THE FINE ART OF WEARING FLORALS

johntphotography/hair by Kathi Rothkop of Salon Glam

Think of it--florals in your hair.  They pair up so nicely with simple gown silhouettes adding a tropical feel, A-lines and ball gowns with a touch of the romantic.  There are three kinds of florals: Fresh, artificial and hand-rolled fabric flowers.  All are beautiful choices.  Fresh can be ordered through your florist possibly echoing some of those in your bouquet.  Artificial flowers are typically silk, some so well made they look like they were just picked out of the garden.  Hand-rolled flowers are made out of fabric like dupioni, organza or shantung, sometimes in the same fabric as your gown.  These have a real haute couture look and are usually attached to a barrette or spongy wire-wrap.  You’ll need the help of a hairdresser incorporating fresh flowers into your hair.  Artificial ones sometimes come with an attached comb.  If not, you’ll need help anchoring these in.  Some hairstylists will even weave poufs of netting through the flowers, creating a real high-fashion look. Below are some of my fave pics from shoots with top hair designers . . . .

photo by Shannon Stellmacher

Above: A loose chignon and happening trend by hairstylist Julie Morgan accented with a pale yellow silk rose

 Sweetlight Studios

 Dominic Colacchio Photography

 S1 Studio

Looking for a bit of Boho?  Wreaths can be so romantic and conjure images of wood nymphs and angels.  You can use silk or fresh florals.  For the latter, florists can put these together.  My personal faves are made of English Ivy, dried roses and Baby's Breath . . . .

 S1 Studio

Above: Silk florals attached to a bun by hairstylist Dana Faulkner add some haute chic with a touch of romanticism . . . .Below: A white silk rose with a swathe of netting is attached to a chignon by hairstylist Crystal Saville

 Sweetlight Studios

The five photos below detail some of the innovative work of of hair artist and designer Kathi Rothkop of Salon Glam in Novato, California.  For her, heads and hair are the perfect canvas for creating . . . .

Lirette Photography

 Henley Photography

 Henley Photography

 Lirette Photography

lirette Photography

All gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

CALIFORNIA RANCH CHIC

Being from California naturally I love ranch style, a kind of loose and casual mix of rustic juxtaposed with the antique elegance found in old missions and vineyards of Southern California.  When photographer Shannon Stellmacher and makeup artist Julie Morgan headed down to Sunstone Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, three of the dresses in my collection went with them for this stylized shoot.  Here's the result of what happens on a perfectly sunny April day when nature meets the finest parts of architecture and art . 

CREDITS

                                                                       Photography by Shannon Stellmacher

Dresses and head chic by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Makeup and Hair by Julie Morgan

Venue: Sunstone Winery

OH LA LA!

How I love organzas, tulle, crinolines and organdy with a mix of laces thrown in for good measure.  Put it all together and you have some really serious Oh La La! happening.  I lucked out recently when I met up with Natalie, the model in this series who has studied ballet all her life.  Put her in my dresses (inspired by the 1950s, Dior, Giselle, La Sylphide, and Swan Lake) and she just seems to float even in still photographs . .

The beauty of the 'Beatrix' Dress above is in the silhouette.  A full circular skirt and layers of tulle give the dress its hourglass shape.  Gardenias add a touch of romanticism and top off the ballerina look . . . .

Above and Below: Feeling frou frou?  The A-lined  'Gigi' Dress in an embroidered organza topped off with a tulle uber-pouf  is the perfect froth for Oh La La! weddings. . .

 

Above: The White Rose Fascinator is just the right head chic to mix up with satin, embroidery, tulle, crinoline and lace.  What beautiful movement . . . .

Below: A ballgown silhouette in embossed file is accented with and embroidered taffeta sash and silk dupioni headpiece . . . . 

 

 
 Above: The look of a traditional bride in a bouffant gown paired up with a hand embroidered belt . . .


Credits:
Photography by Bride Chic 2012
Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride