Haute couture, which is French for “ high sewing” or “high dressmaking”, is used to categorize garments that have been painstakingly crafted from high quality fabric and are, or appear to be, custom fitted to an individual bride’s figure. Often, the details on haute couture garments are done by hand with particular attention to detail. The intended result is perfection that is visible from across a room and up close. Lately, haute couture has become more than a dressmaking method, it has evolved into a culture that is being embraced in bridal boutiques all over the world as brides are looking for more than just the regular wedding dress buying excursion; they want the whole experience to feel luxurious, exclusive, and high end. Boutique owners have taken notice of the growing haute couture trend and have begun stocking their shops with the dresses, accessories and ambiance to fulfill the wants and needs of even the most demanding brides.

Designers like Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel, John Galliano for Dior, Tom Ford for Yves St Laurent and Vera Wang are the flagship designers of wedding couture. For decades they have reached back into the glory days of Paris haute couture and chosen the nostalgic elements that work best for current brides. Finishing touches like flounces, skirting, appliques and the like all serve to add chic detailing that is very couture.  The typical price of a gown by one of these designers ranges from $5,000 to $25,000, but other designers are beginning to create gowns that incorporate couture elements at prices that are much more accessible to the average bride. How are they doing this? By paying special attention to cut, fit and fabric choice and being mindful to keep their detailing simple but gorgeous. Here are some examples of haute couture construction:

Couture gowns have another important feature: they are incredibly versatile. If embellishments are kept to a minimum, many of the designs can be easily worn in a very formal setting like a swanky hotel or posh country club, a backyard garden ceremony or at a destination beach wedding. Better yet, many different body types benefit from the beautiful tailoring which relies more on the shape of the body within the garment’s excellent construction than on elaborate draping to act as camouflage. The effect is sophisticated and intensely feminine, two hallmarks of haute couture.

In the same vein, French salon-style boutiques are popping up. Brides are looking for an entire gown shopping experience instead of just a day in the dress stores; they want to feel like they have stepped back in time to the heyday of Parisian garment design when brides-to-be spent the day in sumptuous surroundings having tailors fit the dress perfectly to their shape. They want all the glamour and drama of high fashion and now they can have it. Bridal stores and boutiques are being decorated to resemble a bridal salon of yesteryear, complete with soft pastel paint, plush seating, chandeliers and gauzy curtains. An example of this is La Novia Bridal in Vancouver, a place where brides can lounge in the gorgeous, peony-coloured boutique (complete with charming antique plaster mouldings) and sip champagne or tea while they browse dresses that fit like a glove but don’t cost an arm and a leg.

For an haute couture inspired wedding gown shopping experience, visit La Novia Bridal in Vancouver at 311 Carrall Street in Vancouver.

Happy shopping and bonne chance!

One-shoulder

Single shouldered gowns have gone mainstream. Five years ago, bridal boutiques were filled with full shouldered, strapless and even spaghetti strapped gowns, but the asymmetrical look was nearly impossible to find; lately, however they have become de rigeur in the world of wedding gown design and now they are flying off the racks at breakneck speed. The reason may be that brides are increasingly looking to distinguish their looks with original touches and the asymmetry of these gowns does just that. There are so many ways to wear this style that it is nearly impossible to come across a dress with the same interpretation of the trend twice. This style is most flattering on  brides with long necks or toned arms, but is really forgiving enough for anyone to wear with confidence. Below we show some of the most popular and flattering ways that any Vancouver bride can take advantage of single shouldered gowns in order to create the best possible look for her wedding day.


Flowery

Brides who love everything spring-y and floral will love this take on the asymmetrical neckline. By attaching flowers to the one shoulder, the designer of this dress has brought an element of whimsy and a dose of nature to an otherwise plain silhouette. This kind of embellishment makes it easy for the bride to get away with simple accessories like diamond stud earrings and a crystal cuff bracelet. No necklace is needed because the neckline is a show stopper all on its own. If you are getting married in the full bloom of summer or if you are having an outdoor wedding in a landscaped setting, a dress like this will help you blend in and stand out at the same time.


Ruffles

Are you a bride who is more playful than serious but still wants to look sophisticated and tasteful on her big day? This type of one shouldered gown may be the answer to your prayers.

The best part about this type is that, at the right height, it will raise just high enough to graze your jawline, making for many beautiful photo opportunities. Plus, there is an impressive range of ruffle choices; you’ll be surprised at all the options available to you if you decide to go with this style. From a very subtle wave in the fabric to a full-on seashell cut, it is nearly impossible to wear the ruffled style the wrong way.


