Spring has barely sprung, but we’re already looking ahead to next spring as all the bridal fashion goodness for Spring 2019 will be hitting the runway this week. It’s going to be a crazy few days in New York with upwards of 25 shows jamming a lightening-paced three-day schedule (eating and sleeping will be our only recreational activities ). Follow us as we’ll be bringing you all the highlights via our social networks and have gown galleries galore posted here as the shows rollout. Here are five things we’re looking forward to at #NYBW!
The Meghan Markle Effect While we’re all impatiently waiting for the big reveal of Ms. Markle’s royal wedding dress on May 19th, designers have been busy being inspired by her effortlessly chic style. We expect to see lots of royal bridal vibes at NYBW with dress styles fit for a princess — think: sleeves, dramatic trains, veils and show-stopping details like incredible lace fabrics, delicate embellishments and statement-making silhouettes.
The New “It” Dress Detail Last season bows and capes were the trends every designer embraced. We’re curious to see what makes headlines on the runway this season. We’re betting on more whimsical elements that imbue dresses with an element of fun and personality.
Reem Acra X Essie This collab is a match made in style heaven. The new Reem Acra Gel Couture bridal line has just been released by Essie and the colours are standouts—there is a shade for every bride and every occasion. We’ll be backstage at Reem Acra with Rita Remark, lead artist for Essie Canada, to see the total fashion and beauty look come together for what is always a spectacular show.
Canadian Content We love to wave the flag for our Canadian bridal superstars in New York. Rita Vineris for Rivini, Romona Keveza and Ines Di Santo are three of the hottest tickets on our schedule and we can’t wait to see Spring 2019 through their creative eyes.
Styling Inspo Shoes, accessories, hair and makeup…the shows inspire us on all levels of bridal style. The past season saw everything from massive statement earrings to black ribbon bows, jean jackets, wearable baby’s breath shawls, Converse sneakers, ponytails and monochromatic mauve-toned makeup. We can’t wait to see what’s next!
All photos courtesy of Jackie in London for Flytographer
Our editor-in-chief, Alison McGill, just returned from the U.K. and an exclusive royal wedding preview in Windsor, taking in all the sites of the historical town and seeing exactly how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s day will unfold. From touring the magnificent Windsor Castle and St. George’s Chapel where the couple will wed (sorry, no photos allowed inside), to walking the couple’s two-mile long carriage procession route, which starts and ends at the castle, she got the scoop on how the day will go down and how it will affect the tiny town of Windsor (crowds are expected to exceed 200,000 and there will be no cars permitted, only pedestrian and train traffic).
While in Windsor, we decided to document this royal occasion with a Flytographer photo session. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, the company was launched five years ago by CEO Nicole Smith. Smith says she was inspired to create the travel photo service when she was on vacation with a friend in Paris and was not happy with the quality of selfies and blurry snaps they had asked strangers to take. She asked a local friend to do an impromptu 20-minute session of she and her BFF enjoying the city—and a brilliant business idea was born!
Flytographer is now available in 220 countries and it’s the perfect way to capture extra-special memories of an extra-special place. Proposal sessions and honeymoons are two of the most popular types of shoots and sessions can last from 30 minutes to one hour. We loved our session in Windsor, check it out below!
Gift your guests with a regal and tasty treat to take home from your party with Springridge Farm’s limited edition Royal Wedding Jam ($7 for 250ml jar). A Milton, Ontaario-based agro-tourism destination focused on fruit farming, Springridge Farm has created a limited specialty preserve to celebrate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s May 19th nuptials. “The jam marries berry for Harry and sparkle for Markle and features strawberries grown at Springridge Farm and a splash of Canadian sparkling wine,” says Laura Hughes, co-founder of Springridge Farm. “It’s fun to create something that celebrates this special day for Prince Harry.” Springridge has a history of creating royal jams. In 2011, there was a Royal Wedding Marmalade for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s celebration, followed by the Diamond Jubilee Jam (2012) and Royal Baby Jam (2013). A jar of the bespoke spread has even been sent off to Harry and Meghan. It’s the perfect takeaway for your wedding guests (also a must for any royal wedding viewing party!)
