Behind the Scenes : Brides

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

Brides Editor in Chief,
Anne Fulenwider, Introduces
the May 2012 Issue

by Anne-Marie

Monday April 30, 2012

Photo: Ben Hoffman

Funny thing about becoming the editor of Brides—everyone's started asking me about my own wedding. Eight years ago, when I got married on Martha's Vineyard on a beautiful sunny day in June, I would never have imagined that someday I'd be sifting through wedding dresses, bouquets, and china patterns—and calling it work! But here I am, oohing and aahing over dresses as they arrive in our fashion closet, picking out invitations and cakes, getting to relive the magic of that day all over again—and having a blast.

Photo: Belà Adler and Salvador Fresneda

If you're newly engaged and this is your first issue of Brides, congrats! We're here to help—check out page 46 for our take on a to-do list, or page 244 for dress ideas (we went with pastels this month—they're everywhere!), or page 256 for some cool bouquets (quick—what do "rebel" flowers look like?). If you're deep into planning, though, you may notice that this issue of Brides is a little different. We've made a few changes, including a brand-new logo, a larger size (we're a whole 3⁄8 inch taller!), and a fresh look. We hope you like it—we want to help you plan your wedding your way—so let us know what you think!

—Anne Fulenwider

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Behind the Scenes • Cakes

Watch: Behind-the-Scenes
of our May Issue

by Allison Bean

Thursday April 26, 2012

Photo: John Lawton

It took cake king Ron Ben-Israel 36 hours to create the towering confection featured in our May issue. Watch the video below for an inside look on how this 42-inch-tall masterpiece was made.

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Beauty • Behind the Scenes

Backstage Bridal Beauty:
Isaac Mizrahi for Kleinfeld

by Dana Wood

Tuesday April 24, 2012

Photo: John Aquino

Easy peasy, with oodles of carefree charm. That was the beauty vibe at Isaac Mizrahi for Kleinfeld's Spring 2013 presentation, and it fit the designer's joyful, gingham-sprinkled wedding gowns to a T.

Conjuring 1930s Cecil Beaton portraits while creating her wispy, imperfect buns, hairstylist Tamara McNaughton for Moroccanoil had a fun-loving bride in mind. "These are girls who have the audacity to not sit in hair and makeup for two hours on their wedding day," she said, smoothing a cocktail of Hydrating Styling Cream and Luminous Hairspray Strong over one of the model's coifs. "We pulled the sides tight and squared-off the volume on top so they don't look too bridal, too lady."

Photo: John Aquino

The makeup, led by Romy Soleimani for Stila / Beauty.com, was equally uncontrived.

"It's very unmade-up," said Jason Araujo, global pro artist for Stila. "Very easy, very fresh. Almost like they did it themselves in five minutes. A lot of times makeup artists overdo it for weddings, and the bride doesn't feel like herself. This is the opposite of that."

Photo: John Aquino

Let me just go on record here and say that the skin looked amazing - probably the best of the week. Per Araujo, the look started with Perfect & Correct Foundation, topped by One Step Illuminate "on the high planes of the face: cheekbones, bridge of the nose, the top of the lip." (He and I spent a good 30 seconds trying to think if there's a specific name for the top of the lip, but then we moved on, thankfully.)

The lips were quite fetching, and given the absence of blush, the only really pop of color. A mix of two shades of Longwear Liquid Lip Color - Muse and Petal - the lip look was also meant to look natural. The very, very prettiest, wedding-worthy version of natural.

View the Spring 2013 Isaac Mizrahi for Kleinfeld collection in our Runway Gallery.

—Dana Wood

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Beauty • Behind the Scenes

Backstage Bridal Beauty:
Angel Sanchez

by Dana Wood

Wednesday April 18, 2012

Photo: John Aquino

Saran Wrap and silver paint. Not the first things that spring to mind when you're thinking bridal beauty, but guess what? At Angel Sanchez, that unlikely pairing made for one striking hair and makeup look.

It was as if the Little Mermaid popped by Andy Warhol's Factory for a spot of tea, clad in a drop-dead gorgeous wedding gown.

First, the hair, crafted by Leonard Zagami of Anthony Leonard Salon for Moroccanoil. Perhaps because this was Zagami's maiden voyage in bridal hair (a recurring theme this week), he felt emboldened to go rogue. "I was after a more modern take," he told me. And in his hands, that meant plastic wrap, positioned headband-style and painted over with silver goo.

But I'm getting ahead of myself; first he doused the hair with plenty of product (mousse and styling cream), blew it dry, and then used a curling iron to create textured, beachy waves. The fact that all that hair—and there was a lot of it—wasn't shiny and perfect made it all the more sexy, albeit in a silvery, mermaid way.

Photo: John Aquino

The makeup was brills. In particular, I loved the silver eyebrows. Crafted by Jean Fayard for Clarins, the overall effect was very ladylike, right down to the glittery pailettes sprinkled on the temples and anchored with eyelash glue.

