Tag Archive for 'the black wedding dress'

swarovski little black dress couture event in paris

January 30, 2010

Nothing says “chic Parisian party” like the LBD- the Little Black Dress, and no one knows that better than Crystallized Swarovski Elements, who has teamed with 22 of today’s leading fashion pioneers in a new traveling exhibit which premiered here in Paris this past week. The designers were asked to reinvent the little black dress using Swarovski crystals, and the results are nothing less than spectacular. From the all-over-beaded mini-dress by Alexis Mabille to Valentino’s silk shift with it’s Crystal Yarn webbed collar, the “Ways to Say Black” exhibit not only pays a sparkling tribute to the perennial staple of every party girl’s wardrobe, it also will pay tribute to a good cause. The collection of dresses will be sold at auction in New York this September, and all proceeds from both the sale and the hard-bound coffee table book of the show will go to the American Cancer Society and La Ligue contre le Cancer. I had an opportunity to view the exhibit at the Hotel Pozzo di Borgo (Karl Lagerfeld’s former digs) in the 7th arrondissement earlier this week. Here are a few of my favorite souvenirs:

hotel pozzo di borgo, paris

hotel pozzo di borgo, paris

crystallized "way to say black" paris, france

crystallized "way to say black" paris, france

gianfranco ferre, swarovski little black dress

gianfranco ferre, swarovski little black dress

missoni & fendi, LBD paris

missoni & fendi, LBD paris

alexis mabille, little black dress, paris

alexis mabille, little black dress, paris

valentino, crystallized swarovski elements, paris

valentino, crystallized swarovski elements, paris

alberta ferretti, little black dress, paris

alberta ferretti, little black dress, paris

swarovski crystallized LBD, paris

swarovski crystallized LBD, paris

Paris Wedding Trend for 2010: Black and Bling

October 22, 2009

One of the biggest trends spotted at last weeks’ Salon du Mariage at the Carrousel du Louvre was actually a hybrid of a couple of past trends, something that we’ve affectionately dubbed  “Black and Bling”. From the moment you stepped into the Salon, you could see that it was going to be all about High Drama. Sponsored by Swarovski Crystallized and designed by Jean-Luc Blais, the entrée to the salon was literally dripping in dramatic bling-  from gowns to accessories, to the amazing over-the-top banquet table- nearly every inch of the space was bejeweled.

Once fully in the Salon, things were a bit more tame, but le Black et Bling still played a predominant role- showing up in DIY decorations, wedding cakes, and tabletop accessories. Oh, and what would a Paris wedding show be without the ubiquitous Black Wedding Dress? This year’s version came at the runway shows’ finale from Hayari Couture-  a black and silver, seemingly 80’s-inspired mini with a tumbling train at the back.

So, how can you bring a little Parisian Black and Bling to your wedding or event?  How about starting with black or transparent glass candelabras with tall, black taper candles? Or bunches of white hydrangeas in a cluster of black and clear glass vases in different shapes and sizes?  And don’t forget to add gobs of loose or scatter crystals.  We all know that weddings have been blinged out for quite some time now, but one decidedly Parisian touch that I saw this year was whimsy. Parisian Black and Bling isn’t just about serious Hollywood glamor, it’s also about fun and fantasy. So feel free to add your own silly touches: butterflies, crowns, feathers-  whatever you need to make this trend your own.

le "Black et Bling", paris wedding trend 2010

le "Black et Bling", paris wedding trend 2010

dramatic bling from Hayari Couture

wedding drama from Hayari Couture

"black et bling" tabletop by jean-luc blais

"black et bling" tabletop by jean-luc blais

black and crystal table elements

black and crystal table elements

paris wedding trends 2010 Black and Bling

paris wedding trends 2010 Black and Bling - dress: Suzanne Ermann, cake: Fauchon

black wedding dress by hayari couture

black wedding dress by hayari couture

a “nouveau marie-antoinette” french wedding theme

August 15, 2009

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.

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)

black wedding dress marie antoinette theme wedding in paris

all photos ©. Top row:  Chocolate croquembouche, Marie Antoinette monogrammed brooch, Black mask make-up, Toile Wallpaper, Christian Louboutin “Anemone” shoes, Second row: Lanvin gift boxBaccarat 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