Rose Taft Special Occasion Trunk Show

Making of the Oscar de la Renta Bridal Collection

OHH we LOVE this video of the making of the new Oscar de la Renta Bridal Collection. Especially since the entire collection is here right now for our trunk show!!!

Kevan Hall White Label Collection Returns to Mark Ingram

Last Fall, Mark welcomed his friend designer Kevan Hall to the Atelier to present his first bridal collection to the press. Now the collection returns for the first time for brides to experience. The Kevan Hall White Label trunk show runs Thursday, February 17th, through Saturday, February 19th.

We love Kevan's sophisticated take on soft, romantic bridal gowns. A long time favorite on the red carpet, Kevan's mix of glamour and romance is perfect for our brides!

Melanie Harris for Rose Taft

Starting today, Mark Ingram Atelier will be hosting a very special Rose Taft Special Occasion trunk show featuring the debut of the Melanie Harris Collection designed by Rose Taft's granddaughter Melanie Harris Silverman as well as the beloved Rose Taft collection.

Now, third generation, Melanie Silverman, with tremendous creativity and the love of fashion, has created a collection that is a direct reflection of her modern and fresh design philosophy for today’s younger woman of style. Originally this collection was designed by request only for the likes of several LA stylists and has since drawn the attention of “young Hollywood.”

The Melanie Harris collection is custom made by hand in the Rose Taft factory in Miami, Florida. Each style is meticulously constructed individually by couture craftsman using only the finest fabrications from around the globe.

We love these styles for a bride's engagement or after parties or perhaps for the mother of the occasion who wants a little extra sparkle?

Rose Taft and Melanie Harris Trunk Show will be November 3rd & 4th by appointment only.

Mark and Melanie Harris Silverman

Monique Lhullier

Monique Lhuillier had a beautiful show today! More later, but here is a sneak peak!

A Wonderful Evening to Benefit BRIDES White Hot Hope

Bride's Fashion Editor Rachel Leonard, Bride's Editor in Chief Millie Martini Bratten, Mark Ingram and Designer Anne Barge


What a night! We were honored to welcome Brides Magazine and designers Anne Barge, Angel Sanchez and Rita Vineris of Rivini into the Atelier for an wonderful evening where they discussed inspiration and bridal fashion with Mark. The designers candidly answered questions from brides and a few bloggers on topics ranging from who inspired them to become a designer -Angel and Rita were both encouraged by their seamstress mothers -- to what works best on a petite bride -- Anne answered that one perfectly! Each designer showed off a new gown that they will introduce this week at NY Bridal Market and one lucky bride won a chance to sit with the Bride's editors at Sunday's Anne Barge Fashion Show.

A special thank you to Bride's Magazine, Upper Crust Catering and Classic Travel for participating in the event with us. Classic Travel made a donation to Bride's White Hot Hope Initiative for each bride that registered with them. Additionally, Mark will donate a portion of each Anne Barge, Angel Sanchez or Rivini gown sold to a bride who attended the event to White Hot Hope. White Hot Hope benefits Operation Smile and Dress For Success, two charities we are proud to support!

Models in (from far left to right) Rivini, Anne Barge and Angel Sanchez. Cupcakes from Upper Crust.


Bride's Rachel Leonard and Rita Vineris of Rivini


Angel Sanchez, Mark Ingram and his mother Naomi Ingram


The panel discussing Bridal Style

Alberta Ferretti Debut Trunk Show October 13th-20th

We are so excited to announce we will be hosting the first ever Alberta Ferretti Bridal Trunk Show October 13th through the 20th. Previously, Ferretti bridal gowns have only been internationally available as ready-to-wear gowns. For this special trunk show we will be the first retail salon to offer Ferretti's ethereal bridal gowns as made-to-order. We are thrilled to be able to offer our brides this collection combined with a true made-to-order bridal experience. Take a look below at some additional images from her stunning 2001 collection.






Trunk Show By Appointment Only

Anne Barge

We were just sent a sneak peak of Anne Barge's new advertising campaign. C'est magnifique!! These images are classic and romantic, just like an Anne Barge gown. Which is your favorite?

