bridal

Disney Gets Into The Wedding Ring Business

Filed under: Jewelry

A couple of years ago Disney entered the bridal market with a line of fairytale wedding dresses. The line is still going strong and now the designer,Kirstie Kelly is expanding into fine jewelry. National Jeweler reports that Kelly's new line of diamond wedding and engagement rings, "Kirstie Kelly for Disney by Mouawad" debuted this week as part of Bridal Fashion Week in New York. The line consists of six engagement rings with matching wedding bands that correspond to six Disney heroines, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. The Disney rings are being sold as semi-mounts (center stone not included) and retail for $1,200 to $6,000.

Gallery: Cartoons Go Glam

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Tags: bridal, diamonds, disney, engagement rings, EngagementRings, jewelry, wedding rings, WeddingRings

Engagement Rings Changing In The Recession

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

I've always thought that when it comes to jewelry, the bridal market was a safe bet even in bad times. After all, people will always fall in love and get married even during a recession. But a new report from the Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council indicates a bit of weakness in the wedding market. Their June Bridal Study" shows that while most people are still going through with their weddings, ring budgets are shifting. Grooms seem more ready to downsize the ring than brides. Of the grooms surveyed, 36 percent have said that their ring budget is lower by fifteen percent or more due to the recession but only 23 percent of brides thought the budget for the rings would be lowered that much.

This isn't the first time I've seen information on scaled back ring budgets. ABC News had a piece earlier this month on the same topic which featured interviews with young couples. Prospective grooms are getting creative, buying rings off Craigslist or swapping out the diamond for something a little less pricey. Some are cutting back on the quality of the ring, sacrificing color and clarity so that they don't have to scale back the size.

Of course you could always try your luck at winning one. GemEx(R) Systems, Inc. has launched the Rock the Recession, Pop the Question contest where couples upload a video showing their most romantic and persuasive plea to get engaged for a chance to win a prize package worth $10,000, including a one carat GemEx certified diamond engagement ring. Submissions will be accepted until July 31.

Tags: bridal, diamonds, engagement, rings

New Bridal Jewelry Collection from Anne Bowen

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

While debuting her new bridal gown collection at The Plaza on April 5, during Bridal Fashion Week, designer Anne Bowen (of evening wear fame), revealed a non-traditional, glamorous bridal jewelry collection to complement the elegantly simple aesthetic of her structured gowns.

I was there for the gowns' and jewels' debut, and I agree with Bowen's feeling that it's a nice change to see some drama and color in bridal jewelry. Not all brides wish to wear diamonds or pearls, and with a simple dress, as many of Bowen's are, a pop of color in a dramatic piece of jewelry can be all a bride needs to complete her look and make it her own.

The handmade, 18-karat collection of gemstone and diamond necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and commitment rings are made from bold cuts of rich colored semiprecious and precious stones including peridot, amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, and lemon topaz.

"I think it's time to add a bit of drama to bridal jewelry. The dresses in my collection are structured and modern, and the jewelry is meant to add a special flash of sparkle and color," Bowen says. "My jewelry collection offers brides the opportunity to personalize their look on their wedding day and add a bit of personal style. Because the pieces are so non-traditional, there is no need to put them in storage after the day is done. My hope is for brides to wear the jewelry on their honeymoon, anniversaries and other occasions while reminiscing about that special day."

See the gallery for several pieces from the collection.

Gallery: Anne Bowen Bridal Jewelry

Tags: amethyst, bridal, bridal jewelry, BridalJewelry, bride, citrine, diamonds, jewelry, jewels, necklace, peridot, topaz

Anne Bowen Debuts Bridal Gown Collection

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Designer Anne Bowen, known for her stylized evening wear, premiered her bridal collection on April 5 at The Plaza Hotel during New York's Bridal Fashion Week. Each of the pieces in the 12-gown collection is named after a famous New York building (e.g., The Bloomberg Tower, Citigroup Center) and designed to represent the aesthetic of each.

I was lucky enough to see the collection unveiled in person. Twelve models, all wearing Vanessa Noel shoes and with sleek hairstyles by Warren-Tricomi, debuted the gowns. The styles are simple but dramatic, with silk taffeta, tulle and organza hand-sewn into structured pieces embellished with Swarovski crystals -- both large and small -- defined by clean lines, detachable trains, and shortened hemlines.

Bowen adorned some of the models with pieces from her first collection of fine jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and commitment rings featuring tourmaline, amethyst, and peridot. The jewelry was stunning and added a spot of color to the gowns, which were white or ivory.

