If you are anything like us, you run to the store when the newest Wedding Editions hit the newstands or you patiently wait for your editions to arrive in the mail…they are gorgeous and full of fabulous inspiration.  Charleston Weddings has always been a favorite, such a gorgeous publication.  In this weeks Bridal Buzz by Editor Melissa Bigner, Callie answers a ton of fun questions about Modern Trousseau and the Spring Bridal Show happening at the end of the month in Charleston, SC.  A fun little read featuring one of our favorites.  Most of Callie’s current collection can be found right here at Hayden Olivia in Uptown.

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.

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

Real Brides who wore JLM Blush Gowns via JLM’s website.  A bit of inspiration as we steam and hang these beautiful trunk show gowns.  Gorgeous gowns and great incentives…a few Friday appointments still available. 704-333-0377

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

Amanda Meyer http://ameyerphotography.squarespace.com

We will start March 2012 off with a really exciting event!  We are excited to host our spring Blush by JLM trunk show this weekend.  The gowns are starting to arrive and they are gorgeous!  We continue to say that a Blush gown is ALOT of gown for the price.  If you are wanting to stay within the 1800-2500 price range for your gown, this collection is a must see.  Call the girls at Hayden Olivia to schedule an appointment for this Thur, Fri or Sat, March 1-3.  Below is a sneak peek…happy gown shopping!

Oh ladies…we are in full trunk show mode over here at Hayden Olivia and love all of these new, never tried on before styles shipped in for a whirlwind Trunk Show Weekend.  Appointments are limited, however we always promise to try our best to fit you in!  These gowns are too pretty to miss…Here is a little snap shot of what is in store, appointments can be booked at 704-333-0377

Callie Tein of Modern Trousseau arrived for a packed weekend of appointments…excited brides have booked these appointments weeks in advance to try on this gorgeous 2012 collection.  While we are booked for the weekend, please call and we will do everything possible to make a time available to you…trust us, its well worth the try!  Help me in extending a warm welcome to Callie!  What an exciting weekend ahead!

The gowns have arrived and they are gorgeous.  The schedule is just about booked, however we will do all that we can to provide an appointment for you.  Slipping into these gowns is a must!  Call the boutique at 704-333-0377!

If you have laid your eyes on the new Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine, you will see several new ads for this gorgeous collection. Hayden Olivia is hosting a Yumi Katsura trunk show this weekend, Feb 2-4,  featuring the most sought after styles by Yumi Katsura, only available at our boutique this weekend!  Hayden Olivia welcomes Sara Mack to Charlotte.  She will be available to offer custom changes, discuss color options and sizing options as well as offer great incentives and savings on these beautiful gowns.  This trunk show is by appointment and appointments are limited.  Call today to grab one of the few appointments left.  We can’t wait to meet you this weekend!