McCaffrey Haute Couture Sample Sale - Toronto

WHEN?
Friday, January 29th to Saturday, January 30th
10AM to 6PM

WHERE?
McCaffrey Haute Couture Boutique
114 Cumberland St. Suite 200 (Yorkville)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416 928-1334/ torontoretail@mccaffreyhautecouture.com
www.mccaffreyhautecouture.com
Visa, MasterCard, Debit or Cash will only be accepted during this sale.

FYI - Justina McCaffrey is no longer affiliated with McCaffrey Haute Couture. Justina now heads up her own eponymous label at www.justinamccaffrey.com. For the full 411 on this split , click here.

Annual McCaffrey Toronto Sample Sale

WHEN?
Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1st
10AM to 5PM

WHERE?
McCaffrey Haute Couture Boutique
114 Cumberland St. Suite 200 (Yorkville)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416 928-1334/ torontoretail@mccaffreyhautecouture.com
www.mccaffreyhautecouture.com


FYI - Justina McCaffrey is no longer affiliated with McCaffrey Haute Couture. Justina now heads up her own eponymous label at www.justinamccaffrey.com. For the full 411 on this split , click here.

McCaffrey Trunk Show - Toronto

Receive 15% off the price of your McCaffrey

Wedding Dress & Veil

WHEN?
October 17th and 18th

WHERE?
McCaffrey Haute Couture Boutique
114 Cumberland St. Suite 200 (Yorkville)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416 928-1334
www.mccaffreyhautecouture.com
Call to make an appointment!

p.s. Just an FYI that designer Justina McCaffrey is no longer affiliated with McCaffrey Haute Couture. Justina now heads up her own eponymous label at www.justinamccaffrey.com. For the full 411 on this split , click here.

Designer Spotlight: Lisa Van Hattem

Looking to wear a one of a kind gown for your big day? Something made just for you? Well, you're in luck. Today I'm featuring Lisa Van Hattem as part of my Canadian Designer Spotlight series.

Located in Waterdown, ON, custom bridal designer Lisa Van Hattem works with brides to create their dream dresses. I first heard about Lisa from Alison of A Hot Pink Petticoat. Lisa was kind enough to allow me to 'interview' her right in the thick of the wedding season. Thanks Lisa!

via Lisa Van Hattem

1) How did you get into designing custom bridal gowns?

After going to school for fashion design, I worked as a seamstress for a bridal gown designer. Then I decided to do a wholesale line of gowns that I sold in stores in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It was going well but I missed interacting with the brides. At the same time I had friends and relatives asking me to custom make their wedding gowns. I realized I really enjoyed that side of the business and it snowballed from there.

by Jonestsu Photography via Lisa Van Hattem

2) Take us through the process of working with a client on her custom gown. How long should a bride allocate for the process?

I start by doing drawings and showing fabrics, from there I make a pattern and a mock up of the dress. Then I make up the actual gown. It is nice to have 8-12 months for the process. It is a nice time line with no stress. I have made gowns in as little as six weeks providing I have time in my schedule.

Note that this is a sketch of the gown in the photo above

via Lisa Van Hattem

3) Has a bride ever given you free reign over the design over her gown?

Yes, for one of my best friends. She told me to do whatever I wanted. Generally, I do like to get an idea of the bride's personality . I could design a gown that everyone thinks is spectacular on you, but say it has a slit up the front to show your fabulous legs but you HATE your legs (even if it is all in your head), at the end of the day, you will not like it on you. Seeing as I know my friend so well, it was easy to know what she would be happy with. Part of the consultation process is to get inside the bride's mind and get an idea of her own likes and dislikes so she is happy with the finished product.

By Studio Studios via Lisa Van Hattem

4) Is there a gown that still stands out in your mind today?

I once made a gown for a bride that was 76 years old. She was so excited to have found love again 25 years after losing her husband. It showed me that happiness and love are ageless. Really, it is the customers that stand out to me in the end.

5) What types of bridal trends are you seeing right now?

I am seeing lots of ruching, which I love. You can do a lot of fitting under the ruching and get an exceptional fit. Lace, especially french laces- Chantilly and Alencon are huge right now. I love lace gowns and working with lace is a specialty of mine. It requires a lot of hand sewing and attention to detail.

via Lisa Van Hattem

6) What other services do you provide?

I do a lot of alterations to bridal gowns purchased elsewhere. I also sell jewelery, purses, headpieces and make custom veils. Crinoline rentals and gown pressing are also available. I can also clean and box gowns.

via Lisa Van Hattem

7) Do you work with brides outside of Toronto?

Yes! I am actually outside Toronto myself. I am in Waterdown which is near Burlington. Most of my brides are in the GTA but I have a lot of girls from Niagara, London and Ottawa. I have had brides as far away as Spain and Ireland.

via Lisa Van Hattem

8) Any advice for brides out there who are overwhelmed with dress shopping?

Of course I would have to suggest they avoid the dress shopping altogether and come see me!

Thanks Lisa! For more information on Lisa's services and products, you can visit her website and her blog. Don't think you have the budget for a custom made gown? Think again! Lisa's custom gowns start at $900.00 including materials and fittings.

I leave you with pictures of one of Lisa's recent creations. Lisa worked with Lauren, aka The Balancing Bride to create this cute, vintage inspired tea-length gown. I love the tulle peeking out from Lauren's dress. Lisa also made Lauren's stunning lace veil. Thank you Lauren for sharing your pictures with us.

by Michael Haas Photography

Paloma Blanca Trunk Show

Save 10% on any Paloma Blanca wedding gown purchased during the trunk show.



