Sounds completely simple doesn’t it? Really though, wedding gowns are seldom known for their functionality. It the past, the focus during ceremonies on gloves and of course the rings has meant that keeping the hands hidden from view for any period of time has seemed un-desirable. While it is clear that pockets on gowns do add this ability for the bride, they are not necessarily for this purpose.

*The above gown is from the 2011 Jason Matlo collection, available exclusively from La Novia.

Pockets, quite simply allow for the bride to maintain a certain level of comfort throughout the day knowing that she has access to many seemingly essential items. Handkerchiefs, lipstick, notes or potentially a mirror can all be stored easily and remain invisible, yet are on hand at a moment’s notice.

While this dilemma has previously been over-come through the use and incorporation of bags and purses, wedding gowns with pockets leave the hands and wrists free . In many cases, the bride will find that a pocket would be an excellent addition to the outfit when a purse needs to be hidden during the ceremony.

*Another design by Jason Matlo, this time from the 2010 collection.

Versatility in the use of pockets is something that’s somewhat overlooked as well. While many pockets will be obscured from view or tucked discreetly between pleats, others are designed specifically the stand out as featured accessories on the gown itself. Pockets add girlish appeal to lacy wedding dresses. One popular design feature is to make the pockets opaque rather than sheer to add contrast in the design. Another design aspect includes the use of deliberate angles that highlight the pocket.

*The gown shown above is a piece by La Novia stylist Tara Akins, entitled “Serena“

La Novia Bridal is a boutique specializing in wedding gowns, the most expensive and elaborate gown that a woman will ever own.  This allows us to make the glamours concept of haute couture a reality for women who never dreamed of the opportunity. Our gowns are made from the highest quality fabrics including shuntung silk, silk brocade, silk charmeuse as well as various laces.  They are designed and created by elite local designer Jason Matlo .  Matlo’s sophisticated and elegant designs combine the most exquiste fabric, detailing, and structure.  Matlo as well as seamstresses working at his atelier have specialized couturier training which is very unique and specific ability that is difficult to find in Vancouver.  Dresses from Matlo’s 2010 Bridal couture collections are currently available at La Novia Bridal.  Matlo is also currently creating designs exclusively for La Novia Bridal.  These high quality gowns will be inspired by high fashion, 1940’s haute couture, and the fusion of various cultures.  They are available to try on in a sample size and will be altered to fit the brides body perfectly.

One of La Novia Bridal’s dresses designed by Jason Matlo.

Haute couture garments are very expensive in price due to high quality fabric and the hours of labor it takes to produce one garment. Wedding dresses are created with these same types of fabrics and in this same painstakingly manner.  Due to the elitist form of design and price of the haute couture garment, only the world’s richest and upper class women can afford them.   In the height of  the 1940’s, haute couture  was considered a lifestyle reserved for high society and royalty women.  La Novia Bridal wants to give brides the one opportunity that otherwise most women would not get to wear such an equsitive garment, to make a social statement of taste and style and to represent a glamours era and time for one special day.

The birth of haute couture began in 1858 with British dressmaker Charles Frederick Worth.  Worth  opened what is known as the world’s first haute couture fashion house with a goal of unifying design and fabrication under one roof. In-house workshops for tailoring and dressmaking were complimented by handmade accessories and trimmings such as feathers, embroidery, beading and ribbon work that was supplied by specialists throughout France.  Worth also opened his own ladies dress shop, Worth and Bobergh.  Known as the top dressmaker in Paris his shop was full from morning to evening with the most fashionable women from around the world. He used only the best fabrics and had the best seamstresses in all of Paris working for him.  La Novia Bridal is hoping to echo Worth’s boutique by creating a high end boutique with couture dresses sought after by fashion forward brides and being created right here by Jason Matlo, one of the top designers in Vancouver and his team of specialized team of seamstresses.

Although Worth was the one to establish Paris as the capital of fashion, it was the launch of Christian Dior’s New Look in 1947 that started the golden age of haute couture.The romantic postwar silhouette featured dresses with tiny waists, an imposing bust line and fuller skirts.  The release of this line by Dior scandalized the poor and delighted the rich, and began about a period of oustanding creativity. This was the height of haute couture and the standard for impeccable workmanship and design set in this era has rarely been surpassed since.

