Archive for the ‘Style Icon’ Category

Bridal Style from the Silver Screen

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Since movies began, women planning their weddings have been inspired by the style of silver screen brides.

In the 1930s film It Happened One Night, Claudette Colbert wowed everyone in her slinky bias-cut gown and dramatic cathedral length veil and headpiece adorned with flowers. And in the decades that followed, many real-life weddings have featured brides with similar style!

Bridal Style from the Silver Screen

Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night

When Father of the Bride and Funny Face hit theaters in the ‘50s, both created a sensation and set trends! Elizabeth Taylor in her elegant gown, classic lace-edged veil and Juliette cap spoke to women with traditional taste, while fresh Audrey Hepburn in her sweet shoulder-length veil and bow appealed to modern fashionistas.

Bridal Style from the Silver Screen

Elizabeth Taylor in Father of the Bride, Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face

In more recent years, there have been so many wonderful movie brides it’s hard to choose a favorite…or who influenced wedding day looks the most! Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama re-introduced the always-chic French net cage veil, while Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City turned heads with her fabulous, edgy veiling and green fascinator. And who could forget the dreamy, romantic organza gown and cathedral veil Rachel McAdams wore in The Time Traveler’s Wife or Jennifer Lopez’s delightful hair flower in Monster-in-Law?

Bridal Style from the Silver Screen

clockwise from upper left: Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama, Jennifer Lopez in Monster in Law, Sara Jessica Parker in Sex in the City, Rachel McAdams in The Time Traveler’s Wife

Then, of course, the Father of the Bride (again) and The Notebook reminded everyone how much we love lace, regal tiaras and full, floor-length veils. Anne Hathaway along with Kate Hudson worked clean, simple veils in Bride Wars while in I Love You Man,  Rashida Jones went veil-less but accentuated her sweet look with a lush hair bloom.

Bridal Style from the Silver Screen

clockwise from upper left: Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson in Bride Wars, Kimberly Williams in Father of the Bride, Rashida Jones in I Love You Man, Rachel McAdams in The Notebook

Which feature film bride speaks to your style? To find the perfect bridal veil, headpiece and jewelry to complement your movie muse, visit us in Brooklyn at our bridal accessory boutique!

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Grace Kelly – Inspiration for Bridal Style

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Imagine one minute you’re a fresh star on the silver screen when you travel to the Cannes Film Festival. There, invited to participate in a photo shoot at the Palace of Monaco, you meet a prince…and live happily ever after.

That fairy tale is the true story of how  fashion icon Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier met!

Grace Kelly, icon of style, wedding, bridal gown

Before that fateful trip to Cannes, Grace was taking Hollywood by storm. In two short years, she had appeared in six films and received an Academy Award. Everyone in the country had fallen in love with this lovely star’s skill on screen and her sophisticated, feminine, timeless style.

Grace Kelly, icon of style, wedding, bridal gown

But she left it all behind when she fell madly in love with Prince Rainier. Six months after they met in May at the Cannes Film Festival, Grace and her prince were engaged.

Grace Kelly, icon of style, wedding, bridal gown

Grace’s studio, MGM, wanted to make sure she walked down the aisle as an American Princess. So, as a gift, her wedding gown was custom-designed by the famous Helen Rose. Made of 25 yards of silk taffeta, 100 yards of silk net, peau de soie and 125-year old Brussels Point lace, Grace’s gown was finished with a Juliet cap decorated with seed pearls and orange blossoms paired with a 90-yard tulle veil. Grace Kelly’s incredible, elegant bridal look remains one of the world’s favorites today, influencing other famous brides like Kate Middleton!

Grace Kelly, icon of style, wedding, bridal gown

Named by Karl Lagerfeld as “the most beautiful blond of her time,” Grace Kelly’s timeless style would be considered modern even today! Despite the fact that any designer would have been over the moon for Grace to wear their clothes, her favorite ensemble was a Chanel suit. Even in the 1960s, when women and fashion were more rebellious, Grace preferred to be feminine and wore pearls, gloves and hats. She even had a bag named after her. A very private person, for months Grace carried a large, boxy Hermes bag to hide her pregnancy, now known as the famous “Kelly” bag.

Grace Kelly, icon of style, wedding, bridal gown

Though she never saw herself as a style icon, Grace Kelly is upheld as the ultimate standard of grace, beauty and style.

Grace Kelly, rear window, icon of style, wedding, bridal gown

To create your own timeless wedding day look inspired by Grace Kelly, visit us at our bridal accessory boutique in New York!

