In her effort to take over the world, British designer darling Jenny Packham has been pretty busy lately. Not only did she win the British Dress Designer of 2007 award and the British Bridal Awards Designer of 2008, she also took on Hollywood, where the ‘First Lady of Partywear’ has quickly become a fixture on the red carpet- draping Beyoncé, Keira Knightly, Halle Berry, SJP, et al., as well as the silver screen (in The Devil Wears Prada, Sex and the City and Casino Royal). Brides around the globe salivate over her feminine, glamorous, Art Deco-inspired wedding gowns- she designed her “Elizabeth” gown for Elizabeth Hurley’s marriage to Arun Nayar in India, and singer Anastasia wore a Jenny Packham in her Destination Wedding in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Next in her crosshairs is La Belle France. Her intimate, 60 m2 boutique is scheduled to open this September, and will carry pieces from her ready-to-wear, bridal and accessories collections. With an address just off the Rue St Honoré- and just a few doors down from Elysées Palace, no less, I’d say Jenny Packham is primed to conquer Paris.
Katasha over at The Wedding Workroom issued a challenge to some of us planners. The challenge was to create an inspiration board around this Jayson Home & Garden baroque sofa.
She’s going to post the submissions this week, but I wanted to give you a sneak peak at my entry because I’m sooo happy with how it came out. When I saw the sofa, the first thing I thought was Marie-Antoinette. But rather than use the typical rose, champagne and pastel color-palette that you usually see in a Marie-Antoinette wedding, why not go for an avant-garde, “Nouveau Marie-Antoinette” themed wedding? This theme plays up the more decadent side of Paris, but is still romantic, feminine and tasteful. For instance, as Paris is already known for its’ black wedding dresses, why not take it completely over the top with black French-inspired accessories, gifts, favors - and for that extra touche à la française: black Ladurée macarons and a chocolate croquembouche covered in dark chocolate. “Let them eat cake,” indeed…
(click on image for a closer look)
all photos ©. Top row: Chocolate croquembouche, Marie Antoinette monogrammed brooch, Black mask make-up, Toile Wallpaper, Christian Louboutin “Anemone” shoes, Second row: Lanvin gift box, Baccarat Cristal Room Paris, Black Silk Taffeta Gown Black Licorice Macaron, Third row: Marie-Antoinette necklace, French Chateau, Baroque Sofa, Lace fan, Chandelier Earrings, Fourth row: Moet Quilted Gift Pack, Black lace invitations, Black Lace Plate, Marie-Antoinette Document, Baroque Headboard, Fifth row: Boudoir Paris make-up, Toile Bridesmaids Purse, Chandelier Gift Tag: Bluebirdlane, Venetian Mirror, Galliano for Dior Gown
Philip Lloyd Photography
Talk about a “meet cute”! Cynthia Sanders and Michael Heatley met when they both had the misfortune (or was it…?) of being caught in the middle of an airline strike at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris in 2007. After spending 7 frustrating hours together being shuffled back and forth in line, they were finally told that not only were there no flights, there were also no more hotel or meal vouchers available. They were instead given a telephone number to call to find out when the strike was over, and then were sent away. By now old friends, they decided to share a cab back to Montmartre to look for hotel accomodations and a bite to eat. Over the next 3 days of the strike, Michael (who spoke French and knew Paris fairly well) played tour guide for Cynthia- and love blossomed (awwww…..). When they finally were able to make it back to the States (he to Chicago, she to Tampa) they continued the relationship for the next few years- and were married on August 1st in Florida. Gives you something to think about the next time you’re stuck in one of France’s inevitable strikes, doesn’t it? For the full story, check out this article in the St Petersburg Times.
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