Liz ,Dick and One Degree of Separation

I recently had a rare leisurely Saturday at the beach to catch up on my magazines. One of my guilty pleasures is Vanity Fair, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a vintage photo of Elizabeth Taylor gracing the cover of the June 2010 issue. The article inside was the delicious re-telling of her whirlwind and scandalous affair…… and subsequent marriage to superstar actor Richard Burton. At the time……and we are talking about the “Mad Men” era of the early ‘60’s, this union shocked the world and was even condemned by The Vatican. Vanity Fair likened them to modern day superstar couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I was just a young lad at the time, but I have to admit that I was totally fascinated and awestruck by the comings and goings of this gorgeous megawatt superstar couple. Of course I was mesmerized by Elizabeth’s breathtaking physical beauty, but as a couple they had tremendous style and chutzpah. And it seems that every move they made was chronicled by the paparazzi! I had other reasons for my fascination, for you see, by only ‘one degree of separation’ I had some personal connection to the legend that was ‘Liz & Dick’.

I will never forget the day that the envelope from my mom arrived at summer sleep-a-way camp. In it was a note and newspaper article chronicling Liz and Dick’s attendance at a Caxton Hall, London wedding. But it wasn’t just any wedding . It was the wedding of Gladys Mills, a personal friend of my family, and Robert Wilson. BobWilson, was personal assistant and confidante to Richard Burton, and Gladys was one of my grandmother’s and great aunt Thelma’s closest friends. Liz & Dick were not just merely guests in attendance at this wedding, but served as Best Man and Matron of Honor to the couple. I have distinct childhood memories of Gladys and Bob…..a dashing, sophisticated and terrifically chic middle aged jet set couple being entertained at my parents’ home. My mother recalled their glamorous life style and the ‘all white and chrome’ apartment in a luxury hi-rise. So given my interest in the whole Liz & Dick saga and a personal connection to Gladys and Bob……..plus my love (even at that age) of all things WEDDINGS, I was in my GLORY!

I was recently sorting through some old family photos when I came across the wedding portraits of Gladys and Bob. I sat down and recalled the thrill of that time for my family, and how excited we all were for her ….not just because of the Liz and Dick thing, but because Gladys & Bob had found each other in their middle age and Gladys was radiantly happy! But of course the Liz and Dick connection raised the thrill factor for this star struck adolescent! Lol!

Please enjoy these few photos that I share from my personal collection.

Luisa Beccaria

While recently in Milan for the Italian Bridal Market, I was able to see the Luisa Beccaria Bridal Collection. My staff and brides are huge fans of their ready to wear collections, so I jumped at the opportunity to view their bridal collection. I was not disappointed! The collection offered romantic ballgowns and cocktail dresses in a palette of pale colors and ivories. The Luisa Beccaria philosophy of "extravagant chic" was evident in the fabrication and exquisite detailing of each piece.

I am thrilled to bring the Luisa Beccaria Bridal Collection exclusively to New York. The collection will be available at my Bridal Atelier in early Fall.

-- Mark








For more informaion on Luisa Beccaria, click here.

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 Bridal Trunkshow Expanded

Great news! Our Oscar de la Renta trunk show has been supersized. The show will now run July 8th through July 17th. We will have the entire new Spring 2001 collection available plus all of our favorite current Oscar pieces.

To entice you, check out this video from Video Fashion Daily covering the Spring 2011 ODLR Bridal runway show. Keep an eye out for Mark discussing his favorite looks.

Angel Sanchez Spring 2011 on VideoFashion

We love, love, love the bridal market videos produced by VideoFashion. Check out this one on Angel Sanchez. The show is stunning and one of our favorites from the past market, but what we love the most is the direct commentary from Angel himself.

Let us know which gowns are your favorites!

ODLR: The Sample Room

We came across this amazing video on Full Frontal Fashion giving a behind the scenes look at the sample and production rooms at Oscar de la Renta. If you watch closely, you can see some bridal looks being developed. This is how true couturiers work, and how we feel bridal gowns should be made. Beautiful design must always be supported by flawless production! Enjoy the video and tune into Full Frontal Fashion for a live stream of the new ODLR Resort Runway show today at 1:00.

