Ivory silk shantung bridal ball gown, pleated bodice with beaded applique and bow at natural waist, sweep train.

Ivory Mikado organza trumpet bridal gown, with pleated bodice, beaded belt at natural waist, and wave ruffle skirt with sweep train.

Harper
Strapless swiss dot fit-to-flare bridal gown with ruched detail and self tie bow on bodice.

Regan Gown by Modern Trousseau, Photograph by Liz Von Hoene – Text by Cara Sullivan

Hayley Gown

]]> http://haydenolivia.com/2012/04/market-recap-continues-anna-maier/feed/ 0 http://haydenolivia.com/2012/04/new-york-bridal-market-recap/ http://haydenolivia.com/2012/04/new-york-bridal-market-recap/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:39:39 +0000 Heather Batt http://haydenolivia.com/?p=4599 This week will kick off a recap of this year’s April New York Bridal Market.  Designers and buyers meet in the big city twice a year to view and purchase the seasons newest gown styles.  Hard to believe that we are already planning for the arrival of gown for 2013 weddings!  First up, lets take a peek at the gorgeous collection by Modern Trousseau.  Designer Callie Tein never disappoints, in fact many of us RUN to her showroom specifically to see her latest use of gorgeous lace…we can absolutely confirm that Hayden Olivia will have the most luxurious laces and silks in Charlotte constructed in stunning silhouettes for 2013.  Modern Trousseau also hit the mark with full organza skirts, a few minis, and spectacular belts to accessorize.  Gowns will begin arriving within the week and our late spring trunk show is in May- a weekend to view the entire new collection!

Photography by Corbin Gurkin

Harper

Strapless swiss dot fit-to-flare bridal gown with ruched detail and self tie bow on bodice.

Blush 1207

Matte taffeta bridal ball gown with layered petal affect.

Tara Keely 2210

Ivory Alencon lace mini dress, Ivory moire ribbon at natural waist, tulle

overskirt with horsehair accented hem and chapel train.

Tara Keely 2206

Ivory Alencon lace bridal gown with elongated bodice and scalloped tiered skirt, strapless

sweetheart neckline, satin ribbon belt with beaded applique at natural waist and chapel train.

Meet Modern Trousseau owner-designer Callie Tein

INTERVIEW BY Melissa Bigner

Part of the excitement of Charleston Fashion Week^® comes when national and local talent converge in our very own backyard. But as anyone familiar with Charleston’s bridal boutiques knows, that’s nothing new in our white gown world. Buzzed about talents are birthed here (hello, LulaKate, and howdy there, Carol Hannah Whitfield), and big-name lines have long been carried in our shops. Last year marked a first, though, when nationally renowned Modern Trousseau opened a flagship shop on Upper King. The brand’s owner-designer, Callie Tein, made her first appearance at the 2011 Charleston Weddings Spring Bridal Show (SBS), a ringing endorsement for the event’s importance here and further afield. This year, spring finds Callie tackling two big bridal events nearly simultaneously—our March 24th show and New York’s Bridal Week, which hits in April—but she managed to take a little time to share her thoughts on all things wedding with us. Enjoy the read, click here for her full write-up, here for tickets to the show, and here to read about the other designers we’re hosting.

Charleston Weddings: What’s the energy like for your New York Bridal Week shows?
Callie Tein: Intense—it makes the whole event seem to flash by so quickly.

CW: How is your show for the Charleston Weddings Spring Bridal Show different and/or similar?
CT: The vibe in Charleston is a bit more relaxed. Much of my stress is relieved by the extremely professional team that Charleston provides. However, my focus on attending to the details and the anxious moments getting models in front of an audience apply whether I’m preparing for New York or Charleston.

CW: Why did you choose Charleston as the place for your flagship store? Did you first find the city via trunk shows, or how?
CT: We fell in love with Charleston, and felt the fit was right for our first flagship store. We had previously hosted trunk shows in the area and had great success with the brides who came to see us.

CW: Your current ad campaign is so uplifting. It feels “so Charleston” with the playfulness and romance, but it was shot closer to your home base in Connecticut, right? How did you come up with the vibe, and why do you think it translates to our region so well?
CT: The current campaign was photographed on the shoreline of Rhode Island, a couple hours from our Connecticut headquarters. Our designs our proudly made and designed with love in the USA, and we are always looking for a fresh, modern look that reflects our home-grown brides. This shoreline theme evokes our Charleston bride, as well as the wit and style inherent in the women of this area.

