Fashion Archives • Indie Wed

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.

“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.

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.

Celia Grace’s “Marie” dress

“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!

Pure Magnolia’s ballerina gown

Pure Magnolia’s “winter lace” dress

September 9, 2014 By Kelly

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 Handmade, The 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.

“Willow” by Janay A Handmade

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.

“Rose” by Deborah Lindquist

Deborah Lindquist’s “Cinderella” gown

“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.

The Cotton Bride’s “Harper” dress

Stay tuned for more pop-up previews!

August 19, 2014 By Kelly

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!

{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?

{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.

{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.

{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, blog, Facebook 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.

June 3, 2013 By Kelly

0 In Eco-Friendly/ Fashion/ The Bride

Eco-Friendly Wedding Fashion, Popping Up in New York

A quick introduction: I’m Holly Greenhagen of Dame Couture, purveyor of made-to-measure bridal frocks. My dresses are strongly influenced by my interest in vintage clothing, and I also reconstruct and restyle vintage wedding dresses. I’m devoted to the idea of “slow fashion” and try to leave a small footprint, both in dress manufacturing and in life. And as a repeat Indie Wed vendor, I’m pretty excited to be guest posting on the IW blog!

In mid February, I found an email in my box from Christen Schneider of Solitary Pearl, the eco-friendly bridal line she designs out of Cleveland, Ohio. She was looking for like-minded designers to form a co-op and travel around the country with dresses and accessories for sale.

Christen Schneider of Solitary Pearl

Two months (and hundreds of emails!) later, Christen has pulled it off. Wed Altered, as the group has come to call itself, is on the verge of its first pop-up shop, happening April 20 and 21 in New York. More than a dozen bridal designers (Dame Couture included) will be selling their wares. That’s right, selling: you can place an order for any of the lovely dresses you see and they’ll be shipped to your door. Or you can walk away with any of the gorgeous accessories.

Pop-up shop, eco-friendly…it all sounded like something Indie Wed brides would be interested in. So I interviewed Christen about how and why she did it all.

“Madeline” by Solitary Pearl, made with Fair Trade silk

HG: Tell us the story of how Wed Altered got started.

CS: I wanted to find a way to bring Solitary Pearl dresses directly to brides instead of selling completely online. Pop up shops are a fun and effective concept, but not something a single bridal designer could usually afford to do. I also have a soft spot for co-ops, so I thought it would be a great idea to combine the two and, once I got some fellow designers who agreed, Wed Altered began!

HG: Your web site describes Wed Altered as a “socially conscious pop-up bridal shop.” What motivated you to assemble a group of socially conscious wedding vendors?

CS: I started out just planning on designing dresses. As I studied fabric sources, I quickly began to notice two distinct price brackets. When I looked into it and learned what made the lower price bracket so much lower (worker pay, labor conditions, little to no environmental responsibility, etc.), my conscience kicked in and Solitary Pearl became a socially conscious brand. I’ve learned a lot about the issues and I love the opportunity to work with people who work for the same goals. What feel like small daily efforts seem so magnified when you realize you aren’t the only one trying.

Hand-weaving Fair Trade silk in Cambodia

HG: What makes these vendors “socially conscious”? Do they all use environmentally friendly fabrics? Or are there other factors?

CS: Everyone has their own thing. Some people are really passionate about the environment and only use organic or all natural fabrics. Some are fair-labor activists who only use materials where the artisans receive living wages and fair treatment. Some have charities they champion or local causes they support. Almost everyone has a big focus on reviving domestic production. Several designers focus on reusing vintage materials, and there is a lot of waste and energy reduction in people’s processes.

Organic cotton dress by Janay A. Handmade

HG: How did you find vendors that fit your mission?

CS: Some of these designers I’ve been following for a long time because I love their work. I looked through blogs that reached the our goal audience and found vendors they suggested. I did a lot of searches and spent time on Etsy. It was a lot of time opening every possible designer’s page and reading through their mission and about sections to see if it was a fit, and then reaching out to them if I thought it may be.

HG: How would you define “ethical” as it relates to the wedding industry?

