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:: today's bride ::

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New York Market

Posted April 2008

What a difference from last year! New York had record breaking rainfall last year, but this year was absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite places in New York is the garden in front of St. Bartholomew’s Church on Madison Ave. The Japanese magnolia was in full bloom along with the tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. I could smell the sweet blooms even over the normal New York smells of exhaust and garbage. It was such a treat.

Each market I look forward to seeing the new trends. I always have my ideas of what brides are wanting and how we will see the influences of ready to wear fashions, and I love to find out that I’m on the right track. The one new trend that was consistent with all of the maids or special occasion lines is the Baby Doll dress. You will see it by Lazaro, B2 by Jasmine and Jim Hjelm. My favorite was in lemon silk shantung with a sweetheart neckline and empire bodice by Jim Hjelm Occasions. Also, most of the “tea-length” dresses are now actually knee length. Of course, knee length on a 5”10” model may be tea length on others.

As far as bridal trends go, watch for more lace and soft fabrics. Alvina Valenta is putting white lace on ivory silk. I love the contrast because it makes the lace pop. The gowns can be made traditionally also with white on white or ivory on ivory. The designers are continuing to show more necklines other than strapless such as V-necks which are so flattering on most every body type. There are a few great V-necks in a variety of fabrics by Gavin Michaels and Elizabeth Darcy both for 2Be Bridal.

Tuesday afternoon I set out on a walk form our hotel on Lexington (the W Hotel) to visit the new flagship store for Pronovias on 52nd St. between Madison and 5th Ave. Pronovias is our designer from Barcelona, Spain and the most popular designer in all of Europe. I have visited their store there and wasn’t surprised to see how similar the New York store is. It isn’t large at all, and is obviously set up for appointments only, but is it just as obvious European in look and feel. Lots of chrome, black and white and sleek furniture.

After all of the new grandbabies in our family (3 since January) my husband and I were grateful to get away for a few days. We enjoyed getting back into the swing of things and even managed to steal a few hours just for ourselves. I love living in Colorado and would never want to live in New York City but I do enjoy visiting each spring.

All of the new styles should start arriving in late June and continue right up to the next market in October. Visit the designers’ websites to see photos of the styles then call and find out which ones we will be showing here at The Bridal Collection.

Happy Spring,
GayLynn

Annual 2Be Bridal Meeting

Posted August 2007

As board members, Lynn and I flew to Philadelphia a day early to help with the set up and preparation for the annual meeting of the independent salons from across the country that are part of the 2Be Bridal organization. We were especially looking forward to this meeting because we have worked for a year on the gowns for 2008. At this meeting, each of the salons chose gowns for their stores. It was so exciting to see our designs well received! Lynn is very talented in determining what trends and styles today's brides will want for their weddings.

We will have the entire line in our salon for preview from August 6th through August 14th! They will be available for weddings after March 15, 2008. Watch for softer fabrics, feminine styling and more romance.

In addition to the fashion shows, we participated in a seminar presented by Rick Segel. Mr. Segel is a consultant for businesses, big and small, around the worls. Of the many subjects covered, I found the information comparing and contrasting different generations and their shopping tendencies the most interesting. I never thought of it before, but my daughters do go about shopping differently than I do and I'm a lot different than my mom. For more information about Rick Segel, visit his website: www.ricksegel.com

I love American history, making Philadelphia one of my favorite places to visit. We were privileged to have dinner at The Union League. Formed during the Civil War as an organization to support President Lincoln and the preservation of the union, the Union League has more Civil War artifacts than any other place in the country. It was fascinating! On display are bronze sculptures of President Lincoln's head and hands, which were made from actual plaster castings. If only the walls in this incredible building could talk what tales they could tell!

After the early mornings and late nights, we were exhausted by the time we returned home on Wednesday - but what a great trip. If you have a chance, come by to see the 2008 previews. I'm sure you will be just as pleased.