The invites are out and some new details were revealed by Kensington Palace today about who will be able to see the royal couple arrive and depart from the grounds of St.George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Harry and Meghan said from the beginning of their wedding planning that they wanted to include the public in their day as much as possible. Well, they have delivered and a lucky 2,460 people are receiving invites to be a part of the celebration. These special guests will be able to watch all the royal wedding action from inside the castle walls on the grounds giving them a unprecedented chance to be ultra up-close-and-personal with the newlyweds.
But how were these lucky, lucky people selected for this amazing opportunity? Upwards of 1,200 guests will be nominated to attend by nine offices of the Lord Lieutenants—representatives of the Queen— who are spread around the country. This mix will include young people who have demonstrated leadership and served their communities. Another 200 guests will be chosen from charities linked to Meghan and Harry; 100 children from two local schools; 610 people who live on the castle grounds and 530 members of the Royal Household and the Crown Estate.
The couple already announced a carriage procession post-wedding to allow the masses who will line the streets of Windsor a chance to see them. With just 11 weeks to go until the day (and news that the Spice Girls are attending AND perhaps performing) we can’t wait for this most EPIC of wedding days to arrive.
Glasses are an essential accessory that some people simply cannot do without, wedding day or not. If you can’t wear contact lenses, glasses are a non-negotiable — but which pair do you pick? Spec devotees often struggle with trying to decide between buying a new pair to match their look or going with their signature everyday frames.
Recent bride Maryanne Lewell (pictured), who met her husband while they were contestants on Jeopardy!, told us she is an everyday eyeglass wearer and for her wedding day she chose a chic new pair in a subtle teal shade to match her bridesmaids’ dresses.
We also chatted with Tania Fugulin, creative director of Canadian eyewear experts BonLook, for her thoughts on what works for a chic wedding look as well as some amazing frame choices to consider.
What does a bride need to consider when it comes to glasses for her wedding day? “She should definitely wear a pair glasses that reflect her personality. I suggest a clear frame, a metal frame, or a frame with embellishment. You need to see the frame as an accessory so you want something chic but not something that will overpower your beautiful face.”
Do you recommend buying new glasses for the day? “Like everything else you pick for your wedding day, the frame should match your personal taste. I would absolutely select a new pair of glasses for your wedding (and make sure your lenses are impeccably cleaned!) This is your day! You will be the focus, so you want to look amazing and impeccable.
What are some fun frame options on your radar for wedding day glasses? “I love the look of a daring cat eye if that’s your style. I love the look of modern frames in different finishes like rose gold and translucent shades.”
What about eyewear options for grooms? “I would go with a timeless look, definitely a pair of frames that has a chic edge. We have some amazing new frames in our titanium collection that are perfect as they feature a mix of refinement, classic style and durability.”
These bejewelled cat eye frames will add a dash of glitz to your bridal look, but the mod translucent finish will ensure it does not overpower your face or your bridal style.<br />
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<strong>Keiko</strong> frames in Shug Blond from <a href="https://ca.bonlook.com/" target="_blank">BonLook</a><br />
You'll be looking through rose coloured glasses with these feminine frames that will add a pretty and subtle splash of colour to your bridal look.<br />
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<strong>Nadine</strong> frames in Rose from <a href="https://ca.bonlook.com/" target="_blank">BonLook</a><br />
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These delicate metal frames are an example of less is more when it comes to eyewear and we love the warm rose gold metallic finish!<br />
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<strong>Romy</strong> frames in Aurore from <a href="https://ca.bonlook.com/" target="_blank">BonLook</a><br />
For your groom, these slick frames are mod and sleek, perfect for a black tie wedding day look.<br />
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<strong>Edge</strong> frames in Black Silver from <a href="https://ca.bonlook.com/" target="_blank">BonLook</a><br />
Another mod groom eyewear option is going for a circular frame in a cool silver finish. Pair with a cool midnight blue suit for a look that's chic and sophisticated.<br />
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<strong>Gravity</strong> frames in Black Silver from <a href="https://ca.bonlook.com/" target="_blank">BonLook</a><br />
Designer Reem Acra is renowned for her exquisitely detailed and boundary pushing bridal collections. Her shows are always a highlight of New York Bridal Fashion Week with her fashion-forward gowns routinely topping our best of list season after season.