Top Tips from Jenny Craig and Mark on Looking and Feeling Your Best on Your Wedding Day

Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting Sara Rue, actress and Jenny Craig celebrity spokesperson, for a tea to celebrate her 40lb weight loss on the Jenny Craig program and her upcoming 2011 wedding. Sara, who most recently starred in one of my fav TV shows Eastwick, was an absolute delight! Her enthusiasm for the Jenny Craig program and her determination to look and feel her best on her wedding day was truly inspiring. After mingling with guests from the bridal industry, Sara and I got down to business and started looking at gowns. I had pre-selected a few choices for her in three categories: Destination, Formal Ballroom and Hollywood Glamour. Sara chose her favorites and is going to get busy on planning her wedding. Once she chooses a venue, she will come back and find her perfect gown.

Sara has learned so much about health and well being from the Jenny Craig program, following are our "official tips" on how to look and feel beautiful on your wedding day.

Both Mark Ingram and Sara Rue agree that it is essential to look and feel your best on what is often considered the most important day of your life! Whether your goal is fitting into the perfect wedding dress, having the ideal hairstyle, being bride buff or just wanting to strut down that aisle with poise, Sara and Mark are here to provide you their top tips on how to ensure complete bridal confidence:

Leading an active lifestyle is a vital part of feeling confident and staying fit – get moving with an activity that you enjoy and you’ll learn to look forward to physical activity rather than dread it. Since starting the Jenny Craig program, Sara Rue has taken up fun activities such as hiking, running mini marathons and walking her dog, Biscuit!

Need more motivation to work out? Have your fiancé join you! Couples jogs are perfect for getting away from all the wedding anxiety and spending some quality time together. Plus, you’ll be bonding and getting fit at the same time so you can slip into the beautiful wedding dress you’ve been dreaming of your whole life. Sara Rue and her fiancé even took up tennis to stay in shape together!

Craving comfort food? You can still eat all the foods you love leading up to the big day – the real secret to slimming down is portion control! Meals that are properly balanced with the correct serving sizes of protein, vegetables and complex carbohydrates will keep you feeling fuller longer without experiencing deprivation. With Jenny Craig, Sara is able to still enjoy her favorite foods like chocolate cake and macaroni and cheese, just in the right serving size.

Plan ahead! As a bride-to-be, you are probably rushing around everywhere getting everything in tip-top shape for the big day, leaving little time to even think about eating healthy. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time – that way, there are no surprise encounters with the vending machine or drive-thru.

Stress can be dangerous to a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Be sure to have an outlet where you can unwind with and de-stress. Be it a friend or family member, it is always helpful to have someone by your side for extra motivation and support you need during this exciting time in your life.

Weight loss is about progress, not perfection! There are tons of little things you can do every day to help you take steps toward living a healthier lifestyle; it doesn’t have to be a drastic change! Change one thing each day and before you know it you’ll have easily transitioned to smarter eating and lifestyle
choices.

A faux tan is the best tan. Women everywhere agree that they feel slimmer and more confident when they have that summer glow. Scared to do it yourself? Tanning salons now offer spray tans that won’t leave you feeling orange or streaky.

Stay calm. Shopping for a bridal gown can be overwhelming! Bring tear sheets, photos and downloaded web images of styles of gowns you wish to try on. This allows those helping you to have a visual idea of what you’re looking for.

Strike a pose. The day has arrived and you’re feeling less than perfect? Don’t worry! You can still look fabulous by striking the perfect pose: stand tall and straight, as slouching adds weight to your frame. And don’t forget to gently hold your arm away from your torso – this creates a more flexed and toned shape in your biceps.

Hair not cooperating? Dress it up with some flowers! Especially in springtime, bridal updos that incorporate floral accents are sure to draw attention away from the simple bun and toward the bright accessories.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water not only helps you stay slim by flushing out excess salt, but it also keeps your skin glowing and clear.

The right fit. When choosing your wedding gown, look for silhouettes and styles that flatter your best figure features. Don't get too caught up on the hot trends of the moment. Focus on what is best suited for you! Entrust the bridal experts to help you with your decision.

Finally, RELAX! This is your big day and if you are at ease and comfortable in your own skin, your whole demeanor will reflect the same, ensuring that everyone will remember you as a happy, carefree bride.

With these simple tips, Sara and Mark are sure you will not only look glamorous but will feel it too.



