Sunday, November 18, 2012

Kristi & James



When my bride Kristi, who is a kindergarten teacher in the Pasadena area, came to her first appointment, she opened up to me about her family and the recent passing of her father.  As we spoke, we instantly bonded and connected over the fact that we had both lost our fathers.  After shedding many tears, Kristi told me what her vision was for her gown and her wedding.  She gave me her full trust and wanted me to style her and her entire party from head to toe, which I gladly and proudly did.
Her Bohemian vision came to life in the design of her gown which we made from Battenburg lace appliques and Crinkle chiffon, from the simplest of ideas, one of which was a sun dress.  After every meeting and fitting, I knew that as we adjusted and played with ideas, that I was on the right track when I could see a glimmer of tears in her eyes.
I even involved her sister Cami in the fabrication of Kristi's gown and had her assist with a portion of the beading, making it very personal for her and her family.
Kristi also put her lovely Mom in my hands, as I put her in a gold Dupioni jacket with matching cigarette style pants.  As the matriarch of the family, I thought it only fitting that her Mom be in gold as the rest of the party were in shades of yellow.
The wedding and reception took place at her beautiful brother-in-law's house in Altadena.  Quaint, intimate and emotional, her wedding brought tears all the way around, including myself and my husband.  All of it captured by Rose City Photography.






 Congratulations Kristi & James!




Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Kristi's Wedding Party




Nine different dresses for nine unique ladies and girls....
This is how many gowns I designed and fabricated for my bride Kristi's Wedding Party.  It all started when discussing Kristi's wedding as she wanted all yellow for her bridal party.  So, I thought, why not come up with different shades of yellow in order to make it more unique, since each design was different.  The colors complemented her Bohemian vision of her wedding and reception and brought a beautiful array of Summer color to a wonderful outdoor Fall wedding (just as the drizzle cleared!).
Additionally, I designed and fabricated the head pieces, out of burlap, for the girls and added burlap floral broaches to their Toms ballerina shoes.
All of my girls, my little "pollitos" - Ava, Elle, Niki, Kerry, Lisa, Cami, Laura, Gloria and Andrea, who will be featured in the next blog along with Kristi, were the most wonderful wedding party that a bride could ever want.
The closeness of the two families from the beginning of the design process, to the fittings and through to the wedding itself was inspiring and touching.  I am very happy and proud to have been part of Kristi's wedding and now count them as family myself...
xoxox,
Alina