LYRA MAG.

Text, Vivian G. Kelly Images, Richard Spiegel October, 2008 – The NY Bridal Shows The grandeur of the Essex House’s Salon was the perfect backdrop events that would warrant a bride wearing one of Ms. Yoshioka’s gowns. SNOW WHITE We were previously unfamiliar with this designer, and the first thing that struck us was the blizzard of the whitest white he used, in contrast to many designers who opt solely for “eggshell” and “cream". SHAPES DETAILING There was a crumb catcher bodice as well as strapless and some interesting strap treatments – straps made out of tulle tied in a bow at the top of the shoulder. There were ruffles as on the RTW runway, but these were tastefully done ie: in small does, as in asymmetrically running across the bodice or from the hip to the ground, again asymmetrically. There was ruching here too – this season designers were partial to ruching along the back of what was another wise “plain “gown. The low waisted modified mermaid gown would be flattering to ma...

Text, Vivian G. Kelly Images, Richard Spiegel TIME & PLACE October 2008 – Bridal Fashion Week in New York, Midtown, at The Palace Hotel, Madison Avenue The 1:00PM presentation LEGENDS – The Hero Bridal Collection. Let’s make a toast to Ms. Keveza’s “UNDERSTATED STYLING AT REASONABLE PRICES [$2,000 –3000]. Now more than ever, it’s all about the Legends [lower-priced] line. For @ $1,600, you can pick up an entire bridal ensemble. Romona started with her intro, which is so helpful as it eliminates the need to chase down a designer before or after the show to ask the usual questions concerning inspiration and vision. Romona got right to the point and addressed “The nervousness going around the industry “, and even mentioned the Lehman Brothers' crisis. On the day Lehman crashed, her sales team did a record number of sales. Quipped the designer, “These brides are still getting married, but they may be saying to themselves, ‘Well, I don’t really need that Louis Vuitton bag.’” She at...

"I DO" GOWNS- AT ALL PRICE POINTS IN ALL STYLES Intercontinental Hotel, NYC October 18th 5PM Words, Judith Ecochard, Images-Winne Couture and J. Ecochard Hailing from the land of serious weddings…Atlanta, Georgia-Winnie Couture staged a runway that served up many, many types of gowns for The Big Day. What impressed us with this large collection- was the affordability of the “ Destination” and the “ Couture Bridal ” dresses. And talk about matchy-matchy versatility-all dresses can be made of white, pearl or cream pearl silk. The Raphaella —from the Couture Bridal line-that retails for $3228-seemed to get the most ‘wows’ from the crowds- with its intricate crystal pattern hand sewn onto a fitted strapless trumpet shape silk frock. Other ornate sparkling gowns seemed to please the buyers in the audience the most...so we assume this is the look of their customer base. We thought the revealing backless Jaelyn ($1229) with criss-cross straps to keep it all together…is ideal for...

CRYSTAL ELEMENTS DAZZLE ONE-OF-A-KIND GOWNS AND WEDDING ESSENTIALS Words, Images by Judith Ecochard Midtown, NYC October 18th, 2008 “Love At First Light” is the tagline…and it’s easy to see how the Swarovski Crystals’ marketing gurus came up with the motto for an opulent traveling exhibit of designer dresses and nuptial accoutrements all splendidly bejeweled. The nano-second we walked into the exhibition space in the Intercontinental Hotel-elegantly staged for New York’s Bridal Week, our jaws dropped at the magnificence of it all. And although we could not attend the Wednesday eve Press Presentation, we were able to languidly view the exhibition without the crowds----the only way to go. We chatted with two super nice Swarovski marketing reps that clued us in on how this luscious presentation came to be… Apparently, all of Swarovski’s international offices from such far-flung capitals such as Dubai, Sydney and to New York, pitched their designers of choice to collaborate with the compa...

STATEMENT PIECES AND WEDDING ATTIRE JOIN TOGETHER FOR A PRESENTATION Midtown, NYC October 18th 2008 Words, Images by Judith Ecochard and courtey of Meg Jewelry The Cary Grant suite in the Warwick Hotel was an apt romantic setting for a Bridal presentation. After all, the suave Hollywood movie star actually lived in this posh apartment that is romantically encased with a rare for Manhattan, wrap-around terrace. MEG JEWELERY: It’s always a treat for us to meet designers that we think create something extra special. Hailing from Iowa – and in business for seven years, Meg Lammer was wearing the highlight piece of her collection-a glorious Swarovski crystal “snowflake” sparkler ($1800) that took “over 24 hours to make.” By hand of course. Any bride would wear this necklace over and over again – adorning her wedding dress and again with simple frocks (or perhaps, a summery tee). Other jewelry and elegant hairpins round out the collection for brides and bridesmaids. All are made from the ...

OPULENCE FOR BRIDES- SPRING/SUMMER 2009 October 18th, Midtown Manhattan, NYC Words, Images Judith Ecochard Held in the company’s wedding salon on posh Park Avenue ATELIER AIMÉE MONTENAPOLEONE , designed by Lucia Zanotti , staged a splendid runway show…chock full of haute gowns for Brides who demand (and can pay for) the ultimate. And we do mean the ULTIMATE. Coming soon to wannabe princesses, “…this ethereal collection” will have jaws dropping. At this outing, nearly every gown elicited so many oohs and aahs from the press and buyers in attendance…we were wondering how a gal could possibly choose just one dress. Which is why many brides splurge on two gowns...one for the ceremony and another for the reception. However, there were so many show stoppers gliding down the runway (yeah, the models were pretty too)…we’d think international jet setters will opt to get married multiple times on different continents.In different dresses. There were several Greek Goddess worthy frocks with fl...