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Pop-Up Shop Preview: Accessories

Only a week to go until Indie Wed’s first-ever pop-up shop! So here’s our last roundup of vendor previews. All of these folks will have their lovely wares for sale or special order at the pop-up September 27 and 28. To purchase tickets, visit the event page for more info.

Your ring is probably one of those things that you spend as much time shopping for as your dress, right? So you need to consider Simply Wood Rings. They’re made of natural, beautiful, and responsibly sourced wood, plus whatever special materials you want to add: gemstones, shells, fossils, or (for one client) antique bagpipe keys.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Simply Wood Rings

For your head: Designer Nancy McAllister of Wildflower Couture hand-cuts and -dyes the silk flowers she uses in her headpieces and combs, and on her off days she studies with a master milliner. She’s also a wiz with sparkly things. AND she’s bringing a brand-new line of veils to this show.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Wildflower Couture

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Wildflower Couture

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Previously

Looking for garters? But something special, right? The level of detail in Previously‘s work speaks for itself; designer Elide’s vintage reproduction garters are inspired by the illustrations of George Barbier and 1920s ribbon work.

The right dress needs the right bag, whether it’s for you or a gift for your bridesmaids. Kristine Fachet of Sur Le Feu has you covered. Armed with a BFA in costume design, she makes heirloom-quality handbags one piece at a time in her Chicago studio, using a mix of new and vintage materials, and even pieces of vintage wedding dresses.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Sur Le Feu

Looking for garters? But something special, right? The level of detail in Previously's work speaks for itself; designer Elide's vintage reproduction garters are inspired by the illustrations of George Barbier and 1920s ribbon work.

Rock Candy by Helen

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Rock Candy by Helen

You might know Rock Candy by Helen for its pendants based on Jon Langford paintings and vintage stamps. But did you know Helen Tsatsos also creates one of a kind pieces from vintage jewelry remnants? Yup. Sparkly. And wedding-y.

Columbus, Ohio-based Peace Love Bling sources its products from women around the world following Fair Trade principles. The designs themselves? Sophisticated, fresh, and a great addition to a modern bride’s look.

See you at the pop-up!

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Peace Love Bling

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Peace Love Bling

0 In Events/ Fashion/ Uncategorized

More Pop-Up Vendor Previews!

By now you might have heard that Indie Wed is collaborating with Wed Altered to host its first-ever pop-up shop this September, bringing a variety of out-of-town independent bridal designers to Chicago for the first time. This is the third in our series of previews profiling our pop-up vendors.

Today: Rania Hatoum, Celia Grace, and Pure Magnolia. All three will have gowns available to try on and order at the pop-up September 27 and 28. Tickets are a mere $5 (to offset costs of dressing rooms and the venue) and include a complimentary drink. Purchase 3 or more tickets and they are only $4 a piece. To purchase tickets, visit the event page for more info.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Dora” by Rania Hatoum

 

Orlando-based Rania Hatoum‘s says her sophisticated designs are influenced by her cultural background (she’s half Chinese and half Egyptian) and her international point of view; she was raised in Hong Kong by parents who’ve worked in the apparel industry for more than 30 years. Rania’s tailored silhouettes and luxurious fabrics speak for themselves; her latest collection is focused on the use of luxurious laces sourced from Italy and France, Japanese pearls, and Swarovski crystals.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Rania Hatoum’s “Maria” dress

When Celia Grace founder Marcie Muehlke couldn’t find a wedding dress that matched her values of sustainability and human rights, she was inspired to travel the world to find ethical and highly skilled fabric and dress makers, and she ended up creating a line of wedding dresses made with eco silks under Fair Trade conditions. Her Massachusetts-based company works to promote its values by donating a water filter to a family in need in Cambodia with each dress sold.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Celia Grace’s “Marie” dress

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Lucille” by Celia Grace

 

Pure Magnolia was started in 2009 by Vancouver designer Patty Nayel, who wanted to give local and international brides an eco option for their wedding dress. Navel’s collection is made up of customizable dresses made from European laces, Indian silks, organic cottons, and vintage and recycled fabrics.

Scroll down for more dress photos, and stay tuned for more pop-up previews!

