Thursday, June 23, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Introducing "Elenora"- A New Gown by Elizabeth Mason Couture
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| "Elenora" The newest addition to the Elizabeth Mason Couture Collection is a strapless black silk crinkle chiffon gown inspired by designer Eleanora Garnett, now on view at The Room in Toronto, Canada. |
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| The "Elenora" Gown features a gathered bust shaping into a sweetheart neckline and a draped skirt that is fitted in front giving the illusion of a slim dress, yet the fullness it pulled to the back creating a dramatic train. |
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| While "Elenora's" drama is perfect for the red carpet, the dress also lends itself to being a bridal gown, as it can be custom made in white, cream, or any color a client prefers. |
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| Satin ribbon also accents the line of the back, leading the eye down to the dramatic train. Links http://www2.thebay.com/theroom/ http://www.thepaperbagprincess.com/boutiques/the-room/ |
Friday, June 17, 2011
Elle Fanning in The Paper Bag Princess Vintage Couture
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| Elle Fanning wears a 1970's Chiffon Gown with Glitter Embellishments from The Paper Bag Princess to the premiere on June 8th, 2011 of the new film she is starring in, Super 8. The film is a fantasy/fiction thriller taking place in 1979. Fanning plays Alice, a strong, opinionated girl that agrees to make a film with the boys. |
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| The starlet is the younger sister of actress, Dakota Fanning, but has made her own mark as "one to watch" both in the fashion spotlight and onscreen. Elle's dress choice is a perfect example of effortless style and natural beauty. |
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| Elle Fanning with Tom Cruise at the premiere |
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Portrait of 1930's Glamour: Nicole Richie wears Vintage
Nicole Richie attends the 2011 Met Ball in New York in a white Vintage Couture 1930's bias cut gown from The Paper Bag Princess. While exuding the classic glamour of the past with her sleek waves and styling, Richie's gown lends a modern edge with its rhinestone trim and sleeve cutouts, exposing not all, but just enough of her arms.
Black, White, and the Red Carpet: Ashley Olsen in Vintage Dior
While the 2011 Met Ball in New York was full of inspirational pieces by the late Alexander McQueen, we were inspired by Ashley Olsen's choice to wear a vintage Haute Couture Dior gown circa 1980's from The Paper Bag Princess. Tailored to fit, the slim silhouette contrasts the voluminous white pouf sleeves creating a simple, yet dramatic look.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
A Vintage Couture Wedding From The Paper Bag Princess, Beverly Hills
It is an ever growing trend for today’s bride to choose a vintage bridal gown over the more costly and cookie-cutter traditional contemporary selections available today. And although first time brides are certainly blazing a path to the ever growing trend towards a vintage gown, many second and third-time-around brides have found that choosing a vintage bridal dress, or gown is the creative solution for those who are searching for a non-traditional look.
The second and third time brides have most probably already lived the fantasy of their first traditional wedding gown and now in consideration of a more seasoned spirit they lean towards an exciting sexy cocktail dress, that’s powerful and uniquely different than the gown they chose for their first wedding. No longer feeling compelled to blow the baby’s college fund on a single expensive designer bridal gown, the second-timers are more inclined to consider value and the potential to wear their vintage dress or gown for future occasions.
Ladies who come to me at The Paper Bag Princess in both Beverly Hills and Toronto for a vintage bridal gown tend to be adventurous and open-minded with a specific theme or era for their wedding that is free of particular parental expectations. Because they are having this wedding just for them, they are not as concerned with choosing a gown that will wow their family and friends; they just want to dazzle their new husband.
It is always fun to work with a second-timer bride, because there seem to be no sides to their box. I always begin the selection process with understanding the personal specifics about our bride-to-be. The dress needs to be age appropriate, as many of them are in their forties or fifties, it must be figure flattering, and be suitable for the ceremony, as well as the reception with both functionally and beauty. Often times the brides will opt for a variation of white, in creams and ivory to embrace the tradition of the wedding, but not the symbolism of the ‘Blushing Bride’ in pure white.
What I really love to do is work with a bride who has a definitive vision of an era she wishes to reflect in her gown, whether it is a glamorous sultry bias-cut gown from the 1930s, or a fitted and flirty look from the 1950s such as the ‘New Look’ made famous by Christian Dior. We may even carry the era of the gown through as an entire theme for the wedding, by finding little touches to match the groom’s attire to the bride, or selecting a vintage venue, table dressings, flowers, vintage china and crystal, special cocktails typical of and era and even the music selections. Once I was delighted by a bride who selected a short off-white vintage 1950s cocktail length dress which she found to be absolutely perfect to ride away in on the back of her husband’s new shinny red Vespa!
One of the only restrictions one has when choosing to wear vintage is the issue of sizing, as we were much smaller in past eras, and as humans have evolved to be much larger as a result of improved nutrition and exercise. There are limited amounts of larger sizes for early eras, especially the 1920s through the early 1940s. There is also the fact that many eras required a specific type of undergarment to structure a figure to fit the cut and drape of a particular style such as the restrictive corsets worn during the ‘New Look’ era. That being said, I am never apposed to altering a gown to compensate for a more contemporary and comfortable undergarment.