As an aside, not only were the gowns and jewelry beautiful, but the room smelled great -- it was scented with Clive Christian's "The Most Expensive Fragrance." I have not worn fragrance since 1986 (really), but this smelled so delicately wonderful I wanted to take a bottle with me and scent my home and office.

Bowen's bridal collection is available in select retailers across the country. See the gallery for selected styles and more detail on each. Prices start at $2,500.

Gallery: Anne Bowen Bridal Collection

Tags: Anne Bowen, AnneBowen, Bowen, bridal, bridal dress, bridal gown, BridalDress, BridalGown, bride

Agent Provocateur's New Bridal Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Luxe British lingerie line Agent Provocateur continues its sexy take on mythological themes with its latest collection of bridal lingerie for spring / summer. Titled "The Brides of Ulysses," the campaign features the brand's usual racy vignettes, showcasing a collection of "sumptuous white and cream designs in luxurious lace, alluring sheer tulle and sexy silk." Pictured above is the Kate corset in a "gorgeous wedding white detailed with intricate floral embroidery on the front and a traditional lace-up back." The Brides campaign also features a cameo by British model Karen Elson, wife of rock star Jack White of the White Stripes.

Tags: ad campaign, AdCampaign, agent provocateur, AgentProvocateur, bridal, British fashion, BritishFashion, Jack White, JackWhite, Karen Elson, KarenElson, lingerie, supermodel, wedding, White Stripes, WhiteStripes

Mark Schneider Secret Heart Rings

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Jewelry designer Mark Schneider's designs are a step away from the traditional. Schneider creates both diamond bridal jewelry and unique dramatic pieces that incorporate colorful gemstones. Schneider believes in letting the stones "talk to him" before he creates a design.

The engagement rings from Mark Schneider Designs have a unique feature. Each design in the collection features a Secret Heart, small yellow or white gold heart at the base of the ring set with a tiny diamond inscribed with a message that says "Love you Forever." The styles range from traditional to more contemporary and each features smaller diamonds set along the sides of the ring. All of the rings can be made in either platinum or gold and set with center stones in a variety of sizes. The gallery below features a few of Schneider's bridal designs as well as some of his award-winning gemstone creations.

Gallery: Mark Schneider Jewelry

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Tags: bridal, diamond, rings, wedding

Disney Launching Bridal Line

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

They say that every little girl wants to be a princess when she grows up, and whether that is true or not, there is one industry that is practically based around the theory: the bridal industry. Disney has long been part of making dreams come true for kids and kids at heart and already does a booming wedding trade by holding receptions (2,000 or so a year) at their parks, but the company responsible for the creation of some of the ultimate fairy tale princesses, has decided to branch out even further. The will be releasing a line of Disney princess-inspired wedding dresses this year.

It would be hard not to feel like a princess in a Vera Wang gown, but if you want to look like Cinderella at the ball, now you can. Perhaps Scarlett Johanssen will lend you the glass slippers from Annie Leibovitz's latest Disney shoot for the occasion.

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Tags: bridal, disney, gowns, wedding

MAC Bridal Collection

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

MAC has just introduced their Bridal collection. While they do offer suggestions for individual looks, the easiest way to go is with the full Bridal Trousseau. Packed in this Carry-All tote, the collection includes just about all the products and colors that you could need to make your wedding day perfect and your honeymoon memorable. It's the perfect set if you like to do your own makeup and, not only is it less expensive than going to an upscale salon, but you can use it again and again. Eye shadows, lipsticks, blushes and liners tend to be heavily weighted towards pick hues and those with subtle shimmer, making them idea for catching the light and having a "blushing bride" look her best. Along with the makeup, there is a set of brushes designed to result in the most professional application possible. Price: $514.

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Tags: bridal, bride, cosmetics, mac, makeup, wedding

Landry wears Lhuillier at Wedding

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping

While the waists for summer sundresses are coming up to the bust line, the waists of wedding dresses are dropping. Ali Landry, at her wedding to Alejandro Monteverde in Mexico on Saturday, wore a strapless Monique Lhuillier gown with a low, drop-waist. The ivory gown had a full skirt with hand-sewn layers of organza, tulle and chiffon, similar to this one from the Spring 2006 runway collection. Drop-waisted dresses are not for everyone, as their curve-skimming lines are not flattering on every figure. They are perfect for curvy silhouettes and the slim, curvaceous Landry would have looked stunning in one. Wedding gowns by Lhuillier retail for upwards of $3,500, but the runway and custom models can go for much more.

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Tags: Ali landry, AliLandry, apparel, bridal, celebrities, celebrity, designer, dress, drop waist, gown, mexico, Monique lhuillier, runway, spring, style, trends, wedding, wedding dress