Acra has turned her incredible attention to detail to the world of beauty, partnering with Essie to launch a six-shade, limited edition bridal lineup of Gel Couture polishes that are fit for a princess bride (paging Meghan Markle!). “I dreamed this wedding collection up as a royal affair—a grand party celebrating a big day,” Acra shares. The palette she created sparkles just like one of her incredible gowns but also has an element of surprise with the choice and finish of the shades.
Rita Remark, global lead educator and lead nail artist for Essie Canada loves this collection for brides because it’s unexpected. “Straying from the traditional demure sheer nudes and pinks, Reem Acra had the entire family in mind when she created her decadent collection of metallics, bold colour and shimmers,” Remark says. “It appeals to a modern bride as well as her bridesmaids, mother and guests. As an artist I love that each shade is distinctive, from a rich magenta pearl to a sheer white that twinkles with flecks of gold.”
Read on to explore the collection’s stunning six shades, which launch this April.
<strong>Picture Perfect</strong><br />
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A delicate white polish infused with pearls. Acra says the inspiration for this one comes from a jewellery box her father bought her as a child that was full of loose pearls.<br />
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<strong>Getting Intricate</strong><br />
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This polish is a perfect something blue—a light, robin’s egg shade guaranteed to make a statement. “The colour blue really has the spirit of a good luck charm and I love it paired with gold,” says Acra.
<strong>You’re Golden</strong><br />
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"This perfect gold metallic shade is a Reem Acra signature. “There is never a collection of mine without shades of gold in it—the colour is so regal.”
<strong>Handmade of Honor</strong><br />
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This peachy-pink tone is the prettiest subtle shade for a bride who wants a neutral nail look with a twist. “This one is natural yet regal and I think of it as giving the hint of purity and friendship, something you depend on your maid of honour for!”
<strong>Moments To Mrs.</strong><br />
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Acra says this is the lead shade for the collection, a perfect pink polish with just a touch of shimmer. “We all need a boost of colour to remind us of the good life and all the opportunities we have. What else is a wedding about?!”
<strong>Forever Family</strong><br />
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“Family is forever and so is the colour red—it’s a colour of passion, energy and love,” says Acra. This polish is perfect if you want a statement wedding day nail and is a gorgeous everyday shade if you love to wear colour.
Whether you’re looking for some cool suggestions for your first dance song or romantic tunes to add to your Valentine’s Day dinner playlist, in the spirit of love month, we put together a list of some of our favourite sappy jams.
We asked editors from our sister publication FASHION Magazine to join us in selecting the best love songs of all time. From soulful David Bowie, to retro Sade, Coldplay and some cool indie suggestions like Teenage Fanclub, this track list is super-sweet and offers something for everyone.