A few things to consider when choosing a vintage bridal dress, or gown is to be sure that you examine all the seams and check for any stress areas where tired threads may need to be re-stitched, for silk threads do have a tendency to disintegrate, as does some fine silk over time. The last thing you want to have happen the day of your wedding is to have your gown fall to the floor as all your side-seams give way. All zippers and buttons should also be put through similar stress tests.
Ultimately when you decide to consider a vintage gown for your wedding you need to set out with an open mind. Don’t be opposed to consider alterations, or even a complete redesign. Redesign is one of my favorite things to do with a wonderful piece that just may not transcend current fashions. If a gown has what I refer to as ‘Good Bones’, however it needs a little up dating, then having the courage and imagination to realize that vision is the secret to a beautiful and uniquely your own vintage bridal gown.
Finally, when pressed with the issue of size availability, scarcity of particular eras, and the fragility of some styles, I offer my clients the option to work with me and my contemporary line, Elizabeth Mason Couture to design their own custom wedding gown inspired by my company’s vast collection of vintage bridal gowns. In this way we often combine elements from many eras, to create a contemporary gown with an exquisite vintage flare that is uniquely their own.
The Paper Bag Princess vintage Bridal collection, as well as Elizabeth Mason Couture contemporary collections may be found on line at The Paper Bag Princess, or in the boutiques in Beverly Hills and Toronto.
The second and third time brides have most probably already lived the fantasy of their first traditional wedding gown and now in consideration of a more seasoned spirit they lean towards an exciting sexy cocktail dress, that’s powerful and uniquely different than the gown they chose for their first wedding. No longer feeling compelled to blow the baby’s college fund on a single expensive designer bridal gown, the second-timers are more inclined to consider value and the potential to wear their vintage dress or gown for future occasions.
Julia van Hees-Aidner, marriage to Donald Aidner
Ladies who come to me at The Paper Bag Princess in both Beverly Hills and Toronto for a vintage bridal gown tend to be adventurous and open-minded with a specific theme or era for their wedding that is free of particular parental expectations. Because they are having this wedding just for them, they are not as concerned with choosing a gown that will wow their family and friends; they just want to dazzle their new husband.
It is always fun to work with a second-timer bride, because there seem to be no sides to their box. I always begin the selection process with understanding the personal specifics about our bride-to-be. The dress needs to be age appropriate, as many of them are in their forties or fifties, it must be figure flattering, and be suitable for the ceremony, as well as the reception with both functionally and beauty. Often times the brides will opt for a variation of white, in creams and ivory to embrace the tradition of the wedding, but not the symbolism of the ‘Blushing Bride’ in pure white.
What I really love to do is work with a bride who has a definitive vision of an era she wishes to reflect in her gown, whether it is a glamorous sultry bias-cut gown from the 1930s, or a fitted and flirty look from the 1950s such as the ‘New Look’ made famous by Christian Dior. We may even carry the era of the gown through as an entire theme for the wedding, by finding little touches to match the groom’s attire to the bride, or selecting a vintage venue, table dressings, flowers, vintage china and crystal, special cocktails typical of and era and even the music selections. Once I was delighted by a bride who selected a short off-white vintage 1950s cocktail length dress which she found to be absolutely perfect to ride away in on the back of her husband’s new shinny red Vespa!
One of the only restrictions one has when choosing to wear vintage is the issue of sizing, as we were much smaller in past eras, and as humans have evolved to be much larger as a result of improved nutrition and exercise. There are limited amounts of larger sizes for early eras, especially the 1920s through the early 1940s. There is also the fact that many eras required a specific type of undergarment to structure a figure to fit the cut and drape of a particular style such as the restrictive corsets worn during the ‘New Look’ era. That being said, I am never apposed to altering a gown to compensate for a more contemporary and comfortable undergarment.
A few things to consider when choosing a vintage bridal dress, or gown is to be sure that you examine all the seams and check for any stress areas where tired threads may need to be re-stitched, for silk threads do have a tendency to disintegrate, as does some fine silk over time. The last thing you want to have happen the day of your wedding is to have your gown fall to the floor as all your side-seams give way. All zippers and buttons should also be put through similar stress tests.
Ultimately when you decide to consider a vintage gown for your wedding you need to set out with an open mind. Don’t be opposed to consider alterations, or even a complete redesign. Redesign is one of my favorite things to do with a wonderful piece that just may not transcend current fashions. If a gown has what I refer to as ‘Good Bones’, however it needs a little up dating, then having the courage and imagination to realize that vision is the secret to a beautiful and uniquely your own vintage bridal gown.
Finally, when pressed with the issue of size availability, scarcity of particular eras, and the fragility of some styles, I offer my clients the option to work with me and my contemporary line, Elizabeth Mason Couture to design their own custom wedding gown inspired by my company’s vast collection of vintage bridal gowns. In this way we often combine elements from many eras, to create a contemporary gown with an exquisite vintage flare that is uniquely their own.
The Paper Bag Princess vintage Bridal collection, as well as Elizabeth Mason Couture contemporary collections may be found on line at The Paper Bag Princess, or in the boutiques in Beverly Hills and Toronto.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
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