July 21, 2009

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2010 Preview



Thursday, July 30th through Saturday, August 1st we will be hosting a very special preview of the Spring 2010 Monique Lhuillier Bridal Collection. As usual, Monique has out done herself and the gowns are divine! By appointment only.

To view the complete Monique Lhuillier bridal collection click here.

Video from Brides.com.

July 20, 2009

A Great Way to Personalize Your Wedding Gown

The classic satin ribbon sash with gown, "Jaqueline" by Monique Lhuillier

One aspect of the Bridal Atelier that I am most proud of is the personal service that my wonderful consultants strive to provide to each and every bride who enters our doors. They truly work with each bride to help them create a look that is uniquely their own. Lately, I have been noticing accessories playing a larger part in the styling process, most noticably belts.

Belts and sashes are not new to bridal. But they became increasingly popular in the past few years as designers began to show more natural waisted styles. Monique Lhuillier re-introduced the satin ribbon sash in her 2003 collection. She encouraged brides to try different sashes with many different styles of her gowns......full ballgowns, narrow A-lines, and everything LACE!!! Eventually, her sashes became available in several shades of whites and ivories, as well as vibrant and rich hues like teal, Victorian Rose & plum. Her styles influenced the entire bridal market!

Today's top designers offer sahses and belts in a multitude of fabrics with various beading and embellishments. I love that my staff can read a bride who loves a gown by one designer and but thinks it needs a "little something." They add a belt, possibly from a different designer, and it adds exactly what the bride was looking for! A unique gown that is a look all their own.

Belts and sashes are also great for drawing attention to some areas of the figure and de-emphasizing other areas. A girl with a pear shape may feel her hips look big in a gown, but when a beatiful belt is added, attention is brought to her waist and the hips de-emphasized. The same is especially true for a girl with a boy shape, even a simple organza sash can suggest a shaped waistline.

Here are some of the most popular belts at the Atelier right now:
#1 by Monique Lhuillier, #2 by Carolina Herrera, #'s 3-5 by Lela Rose



Here is a fabulous belted look, The Willow gown by Lela Rose:


Here's to tying one on!

Best,
Mark

July 16, 2009

Angel Sanchez Trunk Show



This week the Bridal Atelier welcomes one of our favorite designers, the amazingly talented Angel Sanchez. Angel's bridal collection is always a highlight of market week, see for yourself in this video via Brides.com.

This trunk show is by appointment only, July 16th through July 18th.

July 14, 2009

My Friend and Atelier Bride Vanessa Rissetto



I wanted to try something a little different today and blog about my dear friend Vanessa Rissetto. Vanessa is a fabulous nutritionist who we recommend on our vendor page to brides for nutritional counseling.

Fate brought Vanessa and I together. We met when I was a featured guest on the Martha show in the Fall of 2005. The Martha team had asked me to help "save" three brides who had not been successful in their gown search. We had each of the three lovely brides to my Atelier and helped them find and style the best look for their wedding day. We then appeared with the girls on Martha for a fashion runway segment of their new wedding day looks. At the end of the segment, Martha and I surprised each of the girls by telling them their gown was a gift from me! To view a clip of the show on the Bridal Atelier website, click here.

As Vanessa returned to the Atelier to finalize the details of her gown and have her fittings, we got to know each other better. She invited me to her beautiful wedding at Fordham University and gorgeous reception overlooking the New York skyline and Hudson River. I felt like part of the wedding party; helping Vanessa into her dress and partying with her and her bridesmaids before the ceremony. I was even priviledged to ride with her to the church! I felt very special and blessed to be part of her big day. We all danced the night away and I truly felt I had known Vanessa's family and friends forever!

Since her wedding, Vanessa and I get together frequently. I am the godfather to her Yorkie "Marley"!!!! She has also helped me with my daily diet and meal planning. She has taught me so much about nutrition and the importance of healthy eating. So many of my brides come in for fittings and are losing weight incorrectly. It only adds more stress to this happy time in their life! Seeking the advice of a nutritional counselor, like Vanessa, is the right way to go!

For more info on Vanessa, check out her blog!

Best,
Mark

July 8, 2009

What style gown is best for a fall wedding?



From Brides.com:

What style gown is best for a fall wedding?
Mark Ingram gives his advice on how to choose the right dress for your autumn celebration

Instead of white, think seasonal and shop for an ivory or off-white dress. A sash in chocolate brown, plum or navy adds an autumnal accent to your gown. It may be nippy, so stick to heavy fabrics like guipure lace or silk mikado. For a formal celebration, consider a fabric with a shine or luster such as satin or silk velvet. "Traditionally you would not wear an organza or organdy dress," says Mark Ingram, owner of the Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier in New York City. "These fabrics are fine for summer or spring weddings, but they are too sheer for fall." To stay toasty during the ceremony, wear a stole or matching bolero.

photo by Dan Lecca
gown by Jenny Packham

July 7, 2009

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2010 Preview Week is here!


photo by Dan Lecca from Brides.com

The Spring 2010 Oscar de la Renta Preview week is going and now and the gowns are simply divine! No other designer masters elegance and luxury like Mr. De la Renta. This is the first opportunity to see his complete new collection before it is available in stores. The collection is here through Saturday by appointment only.

To view the 2010 collection click here.

To view a video of the 2010 runway show on The Knot TV click here:
New! Fashion Report: Oscar De La Renta-1

Shared via AddThis

July 2, 2009

Advice From Town&Country Weddings

Caroline Sorota of Town& Country, A lovely MOB and Bride, and Heidi Mitchell

Our brides are raving about the great advice they were able to receive at our recent Summer Salon with Style. Heidi Mitchell, Editor in Chief of Town&Country Weddings was on hand to speak with many of the brides and their mothers. As Editor, Heidi hand picks the gorgeous real weddings and luxurious fashions that grace the pages of Town&Country Weddings. We asked her to tell us some of the tips she shared with guests at the event.

"At the Mark Ingram bridal event last week, I had the opportunity to talk with some real brides – who of course made their first post-engagement stop the Mark Ingram Atelier. It was a pleasure to get to hear their stories and to discuss some of the issues that brides face. One in particular wondered what was appropriate for a fall bride to wear. I walked her around and showed her some looks in the space, explaining that, in cooler weather, you can go for heavier fabrics and more embroidery. Strapless is still great, but you should consider a shrug or wrap – not only to keep you warm outside, but to vary photography. I love the idea of a funky shrug paired with a sleek A-line strapless gown – the look is timeless.
Another bride asked about what her mother should consider wearing. This one is tricky, as you don’t really want to tell Mom what she must wear, but then again, you don’t want to see her sashaying down the aisle in a white gown with a train! It’s important to steer the mother of the bride toward age-appropriate looks. This can still mean a sleeveless dress or even cocktail length, but simplicity is key. She should look elegant, not overpower the bride in her style, and not have too much going on. Sway her away from colors that are too neutral – a pale champagne can look a little bit like mom is competing with the bride. Although she is likely footing the bill, technically, this is not her day (although my groom reminded me throughout the whole process that it actually was all about mom, so there you go!)."

Thank you for sharing Heidi and we look forward to your next fabulous issue!

Our model Candy wearing a gown from Lela Rose, Ellen Weldon of Ellen Weldon Designs, Heidi Mitchell and a Bride to Be!


photos by Brian Dorsey Studios