Archive for the category ‘gown guru’

Gown Guru: Hint of Color

By Liza Treyger

Yes, I get it. You’re too unique and different for a white dress.

You want to scream, “Look at me. I hate traditions!”

I’m down with that, but don’t be desperate. It’s really easy to spot a woman who is trying way too hard to be different. Cough cough, Gwen Stefani. Her tie-dyed, pink mess-of-a-wedding-dress started the current colorful wedding dress trend. I’m grateful for that, because her faux pas made it possible for any woman to look better than at least one celebrity.

You don’t have to go too edgy or cheesy to add a little bit of pizzazz to your wedding gown. There are classy ways to be different that don’t involve going way over the top. We are talking some bad-ass looks that will make you feel like a true fashionista and not like a 13-year-old girl with green hair and dog collars around her neck.

With just a hint of color you can rule your walk down the aisle. Check out these looks!

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This entry was posted on March 22nd, 2010 under columns, featured, gown guru.

From Red Carpet to White Wedding

By Liza Treyger
Red Carpet

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wdecora/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Just like weddings, the Academy Awards is full of traditions. Every year, Meryl Streep loses, J. Lo is a hot mess and Penelope Cruz looks exactly the same.

I didn’t see any of the nominated film except for Up in the Air and The Blind Side, so I don’t have many opinions about the movies. But really, who cares? Everyone knows it’s all about the gowns. And with just a few tweaks, most of the gowns can become wedding dresses.

This year, there were three main looks, so if you want to put a little Oscar fashion into your wedding, pick one and read on!

1. Bling, bling, bling
2. Ruffles, ruffles, ruffles,
3. Draping, draping, draping

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This entry was posted on March 15th, 2010 under gown guru.

A Feathered Trend

By Liza Treyger

Hey, it's the coolest bird around! This guy looks awesome in feathers, so just leave it to the expert.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s an idiot bride in feathers.

Listen, if you don’t want to feel like the a lot of the brides of the ’80s feel about their ugly dresses, do not attach feathers to them. Trends, especially kitschy ones, are not a good idea for a wedding gown. You probably would like to look at these photos when you are old, unless you get divorced. Even then, it will still be nice to see how young and hot you were and you don’t want to be ashamed!

Feathers add nothing to a gown except bulk and confusion. Is it toilet paper? Is it ruffles? Is it a real bird? Is it plush? Is my friend an idiot? I can also imagine the brides that can’t afford top of the line feathers molting everywhere.  I think this is a trend all brides should pass up.

Unless…

I think feathers are awesome accents for head pieces, bouquets, or any other subtle detail of the sort. Flowers and expensive tiaras are for divas so if you want to be a little different, I’m fine with it. Like I always say, keep it classy.

Check out some dos and don’ts concerning this feathered trend.

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This entry was posted on March 8th, 2010 under columns, featured, gown guru.

Gown Guru: Spotlight on Pnina Tornai

By Liza Treyger

Pnina Tornai is a nutcase and I love it. You have to be a little bit crazy to put out the over the top creations she is able to make look oh so good. It’s like the old Dolly Parton saying, “You’d be surprised to know how much it costs to look this cheap.”

She is so extravagant and yet so confused. She talks like she is a fairy and I know she is foreign I’m just not sure from where (Edior’s note: Israel). I do know that she is 44 years old and bangin’.

Her website (http://www.pninatornai.co.il) is full of grammatical errors and loony philosophies (see sidebar). But you can do whatever you want when you create dreams out of fabric. Her dresses are for anyone who is having a party – a massive party with luscious décor, hundreds of guests, tons of drinking, dancing, embarrassment, dessert tables, ice sculptures, and a bride with an attitude.

“Working with my feelings and intuitions only I trust my heart to lead me, never my logic because creation comes from love and love is the most wonderful feeling in the universe,” the designer said on her website.

