Curvy Style

Curves and Couture: A Very Happy Ever After

 

Austin Scarlett Gown

 

 

Austin Scarlett

 

David Mccaffrey Gown

David Mccaffrey

 

 

New York Bridal Fashion Week formerly known as the WeddingChannel Couture Show, launched with a new theme, couture. This weekend the number-one wedding fashion trade show took it to another level of luxury with the launch of four bridal lines including Project Runway alumni and Project Runway All Stars runner up, Austin Scarletthttp://austinscarlett.com/bridal/  and Canada based designer David McCaffrey debuted McCaffrey Haute Couture. http://www.mccaffreyhautecouture.com/#

As a wedding consultant, I have seen how full figured brides psych themselves out believing that couture is something reserved for the rich and thin. However, this simply isn’t the case. Curves and couture make perfect partners and judging from the collections premiered this weekend, it’s time to sound the bell. As long as it’s within your budget curvy brides can go couture.

Now you might say that one can’t find couture gown samples in anything above a size ten in most bridal salons. The answer to that is based in the simple economics of supply and demand.  We have come a long way from the basic stretchy pants, elastic waists and mu-mus because as the majority of American women, we demanded more choice and we got it. Everyone from Michael Kors, Jones New York, Macy’s INC and The Limited to name a few now have fashionable plus size designs available online and in stores.

A wedding gown is the dress of a lifetime and we should feel our choices aren’t limited simply due to our waistlines. Designers need us to use our voices to make the case for carrying plus size couture samples in bridal salons. We have to let bridal salon owners know that just like Field of Dreams, if they carry it, we will come. Remember, nearly 70% of women are considered plus size and out of the approximate 2.4 million weddings, 30% of the brides are curvy and the number is expected to rise in 2012.

According to The Knot’s latest survey on wedding budgets, the average spent on a wedding dress in 2011, was $1,121.00. However, the report also acknowledged that wedding budgets are on the rise for the first time in five years. The couture gowns viewed this weekend averaged anywhere from $2500 to $5000 and they were exquisite. Whether it’s hair, makeup or skin care when it comes to looking our best, we don’t skimp so why should we settle when it comes to the dress.  .

 

 By no means am I suggesting that you go into debt for a wedding gown. If you can afford to go couture not only should you be able to purchase the gown, you should have the same shopping experience as our straight or sample size sisters, which means trying the gown on in your size. No one goes wedding gown shopping to find themselves in Mr. Roger's Land of Make Believe where you have to imagine what the dress would look like on you.

So to all the bridal salon owners out there please know that just like Field of Dreams, if you carry it, we will come...in droves.

 

 

 

Every Woman's I Feel Pretty Moment

Bride Marisa Balletti - Lavoie

I feel pretty
Oh so pretty
I feel pretty and witty and bright,
And I pitty any girl who isn't me tonight.

I feel charming
Oh so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel
And so pretty that I hardly can believe I'm real.

See the pretty girl in that mirror there
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face
Such a pretty dress
Such a pretty smile
Such a pretty me!

The lyrics and music are from the much beloved West Side Story (Jerome Robbins conception, book by Arthur Laurents and directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins) with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Every bride to be has been told that she will instantly know when she's found the 'right dress'. I call it the "ah" moment when suddenly the room brightens and there seems to be a faint chorus of angels in the background (truthfully it's probably an overcome mother)

The funny thing is much like Steven Sondheim's song I Feel Pretty, it's an experience many of us have had before we've even stepped into a bridal salon. I'm going to tell you about my first "ah" moment as best as I can since I was about two years-old at the time.   I ask that you give me a little lattitude here as it's been quite a while since I was 2 and I needed to check in with my father to fill in the gaps.

The one thing I can tell you for sure is that I wasn't a fan of new clothes (I know shocking). Whenever my mother bought something new for me she would leave it on my bed to give me a chance to warm up to the idea of possibly wearing it. I guess that's what makes my first "ah" moment so special.  My Grandma Canton made a red velvet dress with white sleeves for me and I immediately put it on. No get to know you time required. There are dozens of pictures of me wearing that dress with the biggest grin on my face. It was the first dress that made me feel like a pretty little girl.