“First Day Of My Life” by Bright Eyes
“I’m a total music nerd so trying to choose just one favourite love song was almost impossible. I decided to go with ‘First Day Of My Life’ because it’s one of those songs that has always given me goosebumps. I love this simple acoustic tune because it so perfectly conveys the feeling of realizing that you’ve found your perfect person — it’s an awakening. The line ‘Yours was the first face that I saw, I think I was blind before I met you’ always gets me.”—Jen O’Brien, executive digital editor, Weddingbells
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
“My favourite movie is probably The Notebook and I’m a fan of just about any song or movie that tugs at my heart strings and can bring on the waterworks. I LOVE love and am a total sap. That being said, my favourite love song, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s ‘Ain’t No Mountain High’, is surprisingly something a little bit more upbeat. The famous duet is a classic and the best part about it is it can be lip-synched with any loved one.”—Eliza Grossman, fashion editor, FASHION Magazine
“Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From,” by Teenage Fanclub
“This came out in 1997, the same year my boyfriend (now husband) and I first moved in together and we listened to this album endlessly. This one was an immediate fave because it’s just so simple and beautifully written. Years later we used it our wedding as our song, but rather than dance to it, we played it. Yes I played drums in my dress and heels! I also have an honourable mention, Yaz00’s “Only You” just because it so perfectly captured my angst of teen love at 14.”—Lesa Hannah, beauty director, FASHION Magazine
“Your Love Is King” by Sade
“There’s nobody smoother or more soulful than Sade and this single from her debut album in 1984 (!) is one of her very best. In addition to Sade’s velvety voice and the sexy sax work on this track, let’s for a moment consider these loved-up lyrics: ‘Your kisses ring, round and round and round my head/Touching the very part of me, it’s making my soul sing/Tearing the very heart of me, I’m crying out for more‘. Can you feel the heat? Enough said.”—Alison McGill, editor-in-chief, Weddingbells
“Yellow” by Coldplay
“Every time I hear this song, I immediately feel like I’ve been transported into a scene from an epic romance movie. From the dramatic electronic guitar chords to lines like: ‘Look at the stars, look how they shine for you,’ this song beautifully conveys the love and devotion that one person has for another. This ultimate love song finds its strength in lyrics that are not overly sappy, with a strong reliance on the instrumentals to create a romantic vibe.” —Kim Aglipay, assistant editor, Weddingbells
“Maps” by the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
“I’m not super into pop music where you find most great love songs. So ‘Maps’ was this rare female-fronted alternative song that was tortured and romantic. It reminds me of when I started dating the man I would eventually marry. I had no freaking idea what was going on, but I was smitten and vulnerable. This song leaves me a little anxious, which is a lot like new romance, right? I also have an honourable mention: “I Love You Always and Forever” by Donna Lewis. I first heard this song at a nightclub in Manila while backpacking in The Philippines. I wasn’t in love at the time but this song is pure happy times, adventure and the tropics all rolled into one. I challenge you not to smile hearing it. This is how the right person should make you feel.”—Jacqueline Francis, executive editor FASHION Magazine
“State of Grace” by Taylor Swift
“What makes this song great is the upbeat melody combined with Taylor Swift’s soft vocals. I especially love the lyrics: They range from speaking in metaphors to intricately describing what it’s like to be smitten. The song makes me feel elated and confident, a feeling akin to being in love.”—Farheen Sikandar, editorial intern, Weddingbells
“La Ritournelle” by Sébastien Tellier
“When I think of carefree, unabashed love, I immediately think ‘La Ritournelle’ by Sébastien Tellier—and I’m talking the full, seven-minute version. Tellier sings a total of eight lines in the song, but the highly-emotional instrumental, which features a symphony of strings, drums and piano is what makes this track absolutely glorious.”—D’Loraine Miranda, production editor, FASHION Magazine
“Soul Love” by David Bowie
“Since the very first time I heard the opening beats of ‘Soul Love’ by David Bowie from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spider From Mars as a teenager in the mid-2000s, I’ve envisioned myself walking down the aisle to it one day. I adore how the song starts out slowly, with maracas shaking out a funky rhythm, builds into a luxuriant rock anthem, and then descends back into simplicity. It contains just the right amount of romance without being too corny. And yet, my heart melts into liquid butter every time Bowie sings the line, ‘Love descends on those defenseless/ Idiot love will spark the fusion.'”—Isabel Sloane, fashion features editor, FASHION Magazine
Royal bride-to-be Meghan Markle is just 14 weeks away from her wedding day, and by all accounts planning all is ticking along beautifully. The dress creation is underway, invites are in the mail, thought towards speeches is happening, there has been cake consideration and even entertainment speculations exist (SPICE GIRLS!)
Here’s what we know about the royal wedding as of today and how you can take some tips from Meghan and incorporate them into planning your own day.
