Here Comes the Bride

Here Comes the Bride by aprilrain007 

The summer season has always been one of the most popular times to get married, the weather is nice and you can pretty much wear any style gown on your wedding day. So in celebration of all things summer, we rounded up our top five trends for wedding dresses. And we use the word trend very lightly.....as these ideas are definitely here to stay.

Color

This summer is all about pretty hues, blushy pinks, pale grays and even shots of black are taking center stage with style savvy brides. We love that these colors give girls an alternative to white or ivory and provide a perfectly beautiful foundation that can inspire your entire wedding palette. Designers are experimenting with colored wedding gowns. Solid pink dresses and pastel dresses are popular, appearing on many spring/summer runways this year.

Sleeves 
After Kate Middleton set the tone with elegant lace sleeves, we knew this style would become a mainstay in gown design. But those gorgeous lace beauties have inspired varieties of many, with sleeves crafted from delicate and often times intricate fabrics gracing gowns everywhere. Aside from offering a modest bride more options then ever, this style is simultaneously current and utterly timeless. We saw Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn don pretty sleeved wedding dresses and now we're celebrating a whole new take on this classic. Love, love, love!

Illusion necklines (Victorian styles)
There is something wildly sexy about an illusion neckline. The idea that it's covering up without covering everything is perfect for a wedding. And with fabrics running the gamut of sweet and delicate to more substantial beading and lace, there is an illusion neckline for every type of bride. The Victorian styles are an inspiration for the 2012 bridal season. Long, full skirts paired with corsets, chokers and high necklines was seen all over the bridal runways this season.

Lace, lace and more lace (and a whole lot of texture)
The detail on wedding gowns from the last couple of seasons has been awe-inspiring, not to mention that the lace is getting more and more beautiful. From fitted and modern to classic and timeless complete with delicate sheer accents and trains for days, the application of lace is so versatile and so stunning.

Fabric detailing and layer upon layer of ruffles
Dreamy fabric ruffles are the gold standard in our book. Layers of lightweight fabric dancing in the breeze, flirting with everyone while still being firmly planted in tradition. And layers of ruffles aren't even the half of it this season. Fabric details are off the charts, from intricate knotting to sweet floral accents, the handwork is outstanding. 

But if you're in search of something trendy and unique this wedding season, be sure to check out two-tier style dresses. This style dress feature two layers that will create an avant-garde feel to your wedding. 

For those brides to be that love to show off their curves, be sure to try dresses with mermaid silhouettes. This style gown is perfect for showing off a curvy figure. It will also bring attention to your hips and legs.

The trend of having a separate reception dress shows no sign of stopping. Many brides will choose to have a fuller, more ornate dress for their ceremony, and a shorter or more casual dress for the reception. It is clear that the latter should be much more relaxed and fun. Kate Middleton choose this for her wedding and made quite a statement. This is a trend that's here to stay.

Where ever you decide to have your wedding, at the beach, in the city, in the country, or even in Vegas....STAY ON TREND this wedding season.

Vegas Bride by aprilrain007 featuring wedding rings

Congratulations to melissa, who is part of The Model Squad in NYC. She just got engaged, yeah!!! This post is dedicated to her!

We love you :)

Beach Chic Cover Ups

Beach Chic by aprilrain007 featuring genuine leather handbags

Today is officially summer which means time to hit the beach but finding that perfect swimsuit is just as important as finding that perfect cover up, sometimes you gotta cover it up. Designers have really stepped it up this year, designing chic but versatile cover ups.

Years ago oversized T-shirts and beach towels tied in a knot around your waist used to be the rage. Nowadays, however, swimwear cover ups have become a trend that just might be around for a long time. Why? Sexy lingerie stores and swimsuit shops across the nation are displaying sheer and exotic garments that will not only cover up a bikini but they can now be used as seductive robes or fashionable items to wear at the beach resorts, on boats, and while dining at a seaside restaurant.

Many designers are also choosing to add sheer dresses, shorts, and tiny skirts to their swimsuit cover up inventory. So, you can accentuate specific parts of your body with a cover up, and you can disguise or hide other parts of your body that you'd rather not be exposed while you're at the pool or the beach.

The first thing you'll need to do before buying a cover up is to figure out what part of your body, you want to cover up. Also, choose a color in the cover up that matches a color in your swimsuit.

The best cover ups and summer dresses can go from beach to swank restaurant and beyond. It just takes a little imagination and having multitasking clothing is a big help when packing for a trip. If a beach cover up can't be worn with more than one type of outfit -- don't buy it!

Look for pieces that are versatile like sundresses and tunics. You should browse until something looks like it will go with other travel clothes. There are nightgowns that look like maxi dresses, cover ups that work as jackets, and sheer caftans that could rock at nightclubs. Play with it!