CW: How do you choose models for your national ad campaigns, New York shows, and Charleston Weddings Spring Bridal Show? What do you look for?
CT: Choosing models isn’t an easy task. We select girls who have a fresh look, that are fun to work with, and who can relax in front of the camera. It’s much harder than it looks. We are currently featuring real Modern Trousseau brides in our ad campaigns, because the joy and enthusiasm that exudes from our clients in their gowns just can’t be replicated in a formal fashion shoot.

CW: Do you feel like your models are “relatable” to real-life brides?
CT: We never select models that are too thin. My dresses need real curves to fill them out, just like the gorgeous real brides who wear Modern Trousseau.

CW: Do you ever get to attend shows yourself?
CT: I never have the time to attend other shows, but it would be fun to relax and just watch.

CW: I’ve heard you have real-life brides take 15 measurements to ensure their gowns are ultra-custom fit. Why is this important to you?
CT: You’ll never catch a Modern Trousseau bride tugging and pulling at her gown on her wedding day. We want our clients to be comfortable for the most important day of her life, and nothing cramps a girl’s style more than a poorly fitted dress. We always take extra measurements to ensure a perfect fit, and take great pride in the quality and finish of each gown.

CW: Aside from the materials—fabric, trim, lace—your gowns are entirely made here in the States, a rarity. Why is this important to you, and what’s the advantage for the bride?
CT: We are proud to be one of the few remaining couture houses left in the U.S. And because our gowns are made here, we can cut them one at a time and adjust for each individual bride. As a result, the dress needs fewer alterations, and has a better overall fit.

CW: Can you tell readers about the scale of your design house?
CT: We currently send out 2,600 bridal and evening-wear gowns per year, and our annual collections present 24 new bridal styles and 10 new evening-wear styles. In addition, the Modern Trousseau staff has grown to 24.

CW: You’ve mentioned in this issue what people can expect from your latest line. Are there any styling details and ideas we should keep an eye out for?
CT: We really wanted to have fun with this collection. There is a lot of texture and a combination of fabrics. The overall spirit is soft and ethereal, so we styled gowns with long veils, soft ribbons, and delicate flower details.

CW: What’s the most fun part of being where you are in your career, as an established, nationally renowned designer?
CT: I love hearing about weddings from previous brides, and how everybody loved her dress and couldn’t stop talking about it. It gives me immense satisfaction to be a part of someone’s day and to make them truly happy.

CW: How do you maintain the inspiration?
CT: I’m constantly dreaming up new gown designs — in fact, my head is crowed with ideas. It’s wonderful when I finally see these dreams come to fruition, and this keeps me inspired.

CW: How might/can readers meet you? (When might you be in the Charleston shop on this trip or throughout the year?)
CT: I travel to stores to meet my brides all year. The website event calendar lists our bridal trunk shows across the country. We recommend brides call their local Modern Trousseau vendors to learn more.

And a few silly questions…
CW: Do you ever get to “play tourist” when you visit here?
CT: I love being a tourist, and the weather is usually fabulous for long walks to shop the chic Charleston boutiques and people watch from outdoor cafés.

CW: Does your family join you when you visit Charleston?
CT: My daughter usually travels with me to Charleston, and enjoys shopping on King Street. I’m sure that’s where you’ll find us when we’re not attending other shows during Charleston Fashion Week.

To read more on Callie and about her pending show under the tents in Marion Square March 24, click here.

]]> http://haydenolivia.com/2012/03/callie-tein-of-modern-trousseau-feature/feed/ 0 http://haydenolivia.com/2012/03/anne-barge-featured-in-martha-stewart-weddings/ http://haydenolivia.com/2012/03/anne-barge-featured-in-martha-stewart-weddings/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:59:30 +0000 Heather Batt http://haydenolivia.com/?p=4511 The Spring 2012 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings features many of the gorgeous gowns available to brides via Hayden Olivia Bridal right here in uptown Charlotte.  Two Anne Barge styles grace the magazine against bold peach and orange tones…so beautiful. Be sure to check out the issue on newsstands for the gorgeous images of Sheldon and Waverly by Anne Barge.

