Tie it up with a bridal sash

There has definately been a trend in dressing up a simple bridal gown with a fabulous bridal sash. Not only does a belt add a proportional element to the gown defining the waist, it also adds some artistic flair to an otherwise ordinary dress. I have been exploring the bridal belt of late and discovered an increasing number of brides wanting something unique around their waist for their special day. This belt I designed was featured in the latest Brides Magazine and really adds pizazz to this ensemble.

This particular belt is made up of distress organza and duppioni silk roses with tulle and beading. A bride requested the belting to be in black to contrast with gown. How fabulous is that?










This amazing is belt is made with taffeta and
beading and is truly a masterpiece and not for the meek. Imagine how incredible a simple gown would look with this textural element defining the waist?









This tea colored organza belt would look beautiful with any vintage inspired gown with it's pearl beaded and swarovski crystal belt.





This belt would make a gorgeous statement that can't help but be noticed.

Off to the races or Mother of the Bride..there's always a hat for you!

Looking for a chic hat to freshen up your outfit for the big wedding or horse races? Look no further for I have created fabulous hats for all types of clients. If you say you don't look good in hats,one has to first analyze what you mean by that. Hats are all about proportion. The brim height, brim size and brim shape can greatly affect how a hat compliments you.
This lovely upturned cocktail style hat was created for a more
challenging mother of the bride client who didn't want a brim around her face. We decided on an upturned style hat with a head band so that if would sit lightly on the top of her head. Her suit was neutral taupes with gold accents so we went for some fuschia silk and gold fabrics from her outfit to make the roses. I also added gold accents in sinamay. This hat not only compliments the outfit but also the mother of the bride. She is shorter in stature so this hat gave her the height she needed. So if you looking for a hat, remember there is always a hat for you if you think about the proportions and style.






These 2 hats were created for the Kentucky Derby and each client wanted it to compliment their outfit. The navy and red hat went beautifully with her red polka dot shift dress as did the pink and black hat with her hot pink dress. These 2 ladies looked fabulous for the races and left happy customers.








These 2 lovelies are for the more romantic at heart. With larger brims , roses and feathers, they really add retro glam to an outfit.



This beautiful ivory parasisal straw was done for a mother of the bride. She wanted to wear something that complimented her teale and taupe suit with ivory shoes. This was just the hat. Having a shorter stature, she was happy with the upturned brim which framed her face and the tall pheasant added some height.

Exotic Bird

Over the last while , I've noticed a trend and attraction to that beautiful, exotic bird the peacock. All sorts of accessories are incorporating peacock from earrings, to feather combs, to headpieces and hats. These feathers are so beautiful and brilliant in their natural state that little has to be done with them to make an accessory. Recently, I had a bride request a peacock feather pin to wear for her after ceremony. With a simple up do, the pin was attached to the back of the hair and looked fabulous. The shimmer of the feathers really stood out like jewels themselves and can really compliment a wedding gown adding some unique exoticism.


Of course, these peacock are not just reserved for wedding occasions as they can be worn for any festive event. Here is a custom comb I did for a customer who wanted peacock incorporated with splashes of color from pinks and purples to lime greens. This is a fun piece and would go with virtually any outfit.

Adding just a smidgen of veiling can add a vintage appeal to a peacock feather comb. Bridesmaids could certainly go for something like this to compliment the bride.


For the bride who is looking for the exotic veil, she should look no further than adding a few peacock plumes to really add some panache. With a simple ivory gown and black sash, this bride chose something a little different with a black veil , ivory silk bows and a few peacock plumes. Not only did she look gorgeous with this combo but it really made her bridal ensemble unique.

If you really want to go out on a limb with the peacock trend, a cocktail hat would really be a stunning accessory. This hand molded ivory fur felt cocktail base has a myriad of peacock plumes combined with some ivory accents. This hat is truly not for the faint of heart but in my perfect world, everyone would want to stand out and parade like a peacock.

Roses say I do.

Why not stand out from the crowd with these
gorgeous, juicy handmade roses. These extra large roses are for a bride who wants to stand out and look fabulous. They are all handmade using ancient millinery techniques. Although the work is slow and laborious, the results are amazing. Not only is the craftsmanship outstanding but you can customize the size and color of the rose.

These large cabbage style roses have also been popular for the hair and can even be attached to a pin to add to a sash of a simple gown. They certainly make the dress unique. Here is a picture of roses I did in satin and organza silk for a bride who wanted something beautiful for the back of her hair. I think they're beautiful and so did she.




If these seem too large, 2" silk roses on a comb combined with feathers have also been very popular to add that vintage appeal to your gown. And if that still seems a little big, you can always go smaller still with a single 2" rose on a bobby pin. Either way, you'll look fantastic!

Vintage style birdcage veil for Meagan's wedding

Wedding season has begun and already brides are contacting me for veils and feathers for next year. I have found over the years that the vintage style cage veil is still very popular as brides are looking for something fresh and different. Here's a style that suits everyone and can be worn in a variety of ways from cocked to the side or straight up. I added satin rolled roses and feathers to give this piece a soft vintage quality. Meagan was one beautiful bride who went for the birdcage and she looked fabulous.

Here's what she had to say,
"Dear Alice, I wanted to thank you for the beautiful veil and flower you made for me. It was exactly what I had envisioned and I got so many compliments..It made the outfit! Thanks you so much. "Meagan Cameron


Meagan also wanted something to wear in her hair for the after ceremony and chose a fun feather flower. These flowers are light and airy and really add something to the ensemble.

Angela's wedding

What a pleasure to create a veil for a bride who wanted a unique look with an unusual color palette. What a beautiful color combination of burgundy and chartreuse..I love it!

The veil piece I designed was made up of handmade silk roses, green peacock hairs, burgundy feathers and dot veiling. I think it worked beautifully placing it on the side of the head. Thanks Angela.

Here's what Angela had to say:
"Thank you very much for working so hard to bring my wedding day vision to life. You're extremely talented and I love that I was able to meet you. Thanks again. "
Angela Wicentowich

Offbeat bridal hat

I had the good fortune of getting a client who wanted something different for her wedding day. She gave me some ideas and let me have free reign to create this fabulous New Year's Eve wedding hat. These silk roses are laboriously hand- made in my studio . Here's her testimonial:
"I received the hat yesterday and LOVE it!!!

Thank you so much. I will be sure to take plenty of pictures and email you.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Sommer"
Hello Alice,

Thank you so much for the beautiful couture hat you designed for my
New Year's Eve wedding. Your enthusiasm to work with my vision, along
with your suggestions and design created a perfect "anniversary" hat
for many years to come. Thank you so much for all your efforts!

Thank-you ,Sommer. It's customers like you that keep me wanting to be a milliner.
Sincerely,
Alice Hart Couture Millinery