The Pheasant Feather Hair Extension Trend. . .

Get Married.com

The crimping of pheasant tail feathers into hair is spreading across the country as the latest trend for summer fashion fun. The Get Married blog has suggested that brides consider this hair embellishment for themselves and bridesmaids for their weddings. . . a fun idea for a Bohemian, earthy event for sure. I am thinking, however, that this sassy statement is a great idea for other pursuits involving fun and the sun, leaving something more spectacular for one of the most important moments in our lives.

Thanks to Hair Goodness for this technique tutorial:

Why not consider a more expressive feather statement inspired by our avian friends? We would love to help you with these options. =)

Here's to sassy ways of stepping up the fun!

The Pheasant Feather Hair Extension Trend. . .

Royal Holiday Fascinators. . .

Now we don our gay apparel . . .

Jezebel.com shares photos of British royal women (sans Kate Middleton) in their holiday attire. Love the fascinator hats! Other sources say that Prince William was at work with his search and rescue crew in North Wales, as Kate enjoyed the Christmas holiday with her parents in Berkshire, England.

For a few minutes there, Sophie, Countess of Wessex got the Middleton treatment and her every thread was scrutinized. And I gotta say, the woman can wear a hat like no one else in the current extended family. A little 30s, a touch Tyrol, a lot of weird: royal perfection.

Read more: http://jezebel.com/5718843/the-royal-family-dons-their-gay-apparel/gallery/#ixzz19d7XxU8J

The bad news: we have no Kate Middleton for ya. The good news: her future cousins rock a hat. Indeed, I find myself wishing Princess Eugenie had kept the rest of it simpler to let the topper shine.

Read more: http://jezebel.com/5718843/the-royal-family-dons-their-gay-apparel/gallery/#ixzz19d7rnNwP

Ditto Beatrice. Plenty of us commoners would love a chance — hell, a mandate — to wear a jaunty hat: for our sake, make it count.

Read more: http://jezebel.com/5718843/the-royal-family-dons-their-gay-apparel/gallery/#ixzz19d8Axkpn

Why not create your own mandate to wear a jaunty hatinator?

Royal Holiday Fascinators. . .

Sara's Customized Tress Bridal Feather, Swarovski Crystal & Silk Headpiece & Birdcage Veil

We have been working on a customized Tress bridal headpiece for Sara. It is time to share feedback photos with her before finalizing her design. I thought some of you might enjoy seeing the results of our work with Sara!

Sara has chosen the lovely strapless, silk chiffon Grecian-style gown in light ivory/silk white with princess neckline and champagne satin sash shown below.

Sara wanted several changes to the Tress design, which included customized dying of the silk organza & velvet pressed flower, the design of a pearl & Swarovski crystal accent, and the addition of taller stripped coque feathers. She has chosen the 12" French veiling birdcage in ivory, mounted on a separate comb. This will allow her to remove the veiling during the reception.

We have used a few shades of feathers to add interest to her design and created a dramatic accent of antique silver filigree elements, large pointed-back Swarovski crystals, and cultured pearls. The crystal accent is pinned in place in a few of the photos below, as we want to make sure that Sara is happy with the outcome before permanently mounting it in place. I was just thinking how lovely a matching accent (with or without feathers) would look on the left side of the empire, satin sash of her gown and will share that idea with her.

We will eagerly await her feedback!

Best,

Sara's Customized Tress Bridal Feather, Swarovski Crystal & Silk Headpiece & Birdcage Veil

Blake Lively in Fascinator at Dior

I absolutely LOVE to see more women re/discovering the fun of fascinators as an accessory choice! Red Carpet Fashion Awards has shared photos of Blake Lively (Gossip Girl actress) sitting in the front row next to Vogue's Anna Wintour at Dior's Fall 2010 Couture Show (June 6, 2010 - Paris). 'Californina-girl', Blake is wearing a beautiful Dior dress and small white fascinator. Several reader comments on Red Carpet are quite favorable; with one commenting on the amateurish appearance of the headpiece. I wish one of the photos provided a better look at her fascinator. I am a bit intrigued by what appears to be the ends of two white peacock feathers with side herl at the top of the piece. It is difficult to imagine how the cut ends of these feathers could be appropriately finished. Would I have loved to design a cute, whimsical, feminine pieces for this Dior dress? You bet!!

Credit: ABACAPRESS.COM/PicApp

Grace Coddington and Anna Wintour with Blake Lively, front row at Christian Dior
Credit: Marie Goujon

Susan Tabak Blog

The vote at Hollywood Life at the time of this posting: 83% Liked Blake's look. . liking the looks of this one!

When expression is the goal, I believe that we need to see more
attention given to the way we
frame that core expression of our unique personalities. . .
our faces!

Blake Lively in Fascinator at Dior

Chignon comb. . .

The design below will be worn by a maid-of-honor for an upcoming wedding. Lauren will be wearing a chignon on the back of her head and the Breeziway featherpiece is mounted on a comb so the teeth can be inserted vertically into the chignon to form a dramatic spray above it of hackle, stripped coque, coquile feathers and peacock herl to complement the iridescence of the coque feathers. The base of this design is accented with a sparkling cluster of Swarovski crystals.

