Silk Gown Care Tips

We are always asked the best way to treat and care for silk gowns. When we came across these silk care tips, we felt it would be beneficial to share them with the world! When in doubt, always seek a professional.

First of all, did you know that Silk is a protein fiber and similar to human hair? Remembering this will help you when you think about the care and also cleaning it.
To prolong the beauty and life of silk garments, follow these simple guidelines in use and care:

1. Avoid extreme changes in temperature.

2. Since it is a delicate fabric strong detergents will harm the fibers and cause it to lose its silky properties.

3. Do not expose to direct sunlight as it will discolour a white garment and fade if it is coloured.

4. Silk has a natural elasticity which does not hold creases well. Therefore, if you hang your garment many of the creases will fall out naturally. Alternatively press with a dry iron on a silk setting, preferably while the garment is still a little damp. Steam can be used on heavier silks but could cause puckering and shrinkage on finer fabrics.

5. Use care when dressing and grooming to avoid staining silk items. Silk fabric is easily damaged by alcohol-based products such as hair spray, perfumes and chemical products such as nail polish remover. Apply perfume and hair spray before putting on a silk garment as the mist from such products may cause stains.

6. Once dressed, cover the garment with a towel before applying hair spray. Do not polish nails while wearing a silk garment as nail polish can remove color, damaging the fabric permanently.

Spot Cleaning Tips for SilkHere are some of my tips for spot cleaning silk. However a word to the wise, I always proceed with caution when cleaning silk and I test my method on an inconspicuous area first. If in doubt, consult a reputable dry cleaner.
I never use a wet method of cleaning; generally I use a moist sponge or cotton ball gently blotting the stained area until cleansed.

Red Wine: Immediately sponge out the area affected with club soda or white wine. Then dab the area with a mixture of cool water and ammonia. Blot dry.

Perspiration Stains: New perspiration stains are acid based while older stains become alkaline. I use a two part stage to remove these stains. 1. Add one tablespoon of vinegar to a half a cup of water. Blot the stained area with a cheese cloth or cotton ball, dry, and then use a mixture of alcohol and baby shampoo (see below) going over the same area. Rinse using a blotting method to remove solution.

Blood: There are a few methods that I have used ranging from one part hydrogen peroxide to 9 parts water, sponging with a lukewarm solution of Oxalic Acid (10%) or a mixture of 3 tbsp. alcohol and 3 drops of baby shampoo. Whichever method you use make sure you remove solutions with warm water blotting afterwards and clean towel to dry. I always have an absorbent towel underneath any spot cleaning I do with silk so that it does not penetrate into the other fabrics.

Lipstick: Over the years I have found that a mixture of 3 tbsp. alcohol and 3 drops of baby shampoo works the best to remove makeup. Generally, I always take a little container with me to every trunk show I go to. The key is to remove the stain as soon as you find it.

Perfume Stains: sponge with equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water or a few drops of alcohol to a cheesecloth pad and then sponge fabric lightly.

Interview with Jose Dias: Designer for Justin Alexander Bridal

In celebration of this weekend's upcoming trunk show for Justin Alexander Bridal, we decided to ask the principle designer, Jose Dias, about his inspiration for this incredible international collection. Here is what he had to say:

Would you say there is a key feature of design that defines your signature style?

I love to have your eye gently glide over the dress and come to rest on what is the most important feature on my gown...the bride's face. Be it a strapless corset, a halter neck, and off the shoulder, or an asymmetrical neckline, what is most important is seeing her and not having the dress distract from looking into her eyes.

If you could design a gown for any style icon, who would it be and what would it look like?

I would say Audrey Hepburn. To me, she epitomizes both external, but more importantly, inner beauty. I would have loved to design something with a bateau neckline, plunging V nack adorned with a jewel trim...yet the silhouette would have been simple with a dropped waist and a box pleated skirt all in fine raw silk. I see her petite stature being elongated by the bodice and volume skirt flowing from the high hip to the ground. Her sparkling eyes would have been her only accessories. A tasteful fingertip veil in silk tulle would be accompanied by fresh gardenias in a chignon hairstyle.

What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to a bride about choosing a dress?

Be you. If you are a casual person, go for a relaxed or destination look. If you like dressing up, go for a more formal or a dramatic look. You should not lose yourself by going for something you are not. You should wear the dress, and not let the dress wear you. Look at what best fits your body type and remember, this is your biggest day. All eyes are on you, so you want to walk that aisle like a movie star, and you need to feel the part.

As a designer, what has been your greatest moment?

I really feel it's when you see a bride cry with joy, and when she is so moved by your dress. A double pleasure is when her mom, family, or friends cry along with her.

Bridal Accents Couture is pleased to announce that
Dessert Tables by Shauna Younge
Will be featured during this weekend’s Bridesmaid’s Event!