CS: I think it’s a lot of different things, and each vendor and bride will have their own priorities. As long as you’ve decided what your main objectives are (less consumption, reuse, Fair Trade, organic, local, etc.) and do your best to make the choice when there is one available to you, I think that’s all anyone can aim for right now. The industry is changing, but slowly.

HG: How does your own wedding dress line, Solitary Pearl, practice social consciousness?

CS: We try to find as much socially and environmentally conscious fabric as possible, and we produce locally in on a small scale, so nothing gets made unless we know it’s needed. We try to keep our consumption and waste down, and we gave our fabric waste to local artists to use. We’re working on a composting system for the scraps that are too small for more projects, since almost every bit of what we use is a natural fiber.

Our biggest project is that we have a studio in the works that will train and employee single parents. We’ll be able to teach them skills that will allow them to support themselves and their family and get paid well while they do it. They’ll be in the same big room as their kids, who are working with an educator in a free day care area, learning things that will set them up for success when they start school. I’m pretty excited to see it take shape!

Headband from Mignonne Handmade, who uses vintage materials in her pieces

HG: What has been your biggest challenge in organizing this event?

CS: Timing. We decided to push ourselves and aim for April instead of waiting until the fall bridal market, and it’s been a rush! We’re going to pull it off, and well, but it meant a lot of hard work for everyone involved.

HG: What advice would you give to a bride looking for ethical vendors for her wedding?

CS: Remember that few companies or couples will be able to get all of the causes. There are really just too many good things for one person or company to tackle on their own! So if you find a combination like a dress company that does great charity work, a caterer who serves local foods, and a florist who uses organic flowers, you’re doing pretty well!

Also, try to remember that sometimes less is more. If you can’t find an item from a source you love, and you don’t really feel like you have to have it, just leave it out. Less money, less stress, and less consumption. Not a bad thing! If you have to have it, find the best source you can for right now or see if you can find one that’s been used before.

Wed Altered’s pop-up shop takes place Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, from 9 AM to 8 PM both days, at Elk Studios, 164 W. 25th St., 12th floor, New York, NY. Admission is free, though it’s a good idea to book fitting room time here.

April 10, 2013 By Kelly

0 In Fashion/ Vendors

Hand-Made Monday: Gowns & Dresses by Dahl NYC

Hello, Indie Wed community! I’m Corinne Van Arsdale, a wedding coordinator based in Madison, Wisconsin (you can visit my website to learn more about me). I’ll be guest-blogging here on two of my most favorite aspects of wedding planning — small businesses (shopping local) and handmade wedding items! Weddings are great opportunities to give business to small/local companies that do unique and custom work, and I’m so excited to be sharing some of my favorite small businesses and hand-made finds with all of you on Hand-Made Mondays! [Side note: Do you know of a great small business whose work you’d like to share? I’d love to hear about it! Send me an email at corinne@corinnevanarsdale.com] Without further ado, let’s dive right in and get to know Alison Dahl Kelly of DAHL NYC!

The perfect wedding gown is like the perfect mate — it should make a woman feel courageous, comfortable, beautiful, and truly like herself. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that independent-spirited brides are turning more and more to like-minded vendors to help them achieve a look reflects their unique personality and perspective.

One such independently-spirited vendor is Alison Dahl Kelly of Dahl NYC, the designer of a gorgeous line of unique gowns and dresses for brides and their favorite ladies. Indie Wed has featured Dahl dresses before (see the post here), but this time Alison was kind enough to answer some of my questions below about her journey to her current line of work (fun fact — it includes Project Runway, one of my most favorite shows), what inspires her, the kind of women she designs for, and her advice for brides-to-be.

dahl_2

{Alison Dahl Kelly in her NYC Studio}

CV: Tell me about the beginnings of Dahl. How did you get into the bridal fashion industry?

ADK: In some form or another, I have always had my own clothing line since graduating from college. In the beginning it was all punk-inspired one-offs made from vintage and surplus fabrics under my first label, Run R1ot (the “1” symbolizing one-offs). I happily sold these mini-collections on consignment in boutiques around LA.