Meghan’s Dress Design Is In Progress Reports that the royal wedding dress design process is underway were confirmed mid-January. Meghan’s Toronto-based stylist Jessica Mulroney was rumoured to be in London with the bride-to-be where the pair hosted a few designers at Nottingham Cottage to decide exactly who would design the dress and what it would look like.
Takeaway: Going bespoke for your wedding gown is always a great idea. This allows you to create the dress of your dreams and work with a designer to ensure every single detail is perfect and what you want.
The Wedding Cake Will Be Bananas As in literally bananas! Harry and Meghan apparently are huge fans of banana cake. It’s been said Prince Harry loves bananas and you may remember a cheeky photo from Meghan’s now deactivated Instagram of two ‘cuddling’ bananas with the caption “sleep tight” which was posted just as the news of Harry and Meghan’s relationship was breaking. The pair are rumoured to be making this untraditional flavour the star of their wedding cake, which would give an ultra-personal spin to their day.
Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to get funky, unexpected and super-personal with elements of your wedding day. That’s what makes for an unforgettable party for you and your guests!
Meghan’s Wedding Speech Is Happening Meghan apparently is going to break with royal tradition and speak at her wedding. To this we say bravo, every bride should speak on her day! It’s speculated that Meghan will deliver a speech at her wedding reception paying tribute to her prince.
Takeaway: Be sure you plan to take the mic at your day just like Meghan. It’s important to welcome your guests, say thanks to loved ones and use the opportunity to have some fun talking about your new husband and your relationship.
The Royal Wedding Invites Are Almost In the Mail! With just 14 weeks left before the day, Meghan and Harry are on track to get their invites in the post. Tradition dictates wedding invites should be delivered no later than eight weeks before the wedding date, but if there are a lot of out of town guests (which there definitely will be for this wedding) it is recommended to send them out at least ten weeks in advance, if not more.
Takeaway: Your invitation mailing is a wedding planning priority. Make sure you are on track for posting your invites as it’s one of the most important planning details of your party! Your RSVP deadline should be three weeks before the day to ensure you have enough time to finalize catering and seating.
Wedding Entertainment Plans Are Happening Last week a post by Victoria Beckham broke the Internet when she posted a photo of the Spice Girls with the hashtag #friendshipneverends teasing a reunion. But wait, it gets better. It’s reported that Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell has suggested the Royal Wedding would be a perfect party to launch a reunion. Geri thinks they should perform at the reception…can you even imagine?!
Takeaway: If you want a killer reception party, you’ve got to think about entertainment and giving your guests a night to remember. While the Spice Girls may not be an option, you can hire amazing local bands, a killer DJ and some cool entertainment surprises to keep the party raging into the wee hours.
The outfit you rock on your wedding day should convey both your personality and your unique sense of style. We’ve put together 10 fashion-forward wedding looks that evoke different bridal vibes to help inspire you.
Whether you’re leaning towards an opulent ballgown with over-the-top jewels or a sleek pantsuit with retro accessories, your bridal ensemble should be one that lets your personality and fashion philosophy shine.
Photography by Ted Belton. Styling by Tara Williams. Hair by Tony Masciangelo, Alcorn Hair/P1M.ca. Makeup by Cia Mandrello, P1M.ca. Nails by John C. Nguyen, CND. First published in the Spring/Summer 2018 issue of Weddingbells.
He asked, you said yes, then naturally you snapped a selfie! However, it wasn’t until he slipped that sparkler on your finger that you realized how difficult taking the perfect engagement ring selfie is. “Hands aren’t always photogenic and tend to be tricky to flatter and pose,” says Rita Remark, the lead nail artist for Essie Canada who regularly creates fashion-forward, photo-ready manicures for Canada’s top fashion and beauty magazines.