We were fortunate enough to meet Shauna and her gorgeous dessert display at the recent Bridal Party at the Depot, hosted by Minneapolis/Saint Paul Magazine.
Her lavender macaroon towers were love at first sight, and infatuation at first bite!
We asked Shauna to tell us a little more about herself and her desserts:

How did you get into this business?

My foray into the bridal industry was during my own wedding. I planned the entire event and realized that there were too many dietary considerations to pick one dessert for my guests. Instead, we decided to offer a variety of desserts for the guests to choose from, which worked well for my allergies, my father's diabetes, and my friend's gluten sensitivities. I noticed that more brides were facing similar issues and decided to combine my interests of design, color, and dessert to offer a unique, high-end dessert alternative.

What is unique about what you do?
The dessert tables I create are truly designed to represent the couple and their unique event. For each project, I create an inspiration board, sketch a design for the table and desserts, and incorporate crafts to further customize the display. To truly personalize the desserts on each table, I work with bakers and confectioners who specialize in one or two sweets. Specializing allows them to focus on the most minute details of each piece and experiment with unusual flavor combinations. I recently designed macaron towers that were much larger than any the baker had ever constructed. After supplying height and width specifications and color swatches, the baker was able to bring my design to life.

What are your favorite desserts?

I am head-over-heels right now for hand-painted chocolates. They're like little masterpieces. Each one showcases the chocolatier's personal touch and their commitment to perfection. I recently sampled a hand-painted truffle with a Moet and Chandon champagne filled center. It was amazing!

Color trends for Spring?

For Spring 2010, bright colors will be balanced with tried-and-true neutrals. Vibrant, warm red will add a punch to cool teal, while citrus-y orange will create a sunny vibe when combined with steel-y grey and crisp white. Spring's color trends inspired the palette I'm using to design the "Love" dessert table that will be featured at the "Love" trunk show. Red and pink seemed too predictable a palette for an event so near Valentine's Day, so I opted for true navy and various shades of pink. Together with a conservative tan, these two colors create a feminine feel without leaving the groom drowning in a sea of "girly" hues.

Price range of your services?

Each table I design is truly a new endeavor. Because of the high level of customization and attention to detail that I provide when designing a table, there is no set price list. In the past, I have created tables for $1,000 and beyond. This always includes a free consultation, inspiration board, design sketch, and set-up and tear-down for the event.

What are you bringing to the bridesmaid's event, and when?

For the "Love" bridesmaids trunk show, I will be displaying a dessert table based on the inspiration board I created. The board features Enzoani's B13 bridemaids dress in midnight blue. I translated the details of the inspiration board into a dessert table featuring a one-of-a-kind cupcake display, pink caramels, French nougat, and other custom sweets.

The table will be on display (and available for sampling)

Saturday, February 6th from 10 am - 4 pm.

The table will remain on display throughout February.

Links to Shauna Younge Desserts:

web: shaunayounge.com
blog: shaunayounge.blogspot.com
facebook: Shauna Younge Dessert Tables
twitter: Shauna Younge

Your wedding dress: Tip of the Day

Bridal Accents Couture's Hip Tip:

Choose a dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful:
Your bridal gown is not just a dress, it is an individual expression of you.

Bridesmaids Color Trends

Bridesmaid color trends for 2010

From berries to violet, and everything in-between

Charcoals and stone greys

Teals

Secrets of the Sample Sale

As a bride and consumer, learning how to be a savvy bridal shopper can be overwhelming. When announcements of sample sales come out, the "bridal buzz" kicks in and the shopping frenzy begins. While sample sales are an excellent opportunity to snag designer couture at unbelievable prices, we thought a few tips from the experts might be in order:
1. Remember, everything is always a FINAL SALE. Before you dive into your wallet, make sure that you will have no regrets about your purchase.
2. It helps to bring ONE trusted opinion with you. It can be anyone from your mother to your future sister-in-law to your maid-of-honor that you've known since kindergarten. Just make sure that you value this person's opinion. You do not want to bring any more than one person, as the store will undoubetdly be short of space, and multiple opinions can be overwhelming when decisions need to be made.

3. It is rare that a gown at a sample sale will fit perfectly. Most dresses can be easily altered to at least 2 sizes down. It is often more difficult to "open up" the seams to allow you to fit in a dress that is too small, but with a litle creativity and a good seamstress, you can make this happen (within reason). Options to consider for "enlarging" a gown by a size or two would be to: a) let out all side and zipper seams as much as possible. This is best for only plain gowns with no lace or bead embellishments. b) if it is too tight accross the rib cage, consider lowering the back neckline. This creates a more dramatic and sexy silhouette, while freeing up the constricted part accross your back. c) consider a corset or "lace-up" style back. Most seamstresses can adapt a tight zipper into an open lace-up with relative ease.