Now you might not have been as young as I was but I can bet you had a similar experience with a dress or an outfit that made you feel pretty. It might be the dress from your 8th birthday party, or a Christmas eve frock,  first school dance dress or a prom gown. It might even be a first date dress that the moment you zipped it up you knew that you were possibly on the menu under dessert :-). I'm quite sure that your good night kiss was sweet enough to suffice.

The one thing I can tell you that Sheri and I are doing with the book Strut Down That Aisle A Celebration of Romance & Style for The Curvy Bride is helping you get back to that pretty girl feeling while infusing it with your personal style down the aisle and beyond.

Jumping the Broom: A Beautiful Tradition

I am a sucker for a good romantic comedy.  If the story includes a wedding and fashion I’m definitely all in.  I have been so busy that I missed the opening of TD Jakes’ new movie “Jumping the Broom," but it was worth the wait.  The cast is made up of some good looking people and great actors, including living legends Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine.  Best of all the movie is set in New York and then we're whisked away to beautiful estate in the Hamptons.  TD Jakes did it again with this story of a modern Christian romance, love and forgiveness.  I just loved it!  I will be adding this one to my collection of bridal themed movies.

I was excited to find out that Fashion Fair partnered with the movie to release the “Jumping the Broom” cosmetics collection available exclusively at Macy’s.  Fashion Fair was a pioneer in beauty and cosmetics for women of color and they've done a great job of keeping up with the trends for a younger generation.  The company has a tradition in beauty as timely as jumping the ceremonial broom is in African American weddings today.  The tradition of jumping the broom symbolizes the beginning of house-making for a couple, who literally jumped over a broom into the seat of matrimony.
 
The Fashion Fair “Jumping the Broom” collection includes three matte and shimmery eye shadows ($14), a lip gloss ($17) and mascara ($16.50).  The eye shadows are neutral shades that can create a natural look or an expert smoky eye for the evening.  Dreamy is a dark brown matte shadow with a hint of shimmer.  Chocolate Cake is a sweet charcoal brown matte shadow perfect for contouring even on dark brown skin without looking gray.  Seashell has a soft rose shimmer that looks subtle and sexy.  Pearl Doll is a cream colored shimmering highlighter that brightens without a chalky finish.

I loved Dreamy which is the deep brown matte shadow.  I wore it almost everyday.  Dreamy created a subtle dewy finish on the dark brown skin of my eyelids that's often seen in beauty shots in magazines.  The secret is the hint of shimmer in a shade this saturated with pigment.  I loved the brush on the Lift & Define Mascara.  It made me realize I've been working too hard with my drug store brand.  I say "I do" to Fashion Fair lip teaser gloss aptly named I Do, which has a pink pearl shimmer that all skin tones can wear.  The lip gloss was never sticky and my lips felt so nice all day long.

Even if you are a professional make up artist yourself, you deserve to hire someone else to do your makeup, as well as your bridal party.  Everyone will look great walking down the aisle in style.  If you don’t know anyone, go to your local Fashion Fair counter at Macy’s and ask for a recommendation.  You can carry the Fashion Fair "Jumping the Broom” collection in your quick fix beauty kit on the big day.

Stylist Tip:  Do plan a “Dress Rehearsal.”  Dress head to toe in your full wedding look a week or two before your wedding, including your hair and make-up.  By now you should have had a consultation with your hair stylist and make-up artist.  Schedule a trial hair do and make-up application on the day of your “dress rehearsal.”  Have one of your bridesmaids take a picture of you.  As they say “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  With words like “wrong color,” “too much” and “high definition,” you’ll be able to refine your wedding look with confidence.

