Bridal Market Fall 2013 Recap: the Shows, the Parties, the Fun

This past week has been busy with tons of Fall 2013 Bridal Market events. I got to see the latest gown collections on the runways, spend time with our clients and make new friends in the bridal industry!

Theia Couture Pant Suit

After unveiling Della Giovanna‘s Fall 2014 Collection with our own fashion show, I got to take a back seat at some great bridal market shows. Our first was at Theia Couture where I really loved these wedding pants.

Wish Upon a Wedding Gala

I got to rock out with Joanne Barken, CEO of The Bach, at the gala hosted by the wonderful nonprofit organization, Wish Upon a Wedding.

Alfred Angelo

Wedding capes were a big trend at the shows we saw, including this sheer beauty from Alfred Angelo. Another trend was florals and, of course, the queen of floral Claire Pettibone did not disappoint:

Claire Pettibone Fall 2014 Collection

 

 

Ilana Stern, CEO of Weddington Way, at Watters

Our next show was by Watters, whose bridesmaid dresses are carried on Weddington Way. After the show, The Knot TV interviewed Weddington Way‘s CEO Ilana Stern about the trends.

Next, we headed to the New York International Bridal Week held at Pier 94, where Kirribilla debuted its adorable Little White Dress collection.Kirribilla

 

Bridal Market

Bridal market goes on around the clock, so at night we attended the fun Inspire Smart Success Magazine Party with our clients from The BachNadia D. Photography and Della Giovanna.

The culmination of Bridal Market week was the incredible galas hosted on the last night by Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot magazines. For my appearance, I chose this gorgeous Fiore dress by Kirribilla, morganite earrings by Yael Designs and a stylish handbag by Ita Collection:

The Knot Wedding Gala

We started off the night with drinks at the Gallow Green and we even had a mini photo shoot styled by Nadia D Photography:

Martha Stewart Weddings Party

Founders of The Bach, Star Talent, Della Giovanna and Nadia D Photography with Sasha Vasilyuk of I Do PR


The 12th Annual Martha Stewart Weddings Bridal Fashion Week Party called “Starry Night” took place in the magazine’s offices, which were transformed into a lavish lounge with live entertainment, ice cream sandwiches, photo booths and other delights.

Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2013 party

Sasha with Ilana Stern from Weddington Way, Phoebe Davison from Kirribilla, Vanessa from Weddington Way and Nadia of Nadia D. Photography

 

Martha Stewart Wedding Gala

We spotted a few brilliant bridal bloggers! Elizabeth Muhmood Kane of Bridal Musings, Anne Chertoff and Jessica Bishop from The Budget Savvy Bride posed for a pic.

 

Martha Stewart Weddings Party

Jacqueline Courtney from Nearly Newly Wed and Thea Bloch-Neal from Hushed Commotion looked great in their headbands.

We then hopped over across town to The Knot Wedding Gala at the New York Public Library:

The Knot Wedding Gala

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And of course I got to dance with two of The Knot‘s gorgeous editors, Sam and Heather.

The Knot Wedding Gala Nadia D. Photography and Sasha Vasilyuk

It was a great night and a perfect way to end bridal market!

 

Della Giovanna Launches Inaugural Collection at W Hotel

We’re very excited to share that Tuesday night, our newest client bridal couture designer Della Giovanna launched the inaugural collection of edgy, fashion-forward wedding dresses for Fall 2014!

Founded by New York fashion designer Michelle Della Giovanna, the collection combines the glamour of a traditional wedding gown with the latest trends of today’s fashion runways. As part of Bridal Market Week, where editors attend several dozen shows, we wanted to wow our guests, which is exactly why we held the fashion show and launch party at the Extreme WOW Suite on the 57th floor of W New York – Times Square:

Della Giovanna Launch View from W Hotel

Guests were welcomed not only with the stunning view of the city, but also with bubbly and unique canolis and seasonal pumpkin panna cotta from Pasticceria Bruno:

Cannolis

The innovative bridal collection was inspired by Michelle Della Giovanna’s fashion design background and caters to the modern bride who wants a statement-making wedding gown that reflects her contemporary sense of style.

