Milan in Honolulu: Antonio Riva Bridal

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Architect turned fashion designer, Milan’s Antonio Riva is a true inspiration for fresh, simple, couture bridal looks. Masako Formals is delighted to be Antonio Riva’s fashion home in Hawaii.  See his full collection here.

“Kristel” Antonio Riva wedding dress at Masako Formals
“Luna” Antonio Riva bridal gown at Masako Formals
“Luna” Antonio Riva bridal gown at Masako Formals
“Brenda” Antonio Riva wedding gown at Masako Formals
“Kristel” Antonio Riva wedding dress at Masako Formals
“Brenda” Antonio Riva wedding gown at Masako Formals

 

MF Lookbook: Sterling Rose Kinda Love

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This lookbook is inspired by two elements: Rose Gold and Sterling Silver. The silver accessories bring a classic feel and look to the bride, but the rose gold gives warmth and comfort yet compliments the sterling silver thus the title…

~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~

Dress: @bylillianwest *available at Masako Formals

Necklace: @jasclassic on @etsy

Bracelet: @theofficialpandora

Makeup: @rebeccaseals

Hair: @ulyana.aster

Setting: @haikumill

Earrings: @nordstrom

~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~~♥~

Inside Nicole Miller Artelier

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A look inside Nicole Miller headquarters with Kumi and Zoe.

Fall 2015 Bridal Fashion Week NYC

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It’s Fall Bridal Fashion Week in New York City. The world’s best bridal designers are here to show off their Fall 2016 lines. Our first top is the Couture Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Featured designers: Palazzo Bridal by Jane White / Justin Alexander / Lillian West

Sincerity Bridal
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Palazzo Bridal
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Palazzo Bridal
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Justin Alexander
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Lillian West
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Palazzo Bridal
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Justin Alexander
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Justin Alexander
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Palazzo Bridal
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Justin Alexander
Fall 2016 Bridal line by Palazzo Bridal

Masako Formals Kimono Studio on Naruhodo, Hawaii’s KikuTV

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Masako Formals hair and makeup artist Hitomi Ohki, introduced Japanese TV channel Kiku TV to the history of kimonos. Hitomi was trained in Kyoto under a kimono master, and now dresses children, families, and couples in traditional kimonos at Masako Formal’s Kimono Photo Studio. In this epoisode of Naruhodo, Hitomi shares her kimono knowledge with Hawaii.

Check out store owner Kumi in a Tomesode kimono and enjoy learning a little more about Japanese kimono culture!

Bridal kimonos are no joke!

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Today Hitomi and Kumi taught Zoe to respect the samurai era. They surprised her with a full kimono dressing. Zoe almost passed out during the first attempt and Hitomi had to undo the painstaking dressing (it is not uncommon for brides, especially in the summer, to get dizzy and faint while in their kimonos!). The second time was a success! Respect for kimonos! And definitely eat breakfast before you get in one!

Hitomi, Masako Formals hair and makeup artist and professional kimono dresser, trained under a kimono master in Kyoto. Here she is tying the obi into a bow that will be displayed in the back of the kimono.
Hitomi explains the traditional kimono accessories – a knife, a fan, and makeup purse
The kimono involves many layers including traditional skirt and shirt underwear, a silk robe, several layers wrapped around the waist, the kimono itself, the obe, and several other ties, sashes, and collars.
Masako Formals store owner Kumi (right) stays stoked.
Long sleeve kimonos were traditionally worn by young women and brides. After marriage the sleeves are shortened because they get in the way of housework!
Our bridal stylist Zoe, learned to respect the samurai era!

Featured Designer: ellelikesrap

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We love going to New York fashion week and seeing what’s new from the world’s top designers. But just as much, we love discovering small artisan designers that are reinventing style, often in their homes, at their fingertips and straight from the heart.

ellelikesrap is a Boston native who lives, works, and creates locally, with global inspiration. You can commission pieces from her – a great way to customize your thank you presents for your bridal party?

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: KWH Bridal

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This is what happens when a fashion designer makes wedding dresses.

What’s it called? A quick and dirty bridal terms list, Part 1

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sihlouettes 2

When you are looking for the dress it’s helpful for be able to describe what you like and what you don’t. Here’s a list of common wedding dress silhouettes.

SILHOUETTES

A-line

A LINE – the most classic dress silhouette – fitted along the bust and then lets out at the natural waistline.

ballgown

BALLGOWN – a version of the A Line, the ball gown lets out at the natural waistline or above the hips with a full-volume skirt, often created by layers of tulle.

empire

EMPIRE – a dress fitted only at the bust, letting out into the skirt just below the bust.

sheath

SHEATH – a dress fitted through the hips and then lets out straight to the floor with little volume.

Mermaid sihlouette

MERMAID – a dress fitted through the bust, waist, hips, and thighs, letting out just above, at, or below the knee.

trumpeted

TRUMPET – similar to but slightly more relaxed than the mermaid, the trumpet is fitted through bust, waist, and hips, until the skirt flares out along the high or mid thigh.

 tea length

TEA LENGTH – a shortened ballgown dress that ends below the knee/ mid-calf.

high-low

HIGH-LOW – can refer to any silhouette dress where the front of the skirt is higher than the back.