Pleased as punch to be part of this beautifully curated group on the Etsy home page today!

Pleased as punch to be part of this beautifully curated group on the Etsy home page today!

Beatrix in Vacationland.

I sent little Beatrix up to Maine for a photo shoot with the very talented Corbin Gurkin. This little stunner is a preview shot--can't wait to see more!

Neckline detail.

for Angela.

one more...

 Lisa Lefkowitz Photography

...from the "Happily Ever Austen" shoot, now featured on Style Me Pretty...model is wearing my dotted tulle gown with empire lace bodice and my silk shantung embellished ruffle bolero.

It's happening!

Summer is upon us, and all those real-live, honest-to-goodness weddings are truly and totally taking place! This proof just in: Sandy's smashing photos of her recent celebration. The bride wore Oysters & Pearls.

You can see more photos and read dramatic details of her 19-year-romance with Dararith here. Thank you and congratulations, Sandy!

All photos: Nancy Neil Photography

Wedding editorial for Project Wedding.

The always-inspiring Chelsea asked me to collaborate with her on a bridal photo shoot with romantic, ballet-themed accents.

Lately I've been really intrigued by the two piece wedding dresses I've been seeing, so I designed a dress with two removable skirts. One is full length in tutu-pink tulle--it turns the whole ensemble into a ballgown...

 ...the other is a melon green silk organza mini with a wide waistband and transparent hem. You can just barely make out the hem of the ivory satin mini-dress underneath!

Silk flowers are from my collection -- the large floral headband in the first photo is from Twigs & Honey.

This was so fun to do, and our model Hannah was a peach to work with.

See the whole story over at Project Wedding.

Styling: Chelsea Fuss 
Hair and Makeup: Madeleine Roosevelt
All photos: Lisa Warninger

A sweet occasion.

The ladies at The Sweetest Occasion and Elizabeth Anne Designs were kind enough to feature one of my dresses in their recent photo shoot collaboration. Modeled on my Giselle dress, this one of a kind gown features a lace trimmed dotted tulle skirt and lace embroidery at the waistline. She's at Lovely for a limited time--should she be yours?

Meanwhile, you can view the entire suite of photographs here and here. Thanks Cyd and Ami!

Who's that girl?

Here's Dana with her lovely mom, Betty. A couple of stunners, no? I finished Dana's custom wedding gown today: ivory silk crepe with cap sleeves and a bias flounced skirt. It suits her beautifully and I can't wait to see photos of her wedding day. Dana's a hard-working woman and she had completely lost her voice when she came for her final fitting today. Betty stepped in as interpreter, but I let myself imagine that Dana was just speechless with delight. I worked up a special floral corsage for the shoulder of her dress:

It's a mix of silk organza flowers, ostrich feathers, lace, velvet leaves, vintage brooches, pearls, and 1920s glass and gilt buttons.

A special piece for a very special lady.

Simple, swiss dot, sateen.

One of the best parts about my job is that I get to meet incredible women, many of whom become friends. Brittany asked for a simple (simple!) dress--I could tell she was exasperated with the typical bridal fare, and I love coming to the rescue when I sense dress-related despair. I also instantly liked Michael, her fiancé (now husband, of course). I was thrilled to see that their wedding was featured on one of my favorite wedding blogs, Snippet & Ink. Brittany and Michael's personalities really come through in the details they chose for their celebration. Brittany's swiss dot and sateen dress was every inch her... as it should be on such a special day. You can see more pictures (and read all about their whip-smart wedding) here.

vintage.

Bits of a vintage silk organza gown have a new life in store...

a new one.

...still kind of a secret.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

No, it really is--wind gusts ripping the tulips to bits, rain flying in all directions, and a cold that seems too, too impolite for April. Thankfully, Emily's dress is so delightful.

Lace illusion bodice over cream silk shantung, tulle gathered overskirt, and champagne silk sash. Every material used in this dress is a slightly different tone of vintage-y cream or ivory, and I love how not matchy-matchy it is.

Moody blues.

These watercolor blues and greens seem just right for sunny/stormy April. Flower and leaf dress embellishment and sash for Sarah.

Postcard from the secret laboratory.

True, posting has been a bit sparse of late--my sewing machine is a jealous mistress. To each and every one of you lovely ladies who has chosen to wear one of my dresses for your wedding day, I am truly honored. So honored, that for now it's less typing, more sewing! Thank goodness the weather has been absolutely rotten. Nothing keeps a girl on task quite like a Portland spring.

Oysters & Pearls (full length) for Amy.

Don't call it gray.

You may know that grey (I just really have to spell it that way--so much prettier!) is my favorite color, so I'm happy Shontee let me talk her into this lovely silvery bolero to go over her wedding dress. Embellishments are silk organza flowers, hand dyed bits of lace and embroidery, and vintage pearls and jewels.

Isn't it Lovely?

I'm pleased to announce that my 2010 bridal collection, "Heroines," will soon be available at Lovely, a new bridal boutique opening in New York City. Lanie, proud owner, has handpicked a beautiful crew of independent designers for her shop's debut, and I'm honored to be among them (that's my Oysters & Pearls dress on her home page--I'm so proud!). If you're on the hunt for a dress and within shopping distance of NY, definitely stop in. Check Lovely's website and blog for more information. As of press time, opening date is scheduled for April 3rd!

A trailer-full of love.

Christine just sent over this lovely feature about her wedding on Style Me Pretty. Working with her on her dress was such a fun project, and I'm happy to see that the wedding was a stylish success just busting with unbuttoned, west coast charm. I also have to share this wow photo of her whole ensemble:

Photos: Michael Underwood

Adieu, Bella Flora

This little lady is about to leave the studio to meet her new destiny as Brooke's wedding dress, but I did want to give her a proper goodbye photo shoot. I wish I could say that the gauzy, vignette-y photo technique is intentional, but really I can only do so well with my point-and-shoot once the afternoon light has fled my windows. Hopefully Brooke will have some sunnier wedding photos to share--that's always best.

A day of rest.

photo: Myra Callan

Will you just look at these beautiful ladies? Our annual English Dept. bridal fashion show came off without a hitch yesterday (hurrah!). Thanks to everyone who attended, helped out, carried stuff, cheered us on, fixed a zipper, or modeled (l to r: Lacey, Jenna, Linda May, Sarah, Jillian, Kathleen, Canyon). I feel honored to have such beauty and talent all around me. A million thanks. And now, a nap.