Elaine and Damien's Romantic Wedding Day!

French Lace is just so beautiful - it's soft and delicate to touch, it's ultra-feminine and timeless to wear, it can be moulded to the body's curves & tailored to create elegant slimline wedding gowns, or draped over silks into fuller ballgown styles. Above all, the look is ALWAYS chic, ladylike, elegant and will never date! That's why i love using French lace in my Culture Bridal Couture gowns.

Our recent 'Culture' bride Elaine chose to wear our Ivory/ Latte "Filigree French Lace" bridal gown on her big day, with the style adapted to suit her petite frame, including a sweetheart neckline and a more simple hand-beaded grosgrain ribbon belt, tied into a cute bow at the back with long sashes. Her individually custom-made Liquid Silk Satin gown featured our French Filigree Lace overlay, fitted bodice, slim A-line skirt, scallopped lace straps and hemlines, buttons & loops and a lovely train at the back.

Elaine & Damien's wedding day was romantic, elegant and fun, with their church ceremony in Paddington followed by their reception at Centennial Parklands Restaurant, located within Sydney's stunning Centennial Park. Surrounded by friends & family, including guests from as far away as Holland and Scotland, the reception featured a big screen slideshow of the wedding days' photos by Inlighten Photography, fabulous food and wine, and the sweet tunes of DJ Stefan, who kept guests partying on the dance floor til late!

We loved Elaine's long flowing tulle veil, her STUNNING fresh flowers and the fabulous purple colours in her bridesmaids dresses and flowers. Plus a French-inspired wedding cake to go with her French lace gown - perfect choice! Congratulations Elaine & Damien, you make a GORGEOUS couple and we wish you both much love and happiness!

Gorgeous Wedding Photos by Inlighten Photography

Elaine's wedding gown by Culture Bridal Couture

Beautiful Flowers by Brides In Bloom

Divine Wedding Cake by Croquembouche Pattiserie in Banksmeadow

Til next time, xx Lisa

Couture HEAVEN - delightfully different!

Photos above - Christian Dior Autumn/Winter Couture 2010


That exciting time of year has rolled around again - the Autumn/Winter Couture shows in Paris (in the first week of July annually). This year nine Couture design houses showed their latest collections, including Chanel, Givenchy, Christian Dior, Armani Prive, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino and Elie Saab, as well as relative newcomers Bouchra Jarrar and Alexis Mabille.

The Paris Couture shows aim to introduce new looks, new colours, new silhouettes and new ideas, and they set the trends that will gradually trickle down into mainstream fashion- sometimes it may be 6 months to a year before we see these new concepts being more widely accepted and embraced by the fashionistas of the world, and even longer before we might see them worn by the public! It's a golden opportunity to strengthen the global image of that particular fashion house or brand, and show the world that they are leaders (and not merely followers) who have the foresight, skills and courage to try new things and create some magic!

So, here are my bridal-related translations, comments & favourite looks from the July 2010 Couture shows, viewed online at the BEST FASHION WEBSITE in the world- www.style.com

ALEXIS MABILLE - there were 2 gorgeous dresses that really stood out for me (see pix above), and both these looks could inspire a bride to move away from tradition and think outside the square, with contrasting colours and plenty of texture and detailing (black lace on white, applique, amazing beading & embroidery). Vintage-inspired silhouettes with a fresh modern twist - STUNNING WORK!!!

CHANEL - Wow, Mr Lagerfeld, i was surprised there was not one single full-length gown in your classic Chanel show- but lots of stunningly fitted & tailored suits, and elaborate & very beautiful beading and embellishments. Does this mean that for wedding Couture, we can look at shorter bridal dresses and even chic bridal suits??!!

GIVENCHY- (pictured above) - I loved this collection - True Haute Couture, edgey, intricate, beautifully made, truly unique in design and quite simply AMAZZZING!!! Inspired by the concept of the skeleton (amongst other things), and featuring incredible embellishments, this sensual and moody collection was truly beautiful for me.

ELIE SAAB- (pictured below) - this designer sure knows how to dress a woman! His elegant & ultra-feminine gowns, from soft floaty silk chiffon to draped Grecian-inspired looks and heavier textured lace sheaths, were all works of art and surely an inspiration to many brides around the world! He creates breath-taking eveningwear, dramatic bridal designs, and experiments with different looks within each collection, which i love to see. AS ALWAYS- DELIGHTFUL !!!

CHRISTIAN DIOR - (pictures at top of this page) - CD's head designer John Galliano is a living legend - what more can i say!! His work for the house of Dior is NEVER dull, in fact he brings so much life, colour, drama and theatre to each collection, it's always a thrill! This season his inspiration was flowers - and each model was like a walking, breathing, beautiful floral bloom, in perfectly draped cocktail dresses and fabulous ballgowns. A riot of unexpected colour combinations, cleverly pleated & ruffled textures, dip-dyed and hand-painted colour graduations, and classic Dior silhouettes given a fresh new burst of life. BRAVO !!

Check out www.style.com for the full collections, plus lots more - Couture heaven!!

Til next time, xx Lisa