GayLynn

June visit to Spain for Pronovias Market

Posted June 2007

This year’s visit to Barcelona was 2 weeks earlier than usual and what a difference 2 weeks can make. The weather was much cooler; the best we’ve ever had. We took a side trip up to Monserrat, a monastery and basilica dating back to the 800’s. We rode a cog rail train to reach the site. The wild flowers along the way were gorgeous. I recognized a lot of the same varieties that we have here. While there, we heard a boy’s choir sing at the mid-day mass. I had never heard a European boy’s choir before. They truly sounded like angels.

The business end of the trip was also the most pleasant it has ever been. After the formal fashion show on Friday night, the curtain fell away to reveal a wedding reception just getting started. They continued to portray a wedding reception theme for our formal dinner complete with elaborate white rose center pieces, cold gazpacho soup served in shot glasses and a band. At the beginning of the dancing, “guests” performed numbers from the Broadway hit Momma Mia. The bride’s “father” welcomed the guests and asked everyone to join the dancing. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Pronovias is always setting new trends in bridal wear. I was very pleased with the looks for 2008. You will still find lace and the ever popular fit and flare look. New twists are two piece gowns with corset tops and simple gowns with long lace over-tops. The lace over tops give the bride two distinct looks; a more formal, demure look for the ceremony and a sophisticated strapless gown for the reception. Pronovias broke away from the traditional Spanish mantilla veil last year with great success. The 2008 line will have many new matching veils as well.

All in all, this was a great trip! I’m very excited about the new styles for 2008 brides. Gowns will begin to arrive in October. Visit Pronovias’ website to preview the new looks. Just call to find out which of the styles we will have here at The Bridal Collection.

In July we will attend the annual meeting for all 2Be stores. As board members, we have been very involved in the designing of the 2008 line. Check in here in late July for the scoop on that meeting and what to expect from 2Be. In the mean time; happy wedding planning!

Best Regards, GayLynn

Spring 2007 Las Vegas and England Bridal Markets

Posted October 2006

From Denver to Las Vegas to Philadelphia to Manchester to Harrogate England, September’s market trips were a whirlwind. Lynn and I spent a quick two days in Las Vegas first. At this market we view the new Maggie Sottero styles as well as flower girl dresses shoes and lingerie. More and more color seems to be a trend; will we see it in England and New York also? Felina has a great new strapless bra perfect for under formal wear. We also saw the latest in tuxedo styles. We are thrilled with the new chocolate brown tuxedo. Could we see something in gray? Maybe next season.

From Las Vegas we flew to Philadelphia where we met up with designer Sabrina Toy and Teri Hilferty of 2B Bridal. After our over night flight to Manchester, England we took a bus to the train station, then a train to Leeds, then a cab to Harrogate which is located in the northern central part of England. The first order of business was food, then a shower and sleep! England, which has no air conditioning, was in the middle of a heat wave. Over 80 degrees! We wore our suits and looked good anyway. The English market meets only once a year and in only one location. We think this is a better way than our system of multiple locations twice a year. European designers and buyers are also at this market.

While in Harrogate, we browsed through several shops of ready to wear. We found a local designer whose new line was very 60’s retro. We loved the natural waist lines and circular skirts with smart little jackets. Think Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn, styles my mother wore when I was a young girl. Watch Sabrina Toy’s new line next spring; she loved the look also.
We found an old friend; Ian Stuart. Ian designed for the American market a few years ago. He left here and started designing in England. We love his European ball gowns in elegant silks and wonderful colors. He calls his 2007 collection “Water Colors”. We are proud to announce that we will be one of only 3 stores in America carrying his line beginning in January. Welcome Back Ian! One thing we realized after visiting the English market is that the time lag between what is new and “hot” in Europe and what is popular here in America is shrinking. The world is becoming a smaller place, thanks in a big part to the internet. American women are far more aware of fashion on an international level than ever before.

All in all, we loved our trip to Harrogate and the English market. We received a great deal of confirmation about what we buy and the direction we are taking with our salon.

Best Regards,
GayLynn Rediger