Wrapped

Maybe you are looking for a more understated approach to the single shoulder and do not feel comfortable with the level of drama found in the ruffle or flowery style asymmetrical gowns. This style is a more classic take and recalls the gentle draping of the dresses found on Greek goddesses. By drawing a wider piece of fabric across the body and up over the shoulder, the wrap style is less structured and therefore more soft and feminine that other single shoulder styles. For added drama, look for a gown with this type of draping that adds a shoulder clasp and and a long piece of fabric cascading down the back.


Strapped

If you are a bride who loves all things geometric, then the strapped style of asymmetrical gown might be for you. You can wear it as a one, two or three strap look, depending on how edgy you would like the look to be. It’s a great way to show a little more skin while still making a statement about your personal bridal style.

For more gorgeous wedding gown trends, check out our Jason Matlo Collection.

There is one major factor that can help you immediately separate the worthy artists from the crowd: they should be able to customize classic bridal make-up palettes to suit the individual. This is crucial because without the ability to properly modify bridal make-up looks to a bride’s specific features, colouring and taste, the artist can wind up creating more problems than they correct.

Luckily for Vancouver brides, La Novia Bridal has solved the problem of finding a make-up artist who can make the most of what you’ve got. With our three customizable signature looks we have taken all of the guesswork out of putting your best face forward, and will work with you to create a look that captures your personal beauty.

Girly Girl brides can be some of the most challenging make-up clients because their look often revolves around one colour and one colour only: pink.

As the colour of femininity, innocence and romance, pink is a not only highly popular, it is also somewhat of an make-up enigma. In order to pull off a pink palette, a make-up artist has to be able to achieve a perfect balance of tones, shimmer and blending; for this reason, many make-up artists will try to steer already rosy or olive-skinned brides away from a pink palette. However, La Novia Bridal has made the pink palette accessible to all brides by finding just the right balance between pinks and browns for each particular skin tone.

The key to pulling off the Perfectly Pretty is a light touch and exact tone matching of the pinks used on cheeks and lips to create a soft and demure effect. This look is special because it allows focus to be drawn to different parts of the face at once: eyes are soft, cheeks are flushed and lively and lips are shimmery- a perfect combination that is sure to please even the girliest bride.

Are you the kind of bride who wants to look like she’s walked straight out of a long, relaxing sun drenched vacation and into her wedding ceremony? You aren’t the only one. There is a reason why bronze-based make-up palettes like our Bronze Babe look are so popular: they can instantly transform any bride into a glowing, radiant beauty.

La Novia’s talented artists up the ante by creating luscious, dewy skin and then pinpointing exactly where to best apply copper, metallic grey and gold shades to showcase a bride’s best features. For example, gold shadow can draw attention to beautifully almond-shaped eyes while camouflaging dark, unflattering shadows.

The best part about the Bronze Babe look is that there is a shade of gold that best suits every bride. Be prepared to outshine the sun at your summer wedding if you choose this signature look.

Let’s face it, working with blue, grey and purple eyeshadows takes skill. In the wrong hands, you can wind up looking like you have huge bags or even bruises on your eyes; this is a shame, especially since these colours are stunning when used correctly.

At La Novia Bridal, we understand the intricacies of shades and tones- that’s why we are able to read your complexion and pick up all the subtle variances that indicate how to best tailor this gorgeous look to your benefit. When applied by our skilled artists, this palette will even your skin tone to porcelain luminosity, bring out the subtle hues in your eyes and add a touch of drama without looking overdone.

Berry hued lipstick transforms even the thinnest lips into a plump, juicy pout that any groom would be pleased to kiss. The overall result is that of a doe-eyed sophisticate, a unique and gorgeous look.

Contact us to book a consultation, and we’ll show you how to adapt any of these looks to help you become the most beautiful bride you can be. All you have to do is walk right in, choose your look, and we’ll customize a palette that is sure to be the envy of brides everywhere.
The above looks were created by La Novia Bridal artist Kelsey Dickson. To book an appointment with Kelsey e-mail lanoviabridal@gmail.com

After a bride purchases her gown, her next biggest consideration is accessories. After all, choosing the wrong ones can seriously derail the image you are trying to create on your wedding day. Hair accessories are one area where brides have more choices than ever before; it’s not all veils and tiaras anymore, and designers are really beginning to notice how much women want variety in their bridal head-wear. Here are a few of the up and coming trends in bridal accessories that Vancouver brides are sure to love.