Mark and Sara with a Rivini gown

Mark and Sara look at a Jenny Packham gown

Mark, Sara and Bridal Guide Magazine Editor in Chief Diane Forden

photos by Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

Oscar, Oscar Oscar!!

Mark and Bridal Atelier Managing Consultant Indira Rivera pose for a celebratory picture with Mr. De la Renta and Event Planner Marcy Blum after the Oscar De la Renta Bridal Runway Show at the recent NYC Bridal market.

Once a year, we are treated to one of the best displays of exquisite bridal fashion at the Oscar De la Renta Bridal Runway Show. Held at the ODLR showroom, the show is intimate, elegant and breathtakingly beautiful. The atmosphere, the styling, and most importantly the gowns are perfect down to the last detail.

After the excitement of the show, it is hard for us to imagine we will not have the collection in the Atelier until Fall. However, we are so happy to announce we will have the new Spring 2011 collection at a special Trunk Show May 6 -8!

To experience the ODLR Spring 2011 Runway Show for yourself, click here for The Knot's LIVE coverage. Let us know what your favorites are!
Oscar De La Renta Live

Consultant Lidia's Favorite New Gown at Bridal Market

Bridal Atelier Consultant Lidia Kuczynski shared with us her favorite wedding gown from the recent NYC bridal market...and the winner is

This beautiful, languid silk charmeuse gown from Anne Bowen!


For more insight from Lidia click here to check out our mini-documentary.

photo from Brides.com

Bridal Atelier Consultant Indira's Top Five Market Picks

Bridal Atelier Consultant Indira Rivera Modeling an Ever After Cocktail Dress in the Atelier


We asked some of our consultants to choose their top five gowns from the recent bridal market. First up are the picks from Indira Rivera, Atelier Manager and Bridal Consultant, with her five favorite gowns for the Spring/Summer 2011 season. Fabulous choices Indira!!

#1 Vera Wang: Hand painted Chantilly Tissue Organza, Silver Pleated Tulle, French Tulle, Tissue Organza
For it's romantic, modern simplicity - perfect for a wedding at the Hampton's in the evening.



#2 Oscar De La Renta: Style: Embroidered guipure strapless gown with pink silk taffeta draped bow. For it's old world beauty - perfect for a wedding in the south of France.


#3 Monique Lhuillier: Style: Re-embroidered Lace/Embroidered Organza
For it's after party flirty-ness - perfect for putting on dancing shoes at a City wedding.


#4 Lela Rose: Sequin embroidered tulle layered over lace gown with embroidered cowl neckline. For it's subtle elegance - perfect for a country house upstate soiree.


#5 Angel Sanchez: Silk maylea mikado trumpet gown with bands of sequin embroidery & overlay of french net. For it's vintage, style beauty - perfect for a wedding "Meet Joe Black" style.


photos from Brides.com

Bridal Market Notes

We have been very busy running around the city this past weekend viewing the new collections from our favorite designers. As usual, our designers did not disappoint! We are spotting some great new trends and seeing some details reinterpretted. Shades of blush and pink are everywhere, but we were especially blown away by the use of lilac and charcoal at Vera Wang. Black accents continue, a favorite was subtle black ribbon at Carolina Herrera. For beading, silver and crystal beading with an icey feel abound. Our favorite was an all over beaded sheath at Monique Lhuillier. See below for a few if our favorites and tune in to TheKnot.com Live today at 3:00 for a recap from Mark. More designers to see all day today!

Junko Yoshioko



Vera Wang



Amazing beading at Monique Lhuillier

The Knot Live 03/10/10 (Season 2, Episode 5)

Mark recently appeared in The Knot Live for an Oscar Fashion recap with host Carley Rooney. The leading ladies of this year's Oscars were all fashion knock-outs. Check out the clip below to hear who were Mark and Carley's favorites and which gowns work best for a red carpet bride.

The Knot Live 03/10/10 (Season 2, Episode 5)

A Visit with Marchesa

Mark with Marchesa designers Keren and Georgina.


We were delighted to welcome the entire Marchesa team, including designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, for our first trunk show with their new bridal line. The Marchesa ladies proved to be as elegant and fabulous as their gowns!

A few pictures from thier visit:



Georgina styling a gown.




The Kate Hudson Golden Globe Dress.




A few lucky brides worked directly with the designers.

To see more Marchesa visit www.marchesa.com