nick sported a tuxedo for their big day.

Guests - including pop guru pal Simon Cowell – were flown in from around the globe before being driven to the ceremony in blacked-out luxury mini-buses.

Brides Raise Hemline for Vintage Style

Brides Raise Hemline for Vintage Style

When Natalie Portman wed Benjamin Millepied in a Jewish ceremony last weekend, she paired a traditional floral headpiece with a 1950’s-style three quarter length skirt.

^Photos: FameFlynet Pictures

Australian bridal designer Pina Fiorenza said Shorter hemlines are making a comeback, with an increasing number of brides opting for the elegant mid-calf length instead of the usual full length gowns.


Left-Gown: Jennifer Gifford, Image: NGG__________________ Right-Gown: Carolina Herrera

“It speaks of an era that was all about understated elegance, with the influence of Dior and Balenciaga’s silhouettes coming through,” Ms Fiorenza said.

Photos & Gown: Carolina Herrera

"Brides who want to adopt the style for the wedding day should look for fabric and garment structure that enables the skirt to hold its shape and form; and be aware of getting the length right.

"Also select a neckline that compliments the style; my favourite is the classic sweetheart or wrapped sweetheart.”


Photos: Stephen Blakeney Photography __ Gown: Johanna-Hehir
Bride: Veronika Lowmass (From our Winter 2012 Issue)

Fiorenza’s 2012 collection features two three-quarter length bridal gowns, the ‘Isabella’ and ‘Lucia’, pictured below.

Photos & Gown: Pina Fiorenza

Unveiled: 200 Years of Wedding Fashion

From the Victoria and Albert Museum
 London

Presented at The Museum

of New Zealand,

 Te Papa Tongarewa

Te Papa is situated in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand

Romance

Glamour

Extravagance

Dita Von Teese on her wedding day, 2005. Dress by Vivienne Westwood, hat by Stephen Jones. Photograph by and courtesy of Odessy Barbu.

On Now until 22 April 2012
Admission charges apply

If you are in New Zealand or visiting New Zealand before 22nd April 2012 taking a visit to this exhibition is well worth the effort.

Experience the evocative world of weddings through this extraordinary collection of wedding attire from the 19th century to today. See outfits inspired by tradition, practicality, fashion, fantasy – and, of course, love.

Wedding dress and coat designed by John Bates for his Jean Varon label, London, 1966. Cotton gabardine trimmed with silvered PVC. Worn by Marit Allen for her marriage to Sandy Lieberson in London on 10 June 1966. ©Victoria and Albert Museum

Embroidered silk satin wedding dress by Norman Hartnell, London, 1933. Commissioned by Margaret Whigham for her marriage to Charles Sweeny on 21 February 1933. Given and worn by Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Highlights include celebrity gowns by stellar international designers such as Norman Hartnell, Vivienne Westwood, and Christian Lacroix. Also on show are special commissions by New Zealand designers WORLD, Lindah Lepou, and Jane Yeh.

How is it that the traditional western European white wedding dress has become the garment of choice for brides in many countries and cultures? And what do wedding dress styles say about the social and economic conditions of their day? You'll learn some of the answers from this magnificent display.

Embroidered silk wedding dress by Christian Lacroix, Paris, Autumn/Winter 1992-93 Haute Couture. Given by Christian Lacroix. Photograph by Guy Marineau © 1992

Silk brocade shoes purchased from Peter Robinson, London, 1914. Worn by Phyllis Blaiberg for her marriage to Bertie Mayer Stone at the Bayswater Synagogue, London on 9 September 1914. Given by Mrs B. Rackow ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Francis Hooper, Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, and Benny Castles discuss their inspiration for the outfits that appear in Unveiled. Plus, we peek backstage as the dress is prepared for its debut at New Zealand Fashion Week. 

More pictures, videos of interviews with designers, recordings by the curator of the museum and much more is available on their website. Even if you can't make it to Wellington to see this exhibition it is definitely worth a visit to their website:

http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/WeddingDress/Pages/default.aspx

Suitably Dressed Morning Suit Groom's Guide

Morning dress has always been a popular choice for those hankering after a traditional wedding with all the trimmings. But did you know that not under any circumstance should a morning suit be worn to a wedding that starts after five in the afternoon? Morning suits are a great choice for those weddings to be held in the colder months too!	Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Four Weddings and a Funeral	Hugh Grant was the ultra-attractive groomsman in full morning suit regalia in Four Weddings and a Funeral. It's entirely possible that his heartstopping good looks in the formal outfit single-handedly prompted the renaissance of this classic!
Don't worry if it's not a morning event despite the name, morning dress can be worn into the afternoon to weddings held before five o'clock.
The morning coat or cut-away is usually black or dark Oxford grey and has tails. The shape differs from a traditional tail coat and is closer to a frock coat in style, the skirt of the coat is knee length. Formal trousers, traditionally worn with a morning coat, are grey striped with one pleat on each leg and should not have cuffs. Custom prescribes a grey, buff or white waistcoat, double or single breasted; weddings are the only occasion that colour variations are permitted. Braces should be worn to prevent the waistband from appearing beneath the waistcoat. Etiquette dictates that only the father of the bride and the groom wear grey morning coats; other bridal party members wear black coats. These days this rule is rarely enforced but a rule is a rule!
At weddings an Ascot tie or cravat is worn with a wing collar, however in more recent times a plain black long tie is acceptable, worn with a turn down collar. If the shirt has a turn down collar it should have sleeves with a double cuff fastened with cufflinks. On a wing collar shirt there should be a single cuffs fastened with cufflinks; a shirt with detachable collar and cuffs is the more traditional option. The shirt can be either pleated or plain, the most formal shirt colour is white, however if a coloured or striped shirt is worn it should have a contrasting white collar and cuff.	Ascot Tie How to make an Ascot Tie Beautiful "I Do" Wedding Cufflinks
In The Man's Book (2006) by Thomas Fink it states that if ever there was a time to wear a buttonhole, this is it. A simple white carnation or other white bloom attached to the lapel is most appropriate for morning suits.	The Man's Book by Thomas Fink
	Shoes should be a plain black Oxford style with laces and without brogue detail; never patent leather which is reserved for formal evening occasions. Black or dark grey silk or wool socks are appropriate.
For the ultra traditionalist a grey or black top hat and grey gloves completes the ensemble. According to Vogue's Book of Etiquette, in the 1940s a walking stick or umbrella was the height of correctness to complete the tradtional morning suit look.	Vogue's Book of Etiquette