Lace Head Wraps:

Lace: it’s not just for trains and veils anymore. For 2011, one of the biggest and best trends is taking a medium to wide band of detailed lace and using it as a head wrap or head band. This look plays into the vintage-inspired trends that swept the 2010 runways  by playing off the head wraps worn by flappers in the 1920s and putting a more elegant spin on it. The trick to pulling off a lace head wrap without it looking like a do-rag is the hairstyle that accompanies it. Do not try and pair this trend with a stiff or elaborate hairstyle, as it will only result in overkill. For the best result, try a loose, flowing hairstyle or a pretty braid that still showcases your hair but doesn’t draw attention away from your smart accessorizing. Also important is the type of lace you choose for the wrap- don’t feel like you need to be too match-y, a different lace pattern and even a different colour lace can be pretty and stylish. If you aren’t sure about how to best wear this trend, ask one of our talented stylists at La Novia how to incorporate it into your bridal wear, we have plenty of ideas!

Headbands:

Taking a cue from mainstream fashion, headbands made a big appearance at the 2011 bridal fashion shows. Details like flowers, netting, small caps and feathers were prevalent and usually worn  with relaxed, flowing hairstyles that invoke the back to nature theme of the upcoming season. More daring options include what seems like floral centerpieces attached to the headbands, butterflies and dried flowers or branches that spread out in all directions for a strongly editorial look. Virtually any bride can wear this look which is at once feminine and trendy.

Hats:

Hats are everywhere for the spring 2011 season! Happily, there is no one style that outshines the other and variety is the key when it comes to this trend. Some of the most creative combinations are the strapless gown and bolero combination that seems to add a hint of the masculine to the typically very feminine bridal arena. Also trending are big floppy garden style hats (which go perfectly with our Garden Party Collection, by the way) and plays on old-school pageboy hats. No matter which style of hat you choose, being brave enough to rock one while walking down the aisle will set you apart from all your other bride friends and Vancouver brides are nothing if not brave with their bridal fashion.

Whatever combination of accessories you decide to wear on your wedding day, make sure that you have the right hair and make-up to complement. Our talented and creative hair and make-up artists at La Novia can create whatever look you decide best suits your taste or shop the gowns in our stunning Jason Matlo Collection.

Without further ado, here is guide for the 2010 bride on how to build a celebrity calibre wedding day look:

1. Incorporate unusual details into your wedding gown

Mayumi dress: La Novia Asiana Collection

Colourful appliques or even painted motifs on a wedding gown make a sophisticated and stylish statement like that seen on this one from La Novia’s Asiana Collection. This wedding gown, for example, combines the super-flattering trumpet shape with the unexpected addition of colour and texture in just the right place: this strategic placement draws the eyes to the feminine curve of the waist. If you want to look like a star on your wedding day, then you have to learn to play up you best assets. This dress achieves that.

Variations of this idea:

A non-white wedding gown: blush, black, or even green are increasingly being incorporated into wedding gowns.

An interesting neckline: a novel neckline show off lovely clavicles, which is subtly sexy.

An unusual hem: scalloped, uneven or threadbare are all edgy options.

An unlikely pattern: floral, damask and narrow pinstripes are patterns that express individuality.

2. Add flair to your hair

In this day and age, there is no reason to follow 2010 wedding trends when it comes to bridal hairstyles; why not start your own trend? This hairstyle, designed by La Novia’s very own Caroline Webber, takes the classic chignon, places it higher up on the head, and adds a flower and pink tassel. Try experimenting with different accessories to achieve a bridal style that makes a personal statement, or better yet, consult the La Novia Bridal team, they have all kinds of original ideas up their sleeves!

More possible bridal hair accessories include:

Fresh or silk flowers: the effect can be vintage or very modern, depending on what kind of flowers you choose and how many you wear. For example, orange blossoms worn as a crown is very vintage while a peony bloom tucked into a messy braid is a nice personal touch.

Ribbon: Ribbon can be blended into large barrel curls or worn as a wide headband tied at the nape of the neck.

Lace netting: Brides with long hair can gather it into a delicate silk net that is at once  low-maintenance and Victorian.

Enamelled chopsticks: This option is ideal for bride who wants an asian-themed ceremony or to incorporate world culture into her wedding hairstyle.