This is how I would sum up Pnina Tornai’s designs; a place you get to only from feeling because there is nothing logical about her dresses. By definitions, her designs should be gaudy, trashy and way too wacky, but somehow, she pulls it off with every dress. She transcends consistency and puts her energy into making every dress unique and special for the bride.

If you wear a Pnina gown there is no way to hold yourself back from acting like a super model. Her corsets give a woman the perfect feminine form and all of her dresses are hand sewn with the principle of Haute Couture.

Of course, that means that most of us can’t afford her dresses. They start at around $7000 and just keeps going up from there. But a girl can dream…. and start saving for that special dress.

I hope to one day be married in a Pnina gown. I love this woman and all her work. She loves to meet with brides before starting to work with them. So, if you are chill, she can go chill; don’t doubt Pnina.

Check out a few of my favorites on the following pages!

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This entry was posted on March 1st, 2010 under columns, gown guru.

Gown Guru: My favorite dress

By Liza Treyger

As I’ve been pouring over dresses and designers to discuss with you as the Gown Guru, I thought I’d reflect on that one dress that sticks in my mind, even two years after seeing it.

Olivia Wilde in Reem Acra

Olivia Wilde in Reem Acra.

This is Olivia Wilde (I thought she was the queen from the movie 300, but she’s not). She is still an absolute vision in a Reem Acra gown from the 2008 Emmy Awards. Was it made for the red carpet or for a walk down the aisle? Who cares? This is a perfect dress for anybody that wants to look glamorous and sexy but be super comfortable. The worst thing to see is a bride stuffed into a dress that limits her movement. If you are not dancing or getting silly at your wedding then don’t have a wedding because you are boring. If you want to have fun this is the perfect blend of silk and chiffon giving a bride class and comfort.

guru_wilde02

"Was it made for the red carpet or for a walk down the aisle? Who cares?"

Top Qualities:

1. The ruching and high waist make it perfect if you want to show off how skinny you are or hide a little belly or big butt.

2. The low-cut either shows off collarbones or breasts and for some lucky ladies both.

3. Can you say diamond-encrusted sleeves? A great way to show off how much money you have is by putting jewels on a simple design. Pretend that you don’t need to prove how much money you have (or pretend you have more than you really do) by wowing your guests with this elegant touch.

4. If you wear a gown that’s not meant for a wedding, you prove to everyone just how cool you really are. 

What’s the most beautiful dress you’ve ever seen? Share with us and our gown guru will feature it in an upcoming article!

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This entry was posted on February 22nd, 2010 under columns, gown guru.

What to Wear When You’re Expecting

By Liza Treyger
gown_02

Can you still wear white?

A few years back, celebrities started getting knocked up before their wedding days and it has become the latest rage. These days, nearly every bridal shop has a maternity section.

My mother was way ahead of the trend and she got married when she was eight and a half months pregnant with me (her second child) in a blue and white polka dotted dress in communist Russia in 1987. Sad thing is that there are no pictures because my mom felt ugly, but she also had a moustache so I can’t be blamed entirely.

Pregnant brides don’t have to feel ugly anymore with all the options out there today. Staying sober at my wedding is not an option, but if you’re okay with not getting drunk at your party (READ: you don’t have a choice!), then let the planning begin…

Just make sure to follow these fashion tips:

1. Can you still wear white? Of course! If everyone followed the rule that only virgins can wear “the color of purity”, there wouldn’t be any white weddings anymore. You’re a lady who plays by her own rules and that means any color goes.

2. Fittings, fittings, fittings. Be aware that your body will be changing all the way down to the wire and you need to get a dress that will work with you. Your boobs will grow, a lot; get a dress that will support them.

3. Yeah, you need support, but show off your big boobs. They will never look this good again.

4. Going along with fit, make sure the dress is empire waist or very formfitting or you will look like a tent.

5. NO A-line or princess dresses.

6. NO Mermaid dresses…you will look like a Russian nesting doll.

7. NO dropped or natural-waisted dresses.

8. Be inventive with bling accessories like a brooch or innovative headpiece to move people’s eyes.

On the following pages, I’ve picked out my do’s and dont’s.