Was it a beauty look that every bride across the land will be rushing to emulate? Probably not. But it was edgy. And cool. And really, really pretty.

—Dana Wood

To see the entire Angel Sanchez Spring 2013 runway collection, visit our Runway Gallery.

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Behind the Scenes • Wedding Dresses

First Look:
Spring 2013 Oscar de la Renta

by Anne-Marie

Monday April 16, 2012

Photo: Brides

The Oscar de la Renta Spring 2013 runway presentation was filled with defining moments that nearly knocked us off our seats. From the moment the first look took to the runway, we were holding our breath in disbelief that this much gorgeousness could come from one designer. Just look!

Photo: Brides

Above, blue satin faced organza train on a white floral guipure gown. Below, pink and blue organza flower and sequin embroidered sweetheart gown with blue tulle wrap.

Photo: Brides

There were 35 looks total, each with their own unique perspective. Sprinkled into the mix were several flower girls looks, which nearly stole the show.

Photo: Brides

Below, an ivory silk chiffon drape gown accented by fresh blooms.

Photo: Brides

View the entire Oscar de la Renta Spring 2013 runway presentation in our gallery.

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Behind the Scenes • Wedding Dresses

First Look: Spring 2013 Rivini

by Anne-Marie

Sunday April 15, 2012

Photo: Brides

A photograph of a ballerina prancing alongside an indoor pool was the inspiration behind Rivini's Spring 2013 collection. Light, airy and utterly romantic, the 17-piece collection was defined by draped folds of silk, crystal beading, and scalloped lace edges.

At top, a behind-the-scenes look at the runway models post-show. Below, a French tulle gown with hand scalloped lace edge tips.

Photo: Brides

Below, a French tulle and silk organza gown with sprinkled crystal confetti.

Photo: Brides

Above, crystal beading and bow detail. Below, At bottom, Rivini models take a break and have a laugh, all while looking gorgeous.

Photo: Brides

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Beauty • Behind the Scenes

Backstage Bridal Beauty:
Spring 2013 Badgley Mischka

by Dana Wood

Sunday April 15, 2012

Photo: Brides

It seems hair god Peter Gray and I have something in common: Sunday's stunning Badgley Mischka show marks our foray into bridal beauty. Of course, I was merely lurking around playing fly on the wall; Gray and his team were busy crafting the sexed-up Wallis Simpson coifs that were a perfect complement to the design duo's slinky, glittery wedding gowns.

On behalf of Morrocanoil, Gray made it his mission to soften Simpson's hard glamour. A legendary femme fatale, Simpson "managed three marriages," Gray noted, including, of course, to the King of England, who tossed his reign aside just to be near the chic American socialite and "her severe center parting."

So for the show, Gray kept the aforementioned severe center parting, and then added this whole other jumble of femininity which I will attempt to sum up here: After prepping the hair with Frizz Control and Hydrating Styling Cream, he blew it dry with a paddle brush. Then came the real wizardry: Twists at the sides and along the neck, that were then joined at the back and sewn together. Yes, you read that right: Sewn. With a ginormous darning needle threaded with spooled elastic. Genius.

And then he added flowers hither and yon. Genius and bridally.

"It's not difficult at all," Gray said of his handiwork.

Hmmm. "Not for you," I thought. "You're Peter Gray."

But I guess that's how it is with massively talented hairstylists. One ounce of direction from the designer, and they're off. Evidently, Mark Badgley called Gray on his cell phone yesterday from the back of his horse to discuss the look. Think Wallis, he instructed as he galloped along.

And Gray did. Brilliantly.

—Dana Wood

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Behind the Scenes • Runway • Wedding Dresses

First Look:
Spring 2013 Vera Wang

by Phillip Crook

Sunday April 15, 2012

Photo: Brides

After famously showing a witchcraft-inspired, black-and-nude collection, where else was there for Vera Wang to go other than bright and bold? The boundary-pushing designer sent frothy, full skirts with hand-rolled floral details and horsehair trims down the runway awash in cardinal, crimson, and scarlet—hues traditional to wedding attire in Eastern cultures.

Photo: Brides

Photo: Brides

Below, a crimson strapless ball gown with a hand-draped tulle bodice and a honeycomb tulle skirt with embellished floating Chantilly lace and bias-cut organza ruffles.

Photo: Brides

Photo: Brides

Photo: Brides

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Behind the Scenes • Runway

First Look:
Spring 2013 Ines Di Santo

by Phillip Crook

Sunday April 15, 2012

Photo: Brides

Last season, Ines Di Santo evoked red-carpet celebrity style in a collection that dared to out-sparkle the rest. Taking us to Paris for her Spring 2013 collection, therefore, resulted in a softer, old word-style glamour full of dramatic bustles, feminine laces, and, yes, plenty of Di Santo glitz.

Photo: Brides

Photo: Brides

Photo: Brides

One of our editors overheard someone say, "Now that's a hot a gown" about the liquid-black design below. And it is!