3. Check with a seamstress. Most bridal salons have a seamstress on site, or even on-staff. If the dress you are considering needs repair or alterations, it is best to check the opinion of a trusted seamstress before making your purchase. Don't be bashful--ask the seamstress how much it will cost for the changes you envision.
4. Consider cleaning costs: Bridal Gowns are different from your prom dress. Cleaning delicate silks can take up to a month, and cost anywhere from $75 to $150, depending on the process involved, and if pressing is included. If there is only a small spot on your sample, ask your trusted cleaner to do a "spot clean", which is much more economical.
5. If you are working within a strict budget, make sure you stay within your means. You can ask your bridal consultant to only show you dresses below a certain price point. Also, don't be afraid to ask for a better price! You may just get what you ask for!
6. If you have already purchased your bridal gown, you may want to stop into a sample sale anyway! Don't tempt yourself with other gowns, but you'd be shocked to find great bargains on other miscellaneous items that you need, like veils, shoes, headpieces, jewelry, garters, unity candles, guestbooks, and more!
We hope you have found this helpful in your quest for the perfect wedding at the perfect price. Cheers, and happy sale-ing!

A Blog for the Bridesmaids

As we are preparing for the annual "Bridesmaids' Event" that starts today, we thought we'd take a moment to share our insights on bridesmaid dresses:

FIT:
It is, naturally, difficult to find a dress that will be a flattering fit to every girl in their wedding party. Most bridesmaids groups consist of a range of sizes, from 2 to 22.
If your maids fall into this category, we recommend a flowy style with a full or a-line skirt and a band or sash at the high waist or ribcage. The waistband serves 2 purposes: to accentuate the naturally smallest part of each girls waist, and to break up the line of a fuller figure. A sash can also be tied in front, giving an elongating line to each girl's figure.

FABRIC:

There is a wide array of fabrics available to choose from when beginning the bridesmaid selection process.

LIGHT:A few of the lighter fabrics are: chiffon, taffeta, charmeuse, organza, organdy, duppioni, shantung, and georgette. These lighter fabrics are ideal for a summer wedding as they are lighter and flowier. They are also more "breathable" than a heavy satin if you are planning an outdoor wedding--which means your girls will be less likely to have sweat stains.

HEAVY: Heavier fabrics include: All satins (bella, renaissance, duchess, empress, etc), lame, and faille. These fabric choices are appropriate for a more formal wedding, or for winter weddings.

STYLE:
The bride is intended to be the centerpiece, so you want your maids to be a compliment to your individual style. If you have chosen a lacy, romantic gown, then you should consider a light and flowy bridesmaid dress to compliment your choice. If you have a streamlined and modern dress, then consider choosing a more modern look for your girls. Think about how the pictures will look with the bridal party together.

THEME & COORDINATION:

Many brides are worried about creating an exact tuxedo match to their bridesmaid's gowns. Although tuxedo shops, like The Tux Room, have an array of colors and patterns in tuxedo accessories, do not fret if you cannot find an exact match (or if the groomsmen refuse to wear the color you choose!). You are always safe to select a "classic black" tuxedo with black or charcoal accessories. You can always add a splash of the matching color with a pocket square, or by coordinating the boutteirs with the florist.

Ask your bridal shop for fabric swatches of your gown AND your bridesmaids. These are very useful to have when meeting with your florist, your decorator, and your planner.

TRENDS:

What is hot right now? We are still seeing a good amount of "sleeker" bubble skirts. Many bridesmaids dresses now have pockets, which we love! It is convenient, and adds a little "personality" to the dress. Rouching is also popular and flattering. We are also starting to see embellishments, which have previously been omitted from most bridesmaids styles. Adding a brooch, 3D flowers/accents, a touch of lace, or embroidery gives the dress a bit of pizzaz, and makes it much more "wearable" as a cocktail style dress.

SIZING:

Size is always the biggest concern for bridesmaids. A few things to consider:

1. Bridesmaids dresses can run small, so never rely on your standard "street size"

2. You want to be PROFESSIONALLY measured to select your size. You can get measured at any tailor, seamstress, or local bridal shop. There is usually no charge for this service.

3. Most girls are in-between sizes when they select a size. If this is the case, it is safer to select the larger size and have the rest of the dress taken in to fit you. As a rule, it is easier to take it in than to let it out.

4. Bridesmaids are strongly cautioned against ordering a much smaller size based on plans to lose weight. Think about what would happen if the dress still doesn't fit 2 weeks before the wedding--it would be too late to order a new dress, or even more fabric! Order safe.

5. Expect alterations. Expect alterations. Expect alterations. It is part of being a bridesmaid and getting the perfect fit foer your friend's event.

ORDERING:

You want to make sure to order your bridesmaid's dresses from ONE store, all at the same time. That way, the dresses are all cut from the same dye lot of fabric, and there will be no chance for color variation in the dresses. Most bridal salons should keep track of everyones sizes and payment status for you so that they can submit the order in its entirety.