We asked Remark for her essential tips for engagement ring selfies. From the right way to pose hands, to the best shade of nail polish. Read her expert advice before you start posting:
What are the key elements for a successful ring selfie? “When taking an engagement selfie, it’s important that the ring is the focal point — you want to be sure it dazzles! When it comes to hand placement, never hyperextend your fingers in a star position because it emphasizes your knuckles and shortens your fingertips. Instead, try shooting your hands flat with a gentle bend in the knuckles or, better yet, holding something like a glass of celebratory champagne. Natural lighting is always best and never use a flash because it will bounce too much light off of your ring and give the image a harsh contrast.”
Are there any tricks for giving fingers an elongated appearance? “A great illusion for making fingers look longer is an oval or almond nail shape. If you have small hands, a square nail shape can actually make your fingers appear stubby or blunted. Oval nails give elegance and have a high-heeled effect on your hands.”
What shade(s) of nail polish do you recommend to make a diamond ring pop? “It’s important not to out-shine the ring with vibrant neon or a high-impact glitter. Make the ring the entire focus of the photo by choosing a nude like Essie Topless & Barefoot or Mademoiselle for a fresh and feminine look. You could also choose a colour that complements your ring like a playful Tiffany-inspired blue or a classic red — I love Essie A List.”
Do you recommend an accent nail on the ring finger to make the bling really pop?
“When considering nail art for an engagement selfie, remember to keep it simple and chic rather than bold and distracting. I love blending colour and metallics with classic nail art looks for a trendy, yet timeless, look. Try a blue polish with a silver moon. I also recommend a two-tone French manicure like the one seen on the runway at Wes Gordon in New York. The mattified red with a shiny burgundy tip was very sophisticated. If you’d like to keep it simple, try a ring finger accent nail with a small crystal near the cuticle.”
What’s your favourite Instagram filter for engagement ring selfies?
“My favourite filters are Valencia and Nashville. I love Valencia because it brightens the photo and gives a warm glow that’s both flattering and romantic. I love Nashville because it also brightens the photo, but gives a slight hint of blue that brightens and whitens everything from teeth to the tips of your nails. It’s important to remember to choose a filter that doesn’t deepen, or over-colour to make it distracting (like the Kelvin filter) and to always forgo the frame option to keep the focus on the photo.”
Since Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle, three-stone engagement rings have officially become the hottest new style of wedding bling. Meghan’s gorgeous yellow gold ring includes a dazzling centre cushion cut diamond Harry sourced from Botswana (the couple have gushed that they fell in love on a special trip there early in their relationship) and two shoulder diamonds taken from Princess Diana’s private collection (they are rumoured to have been part of one of her tiaras). Created by Cleave and Company, a jeweller who has a longstanding relationship with the Royal family, the designer of the ring admits it was the biggest and hardest secret he has ever had to keep! Cleave and Company has also made a statement that they will not offer replicas of this piece, making Meghan’s ring truly one-of-a-kind.
The three-stone ring is a perfect ring choice if you want something a little different and mega-dazzling. It’s a modern classic and wearers love the style as the three stones are thought to represent the past, present and future. Here are eight amazing three-stone engagement ring designs we love.
That’s right, we shot our cover AND a real wedding inside our Spring & Summer 2018 issue with an iPhone! We love nothing more than getting creative, and as technology continues to evolve more photographers are mixing up the tools they use to capture impactful imagery. We thought it would be fun to get creative with some of the photos in our latest issue and used the iPhone 8 Plus to capture some pretty amazing images. Toronto photographer Alvaro Goveia captured our cover image beautifully using just an iPhone—the colour, clarity and boldness of the image blew us away!
We also worked with Toronto wedding photographer Barb Simkova from Tara McMullen Photography in this issue who photographed Kristen and Robert’s romantic Toronto wedding day. “I feel that the most important part of creating high-quality wedding images is to try to get everything right at the moment the photo is being taken rather than relying on your ability to edit later,” Simkova says. Here she outlines some of her favourite features and tips for shooting with an iPhone 8 Plus (and below are some of our favourite photos she captured for us).
1. You can easily control your exposure.
“Most people are unaware that you can control the exposure of an image on a phone but it is a feature that I use the most on the device,” Simokova explains. “To access it you touch the part of the image you’d like to expose for and hold down until you see the small “sun” icon, then simply slide up to brighten the image or down the darken the image.”