Here’s me (on left) with Michelle Della Giovanna in front of the fab Extreme Wow Suite graffiti wall:

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To showcase Della Giovanna’s unique aesthetic, we chose to open the fashion show with a stunning performance by an electric violin-wielding bride from Star Talent Inc:

 Star Talent Violinist at Della Giovanna Show

Della Giovanna’s Fall 2014 Collection features gowns, corset tops and skirts in a variety of silhouettes in silk and cotton, embellished with elements of white leather, metal studs and python skin.

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Della Giovanna Fashion Show

Della Giovanna Fashion Show

Made locally in New York City, Della Giovanna’s debut collection includes a range of silhouettes from the flattering fit-and-flare to sleek mermaid to knee-length pencil skirts as well as corseted tops offering a variety of necklines. The tops and skirts can be mixed and matched, giving each bride an opportunity to create a unique look for her special day.

Della Giovanna Fashion Show

Della Giovanna Fashion Show

While many brides find the gown of their dreams among the current designers, I saw room to create designs for brides with a different, edgier aesthetic,” said Michelle Della Giovanna.

Della Giovanna Fashion Show

Della Giovanna Fashion Show

Michelle Della Giovanna

The unique collection, available on www.della-giovanna.com, is already getting the attention of top bridal magazines, including Brides, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Inside Weddings, Bridal Guide and Weddings by Ritz Carlton. Check out Bride’s photos from the show!

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Della Giovanna Fashion Show

It was a great night and after the guests left, we got to decompress in the Wow Suite’s cool swing chairs – never thought I’d be swinging above Times Square!

Michelle Della Giovanna

We are so glad that our fave NYC wedding photographer Lux Photos, was there to capture every minute of the night! Thank you to everyone who came and made last night such a success!

The Peninsula New York Turned 25 and We Got to Go!

This week, I got to go to accompany our wedding music client Michael Taylor, CEO of Star Talent Inc., to The Peninsula New York’s  25th Anniversary Celebration. This was one heck of a party – with caviar, champagne, 5 different bands, a dance performance over a pool and a slew of celebrities to spot! And since The Peninsula is one of New York’s premier 5-star wedding venues, I got to meet several prominent wedding vendors as well.

The Peninsula New York

As I arrived, I was greeted by this Chinese dragon that immediately put me in the mood to party – after all, The Peninsula is a Chinese company that was first founded in Hong Kong more than 80 years ago:

25th Anniversary Celebration at The Peninsula NY

25th Anniversary Celebration at Peninsula NY

The party began in the hotel lobby, which was converted into a bar. And to showcase the newly opened restaurant, Clement, they had the Chef de Cuisine Brandon Kida’s regionally inspired seasonal dishes and desserts.

Of course, given that I’m Russian, I went straight for the Petrossian caviar bar… Yum!!

Caviar at the 25th Anniversary of the Peninsula NY

 

While one party raged in the hotel lobby, another two were simultaneously taking place on the hotel’s rooftop terrace. Salon de Ning, which is normally an open terrace, was tented to create an intimate retro lounge with Asian specialties including sushi and dim sum and featuring Prohibition-era music and dancing.

Entertainment at the 25th Anniversary of The Peninsula NY

Meanwhile, The Sun Terrance, a wrap-around balcony with amazing views that can accommodate smaller weddings, featured Latin music with a lively Cuban-inspired cocktail bar. The Peninsula even transformed its pool on the 21st floor by covering it and turning it into a dance floor! Since the hotel doesn’t have a ballroom, I think they should keep the dance floor as an option for weddings in the future.

Speaking of weddings… I met some amazing wedding vendors at the party, including prominent New York wedding photographer David Hechler, Annie Lee, a great wedding designer with Daughter of Design and David Beahm who created this amazing flower obelisk:

David Beahm Design flower obelisk at The Peninsula New York

In addition to the beautiful décor and delicious treats, I spotted a few celebs: fashion icon Oscar De La Renta, tennis player John McEnroe and the gorgeous Naomi Campbell. I even rode the elevator with Greyton Carter, the publisher of Vanity Fair!

I certainly couldn’t complain. Especially when upon exiting I was greeted with this dessert display:

Food at the 25th Anniversary of The Peninsula NY

 

The Peninsula New York sure knows how to throw one heck of a party. And I’m one lucky girl who gets to go.