Later, when I moved to New York City, I auditioned and was immediately cast onto the third season of Project Runway. This changed things a bit! Because of the buzz associated with the show, I took the plunge and created a wholesale clothing line called Dahl, named after my Swedish grandmother. Large-scale wholesale fashion production ended up not being the right fit for me at all, so I continued to design tops and dresses to sell through my website while designing select pieces for boutiques with which I’d formed good relationships.

It wasn’t until planning my own wedding in 2011 that I realized the significance of wedding attire. I designed and sewed my wedding gown, seven different bridesmaids’ dresses and three flower girl dresses for my wedding party [the photo below is from Alison’s wedding]. We were all Dahl’d up. This collection of dresses became the catalyst for a new collection–it had struck me that wedding attire can be incredibly meaningful and personal, and that we don’t all fit into the traditional bridal molds of style and aesthetic.

{Alison & her wedding party on her wedding day}

CV: Where do you draw inspiration for your work?

ADK: I would say textiles are the driving source of inspiration. I am forever using muted silks in a range of pastels, soft vintage lace, swishy tulle and I hand dye fabrics for that special touch. I am less trend-driven and more enchanted by vintage silhouettes, especially from the 20s-40s.

I am someone who isn’t afraid to dress up and I find so much expression and personality in clothing. I live in Dahl dresses and sometimes use an occasion to create a new silhouette–for a friend’s wedding in California, or date night, or a day dress. I try to incorporate romantic and whimsical accents into my dresses. I’d like to think that I’m not only creating a dress but a mood… A mood that is at once nostalgic and modern. I strive to make dresses with a lived-in feel, or at least look a bit vintage-y, to seem like they have a past or a story to tell.

{The Clara Gown}

CV: What do you love most about your job/working in the wedding industry?

ADK: I was never one to fantasize about the perfect white wedding, so I was shocked by how much I cherished planning the artistic details of my own celebration. I’ve since learned that this public confession of love can be so beautiful and meaningful, and that everyone has their own idea of what they want, whether it be grand or toned-down. I get a charge out of working with brides on color schemes and fabric choices, to lend a hand in bringing their vision to life.

Creating a custom piece for a client is also an invaluable learning tool. I love to discover what women want, which parts of their bodies they would like to celebrate, or maybe conceal. The biggest gift is when I receive photos from a bride or client; to see my dresses come to life as characters in someone else’s story can be heartwarming and encouraging.

CV: What three words best describe your work and/or the style of your gowns and dresses?

ADK: Whimsical, romantic, bohemian.

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

ADK: The client I have in mind is a shameless romantic, an offbeat bride, a bohemian at heart.

CV: What are some new/emerging trends you’re seeing in wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses?

ADK: Personalization. I think more people are taking the reins in terms of personalizing their wedding attire by adding color, a homespun touch or wearing a less traditional silhouette. I’ve had more requests for mismatched bridesmaids dresses in either color or style, or both. Many of us ladies want to be able to wear our bridesmaid dresses again, so when given a choice between ten different styles or colors, we are more apt to do so.

As for brides, Dahl clients are definitely looking for something less traditional and more laid back, but with a romantic or ethereal vibe. Ivory, champagne, nude and blush pink are my most popular wedding gown color requests. I don’t think anyone has ever even asked me for a true white dress!

CV: What advice do you have for brides who are choosing their wedding gown?

ADK: I would highly recommend making appointments at two or three bridal salons, for example, an upscale salon, a vintage or second hand salon, and an indie or smaller salon who carries some handpicked selections. Try on a few different silhouettes and see what you like. That strapless princess dress with boning and miles of gathered tulle may look stunning on the rack, but it may look very different on. I just did this with a friend, and every gown she put on reaffirmed her desire for a sheath gown with a train. And it’s fun!

I also recommend taking a look in your closet and studying your favorite garments–what is it about them you love? Keep that in mind when choosing your gown and go with what you feel your best in, not what you think is right.

Marni1

{The Marni Bridesmaid Dress}

CV: Any advice for choosing bridesmaids’ attire?

ADK: I do think it’s important to have a color scheme in mind when choosing your bridesmaids dresses, and to base your decision on color palate, venue and the vibe which you’re going for. If you’re having a vintage-inspired wedding, you may look for retro dresses, or frocks made with vintage lace. For many brides, the first question from their maids is “what are your colors and what are we wearing?”