3. Be brave with your bridal make-up

Most brides choose neutral make-up on their wedding day, but why not try something a little more striking like the shimmery pink make-up seen here? This look was created by La Novia’s Lucy Anne Botham and the effect is truly ethereal. Instead of the usual browns or peaches, Lucy used an array of blush tones on eyes and cheeks and added pale pink lipstick, making the look nearly monochromatic but in no way boring.

Other palettes that a build brave monochromatic make-up looks:

Plums: flattering on darker skin tones

Oranges: becoming on fair skinned brides, especially blondes

Brick reds: done properly, brown based reds are complimentary to any complexion

There you have it, the La Novia kit to building your own  celebrity 2010 bridal style. For more dress choices, see our fabulous Jason Matlo Collection, available exclusively at La Novia Bridal.

Chignon

Easy to achieve (although not by yourself), the chignon is the pinnacle of bridal hair chic. Many brides wear this hairstyle when they don’t want anything to compete with their wedding gown or accessories. The best part about this hairstyle is that it is extremely low-maintenance, so you won’t be popping in and out of the ladies’ room for hairspray touch-ups when you would rather be on the dance floor with your guests.

Loose Chunky Braid

For a bride who wants something uncomplicated but slightly avant-garde, this hairstyle is a perfect choice. It is at once pretty and daring, so even if it is a little unorthodox, most people will be able to find something they like about it. If nothing else, it is quite the individual style statement and everyone knows that Vancouver brides are all about individuality.

Long Waves

What bride doesn’t want to look like Venus emerging from the half-shell on her wedding day? If that’s your goal, then this is most likely the hairstyle for you. With a trumpet style dress, this flowing ‘do makes any bride look runway ready. Evoking playfulness and nonchalance, loose waves are a bride’s best friend even in the most formal setting.

Finger Curls/Waves

Haven’t seen this one yet? Well, maybe you’ll be the first bride you know to rock this 1920′s favourite. Finger curls are making a big-time comeback with brides who really want to wow the jaded wedding fashion set at their nuptials. There is a formula you can follow if you want to make this look screen siren sexy: Jason Matlo dress, baby doll eye make-up and a cupid’s bow mouth. Get ready to hear gasps of admiration as you float down the aisle. Ideal for the bride who has always fancied herself somewhat of a tastemaker. Make sure you  get an expert to help you with this style, it’s impossible to perfect unless you’ve had training. Luckily, the beauty team at La Novia is here to help.

Trumpet

The trumpet cut is best suited to a bride with an hourglass figure. If you are daring and adventurous, this cut combines elegance and drama to achieve a jaw dropping silhouette. Simplicity is ket with this kind of cut; as far as bridal gowns go, this is one of the more daring options so accessories should be kept to a minimum. Let the dress speak for itself.

Best for: hourglass figures, tall brides, avant garde brides.

Scoop Neck

If you are a woman who cherishes tradition and wants to look demure on your wedding day, you are not alone. 2010 bridal trends saw a renewed interest in simple, classic modesty. Depending on which type of skirt this neckline is paired with, the effect can range from quiet elegance to stunning simplicity. Add a veil, sparkly bangles and soft, pretty make-up and float down the aisle like the angel that you are.

Best for: brides with long necks, prominent clavicles or conservative taste.

Full-skirted

Every bride wants to look like a princess and nothing says princess like a full-skirted gown. This look is consistently popular but has been modernized for 2010 brides with the addition of handy, hidden pockets. This shape is the easiest to wear because of the way the voluminous skirt camouflages lower-body figure concerns. Also, the look is especially versatile. A deep ‘V’ bodice can make the dress edgy and sexy while a gathered one-shoulder bodice shows your adventurous spirit.

Best for: Any bride who loves the look. This shape is the most forgiving of all bridal gowns.

Slim Cut

Are you a willowy amazonian goddess? If so, congratulations: you are one of the lucky women who look absolutely stunning in this 2010 bridal favourite. Slim Cut gowns are ideal for tall slim-hipped or curvy brides who want a a sophisticated, polished and modern look on their wedding day. This type of dress allows for ample accessorizing and/or edgy make-up. The beauty lies in the basic cut, which allows you to add what you will to make the look uniquely personal.

Best for: tall brides, brides who value individuality and personal style, modern cosmopolitan brides.

Because we wouldn’t want to send you off in search of your perfect bridal gown without pointing you in the right direction, all of these shapes and more can be found right here on La Novia’s website in the beautiful Jason Matlo Collection, designed exclusively for La Novia. Happy shopping!