Photo: Brides

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Behind the Scenes • Runway

First Look:
Spring 2013 Monique Lhuillier

by Anne-Marie

Sunday April 15, 2012

Photo: Brides

Bridal gown guru Monique Lhuillier always gives us something to lust over when she debuts her latest collection, and this season was no different. Late yesterday afternoon, the designer presented her Spring 2013 collection in her downtown showroom to an intimate audience. "Oohs" and "Ahhs" ensued as we were allowed to browse the hanging gowns, each one more beautiful than the next.

Above, an up close look at of the kind of embellished details that define the collection. Below, Chantilly lace in blush and ivory.

Photo: Brides

Below, pieces from the Monique Lhuiller Waterford Collection. At bottom, a handwritten note from the designer herself.

Photo: Brides

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Behind the Scenes • Runway

First Look:
Spring 2013 Kenneth Pool

by Phillip Crook

Saturday April 14, 2012

Photo: Brides

Always a study on glamour, Kenneth Pool pumped up the volume this season, offering voluminous ball gown and flare silhouettes for brides who subscribe to the "bigger is better" mantra. But that wasn't all designer Amsale Aberra wanted to say with this collection...

Photo: Brides

...slimmer shapes (above) also found Kenneth Pool's standard of grandeur with vintage-inspired, crystal hand-beading—again, like Christos, while emphasizing a sexy keyhole back.

Photo: Brides

Photo: Brides

See the Kenneth Pool Spring 2013 collection in the full slideshow.

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Behind the Scenes • Runway

First Look:
Spring 2013 Christos

by Phillip Crook

Saturday April 14, 2012

Photo: Brides

We know Christos as designer Amsale Aberra's youthful, fresh voice for brides—and this season that vibe translated into billowing tulle, a range of light laces, and hand-beaded floral embellishments. We especially loved the styling, which featured a modern, roughed-up take on a beehive (above).

Photo: Brides

Last market's sexy backs are taking a turn for the romantic this spring, with delicate lace panels framing bare skin on the Christos runway (below)—kind of like Kristen Stewart's Twilight wedding dress, no?

Photo: Brides

Photo: Brides

See the Christos Spring 2013 collection in the full slideshow.

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Behind the Scenes • Runway

First Look:
Spring 2013 Douglas Hannant

by Anne-Marie

Saturday April 14, 2012

Photo: Brides

When we received this sneak peek sketch from Douglas Hannant, we knew his Spring 2013 presentation would be one like none other. The use of color combined with Hannant's affinity for florals is apparent throughout the collection. Just take a look. Above, a blue, floral-print gown so gorgeous you just HAVE TO touch it. (And we did!)

Photo: Brides

Above, hauntingly beautiful veil concepts from Douglas Hannant—and that red lip? Stunning. Below, an organza jacquard puff-sleeved gown.

Photo: Brides

Check out the full Spring 2013 Douglas Hannant wedding dress collection here.

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Behind the Scenes • Runway

First Look:
Spring 2013 Carolina Herrera

by Anne-Marie

Saturday April 14, 2012

Photo: Brides

Carolina Herrera sent her Spring 2013 Bridal collection down the runway just moments ago, and I think it's safe to say that jaws hit the floor. Our editors were front row center for all the action, and naturally we're passing it along to you.

Here are some exclusive shots from the runway show! Above, cherry blossom branches in full bloom. (Speaking of which, just wait til you see our May cover!) Below, enormous paper curtains frame the runway.

Photo: Brides

Above, sleek eyeliner and soft cheeks are a look we can totally get behind. Below, a silk mikado pantsuit for brides who dare!

Photo: Brides

Below, the designer take a bow.

Photo: Brides

Check out our video coverage of the Carolina Herrera Spring 2013 processional on Viddy or see the entire new collection here.

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Behind the Scenes • Bridesmaids • Runway

First Look: Spring 2013
White by Vera Wang

by Anne-Marie

Friday April 13, 2012

Photo: Brides

We're just catching our breath from yesterday's preview of the Spring 2013 WHITE by Vera Wang for David's Bridal collection, which was held at Vera Wang's sleek Flatiron showroom. The collection is comprised of seven new gowns, each featuring signature Vera Wang details such as laser-cut flowers and organza roses. Pictured at top and below is one of our favorites from the collection, a halter-neck ball gown with draped taffeta bodice and full skirt made of degrade tulle petals.

Photo: Brides

Below, this tulle ball gown with sheer straps and asymmetrically draped skirt also features a satin sash with antique jeweled bow.

White-by-Vera-Wang-Davids-Bridal-antique-jeweled-bow.jpg

Photo: Brides

A rack of bridesmaids dresses in a rainbow of colors including charcoal, ebony, amethyst, and mulberry. All bridesmaid dresses are priced under $250, ranging from $158 to $248, and are available in sizes 16-26.

White-by-Vera-Wang-Davids-Bridal-Bridesmaid-Dresses.jpg

Photo: Brides

For more Spring 2013 wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses from Bridal Fashion Week, visit our Runway Gallery.

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