I am often approached by brides asking if they can mix and match my dress styles, and I’ll give them a list of which styles can all be made in mint green, or which styles can be made in a palate of pastels. They’ll send their maids to my website and let them choose which style they like best for themselves. I admire this approach and I think everyone wins in the end.

CV: What is one thing that every bride needs on her wedding day?

ADK: A bottle of good champagne while getting dressed with your maids!

CV: Do you create custom gowns and dresses?

ADK: Yes! I welcome custom design inquiries for both wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses. Prices vary depending upon materials utilized and complication of design.

{The Posey & Anouk Bridesmaid Dresses}

CV: What is/are your favorite piece(s) you’ve created?

ADK: I still get emotional when I see my wedding party, the collection which ultimately led me to designing wedding attire.

CV: At IndieWed, we love small and/or alternative wedding businesses. Any fellow indie vendors you’d like to send a shout-out to?

ADK: Yes! I love Skip To My Lou, for it’s whimsical, print-inspired customizable wedding invitations & personalized stationery. I love the collection of handmade metallic chartreuse, gold and silver tassels by EverlyLane. Die for these flower crowns by RoguePony. Amazing millinery arts by Laura Kranitz.

CV: Thanks, Alison for spending some time with us! Be sure to check out Dahl NYC’s website, Etsy shop, and Facebook page!

March 11, 2013 By Kelly

1 In Fashion/ The Bride

Dahl Bridal Fashions

Recently I was contacted by the folks over at Dahl about their spring/summer collection. If you are a Project Runway fan like I am then you might know that Dahl is the fashion line of Allison (Dahl) Kelly, a season three favorite.

: silk chiffon empire waist column gown in blush

Her collection includes both the more traditional wedding dress, available in blush, ivory, white and some custom colors, and a line of bright bridesmaid and party dresses that would also work as fabulous alternative wedding dresses. With plenty of color options available, you can have the perfect dress at a totally reasonable price. The dress above is a mere $398 and comes in sizes 2-14. The dresses are simple and unfussy yet have enough detailing to make them special.

Allison’s collection ranges from floor length to above the knee hemlines, with a variety of necklines and silhouettes to flatter any figure. While most of these dresses are for brides and her maids, these fun frocks would also be perfect for rehearsal dinners, and even for non-matrimonial events such as a New Year’s Eve party.

: metallic pink, silver, gold dress

Dahl doesn’t shy away from color either. The fact that nearly every dress can be made in the custom colors above is a huge plus in my book. The hard part is deciding which color you want. I think I’ll take this little number in tangerine…. or maybe tomato red… or maybe eggplant. At $248 a pop, maybe I’ll get a few.

: blush pink a-line knee length dress ruffles

Dresses are available in sizes 2 up to 20 with customizable lengths available. Custom sizing is available and they will even send you a muslin version for you to try on for fit. (A small fee applies) Party dresses typically take 3-4 weeks to make while bridal dresses can take up to 8 weeks. So what are you waiting for?

April 9, 2012 By Kelly

0 In Accessories/ Destination Weddings/ Eco-Friendly/ Fashion/ The Bride

Searching for Handmade Flair for Festivities?

Photo Credits: Nels Akerlund | nelsakerlund.com

Aloha! My name is Stephanie Fontaine & I’m the person behind Clark & Diversey, a small local business. My company features one-of-a-kind handmade flair for festivities, including head pieces, flower fascinators, dress adornments & accessories influenced by adventures abroad (my goal is to travel to as many countries as my age) and my swanky hometown of Chicago. Many goodies are created from eco-friendly fabric, luxurious scrap material from bridal gowns & cruelty-free feathers. Clark & Diversey creates handmade flair fit for any festivity.

Since tying the knot at our July 2010 destination wedding in the Dominican Republic, I’m partial to collaborating with brides-to-be on an original, custom creation for the big day. We’re overjoyed to once again be a part of IndieWed – the most fabulously creative bridal event, period. For the first 50 couples in line tomorrow, you’ll snag an amazing reusable, silkscreened swag bag filled to the brim with some spectacular goodies from many of the talented IndieWed vendors! Here’s a sneak peek of Clark & Diversey’s swag treats: