Brides and Planners, prepare to swoon.

I overheard two of my best girlfriends chatting a couple nights ago. Newlywed told Nearlywed that the dress is the most important detail of the wedding. I laughed and interjected, "And the bride and groom!" They laughed harder. Nearlywed assured me , "No, it's the dress!"

Until I am engaged and wrapped in the whirlwind of planning this momentous day, I may never fully understand the modern day miracle that is finding your perfect dress. I am slightly obsessed with TLC's "Say Yes to The Dress" where hopeful brides try on look after look, waiting for that "Aha" moment. These people are visibly moved and shaken by the experience. It really isn't just any old dress. I definitely know the power of clothes, so I can only imagine what it must feel like to see yourself the way you wished you would look when you fantasized about Prince Charming slipping on that glass shoe.

Here's where you can get excited. "Say Yes to The Dress" is filmed at Kleinfeld; home to the most beautiful bridal design labels you can name. Guess who's coming to the The Wedding Convention? Hint: His name is Terry Hall!

In order to take 2014’s Wedding Convention to a new, globally competitive level, Trinidad Weddings (home of www.trinidadweddings.com & the TW Wed-Zine magazine)  was able to leverage its linkages with top bridal industry players to bring this year’s esteemed guest speakers Terry Hall and Julie Albaugh to Trinidad.

Terry first took interest in fashion during high school, designing a prom dress for a close friend. After graduating he landed at Calvin Klein and then Ralph Lauren in Palm Beach and New York, where he styled VIP clients, super models and celebrities. Always attuned to the glamour hidden within every woman, he enthusiastically participated in preparing young ladies for the Miss America Pageant as well.     

Never forgetting his design and fashion roots, Terry had always loved dressing brides for their weddings as a hobby and finally decided to turn his passion into a career path. Soon after, Terry became the Fashion Director of Kleinfeld. He smoothly made the transition from banking to brides and has never looked back.  

When asked, “What is your favorite thing about working with brides?” He said, “Seeing a bride’s face in the perfect dress and the realization that this is a forever, memorable moment!”

In the past three years, Terry has essentially become the face of Kleinfeld. His expertise in the fashion and bridal industries has landed him both national and local coverage on Good Morning America, Fox 5 News, NY1, The Today Show, Huffington Post Live, Disney’s Ever After Blog and more. Terry also appeared on Oxygen’s, The Face, as a guest judge alongside Nigel Barker and Naomi Campbell, and now he'll be joining us in Trinidad when he is hosting a stylish brunch as a part of the Wedding Convention 2014.

So unless you plan to get married in a bikini, clear your Sunday because I'm making this even sweeter. All attendees get a $450 gift voucher from Kleinfeld! To get a special discount mention the code NMFV<3TWC in an email to contactus@trinidadweddings.com. 

Make sure to bring a print out of this voucher at registration on Sunday to be eligible for the discount!

P.S. I'm going to be there!

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Playing Fass Part 2: The Bustier Experiment

It would seem that many of you who read my blog posts could relate to the quandary involving boobs, bras and backless outfits- since over 500 people read about my battle (and defeat) with the Free Bra adhesives!

I mentioned at the end of that post that I was having a bustier custom made for me by Van de Vlugt. Yesterday I put it to the test, and wore the yellow satin peplum top to a friend's wedding, where I stuffed my face with dessert, jumped up to Karma's covers of Machel and Super Blue, and waved upon request.

With a beautiful asymmetrical slope from the centre front of the ruffle to the back point, this had to be one of my favourite pieces that I have ever worn in my life! The designer, Darcel for her own label, Van de Vlugt artfully built a superb structure with flattering V-shaped top-stitched style lines and  a marriage between comfort and support like I had never experienced. When I would answer the countless questions about it people where shocked to hear that there was sturdy boning involved! I was told that I looked completely comfortable (and I was)!  Even more surprising as that when the Super Blue comeback hit "Fantastic Friday" played, the bouncing started on the dance floor, but not on me! I was securely locked and loaded, bra-less and all!

Conclusion: Darcel de Vlugt is a creative genius. With technical skills to compete with any couturier, I have 100% faith and trust in her! I definitely recommend that you see her now, before she is grabbed up by Milan or Paris!

This a link to the Van De Vlugt Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/houseofvandervlugt?fref=ts

Supporting Local Fashion

For as long as I have been dressing up, I have been wearing imported brands. I am a slave to Guess, Bebe, J. Crew, Macy's-- the whole shabang!

Only when I began formally styling in Trinidad did I realise what an injustice I was committing, not only to the local economy, but to my fellow local fashion enthusiasts! I admit it is much easier to go online and with the matter of a click (and 2 weeks shipping time) all that glitters from Forever 21 and Asos.com are yours. I decided to try it Trini Style. I have been only shopping locally, particularly from local designers and crafters, not so much in local shops with imported merchandise from USA though.

The response? People are noticing! I have never received so many compliments and "Where yuh get that?"s
When I answer them by saying that someone made it for me, or that I bought it from a jewellery designer in Belmont, the reaction is priceless! Why do we look far and wide for fashion when we have it in our backyard? I'm not saying to give up on the Marciano blazers completely, but I am suggesting that you look to our local creators and vendors for gems that make you unique.

Both Dresses attracted quite a lot of attention at two December Weddings! They were both custom made by Janelle Forde for J.Angelique.

Contact the designer at www.jangelique.com


I am also in love with Koko Karibi. See http://www.facebook.com/kokokaribidesigns?fref=ts for all their amazing pieces!

My friend Andrea and I in KoKo Karibi earrings!

Closer look at my earrings

            

Bought this ring for my cousin for Christmas!
(Gifted friends and family with local
fashion this year)

 My boyfriend did a good job getting me this Turquoise necklace from House of Jaipur!