2. Learn about burst mode.
“Burst mode is hugely helpful for important, high energy, fast moments. It is an ideal way to capture a great shot of the first kiss, when a couple walks down the aisle or other moments you only have one shot at.”
3. Use the grid system.
“For people who don’t shoot very often, the camera screen grid can be hugely helpful in creating strong images. You can use it to take images that are more straight by aligning the grid with lines you see (corners of rooms, walls etc.) additionally it can help you to centre, practice the rule of thirds and creatively compose your images.”
4. You can work in any light.
“The HDR mode is very helpful when you have mixed lighting scenarios in an image or are shooting at sunset or sunrise and hoping to capture both the sky and the subject in front of you.”
5. Portrait mode rules!
“Portrait mode is certainly the best thing to happen to iPhone photography since Instagram. It is astonishing what kind of depth you can create without the use of a DSLR camera. I find that portrait mode works best in bright, evenly lit areas. One thing to be aware of is that in order to get the depth effect activated, you must get close to your subject and make sure the “Depth Effect” bar is highlighted in yellow.”
Greek designer Christos Costarellos is not new on our wedding style radar—his incredible gowns have been taking our breath away for a few seasons now. He may not be quite a household name yet in North America but trust, he is well on his way.
Costarellos made his first trip to Canada with his dreamy 2018 dresses for a recent trunk show at White Toronto, exclusive Canadian retailer of the line. We caught up with the charming and uber-talented designer to learn more about what inspires him about designing bridal, his favourite looks and what he believes makes for a bride’s perfect dress.
Weddingbells: What is your bridal style philosophy? Christos Costarellos: “The brand’s philosophy in bridal can be described as luxury-bohemian-modern-classic.”
WB: Who is the Christos Costarellos bride? CC: “I believe my work combines a classical, understated elegance with bold femininity and sensuality. In that sense, I design for women who have a strong personality and are not afraid to show it — women that are both classy and edgy and have a new, modern perspective.”
WB: What is the most important thing for a bride to consider when wedding dress shopping? CC: “When the time comes for the future bride to go shopping the important thing when looking in the mirror is to see herself and feel beautiful. Because when a girl loves herself and the way she looks then she radiates confidence, elegance and beauty.”
WB: Your dresses are modern, luxe and a touch bohemian…where do you find inspiration for your designs? CC: “The Greek landscape, history and tradition are at the heart of each of my collections and my bridal line is no exception. Moreover, art, theatre and cinema, literature and even a walk through a city functions as a source of inspiration.”
WB: Do you have a favourite celebrity bride? Who and why did you love her style? CC: “Currently, I am in the process of developing a custom design for a very well-known lady, but I cannot reveal any more at this moment! Selecting a favourite celebrity bride is difficult as I believe every woman is unique and her distinct personality and style identity is reflected on her wedding day.”
WB: Complete this sentence: “A bride’s perfect dress is…” CC: “…the one that reveals her real self and inner beauty.”
We were treated to our first glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as a working royal partnership Friday as they made their first appearance in Nottingham, England for a World AIDS Day event. Four days after the biggest engagement news of the year, the pair looked relaxed, happy and definitely rocked a just-engaged-glow.
We couldn’t help but do a little analysis on their body language as this often speaks volumes about the state of a couple’s relationship (something to definitely keep top of mind for your engagement photos and wedding day pics). Let’s break down a few things we noticed in this photo about Harry and Meghan:
They are focused as one.
No doubt the crowd was shouting their names in all directions, but note how the pair are focusing their attention in the same direction. This is a typically a clue that a couple is on the same wavelength.
They are majorly into one another.
An arm around the waist usually signals a person is marking their territory—the pair are walking arm-in-arm which means they are clearly besotted with each other.
Harry’s heart is full.
It could be that he is keeping bundled up against the December chill, but we think Harry’s hand reaching for his heart signals how he’s feeling about his life right now and bride-to-be Meghan…swoon.
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