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This entry was posted on February 15th, 2010 under columns, gown guru.

Making it work (your budget, that is)

By Liza Treyger

As much as we’d like to be able to, most of us can’t afford a $5,000 wedding gown. But that doesn’t mean you have to slum it on your big day. Here are some ideas to make you look fabulous without going over your budget!

Diamond Necklace

No one will even notice your dress if you wear this! Image by Kevin H. via Flickr

1. Comfort beats cost
You need to feel amazing in your dress. Remember that designer, Reem Acra said it’s important to match your personality to your dress. Once you find something you’ll be comfortable in, you know it fits into your lifestyle.

Even though it might not be made from most expensive fabrics in the world, you can still feel great in your gown.

2. Splurge on an accessory for a little extra bling.
A lot of costume jewelry looks like the real thing these days. Adding something shiny will make you sparkle. Just don’t overdo it with accessories. Keep in mind, that you can rent a piece of jewelry (but you have to be careful!)

Using a modern sewing machine

Put your trust in tomorrow's Vera Wang. Image via Wikipedia

3. Find a fashion student or new designer to make a dress for you.
How great would it be to wear a one of a kind gown? Check with nearby fashion schools or the local fabric store (the employees might have a lead on a young designer). You’ll feel like a star with a dress made especially for you, the designer will love the experience they’ll gain from making your dress. And it’ll be a lot cheaper.

P.S. If you invite your designer to the wedding and there’s an open bar, it might cut your costs even more since young people love free booze!

4. Make your bridesmaids look really ugly.
Just kidding. Never do this. The ladies standing next to you during the ceremony represent you. If you have ugly-looking friends, people will assume that you are a loser. And there will be payback when they get married.

Thank your girlfriends by picking dresses that look good for their body shapes and spending the money on makeup and hair. It will give them that amazing feeling to stand up straight and be proud to be standing next to you.

 

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This entry was posted on February 8th, 2010 under gown guru.

From tablecloths to bridal couture

By Liza Treyger
<i>If you can carry a fluffy dog and not look like an a**hole, you have style and class. Reem Acra definitely pulls it off.</i>

If you can carry a fluffy dog and not look like an a**hole, you have style and class. Reem Acra pulls it off.

Reem Acra.

When you hear the name, you’re probably not sure if it’s a man or a woman, or where this person is from. But, if you watch the Oscars or read bridal magazines, you’re probably familiar with her work.

Acra, a Beruit native was discovered by a fashion editor when she wore a gown that she made from her mother’s tablecloth to a party.

Taken by Acra’s craftwork, the editor offered to host a fashion show to present her designs to the world. The show took place ten days later and within weeks she was in New York, studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

She’s come a long way since wearing house linens to starting her own bridal line in 1995. Along with her flagship store in Manhattan, her dresses are available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus.

Acra believes in matching gowns to a woman’s personality. What? You mean be yourself on your wedding day? That’s crazy. It’s true. She’s a genius.

Want the Reem Acra look without breaking your bank? Check out my money-saving tips!

Want the Reem Acra look without breaking your bank? Check out my money-saving tips next week!

Acra’s designs are made to flatter and extenuate a woman’s body to make her feel regal and elegant. She takes classic bridal shapes and spruces them up with extreme beading, embroidery, and luxurious fabrics.

This kind of sophistication doesn’t come cheap. You can’t exude an ethereal glow for less than $5,000.

These handmade dresses are some of the most sought-after gowns in the world. But if you’ve been in a dress that makes you feel amazing, you’ll understand why it’s worth it.

On the next few pages, check out my faves from her Spring 2010 collection.


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This entry was posted on February 1st, 2010 under featured, gown guru.