I wish we had a chignon handy so we could show it in situ!
Maybe Lauren will share some photos of the special day.

Chignon comb. . .

Erica's Peacock Pageant Piece. . .

The holiday has given me time to photograph some of the designs that will be shipped tomorrow to clients. So, why not share some of these with you?

Erica, Miss Kansas - 2010, will be wearing the gorgeous gown shown below from the Riva 2010 collection for the upcoming national pageant. We have helped to top off this beautiful statement in royal blue and teal with a Breeziway headpiece made of peacock eye/sword, coquile, ostrich, and schlappen feathers.

We have helped to top off this beautiful statement in royal blue and teal with a Breeziway headpiece made of peacock eye/sword, coquile, ostrich, and schlappen feathers.

I wish the photographs were good enough to spotlight the
vibrant colors of the peacock eyes.

Wishing Erica the very best in the upcoming pageant!

Erica's Peacock Pageant Piece. . .

Jessie Arms Botke (1883 - 1971) - An artist of strength & beauty . . .

The longer I live, the more in awe I am of the beauty that surrounds us. There should be little doubt of my love for the beauty and elegance of our avian friends; taken to the air with grace and color. The art created by American Wildlife artist, Jessie Arms Botke, during the early to mid-1900's is an example of exquisite tribute to these creatures of beauty! I long to have such beauty in our studio to help inspire designs fitting of similar tribute. I hope you enjoy the photos below of some of her art. Ms. Botke's works can be purchased via various galleries.

"The indomitable Jessie Botke was one of the most celebrated decorative painters of the twentieth century. From her early plein-air landscapes to her decorative friezes and imaginary scenes, she arrived at a richly intricate mature style in the 1930s. Working in an era when many women artists were forced to abdicate their careers, Botke successfully integrated her painting with her personal and public life. That her work was accepted in the teens and twenties, and yet remained relevant in the sixties, is a testament to her staying power and the sheer beauty of her paintings." (Patricia Trenton and Deborah Epstein Solon; Birds, Boughs and Blossoms: Jessie Arms Botke (1883-1971); Williams A. Karges Fine Art, Spring 1995)

For her time, Botke was outspoken on the role of women in society and would be considered to day in the avant-garde of women’s liberation. In 1911 and again in 1912, while working for Herter Looms in New York City, she marched up Fifth Avenue from Washington Square to Central Park in the suffragette parade, shouting and demonstrating in her own inimitable fashion. Her husband, Cornelis, an artist who gained special recognition for his etchings, was usually cast in a supporting role. He often stinted on his own work to assist her with her major works, although she sometimes reciprocated by helping with his commissions. “Artist teams are much more common now than they were when we were married [in 1915],” she pointed out, adding without hesitation that “they work… Cornelis and I lean heavily on each other for advice, criticism, and encouragement.” . . . Biography

White Peacock. . .

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. . .



Parrot. . .


India Blue Peacock. . .



Javanese Peacock . . .


Crane. . .


Flamingo. . .


Magnolia. . .

Lovely, aren't they? Maybe I can find affordable prints for the studio. . . A holiday present for us!

Hoping that each of you is blessed with the love and beauty of family and friends during this holiday season!

Jessie Arms Botke (1883 - 1971) - An artist of strength & beauty . . .

Hair Styles from Runway to Aisle. . .

The hairstyles below were compiled by Brides.com from photographs taken on the runways of the Spring 2011 Bridal Market Fashion Shows. Chignons from structured ballerina to tousled are popular choices for remaining cool during the hot summer months. The classic French twist was also among the styles seen. My favorites are shared below with some Breeziway designs I would love to see nestled up against them!

Photos: Kyle Ericksen
Carolina Herrera

Our hand-pressed, silk velvet and organdy flower Tress (with or without a birdcage veil) would be a lovely choice in place of the over sized gardenia in the photograph. You can click on any of the photos to view the designs in our online shop.

Carolina Herrera


The Dena would look great across the top or off to the side of this messy bun!


Photos: Thomas Iannaccone
Jane Wang

The shantung silk flowers of Emma would be a pretty addition along the fold side of this French twist.

Modern Trousseau

I love the tight braiding that forms a corona in this style, but think the Ingrid would be a beautiful and softening addition placed along one side of the rear chignon.

Ines Di Santo

I suggest removing the crystal bow and replacing with the crystal-accented Cady along the side of this symmetrical chignon.

Rivini

The sleek pinned-back, long length look of this style would gain some balance our Opal on one side with the double birdcage veil to add some dimension in the horizontal plane.

Photo: John Aquino
Romona Keveza

I would love to see our handmade Duchess-silk satin gardenia with tulle on the side of this textured chignon. It would soften the appearance of the sleeked-back front and sides.

And, finally, our Carolina with veil and chignon. . .

Just a few ideas . . .

Hair Styles from Runway to Aisle. . .