Expert advice from Down That Aisle in Style chapter on makeup:  When you go to a trial, the makeup artist should have some questions for you.  They will probably ask if you brought pictures of your desired look.  If you didn’t bring any, they should ask questions about what you want to look like.  They should also ask how you normally wear your makeup to get an idea of your preferences.  They should also ask about the dress, the veil, the time of year, the time of day, and the location.  These are all questions that can give them an idea of what is appropriate for you.  Additionally, they should ask if you have any allergies to makeup products.  If they don’t ask, and you do in fact have allergies, please make sure to mention it to them.  For more information on hiring a makeup artist purchase a copy of Down That Aisle in Style.  CLICK HERE.

William and Kate The Royal Wedding

 

 

The Royal Wedding didn't disappoint! Princess Catherine chose a stunning gown created by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.  Her wedding confection was a treat for the eyes. Made of English cut  and French Chantilly lace, the dress was understated yet elegant. Oh what Sheri and I would have done to be able to touch the material (Oh butter!!!)

 Sleeves are BACK! Strapless gowns have ruled for some time but I am sure that with after today we're going to see a lot more options with sleeves by Bridal Market in October. Sleeves are a great look for all body types, especially if you are one of the many women who don't like their arms. Long sleeves elongate the arms by drawing the eyes to the wrist (eyes are naturally drawn to lines) thus making your arms appear slimmer. It's a great illusion and it beats ten extra sets of arm curls.

More importantly, the royal wedding was a romantic affair. So whether she wore a one of a kind Alexander McQueen gown or not, Princess Kate and Prince William had the one must have accessory in abundance, love.

Curvy Confidence- Feel Sexy at any Size

One of the features in the April issue of Brides magazine is entitled The Weight Is Over. It profiles brides from around the country who shed weight before their nuptials.  While I certainly applaud them for the accomplishment, it also makes me a little sad to know that as women we still define ourselves by what we see in the mirror.

The March issue of Glamour contained an article about body hate, which stated that 97% of women will be cruel to their bodies (today and everyday).  Not only is that number staggering women of every shape and size aren't immune.

The fact is many of us find it hard to stand in front of a mirror and find something to like about our bodies. It's much easier to point out every flaw, real or perceived than to find something we love about bodies. The sad part is that even when we have someone in our lives who not only loves us for who we are, many of us have difficulty fully accepting it.

As a cancer survivor, I well know the benefits of good health.  However, I believe that good health is more than just numbers (scale or tag). The key to feeling and looking beautiful begins with self love; a love that includes body acceptance, setting realistic goals for your body and living a healthy lifestyle. Most of all it's about living and enjoying your life in the present. Don't wait until you lose X amount of pounds.  Life is too short to worry about looking perfect.

More importantly is curvy brides have choices now. We are no longer relegated to the back of the bridal (fashion) bus or to the all purpose A-line silhoutte. Designers and bridal manufacturers have finally realized that being plus size doesn't mean we are shaped like a side of beef! We come in all shapes  and we've got the tools to help us find the best style to compliment our assets.

Although I'm headed well north of 40,  my age has given me a level of knowledge and confidence I didn't have in my twenties or thirties. I've had MS for 15 years and though it's progressed, MS doesn't have me I have it. Illness is the ultimate game changer and overall it's changed my outlook on life and my body for the better. Granted, I have days like everyone else when I don't like what I see in the mirror and there the days that I do my best to find something to love about being me. I'm just  looking forward to the day when more women (of all sizes) look in the mirror and embrace their bodies. For we are wonderfully made.

Lots of dress deisgners = Lots of choices for curvy brides on a budget

The one thing I took away from this past bridal market week is that there are more designers and bridal gown manufacturers out there than ever before. In an industry that had a few marquee names (Wang, Herrera,Lhuillier) and big name companies (Davids, Alfred Angelo) there are a number of new players that have entered the fray. The result is more competition for your bridal dollar than ever before and that's really good news for brides on a budget. WedNews the online source for wedding industry news recently posted regarding new evidence that shows price as a leading determination factor in choices made by today’s bride.

