Since we’re talking Bridal Fashion this week- Nardos Imam, a designer out of Dallas, Texas creates custom wedding gowns to each individual bride. She has done a couple of our brides and Mothers of the Bride, so I just HAD to share…
Photos by Donna Cummings
Mother of the Bride and Bride’s second dress by Nardos Imam
Photos by Liz Banfield
This time of year in Charleston is always crazy, starting with SEWE (Southeastern Wildlife Expo) at the end of February, then the Charleston Wine and Food Festival, the Historic Charleston Antiques Show, and of course Baker Motor’s Charleston Fashion Week. We are mostly looking forward to the Spring Bridal Show. We are headed to the tents on Saturday and will be live tweeting and instagramming from the shows … stay tuned!
This year’s feature designer is Amsale. Some of my faves from her 2015 collection that I hope to see on the runway-
The local designers showing on the runway are- Birdsong and One Love Design by Rachel Gordon, Gown Boutique of Charleston, LulaKate and Kate McDonald Bridal, Modern Trousseau Charleston, White, and Southern Protocol Boutique.
Lela Rose’s wedding designs having been gracing brides and their maids for almost 20 years…Originally from Texas where her flagship boutique resides, Lela’s brand has boomed beyond bridal into the Ready to Wear market (see our fave picks below), and house wares. She has also become known as one of the most gracious hostesses in New York. Last year she hosted a dinner in her home honoring the Ferran Adria “Notes on Creativity” collection shown at the Drawing Center (see the feature in Bon Appetit here).
Lela kindly answered our “burning” questions…I’m making her green smoothie right now- yum!
Favorite drink before noon?
LR: The green smoothie we make for breakfast. we make it with spirulina, spinach, banana, peach, strawberry and almond milk. We all fight for the last glass.
Favorite drink at 6pm?
LR: Well, that is considerably less healthy than my morning drink. I have always loved margaritas and am partial to my husband Brandon’s. He fresh squeezes the lime juice. Over the long winter though, I have started drinking my fair share of the Nor’ Easter, this is a bourbon and ginger beer drink which has been a delicious winter drink.
Wine: red, white or champagne?
LR: Reds
Hors d’ouerve that is always in the cabinet or fridge?
LR: Manchego cheese and quince paste
Music go to when friends are over…. i.e. Pandora station?
LR: I have a Spotify playlist and one of my favorites is “Uptown goes Downtown”
Where would you like to go on vacation?
LR: Japan
Favorite flower?
LR: Magnolias
Dream guest to have over for dinner?
LR: Savion Glover- I have a dream party idea and it involves him tap dancing down all the tables.
Favorite restaurant?
LR: Current favorite is Estela
And favorite thing to eat at this restaurant?
LR: there are too many delicious dishes to name just one…the beef tartare, mussels in escabeche, mushroom dumplings
I pulled some of my favorite pieces from Lela’s new bridal collection:
For inspiration for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, honeymoon, or just for wardrobe dreams in general here are some of our fave RTW pieces… and some special behind the scenes pics from her New York Fashion Week runway show…
Recognized as one of the nation’s leading tastemakers, Tara Guérard has earned a widespread reputation for her ability to create spectacular settings celebrating life’s most anticipated occasions. As the visionary and founder of Tara Guérard Soirée, she is best known for her distinct style that honors the storied traditions of Southern hospitality paired with a modern aesthetic and flair for the unexpected.