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Pure Magnolia’s ballerina gown

 

 

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Pure Magnolia’s “winter lace” dress

0 In Uncategorized

Pop-Up Preview, Part II

By now you might have heard that Indie Wed is collaborating with Wed Altered to host its first-ever pop-up shop this September, bringing a variety of out-of-town independent bridal designers to Chicago for the first time. This is the second in our series of previews profiling our pop-up vendors.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Dottie” by Maggie Evans Designs

Today: Maggie Evans Designs, Cicada Bridal, and Kendal Leonard. All three will have gowns available to try on and order at the pop-up September 27 and 28. Tickets are a mere $5 (to offset costs of dressing rooms and the venue) and include a complimentary drink. Purchase 3 or more tickets and they are only $4 a piece. To purchase tickets, visit the event page for more info.

Maggie Evans is a Boulder-based designer who has been doing custom bridal since 2011 and recently launched her first collection. She believes brides should express their individuality through their wedding dress, and she names her gowns very thoughtfully; the Dottie gown, named after Dorothy Parker, is “sharp and witty”; the Mae (after Mae West) dress, with its colorful velvet bodice, pushes boundaries just like its namesake. And check out the “love” embroidered on the back of the Mae dress!

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Mae” detail (Maggie Evans Designs)

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Elizabeth” by Cicada Bridal

Twenty years ago in Seattle, Cicada Bridal was born, and co-owners Jen Gay and Elizabeth Klob are now master craftswomen. Their design philosophy is to combine figure-enhancing structure with fluidity and movement, and they make a wide variety of styles at a wide variety of prices (as you might expect from two down-to-earth Seattle gals). Best of all for Chicago brides: Elizabeth will be on site at the pop-up September 27 and 28 to consult with brides personally!

Indie Wed Pop-Up

Cicada Bridal’s “Cassandra” dress

Designer Kendal Leonard, who works out of Charleston, South Carolina, embraces clean, simple lines and uses organic cottons, natural dyes, and other sustainable materials. That’s right: not only are her dresses vegan (and comfy!), but she can custom dye your wedding gown or bridesmaid dresses. Most dresses are under $1,200.

Scroll down for more dress photos, and stay tuned for more pop-up previews!

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Kendal Leonard’s “Daffodil” dress

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Iris” (left) and “Orchid” by Kendal Leonard Designs

 

0 In Eco-Friendly/ Events/ Fashion/ Uncategorized

Indie Wed Pop-Up: A Wed Altered Bridal Shop

By now you might have heard that Indie Wed is collaborating with Wed Altered to host its first-ever pop-up shop this September, bringing a variety of out-of-town independent bridal designers to Chicago for the first time. So we thought we’d preview some of the designers and goodies that will be for sale! Starting this week, we’ll do a regular post profiling our pop-up vendors.

Today: Janay A HandmadeThe Cotton Bride, and Deborah Lindquist. All three of these designers will have gowns available to try on and order at the pop-up September 27 and 28. Tickets are a mere $5 (to offset costs of dressing rooms and the venue) and include a complimentary drink. Purchase 3 or more tickets and they are only $4 a piece. To purchase tickets, visit the event page for more info.

Janay Mallela, the design force behind Kansas City-based Janay A Handmade, is passionate about sustainability; many her dresses are made from organic cottons and hemp-silk blends. Her silhouettes are organic too, evoking natural shapes like flowers and flowing water. 

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Willow” by Janay A Handmade

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Janay A’s “Yarrow” dress

 

 

Los Angeles designer Deborah Lindquist has been working with environmentally conscious fabrics for more than three decades; her gowns incorporate a mix of a mix of recycled, sustainable, and organic fabrics. But the details–oh, the details. Just check out the embellishment on her blush “Rose” dress.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Rose” by Deborah Lindquist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Deborah Lindquist’s “Cinderella” gown

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Valerie” by the Cotton Bride

 

 

 

Long Island City label The Cotton Bride started designing wedding gowns in cotton because designer Chris Kole thought they would be more comfortable that way. But vegan brides didn’t take long to catch on to the idea, and now Cotton Bride is known for sustainable, breathable, and beautiful cotton lace and textured cotton dresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

The Cotton Bride’s “Harper” dress

Stay tuned for more pop-up previews!

7 In Accessories/ Contests & Giveaways/ Fashion/ The Groom/ Uncategorized/ Vendors

Hand-Made Monday: The Grunion Run Groomsmen Shop (& a Giveaway!)

Happy Hand-Made Monday, folks! I know there have been a few silent Mondays lately, but I am so, SO excited to introduce you to one of my favorite wedding vendors!