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Elizabeth Taylor – Inspiration for Bridal Style

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

“My mother says I didn’t open up my eyes for eight days when I was born but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked!”

- Elizabeth Taylor

Who could be a better style icon for brides than someone with a lot of experience? With eight marriages to seven husbands, this beautiful lady obviously was in love…with love! Her style and eye-catching, spectacular aesthetic is great inspiration for a bride with dramatic, elegant style.

0017-Elizabeth-Taylor[1]

Born in London, England on February 27, 1932, Elizabeth Taylor moved to Los Angeles with her family in 1932. The city and the film industry haven’t been the same since!

Elizabeth Taylor Inspiration for Bridal Style

Her first major film success as Velvet in National Velvet thrust Elizabeth into the limelight. She quickly became an actress known for her beauty as much as for her skill. It wasn’t until a little later that she also became famous for her many marriages and lifelong obsession with stunning jewelry.

0017-Elizabeth-Taylor[1] Elizabeth Taylor Inspiration for Bridal Style

Elizabeth Taylor’s husbands (clockwise) Michael Todd (#3), Richard Burton (#6), Conrad Hilton (#1)

Elizabeth Taylor’s eight marriages to seven husbands (Richard Burton twice!):

#1 Conrad Hilton May 6, 1950 to Feb 1, 1951
#2 Michael Wilding Feb 21, 1952 to Jan 30, 1957
#3 Michael Todd Feb 2, 1957 to his death March 22, 1958
#4 Eddie Fisher May 12, 1959 to March 6, 1964
#5 Richard Burton March 15, 1964 to June 26, 1974
#6 Richard Burton Oct 10, 1975 to Aug 1, 1976
#7 John Warner Dec 4, 1976 to Nov 7, 1982
#8 Larry Fortensky Oct 6, 1991 to Oct 31, 1996

 

0017-Elizabeth-Taylor[1] Elizabeth Taylor Inspiration for Bridal Style

 

Elizabeth Taylor’s husbands (clockwise) Richard Burton (#5), Eddie Fisher (#4), Larry Fortensky (#8), Michael Wilding (#2), John Warner (#7)

 

Who could argue with one of Elizabeth Taylor’s (and now one of our) favorite sayings?

“Big girls need big diamonds.”

Certainly her husbands didn’t. Michael Todd (husband #3) gave her a beautiful Cartier diamond tiara that Elizabeth wore to the 1961 Oscars on the night she won for Butterfield 8. Richard Burton (the only man she married twice) gave her the 33.19 carat, Asscher-cut Krupp Diamond, which is regarded as one of the most flawless diamonds in the world.

0017-Elizabeth-Taylor[1] Elizabeth Taylor Inspiration for Bridal Style

Though one of the greatest movie stars, passionate for jewels, and in love with love, Elizabeth Taylor was also known for her heart. Director George Cukor said that she possessed “that rarest of virtues—simple kindness.” Elizabeth used her impressive collection of jewels to do more than sparkle. She often auctioned off parts of her famous jewelry collection to raise money for the causes she believed in.

Elizabeth Taylor Inspiration for Bridal Style

 

Channel your inner Elizabeth Taylor with spectacular, unique tiaras and bridal jewelry from Bridal Styles, our New York bridal accessory boutique!

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Audrey Hepburn – Inspiration for Bridal Style

Monday, April 25th, 2011

We think Audrey Hepburn’s lasting style is a great choice for wedding inspiration. Using these images of Audrey as a guide, it’s easy to imagine her iconic aesthetic seamlessly translated into a modern bride’s vintage chic look.

Audrey Hepburn bridal style

Launched into stardom after her role as an undercover princess opposite Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn became one of the most successful film actresses in the world. Though most famous during the 1950s and 1960s, Audrey Hepburn was so influential that in 1999 the American Film Institute named her one of the five greatest female stars in the history of American Cinema.

Audrey Hepburn inspiration for bridal style

Audrey Hepburn remains an enduring symbol of subtle grace, style and classic beauty. Just looking at these pictures, we can’t help but think that she would be just as fabulous today as in the ‘50s. Now that’s timeless!

Audrey Hepburn wedding inspiration

She also completely transformed our concept of glamour. Audrey’s silhouette inspired designs by Givenchy. Her beauty and the chic, understated elegance of her hair, clothing and makeup made her a fashion icon.

Visit us at Bridal Styles Boutique to discover your Audrey style!

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