A Look at Bridal Fashion Week

October 11th -13th was Bridal Fashion Week in New York City. Here are two fall 2015 collections that caught my eye. First up is Badgley Mischka. Mark Badgley and James Mischka have been working together since 1988. I love their design style for the modern bride. 

You will noticed a few ball gowns, but most of the pieces are a twist of the traditional mermaid style dresses. The first thing that I observed was the layers of lace and the ruffles. Gorgeous gold beading and appliques add the right amount of sparkle to this group of gowns.

Another sexy collection was by none other than Vera Wang. She had eighteen looks that were to die for. There were a couple simple, really clean bodices with puffy tulle ball gowns. But the gowns that I really liked had sheer lace with floral print details. They were adorned with delicate silver beads and pearls. My absolute favorites were the pieces with a pop of fabric on the shoulders and the gold dresses with the metallic appliques and bead work.

I have been happily married for seventeen years, but admiring wedding gowns makes me want to start wedding planning all over again!

Badgley Mischka
Vera Wang

Remembering Oscar

Two days ago, we lost influential fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. I have featured his work before here and here. So I wanted to take a moment to remember his life and work. Oscar was born in the Dominican Republic. When he turned 18, he went to study painting in Spain. His love for fashion came when he began sketching for fashion houses. Over the years he apprenticed in Spain, was a couture assistant in Paris, and launched his own label in 1965. Fame came in the 1960's when he began dressing Jacqueline Kennedy. From 1993 to 2002 he designed the haute couture collection for Balmain. His brand grew tremendously after that. In addition to ready-to-wear, he launched his signature fragrance Oscar, accessories, and a home ware line.

When he passed away at age 82, he was a husband of twenty five years and a father of adopted and stepchildren. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, but he didn't let it stop him. It made him appreciate life more. That is the same year he began doing bridal wear. He also designed a resort hotel in Punta Cana. His talents have been rewarded by receiving the Council of Fashion Designers Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990 and Designer of the Year in 2000 and again in 2007.

Here is a look at his spring 2015 ready-to-wear collection.

Oscar

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Jeff Leatham's Vision

I have been a huge fan of Jeff Leatham for a number of years. He is best known for his creative floral arrangements that literally stand up out of their vases. Jeff began working with flowers at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Currently, he is the artistic director at the Four Seasons in Paris. During his exciting career, he has done weddings and events for celebrities such as Tina Turner, Eva Longoria, and Madonna. Jeff has been featured on Oprah, Martha Stewart, and The Queen Latifah Show. He even had his own reality show in 2009 called Flowers Uncut. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into his design world and wished his show was still on the air.

A few days ago, his third book was released. Jeff Leatham Visionary Floral Art & Design is a big beautiful hardcover book full of his creations. It took him three year to fill the pages with colorful pictures from his events. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

book

Jeff

Diane von Furstenberg's Reality

Internationally known fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is adding reality TV star to her resume. Her show House of DVF will air on E! starting Sunday November 2^nd at 10:00 PM. The contestants on the show will compete for the opportunity of a lifetime to learn from Diane and become a DVF girl.

As if her schedule wasn’t busy enough with designing new lines of woman’s clothing and accessories, sold in such high end stores as Neiman Marcus, her memoir is also coming out. You can pre-order The Woman I Want To Be now or wait until its October 28 publishing day to pick up your copy of her ninth book. In her life story, she will talk about everything from her mother surviving Auschwitz, being married to a prince, re-launching her business, becoming famous because of her signature wrap dress, and dressing celebrities like Michelle Obama.

I am a big fan of her work. Her designs can be seen on one of my previous posts about New York Fashion Week. I will be tuned in to her show and I can’t wait to read her new book.

Diane

Book