Here are some examples:

Sheer cover up - can be layered over a simple tank dress or a tank top with a pair of jeans.
Maxi dress - can be worn with a fabulous sun hat to a cruise-ship, pool, but by adding huge earrings, and an armload of Boho bracelets, the same dress can be perfect for dinner.
Sundress - is appropriate for a beach wedding. However, add platform sandals, don a giant glamour ring, and clip some tropical flowers into one's hair, and the same dress can be worn for a night of clubbing.
Strapless dress - looks great in a solid or a pattern, it can go from day to night just add some cute strappy sandals.
Silk caftan - looks good on any body type, pick a vibrate pattern think tribal.
Lace dress - use this as a swimsuit cover up. Then, layer it over a simple dress or a cami with denim cutoffs.

Cover ups that seem to be very popular right now are the short tube dresses, flowing caftans, semi-sheer tunics, shirt dresses, flirty skirts and sweet-looking sundresses.

Cover Ups by aprilrain007 featuring silk tops

Hit the beach in style!

Shorts & Seashells

Shorts & Seashells by aprilrain007 featuring pleated shorts

When temperatures heat up, chic shorts become an integral part of our warm-weather wardrobes. Some of our favorite summer memories is grabbing our shorts, heading to the beach & digging for seashells. That's why we are delighted to bring you a cultivated selection of the very best for summer 2012.

Versatile summer outfits that look more complicated than they really are start with an arsenal of interesting bottoms -- specifically, shorts. Whether spotted, striped, pleaded, cuffed or splashed in all-over print, they will make any plain, white tank or T-shirt look like a complete outfit with very little effort, and your favorite summer sandals look positively inspired....we love shorts!

We think expanding your collection with new, sophisticated styles is a smart idea this season. The structured jacket teamed with a pajama-inspired shorts is a cool city-girl look and offers a fresh way of wearing summer shorts. While casual denim cutoffs or classic cargos are closet staples. With that in mind, we rounded up a number of shorts for you to try, including luxurious lace-trimmed pairs and sportier versions. We invite you to peruse these fashionable picks, perfectly suited for all summer festivities. We're quite certain that none of these lovely pieces will fall short :)

Bermuda

With their tailored silhouette and demure hemline, knee-length Bermuda shorts are an ideal style to wear to the workplace. Elevate them with a sharp blazer and t-strap heels, for the office, or swap in a simple silk tank and espadrilles when you want a more dressed-down ensemble.

Slouchy Pleated

If you're after a figure-flattering silhouette, just tuck a snug top in, pleated shorts with a waist-tie to balance the proportions of a fuller leg. We suggest a top in a punch tropical or floral print.

Lace-Insert

Feminine shorts trimmed in seductive lace bring a touch of boudoir appeal to you outfit. As a stylish and unexpected alternative to a dress or skirt, wear them paired with a silk camisole and strappy heels for an evening out.

Sporty

Sports style was in competition as the top trend for spring/summer 2012, with labels like Alexander Wang, Ruffian and Y-3 featuring mesh fabrics and uniform-like outfits in their collections. Channel the look with athletic-inspired shorts, then temper the sporty vibe with a slightly feminine blouse for a surprising contrast. A tucked-in button-down shirt in a bold hue in another splendid option to balance out the shorts' casual vibe.

This is the no-brainer way to make an impact, and all it takes is putting on a pair of shorts in the morning -- seriously, so easy!

*Happy Summer*

CFDA Awards 2012

The Row by aprilrain007 featuring stretch leather pants

The 2012 Council of the Fashion Designers of America Awards took place, June 4th @ Lincoln Center in New York City. It was a big night as the CFDA's 50th golden anniversary, brought out the premier designers. The awards are like the "Oscars" of the fashion industry, as they recognize top talent in the business with a series of prestigious awards and honors. 

Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers hosted the event and poked fierce fun at the crowd's expense. "Fashion and comedy go together like bar mitzvahs and John Galliano", he joked in his opening monologue, later joshing that Karl Lagerfeld is launching a new TV show called Are You Fatter Than A Fifth Grader? Maybe Fashionistas do have a sense of humor?!

Twin tycoons Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen won the fashion industry's top trophy -- Womenswear Designer of the Year - for their high end line, The Row, a luxury apparel brand named after London's historic Savile Row. This means that the twins have successfully grown from child stars to authentic fashion designers. 

The sisters naturally wore the latest designs from The Row's Resort 2012 collection. Mary-Kate's hair was dyed dark brown, and she wore a long-sleeved black silk dress with a sash and a high-low hem. She accessorized with Louis Vuitton black suede peep-toe heels and a black purse by The Row with a silver layered necklace. Ashley wore a plum-hued silk V-neck dress, also from their resort collection, with a willowing ruffle down the middle, silver cuff bracelets Manolo Blahnik heels and a bag by The Row.

A list of winners: 

Menswear Designer of the Year - Billy Reid

Accessory Designer of the Year - Reed Krakoff

The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talents awards - Joseph Altuzarra (Womenswear), Phillip Lim (Menswear) and Tabitha Simmons (Accessory) 

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award - Tommy Hilfiger

The International Award - Rei Kawakubo

Fashion Icon Award - Johnny Depp

Oh, and Johnny Depp accepted his Fashion Icon Award via email. Really Johnny? Not even a video acceptance speech? That's just plain rude!

CONGRATS to all the WINNERS!