In anticipation of the upcoming British Royal wedding, I am enjoying photos of royal weddings past and plan to share some of them with you during the upcoming months. This entry is for 'vintage' lovers and those who appreciate timeless beauty and grace.
For the too young to know among us, Grace Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982) was a talented American actress of considerable influence who ended her prolific Oscar-winning, acting career in 1956 at the age of 26 when she married her Prince - Rainier III of Monaco.
Princess Grace's bridal headpiece . . .
Princess Grace's gown was made of 25 yards of silk taffeta, 98 yards of silk tulle, and 300 yards of Valenciennes lace.
Below is an excerpt from the MGM recreation of their wedding ceremony. . .
I hope some of you enjoyed a glimpse of this real fairy-tale. . .
Time for a little break in the studio to share a custom design that is headed out today. A sweet 7 year old will be wearing a customized Shaina for a performance this upcoming week. We don't have a photo of the exact dress she will be wearing, but the photo below provides us with a general idea of the color and design of what she will be wearing, a brown satin background embellished with flowers in shades of purple.
The photos of her fascinator below were taken quickly but, nonetheless, show the customizations to include a shading of feathers and Swarovski crystal accent using a more youthful, flower.
We hope she loves what we have made for her. . . Breeziway is all about creating your vision.
Today is the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's inauguration as the 35th President of the United States. Many aspects of American culture have changed since that era, both politically and socially. It seemed a good moment to reflect on the principles of JFK's administration, and to highlight the iconic style of his first lady, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy . . . a woman of style, grace, and beauty on many levels.
Kennedy's inaugural speech is heralded 50 years later as the first call of Americans to a life of civic responsibility. There is an excellent analysis of the speech and administration released today by CBS News at this link (embedding prohibited). There is some excellent footage, well worth the time to watch.
JFK's Inauguration Address is provided below without commentary. Our young followers might enjoy listening to this speech for the first time. The message was important and inspired many of your parents to choose life courses that have influenced the world you grow in today. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
Thirty-one year old, Jackie, and her man on Inauguration Day, January 20, 1961. . .
Inaugural Ball photo; Jackie in her Oleg Cassini gown. . .
Several minutes that capture Jackie's owninimitable style and grace.. .
The Kennedys were married in Newport, Rhode Island on September 12, 1953; an event that included approximately 1,000 guests as orchestrated by Jackie's Mother and her politically-motivated Father-in-Law. . . . I will never forget my day of exploring this beautiful shoreline community with my oldest daughter several years ago. I still have images of the elegant mansions and rolling seaside hills. I can imagine what a gorgeous day this was for them.
Jackie's gown was created by a popular couture designer at the time, Ann Lowe of New York. It was made of 50 yards of ivory silk taffeta, with rows of tucking, ruffles and wax flowers. History tells us that Jackie did not like the gown, finding it much too fussy for her more sleek, contemporary style. Such a shame that she was not allowed to express herself as she wanted on this special day.
Jackie accessorized her gown with a pearl necklace, pearl and diamond bracelet (a gift from Jack), and a diamond leaf pin (gift from her in-laws). She wore wrist length gloves and carried a pink and white bouquet of orchids and gardenias (my favorite bridal flower and the inspiration for our hand pressed silk gardenia headpieces),
The gorgeous veiling worn by Jackie was borrowed from her Grandmother; made of rosepoint lace held in place by a small lace cap decorated with orange blossoms. I absolutely love this veil and was inspired by designs like this while creating a few of our newer vintage-veiling options. We would love to make you a one-of-a-kind veil like this for any of you moved by this artistic detailing.
Some of you may already know that Breeziway is the couture headpiece designer that the Raffles Resort Chain chose to feature in the wedding guide book, Raffles Romance, made available in the chains' resort rooms worldwide. Well, we have just received word that the famed Raffles chain will soon be opening a new resort on Praslin Island, Seychelles. Praslin Island is the second largest in the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the East coast of Africa; a bit of luxurious paradise on this marvelous planet we inhabit!
Raffles Praslin, will feature 86 villas. Located on the northeast tip of Praslin Island, the second largest island in the Seychelles and close to the city´s airport, the site measures 300,000 square meters, with 500 meters of direct beachfront land. The development is also close to one of the Seychelles natural treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Vallée de Mai.
Enjoy the video escape! This definitely looks like honeymoon potential to me.
Oh yes. . . .