Photos via Anne Barge, Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2012

Melsisa T Photography  http://www.melissatphotography.com

Amanda Meyer http://ameyerphotography.squarespace.com

Here’s a look at the top 10 wedding trends for 2012 thanks to The Knot

1. “Snow White” Wedding Dresses: Buzzed-about movies Snow White and The Huntsman and Mirror, Mirror will inspire 2012 brides to wear wedding gowns that are light and airy, but with a mysterious and sexy vibe. Vera Wang’s stunning witchcraft-inspired 2012 wedding dresses will be the bride’s first stop.
2. Enchanting Flowers: The magical settings of these Snow White-inspired movies and even much-anticipated fantasy filmThe Hobbit will have an effect on wedding décor, with brides opting for a woodsy vibe. Think: soft, decadent bouquets filled with flowers like cabbage roses, peonies and dinner plate dahlias.
3. Watercolor Designs: On dresses, invitations and table designs, watercolor touches give weddings the perfect creative bent for 2012. A-list designer Carolina Herrera showed stunning watercolor prints in her spring 2012 bridal collection. And the color palette to do this in? Pastels like pink and lilac are the “it” colors of 2012!
4. The Hunger Games-Style Bachelor Parties: Forget strippers and booze, the bachelor and bachelorette party of 2012 is giving way to The Hunger Games-style action. While ladies are channeling their inner Jane Bond via programs like Stiletto Spy School where they get to learn defensive tactics, high-speed stunt driving and MacGyver-like survival skills (all while rocking a dress, of course), guys are finally fulfilling their lifelong fantasies of race car driving, learning how to play poker like a pro and even, believe it or not, herding cows and sheep.
5. The Bombshell Bride: Marilyn Monroe wooed a president, was featured on the cover of the first issue of Playboy, is the subject of Oscar-buzzed movie My Week with Marilyn, and is going to make an especially big impression on brides this year. The beauty icon’s ability to accentuate her best features, signature pouty lips and slinky dresses (we especially love a number from Reem Acra with a sexy slit up the side!) are the perfect inspiration for bombshell brides.
6. The Panoramic Wedding Portrait: Just like critically acclaimed movie The Artist was shot on film without sound, the trend in wedding photography is to steer away from all the overdone effects (like odd angles and lots of added filters). Instead, photographers are shooting turn-of-the-century-inspired wedding portraits with a formal, classic approach. One shot that’s totally mantel-worthy? A panoramic wedding portrait where every single wedding guest is in the photo.
7. Ritzy Ranch Weddings: The setting? A 200-year-old barn complete with long exposed-wood tables, large chandeliers and ambient lighting. The flowers? Lace-wrapped bouquets of wild roses, lilies of the valley, Queen Anne’s lace and gardenias. The food? Delicate wild game like juniper-spiced venison, cider-braised pheasant and pan-roasted quail, Top Chef: Texas-style. Brides will be channeling the Old West with a rustic-elegant spin à la Lauren Bush and David Lauren’s recent nuptials.
8. When Harry Met Sally-Inspired Video Trailers: When it comes to wedding videos, it’s not something brides are watching after the wedding anymore. Couples are filming their love stories à la When Harry Met Sally and then showing snippets of it in video e-save-the-dates and having it screened at the wedding…all while guests are being filmed watching it, of course.
9. Long Sleeves & Lace: Brides can thank Kate Middleton and the latest Twilight installment for this wedding fashion trend – long sleeves and lace! Strapless dresses will still rule the bridal aisle, but expect more coverage for 2012 with a sexy twist. Think: sheer backs and illusion sleeves. And don’t be surprised if the look of lace pops up on everything from the wedding cake to the décor.
10. Mega-Moons: Sri Lanka? Check. Patagonia? Check. All in one trip? Check. That’s right, for 2012, brides won’t be settling on just one dream destination, but instead, they’ll be opting for a round-the-world getaway to several far-flung locales. Plus, they’ll be virtually bringing their friends with them via social travel apps that crowd-source friend-approved recommendations from resources like Tripl and Gogobot.

The Hayley Paige Collection was designed with a bit of an eclectic feel while ultimately weaving together romance, charm and sophistication into each and every gown.  Each piece from her line is designed with a woman’s body in mind while incorporating a unique flair of femininity, whether it be subtle beading, textured silk petals or soft organza draping.  We are so excited to introduce this new collection to you with our first ever Hayley Paige Trunk Show at Hayden Olivia Bridal, January 19th-21st.  Please, give us a call today to make your appointment and let us help you get acquainted with this fabulous new line!

‘Hattie’

‘Gianna’

‘Bella’

‘Kiki’

Photos courtesy of JLM Couture