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!

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!

4th Year Anniversary!

Well, here we are...our 4th Year Anniversary of the Salon!  It has been a great journey so far with so many amazing things that have happened and wonderful people we have met.  Of course there have been challenges as well, but we are still here and pushing forward and upwards.  We hope that you will join us in our celebration of this great moment.  The Fall 2012 Collection will be on hand to view along with cocktails provided by our co-sponsor Tequila Campo Azul, and giveaways from co-sponsor California Wedding Day!  So come join us, for a fun night of fashion, friends, sparkling lemonade and tequila...please rsvp to rsvp@alinapizzano.com. See you there!
Best regards,
Alina + Jameel

Abi Q Photography

My latest Collection, Fall 2012, was recently photographed at the Salon here in Pasadena by the very talented Abi Q and I thought that I would share her talent with the rest of you.  I actually got acquainted with Abi through one of my Brides, Sarah, who's Wedding Abi shot in Palm Springs, and was featured on Style Me Pretty.  I thought that the photos were amazing and captured the moment wonderfully.  Her attention to detail, emotion and the excitement of the day all came through in each photo I saw.  So, I decided to get in touch with her and see if she would photograph my Fall 2010 Collection.  When she said yes, and we met, there was instant chemistry and she understood exactly what I wanted to portray with my gowns.  So, now after shooting a third Collection for me, I thought that I should definitely share her with all of you...

Brides, future Brides, and anyone in general, if you are looking for a no-nonsense photographer that will capture your Wedding or Event with a wonderfully stylish eye, then Abi is your choice.  I am now looking forward to the release of my next Collection, Spring 2013, and already I've prepared to shoot with Abi... 

Here are a variety of photos from her site that show her style...enjoy!

Sarah & Andrew

Deborah & Tony

When I met my Bride Deborah and we started to chat about her gown and life in general, we discovered that she actually worked for my previous employer, BCBG, and so it ended up being a bit of fate that I create her gown. Working within the fashion industry herself, Deborah had a very solid and clear vision of how her dress should look and what we would need to incorporate.  In fact, she actually had her own fabric that she had purchased prior, and a vintage gown which she wanted to use as the basis for her gown.  So, we went about the process and came up with a design that was vintage, yet modern, fitted, and sexy, yet also classic and chic.  The black sand washed jacquard came to life once we embellished it with beading that we hand applied here in the Salon, and gave her gown the shimmer and depth perfect to sparkle at her wedding.  As she walked down the aisle, her wedding guests whispered that she looked just like a "Hollywood starlet"... and I definitely agree.  In fact, Deborah & Tony even danced the tango as they looked like they walked right off the set of a classic Hollywood musical!  Deborah's gown inspired me so much, that it stirred my imagination and has now set the tone for my next Collection, Spring 2013!

The wedding and reception were held right here in downtown LosAngeles at the Carondelet House,which was built in 1928 as an Italian Villa. The beautifully nostalgic spot was a perfect fit for Deborah & Tony's vintage inspired wedding.  All of the their beautiful wedding and reception were wonderfully captured by docuvitae photography, which are also located right here in Los Angeles.

Congratulations Deborah & Tony!

Spring 2013 Collection Inspiration

 

As I finalize my Fall 2012 Collection, photo shoot with the amazing Abi Q coming soon, I am already inspired and in the process of designing my Spring 2013 Collection.  I have always loved vintage, glamorous Hollywood...the days of Ingrid Bergman and Rita Hayworth, the roll out of the red carpet at the Academy Awards.  The days when Hollywood starlets were looked at as iconic, beautiful, sexy and alluring.  You had Bette Davis, Gene Tierney, Lauren Bacall....all amazing and gorgeous.  The clothes that they wore were impeccable and grand.  So, my next Collection gathers inspiration from these fabulous women and their incredible clothing.  I am looking to recreate this feel with a sexier more modern twist.  Think...grand, glamorous, chic, sexy.  Perfect for any wedding, or maybe even a red carpet event!

Wookie

So, as my days grow more and more busy...my little man Wookie grows more and more tired.  Here he is once again taking a doggie nap in the Studio.  He loves to catch the warm rays of sun that find their way through the skylight, a perfect spot for some shut eye.  The great photo was captured by my Bride Elena's brother who is also a professional photograper, Rafael Agustin Delgado.