LYRA MAG.

Taj Tents -transporting tents worthy of some exotic locale CAPITALE , 130 Bowery, NYC words/images Judith Ecochard It always amazes us that when we leave a Wedding Salon tradeshow event -there's a queue out the door, populated by brides-to-be (mostly)...waiting to get checked in. The latest Big Apple edition took place off the bustling Canal Street and restaurant/lighting equipment stores on the LES side ---inside the glorious Standford White designed Beaux Arts structure, Capitale---a stand out building anywhere . This is how you get a crowd-pass out yummy samples of wedding cake- Palermo Bakery  we were told by the gal in the white jacket that there's a 2-3 months lead time for wedding cake orders...we couldn't believe it. sponsor Hpnotiq liquor Packed ---even when we got there at 4:30PM...the venue had a crowd---they was buzzing...and genuinely checking out the table settings and other exhibitors...not j...

RUBIN CHAPELLE : 410 WEST 14th Street, NYC June 5th, 3PM Words, Images Judith Ecochard Images Courtesy of Rubin Chapelle A quick visit during the recent Meatpacking District’s Design Week events- had us wanting to revisit the architecturally striking Rubin Chapelle store at a more quiet time. And with our eyeballs on the luxe attire and accessories, designed by the FIT grads’ duo KIP CHAPELLE (American) and SONIA RUBIN (Austrian). Lucky us, we got an “escorted” tour of this airy, loft like space (designed by Annabelle Selldorf - of Neue Gallery fame). The whimsical Gregory Coates sculptures, poured concrete floors, and exposed brick walls lent an element of drama to our spatial experience. The store, in situe since 2002 was a pioneer in this former "wprking" slice of the Big Apple…with the legendary opening night party still conjuring up fond memories. WHAT: Rubin Chapelle, began with their “anchor collection of RTW in 1997…and since 2002, have moved towards evening and eve...

Palm Court, Plaza Hotel, NYC April 5th 2009 Words, Images by Judith Ecochard Much like the elegant postwar couture shows held for guests at acclaimed French ateliers, Douglas Hannant, a designer with upscale clientele, held his second Bridal Collection in the Beaux-Arts opulence of the Plaza Hotel’s luminous Palm Court. Editors, retail buyers and other invitees were seated in three rows of Louis XV gilded armchairs, and aurally treated to Stravinsky’s "The Rite of Spring" (Le Sacre Du Printemps) , setting the stage for a 12 glorious white wedding gowns “…for the untraditional bride, the modern woman,” according to Hannant himself. Beginning with an au courant Hollywood style chiffon bias gown , Hannant crafted several silhouettes options for his “clients…who are sophisticated and chic.” Our opinion: every gown was a winner, made from the “finest fabrics from France and Italy” including tafetta and satin silks, delicate hand embroidered lace, and detailed with subtle embellish...