At one time brides with champagne taste and a beer budget would often settle for what they could afford than getting what they truly wanted. However with the introduction of lines like White by Vera Wang for David's Bridal, curvy brides to be can get Vera style at a reasonable price and find a gown in her size.

Additionally other bridal companies like Alfred Angelo, which began a Disney themed line last year, are still providing brides to be with a great selection of distinctive and beautiful gowns in a range of styles. Best of all, Alfred Angelo has taken the lead in not charging extra for plus size gowns, a boon for brides watching their bottom line.

So what does this mean? Competition=Savings. The more choices brides have, the more designers and bridal companies have to do to win your dollar, which is a big win for brides. However, in order to take full advantage begin shopping for your gown at least one year to ten months before the wedding. This way you will have the opportunity to shop around for the best value for the gown of your dreams without sacrificing style.

As we head into the heart of wedding season, Sheri and I will profile designers, talk to bridal salon owners and bring you as much insider information as possible. Keep checking back to our blog and tune in to Down That Aisle on Blog Talk Radio, where we'll make sure curvy brides stay ahead of the curve.

 

 

 

Gowns! Accessories & More at the Wedding Channel Couture Show in NYC

It's one of the most wonderful times of the year for wedding enthusiasts! The Wedding Channel (in partnership with The Knot) is one of the weekends when wedding retailers, designers, manufacturers and press get together to talk about the trends, see what's new and talk about the fashion forecast for Fall 2011. We also indulge in wedding confections of every kind from fabulous Judith Leiber bridal bags to drop dead gorgeous gowns by Rosa Clara (We will be bring you more about that soon.)

Most of all it's about the dress and all the accoutrements that go with one of the most important days in a woman's life. Sheri and I are truly excited about it because curvy brides are no longer an afterthought or post script, we are front and center with a variety of gowns to suit every curve and budget.

Please bookmark our site in your favorites as we will be updating you with written and video content from the Wedding Channel Couture show and beyond to help you celebrate your romance and the big day in style.

 

Very Vera Plus Size Wedding Gowns at David's Bridal

Image from Glamour.com

I heard a few months ago on Twitter that Vera Wang was making an affordable line of her glorious wedding gowns for David's Bridal.  I started to imagine the day when plus size brides could have the wedding gown of their dreams by the illustrious Vera Wang.  Well, I'm happy to report, no, I am overjoyed to report that "YES" my lovelies, you can have your Vera.

Plus size Vera Wang wedding gowns and bridesmaid's dresses will be availabe in size 16 to 26  in selected styles this Summer.  If you can't wait you can special order your Vera beginning 2/11/2011 at all David's Bridal stores.  However, you should be sure to plan wisely to allow 5 months for delivery and fittings.  The line called White by Vera Wang will be featured in 150 David's Bridal stores in sizes 0-14 this Spring and plans are to expand to the entire chain by the end of the year. 

When I wrote my original post about the deal, Chamein and I worked our sources to find out the plans for the sizing.  Nothing.  But signing up for email updates at verawang.com  proved to serve me well.  About a month ago I started receiving XO, Vera Wang emails.  I recommend you sign up too.  They're full of great info from the designer herself such as "Gown Fittings To Dos."  When I got a XO, Vera email with "First Look: White by Vera Wang" in the subject line, I quickly clicked through to the website to take a look at the gowns and there I found what we needed to know.

I knew things were looking up when Glamour magazine featured bridal makeovers by Vera Wang in their annual Men's issue.  All of the girls got engaged after cooking or eating Glamour's "proposal chicken."  I've gotta to give this a try!  It was exciting to see a bride wearing a size 16 White by Vera Wang gown.  Don't worry girls the dresses are pure Vera Wang with unique hand cut details; a wide range of quality fabrics; and enticing colors like soft white, ivory, champagne, and blush. 

Prices range from $600 to $1400.

Getting Down That Aisle In Style

It's one of the most exciting times in your life. Finally your prince has come and uttered those four little life changing words "Will You Marry Me?". For most women this is the beginning of a dream she's been nurturing for years. It's her chance to step into the spotlight for her very own red carpet event.

