Saturday, August 18, 2012

Ali & Pehr





My bride Ali was shopping for a wedding gown that was definitely non-traditional and unique, and happened to find me online through her searching.  She wanted her dress to be asymmetrical, light, airy with just a touch of green.  I set forth to design and incorporate all of the things that she wanted in her gown.  Another design element on Ali's list was for her gown to be short and fun for her reception, but she still wanted a longer length for the actual ceremony.  So, I designed her gown with a detachable tulle overlay which was quite different texturally from her short reception dress underneath, which was created with layers of silk organza, just like silk hankies, one of my favorite techniques.  I added the green to the asymmetrical part of her gown and to her belt, by hand dipping the fabric in my own concoction of shades of green to achieve the desired effect that Ali was looking for.  Just enough color, but not too much.  And for the final touch, I designed a custom head piece with a pop of green to tie everything together.  I think the final result speaks for itself, as Ali looks absolutely radiant and beautiful in her gown.
Photographer Julie Harmsen, who was actually Ali's housemate back in Michigan, has such a wonderful eye for the details and really utilizes the natural light and gorgeous setting to compliment Ali & Pehr's wedding just perfectly.










Congratulations Ali & Pehr!






Sunday, August 12, 2012

Anna & Thomas




Anna's dress all started with her fabric.  It was a fabric that had been in her family for over 60 years and was brought back from Asia by her grandfather upon his return from war.  When her grandmother saw it, she thought it was so beautiful that it should be saved for future use by one of her unborn grandchildren.  It is amazing to think that something so beautiful and delicate could be saved during a time of war, only now to be used in a time of love...now that is a wonderful cycle.   
Unfortunately, when Anna brought the fabric to the Salon and we opened it up, we discovered a large water stain.  So, her mother began looking for the remainder of the fabric in her attic space to see what was left that we could possibly use, she actually discovered an even more beautiful fabric wrapped up within the original!  Just our luck!  
Not only was the fabric a part of the long family history, but we also used a dress that her mother loved and wore, and that Anna had inherited, as the design inspiration for her own wedding dress.  
Seasoned photographer Mike Colon, of Newport Beach,  captured all of the lovely details and the beautiful wedding location of this special event.




Congratulations Anna & Thomas!