For additional information: Raffles Praslin, Seychelles www.raffles.com/praslin praslin@raffles.com Anse Takamaka Praslin Seychelles T +248 296 000 F +248 296 001
Wishing you all the very best and signing off with visions of balmy sea breezes rippling the surface of my private villa pool. . . . ;)
It is such a pleasure to be touched by the talents of local artists. Our friend & amazing designer, Katerina Bocci, recently contracted a local photographer for a photo shoot of some of the gowns in her 2011 Bridal Collection. Selections from this shoot are featured in the current issues of Grace Ormonde's Wedding Style and Inside Wedding magazines. We were honored to be able to contribute several headpieces that were designed specifically for Katerina's gowns, so the photos also feature our Tika headpiece.
The prodigious photos below were created by Gabe and Jennifer Hillebrand of Hillebrand Photography. Their techniques captured the lovely, levitated model in mid-movement, so we experience the lightness of being that characterizes even the grandest of Katerina's ball gown designs, the Tika. I love the fluid expression of her designs. Can you imagine how you would look on your wedding day in this marvelous creation?
What is she contemplating?!
Oh, so demure. . . .
These and other photos from this shoot are available at the Hillebrand blog. They are definitely work looking at. . . as are the portfolios at the website link above.
Here's hoping that life brings you many moments of levity. . . .
The millinery arts are alive and well in Hollywood, CA as evidenced by the dizzying Hollywood Legacy fashion show that took place this past October in association with LA Fashion Week. From the classic elegant designs of veteran milliner, Louise Green, to the sassy playful looks of new designer (Project Runway - Season 8), Mondo Guerra; there was something for everyone!
Louise Green
Mondo Guerra
Enjoy some highlights of this amazing show. . .
Although this video is marked on YouTube as the Spring, 2011 show, it is the Fall, 2011 show.
The Millinery Guild of Southern California is a membership group of Professional Milliners organized to foster interest in Hats, Millinery and Hat Wearing through Lectures, Instructional Workshops and a variety of classes in all aspects of traditional and contemporary millinery. We will sponsor activities, sales, Fashion Shows and charity events.
It is inspiring to see what this guild of 14 millinery designers has been inspired to organize. This was the guild's 2nd runway show, and I hope to see more such events in Southern Cal, as well as other US locations. It is time for the fashion world to recognize the importance of millinery contributions, as well as time for us to again recognize the importance of and fun in framing our most important assets, the true seat of our unique selves. Why would we pay more attention to the style at our feet than the style about our faces and heads? The mind boggles.
Grace is all around us today & we are grateful! The new Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine has featured the 'Grace' gown in Katerina Bocci's 2011 Bridal Collection. It is topped with our mini top-hat made specifically to complement this elegant mermaid design.
The 'Grace' gown is a bridal version of the rosey-pink gown that Katerina designed for our current (2010) Miss USA, Rima Kahih.
The New York Times has just published an interesting, reflective article by Guy Trebay about Daphne Guiness. We love her style; especially the attention she pays to framing her face & love of feathers. . . enjoy the photo essay, complied from Style.com, and Daphne Guiness' video, The Phenomenology of Body, below.
Photo: Greg Kessler
Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear, Alexander McQueen - Backstage
Photo: Stephane Feugere
Paris Couture PartiesPhoto: Sherly Rabbani and Josephine Solimene
Costume Institute Party of the Year
Daphne Guinness, in Chanel couture, withVogue's Hamish Bowles.
Photo: Dafydd Jones / Courtesy of Purple PR
Nicky Haslam's Birthday Party
Photo: Stéphane Feugère
Stella McCartney Paris Store Opening Celebration
Photo: Sherly Rabbani and Josephine Solimene
The Costume Institute's "Model As Muse" Gala, Oscar de la Renta with Daphne Guinness, in his design.
Photo: Sherly Rabbani and Josephine Solimene
2009 CFDA Awards, Daphne Guinness, in Proenza Schouler.
Photo: Marcio Madeira Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear, Giles - Runway
Photo: Greg Kessler / FirstView.com
With her penchant for armor and feathers, the fashion muse Daphne Guinness has been to known to turn heads. But in her short film “The Phenomenology of Body,” the beer heiress cum director puts the politics of fashion on display. Taking the viewer through a revolving journey of how clothes have defined, constricted and liberated women throughout history, Guinness presents a stark catalog of vintage, new and costume pieces. The result — a spare and thoughtful voyage set to “Great Release” by LCD Soundsystem — reveals both the warrior and swan in Guinness. T magazine’s Web site unveils the exclusive short.
Feathers from the Americas and abroad, Swavorski crystals, pearls, and rich fabrics are used to create gorgeous lightweight headpieces and birdcage veils for your special occasions.
Breeziway has several lines of designs that include pieces for brides, wedding parties, mothers of the bride or groom, and other occasions such as homecomings and proms. Choose from over 75 designs or use them to help us design your own special hair complement.
Princess Grace's gown was made of 25 yards of silk taffeta, 98 yards of silk tulle, and 300 yards of Valenciennes lace.