However for some women the moment of joy is quickly overcome by dread. It's the dread of shopping for a gown. Nearly 67% of women in the United States are considered full figured (size 12, 14, 16 and up) and bridal gown shopping is the one time even the thinnest of women find themselves dealing with body image issues.

Like many young girls, I always dreamed of my wedding day.And of course the most important part of the dream, aside from the groom, was the wedding gown. It is the dress of a lifetime. A chance when all women can feel like Cinderella for a day. However, a few things have changed on the way down the aisle for me. I'm not that wonderfully taut and toned 20 year old I was when I married the first time twenty four years ago. I am now an over 40 mother of twin sons with abdominal muscles that rival the Hatfields and the McCoys. However does that mean I can't look the part of a beautiful bride? The answer is no. I certainly can. Nevertheless it a lesson I learned the hard way. 

When I first wrote Down That Aisle In Style A Wedding Guide For Full Figured Women, I did so to provide women like me with a guide tailored to full figured women, so they too can find the gown of their dreams.

Since it's the brides big (no pun intended) day, it is her time to shine wearing a gown worthy of her beauty. I made it my mission to acquaint curvy brides with designers and resources she may not have known about.  In the time since the book was released four years ago, I've been blessed to meet some truly wonderful people, not the least of which is my co-author Sheri Collins. Together we are bringing you a second book Down That Aisle A Celebration of Romance and Style for The Curvy Bride to be published by WindRiver Publishing in 2011.

This is going to be an interactive experience. We want to hear from you and we are looking for brides to be a part of this process. We know the designers and we want to help you bring your vision to life.

Get Your Copy of Down That Aisle In Style!

Debut Collection by Andrea Wenger Clark of AreRia Bridal Designs

We had the pleasure of meeting Andrea Wenger Clark of AreRia Designs. Andrea is a bridal retail salon owner turned designer. According to Andrea, who is a native of the South, she's always been a big city person with interests in fashion and the arts.

What makes Andrea extraordinary is that she's a fearless fashionista and a fearless woman. This year she followed her passion and went from selling other people's designs, to creating, marketing and selling her own original designs. She even has a unique and different take on gown sizing which differs from the usual method of ordering a gown based on the largest measurement. It's called priority sizing and you can contact through  her website to find out more.

 

AreRia's collection falls into these categories:

Elegant- Eye catching style with a sense of tradition.

Pure- Understated Elegance for a glowing presence

Iconic- Old Hollywood Inspirations

Sassy- Sophistication and Elegance entwined with Artistic Enticement

Luxe- Luxuriously Inspired Art

Andrea's philosophy is one in the same with her buyer/planner philosophy. That being, if it's not good enough for Andrea, her family, or her friends then it's not good enough for her clients.

Bridal Market Week- Spring 2011 Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo

It's Bridal Market Week in New York City! Sheri and I attended the Wedding Channel Couture Show at the Intercontinental New York Barclay Hotel on Sunday to search for the latest design trends, essential accessories and industry news for curvy brides. I'm happy to say that we found it.

Alfred Angelo, one of the leading bridal companies has partnered with Disney to create a line of gowns based on their fairy tales.  Michael Shettel's designs for Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Jasmine, Tiana, Ariel and of course Cinderella were absolutely amazing. Michael's design philosophy is to design for the woman, not her size. All of the Disney Fairy Tale Wedding's collection by Alfred Angelo range, as well as their other collections are available from a size 12 to 30 for curvy brides.  The best part is Alfred Angelo doesn't charge more for plus sizes. So if a size 8 bride and a size 18 bride choose the same gown, they pay the same price. How's that for leveling the playing field?

We are working on interviewing Michael Shettel for Down That Aisle In Style on Blog Talk Radio in the near future. So keep us bookmarked for the announcement. You won't want to miss it. Follow us on Twitter. @thecurvystylist and @chamein