The designs were photographed by Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Cecil Beaton celebrating a time when  fashion was at its most glamorous and luxurious. Because haute couture garments were the most beautiful, elegant, and unique, they had a strong impact on fashion and style. They were introduced to Vouge and wider audience and everyone in the world held their breath waiting for the latest creations from Paris.

Although we may not be able to do it to the same extent, La Novia Bridal wants to create its own version of this fashion phenonmenon in Vancouver. A place where brides can go to get the most exquistive couture gowns made by the most sought after designers. A collaboration of Vancouver’s top photographers, and hair and make-up artists in creation of  editorial shoots of these couture gowns.

People’s attitudes and way of life changed very quick in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Fashion as a social and cultural phenomenon changed too and in 1964, Queen magazine annouced “the death of couture” .  Haute couture collections were being favoured by preta-a-porter and ready-to wear collections that appealed to the average person.  Although the last two decades of the 20th Century were not as exciting in the world of Haute Couture, the legacy of artistry and craftsmanship still thrives in the remaining fashion houses of Paris and haute couture still has a strong influence on providing inspiration to designers across the world.  La Novia Brida will continue to be inspired by not only current haute couture but also the elaborate creations from decades gone by.

Haute couture is not just a garment, it is a piece of art and La Novia Bridal will create a boutique that is both a bridal fashion and art gallery to celebrate the creation of bridal haute couture ain Vancouver and provide brides with an opportunity for the true couture experience.

We also want to ensure that our photos match the couple’s own personality and style. As such we’ve created non-traditional packages where couples can choose a specific style as well as the option for a variety of other shoots such as boudoir, post or pre wedding shoot, bridal fashion shoot, engagement shoot or the infamous “trash the dress” shoot!  Some of our styles include our vintage style which specialized in creating photos with a film- like esthetic predominantly in black and white as well or our modern style which focuses on a more photojournalistic style of photography.  We are also catering to a variety of budgets including our simple package for couples who don’t want to be forced into choosing the traditional elaborate photo package!

So take the time to go and check out all of La Novia Bridal’s photo galleries for those who want something truly unique and amazing for their wedding day! Lets go make some art!

Step 1- Choosing an artist!  Yes we know that everyone has a friend of a friend or a cousin who is a “make-up artist” who once upon a time went to make-up school. But remember this is your wedding day and being good at make-up is an art! La Novia Bridal hand picks all of our artists to create a skillful team that is at the top of the Vancouver bridal and fashion industries. The artists go through a series of training days and testing to ensure that they have all of the essential skills.  Remember if you are investing in a beautiful gown and a nice photography package, you want your hair and make-up to be equally as good!

Step 2- Choosing a look!! Deciding how you want your  make-up to look on your wedding day can be challenging.  This is why La Novia Bridal has created signature hair and make-up looks which can be customized for each bride.  Our most popular look has been “Perfectly Pretty”, a pretty natural look that most brides strive for. Its one of our most versatile looks but works especially well on blonde-hair, blue eyed brides as the mixture of neutrals and pinks on the eyes make light eyes pop and a nice rosy lip works well for fairer complexions.

Make-up by La Novia Artist Olga Siz.

Another one of our signature looks , “Au Natural”, is especially popular with brides who don’t wear a lot of make-up and just want their features to pop slightly for their wedding day.

Make-up by La Novia artist- Faye Smith

We also have our “Smokin’ Hottie look which features a subtle smoky eye for the bride looking to spice up her wedding day

Make-up by La Novia artist Faye Smith.

Step 3- The Consultation. During your bridal consultation, a La Novia Artist will sit down with you and decide which look will work for each bride based on your preferences, colorings, and features. Artists will customize the look to suit you best. For example a coral pink lip may work for a red head or strawberry blonde while a brunette may be better suited for a more rosy pink. La Novia’s artists are careful to listen to the bride throughout the consultation to ensure that you are happy with each step along the way and confident that your make-up will be perfect for your wedding day!

Check out more of our looks on our make-up page! To book a consultation with a La Novia artist, call 604-568-8252 or email info@lanoviabridal.com!