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{Red Floral Tie}

In an era where grooms are getting more involved in the process of planning their weddings,  it would seem only natural that there would be a rise in the availability of unique wedding-based menswear. Enter The Grunion Run Groomsmen Shop, an online retailer of unique, dapper (& SUPER affordable) menswear items, from bow ties and pocket squares to shirts and suspenders.

Yun-Yi Goh, Co-founder and Creative Director at The Grunion Run, was kind enough to answer some questions (AND offer a giveaway) for me. Check out our interview below and see the details of the giveaway after the interview!

CV: Tell me about the beginnings of The Grunion Run. How did it start? Where did the idea come from? What is the story of the name?

 BT_stripe_blue1_i2

{Blue Stripe Bow Tie}

YG: The Grunion Run was launched in March 2012 but the seeds for the shop were planted in 2006 when Kevin and I got married and couldn’t find exactly what we wanted for our guys at a price point that was affordable. I was working in a different industry at the time but as the years passed it became clear that while the wedding market was vastly changing, the menswear segment remained largely stagnant and I grew very excited at the prospect of creating something new and interesting for grooms + groomsmen.

As for the name, we wanted something unique that would reflect the SoCal roots of the shop. The Grunion Run seemed perfect not only because it’s the name of a special mating ritual for a fish species that is native to these parts, but also because it combines the words groom + union which seemed appropriately symbolic!

gingham_purple2_i2

{Purple Gingham Tie}

CV: Where do you draw inspiration for your work?

YG: I am design-obsessed and look for inspiration everywhere from street-wear to road signs…you never know when something’s going to hit. The other day I was out for a walk with my baby and saw the most perfect shade of green in the trees on one street (thank goodness I turned down that street!). I’m now obsessively trying to find a fabric to match because I know it’s the perfect color for wedding neckties.

CV: What three words best describe your work?

YG: exhausting. obsessive. worthwhile.  =)

CV: How would you describe your ideal customer/the person you design for?

YG: I love designing for anyone who wants to have fun and get creative with a more casual, less traditional look. We offer a range of pieces in similar color palettes that can be mixed-and-matched for a cohesive but individual look for groomsmen.

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{White w/ Black Stripes Suspenders}

CV: Do you create custom pieces?

YG: As of now we don’t, though we do offer custom monogramming for our ties and pocket squares.

CV: What is your favorite piece(s) you’ve created, and why?

YG: It’s like being asked which child is your favorite but if I was forced to choose I’d have to say that our lavender and pale yellow neckties are two of my favorites because those are the exact (non-shiny) shades of ties we were looking for for our own wedding and never found.

CV: What tips do you have for couples who are choosing their groomsmen’s attire?

YG: Groomsmen outfits don’t often get the same attention as the bridesmaids but don’t forget the guys still make up half your wedding photos. It’s always great when guys have one statement piece be it a tie, a vest, or a pocket square that will pop in the photos. Of course, with all the other details that go into a wedding, I also always stress that you should first have fun and relax.

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{Striped Pocket Square}

CV: At IndieWed, we love small/alternative wedding businesses. Are there any small wedding-related businesses you’d like to give a shout-out to?

YG: One of the great things about being in the wedding industry is getting to know the many other fantastic vendors involved; in particular other small business owners who are trying to make things happen like us! We’ve had a great collaboration recently with Chris + Gina Holt who are the photographers behind Chris Holt Photography, and more importantly are such a lovely couple to work with. And while I haven’t met her personally, I must say I really admire Rhiannon of Hey Gorgeous Events because of the way she has grown her business over the years and really connected with her audience over social media. It’s very impressive.

CV: Are you working on anything new or exciting at the moment?

YG: Oh yes! We are playing around with more patterned fabrics and looking at new shapes for our bow ties, among many other fun things we have in our pipeline!

CV: GIVEAWAY DETAILS! One lucky reader will win a necktie of their choice from The Grunion Run’s new collection of neckties! Here’s how you enter: visit the New Arrivals Page, and leave a comment on this feature telling us which necktie on that page is your favorite (and leaving your email address)! A winner will be selected at random on Friday! Personally, I love this Blue Paisley Tie and this Pale Green Floral Tie!

Thanks, Yun, for spending time and giving away one of your amazing neckties! Be sure to stop by The Grunion Run’s website, Facebook, Twitter & Tumblr accounts!

Corinne Van Arsdale is a Wedding Coordinator based in Madison, Wisconsin and serving Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago. Check out her website, blogFacebook and Pinterest. If you know of a small business/hand-crafter you’d like to recommend for a feature on Hand-Made Monday, email Corinne at corinne@canvaswedding.com.