PHOTO CREDITS
DRESS: CHIC NOSTALGIA available at Masako Formals
HEAD PIECE: Masako Formals original
LIPS: ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS
Liquid Lipstick in Pure Hollywood
EYE MAKEUP:@GLAMDIVAP
SETTING: Ko’olina, Secret Beach
Lookbook: LOCAL BOHO
Mermaid Forever – Masako Formals’ 7 favorite mermaid weding gowns
The mermaid gown is one of the most classic bridal silhouettes, and while trends may come and go, the mermaid gown is forever.
There’s no one way to do a mermaid, but here’s a rundown of our 7 favorite mermaid bridal gowns – one for each of the seas!
7. Classic ruched organza mermaid gown by Lillian West
A glamorous gown with fun movement through the skirt, this Lillian West Fall 2016 gown is a blank canvas for the mermaid bride.
6. “Chrysanthemum” by Casablanca Bridal
Chantilly lace with lace illusion back, this gown is a beautiful, delicate, light-weight contemporary take on the traditional lace mermaid wedding dress.
5. “Begonia” by Sophia Tolli
Many consider bridal designer Sophia Tolli to be the queen of the mermaid gown, and Begonia is one of the dresses that earned her that title. With a lightly beaded lace bodice, a detachable rhinestone belt, and a scalloped lace hemline, this dress is perfection from top to bottom.
4. Modern lace mermaid gown by Justin Alexander
A modern interpretation of classic lace like only Justin Alexander can, this gown shimmers subtly from a layer of opal sequence laid under the lace applique.
3. “Avery” by Palazzo Bridal by Jane White
The minimalist mermaid gown with immaculate design and construction, this silk crepe wedding dress can by styled up or left simple to celebrate less is more. Available with or without front slit.
2. “Tulip” by Karen Willis Holmes
While not a traditional mermaid silhouette with exaggerated flair at the thigh, we included this gown because it exudes the mermaid spirit – the beaded white sequence in the bodice evokes fish scales, and the skirt flairs into a flowing chiffon. We love this modern interpretation of the mermaid gown!
1.”Aprilia” by Sophia Tolli
With embellished lace, a gorgeous illusion back, and a multi-layered organza skirt, Aprilia has all the elements of glamorous mermaid wedding gown.
Masako Formals at New York International Bridal Week
Bridal kimonos are no joke!
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!
What’s it called? A quick and dirty bridal terms list, Part 1
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 – the most classic dress silhouette – fitted along the bust and then lets out at the natural waistline.
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 – a dress fitted only at the bust, letting out into the skirt just below the bust.
SHEATH – a dress fitted through the hips and then lets out straight to the floor with little volume.
MERMAID – a dress fitted through the bust, waist, hips, and thighs, letting out just above, at, or below the knee.
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 – a shortened ballgown dress that ends below the knee/ mid-calf.
HIGH-LOW – can refer to any silhouette dress where the front of the skirt is higher than the back.