WHEN?
Wednesday, July 8 to Saturday, July 18

WHERE?
Ritche Bridal

1662 Avenue Road
Toronto, Ontario
M5M 3Y1
www.ritchebridal.com
416.789.4378
Call to make an appointment.

To see more dresses visit www.palomablanca.com

Designer Spotlight: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal

Remember way back in April when I said I would start a new feature spotlighting Canadian bridal designers? Yeah, well, I kind of fell off the wagon there. Sorry!

Today I'm featuring Lea-Ann Belter. Some of you may already be familiar her clean lines and elegant details. Lea-Ann has been designing wedding gowns close to two decades. Since her start in 1989, Lea-Ann has gained many accolades including the 2007 Canadian Wedding Industry award for Bridal Wear Designer of the Year.

Living in Toronto, I'm lucky to pass by her flagship store on Queen St. East every so often and drool a little. Priding herself on quality textiles and workmanship, Lea-Ann manufactures all her gowns in Canada.


Here are some of my favourites from Lea-Ann's collection. What distinguishes Lea-Ann Belter gowns from other wedding gowns are their simplicity, elegance and they possess one standout feature (e.g. cap sleeves, low back, mermaid skirt) making them truly unique.

2009 Tess

2009 Bridget

2009 Suzette

2009 Paige

2008 Mallory

2009 Carolina

Lea-Ann Belter gowns are sold all over North America and the UK. To find a store carrying Lea- Ann Belter's collection, click here. To see more of the collection, visit Lea-Ann's website.

Designer Spotlight: Paloma Blanca and Mikaella Bridal

There are an infinite amount of wedding gown designers out there. From designer to budget-savvy, from traditional to modern glam, there is a designer for every bride. One new trend is to go 'green' and support local designers. I'm introducing a new feature which will spotlight Canadian bridal designers. First up, Paloma Blanca and Mikaella Bridal.

Since 1937, Paloma Blanca has been designing and manufacturing wedding gowns in Toronto. Known for its high quality fabrics and attention to detail, Paloma Blanca gowns are sold all over the world. In 2004, Paloma Blanca launched Mikaella Bridal, a line dedicated to the budget savvy bride . Check out my favourites from both collections.

Paloma Blanca

Mikaella Bridal

To see more dresses visit www.palomablanca.com and www.mikaellabridal.com.

Images via Mikaella Bridal and Paloma Blanca

'Pre-loved' Wedding Gowns

We all know that wedding dresses cost a fortune. It doesn't help that the 'fortune' is only worn for one day (or for a mere few hours). I often gripe about spending a few hundred dollars on a bridesmaid dress and not being able to wear it again, so I can't even imagine how I would feel about spending several hundred dollars or thousands on an 'once in a lifetime' dress. Sure you could go and buy yourself a non-designer gown made with itchy & scratchy materials - but will you be able to forget about the Monique Lhuillier you once mistakenly let yourself try on?

Thank goodness for websites like Once Wed and PreOwnedWeddingDresses which offer brides the opportunity to purchase used or sample wedding gowns. You can wear the Monique of your dreams and at a fraction of the price. Most of the sellers are in the U.S. but from time to time you find Canadian ones as well.

Here are some dresses who are currently residing in Canada and need a new home:

This lovely Adele Wechsler 'Ariella' is in Toronto has a selling price of USD$2900 (and the bride is throwing in a matching veil). FYI - Adele Wechsler is a Canadian designer based in Toronto. Click here for the link to the listing.

Image via Adele Wechsler

This sample Vera Wang sheath is also in Toronto and her current owner is asking for USD $1600. Click here for listing.

Image via Brides.com

If you're lucky enough, you could score a BRAND NEW gown, like this Watters Bari dress in Calgary, Alberta. Here is the link to the listing.

Image via Watters.com

A majority of the gowns have been professionally cleaned and preserved by the original owner, however you may want to confirm this before you purchase. Other things you should inquire with the original bride - the exact measurements of the gown, and if and how the gown has been altered; how many times/hours the dress has been worn (it may be a 'pre-pre loved' dress!); does the gown have any stains/rips/tears; whether the price includes shipping; and does the bride have the original receipt (to prove authenticity). Don't forget to negotiate with the seller - it may lead to even more savings! One word of caution though - make sure you exchange funds in a secure manner (e.g. PayPal, Escrow.com, or cash if your purchase the dress in person). Unfortunately there are a number of scammers out there targeting brides so avoid paying via cheque, cashier's cheque, money order or wired money. Finally, consider buying insurance if your dress is being shipped to you.

Other websites to visit if you're looking for a 'pre-loved' dress - Dream Bridal LA, Bride Power, eBay, craigslist, Encore Bridal, the classifieds sections on the WeddingBee and VintageGlam Weddings websites.

If you've purchased a 'pre-loved' gown, let me know, I would love to hear your experiences. Happy dress shopping!

Wishful Wednesdays

Since my first stint as a bridesmaid, accompanying the bride on her dress mission, I have always adored Justina McCaffrey. Her style is elegant, romantic and opulent - and she's Canadian.

via McCaffrey Haute Couture

If you share my sentiment, then you may want to check out the McCaffrey Haute Couture trunk show from February 6-8 in Toronto (in Yorkville). Registered members of the McCaffrey website will receive an email for 15% off a 2009 gown or veil (if you aren't a member, go sign up now!). You will have to schedule an appointment beforehand in order to see the trunk show - email torontoretail@mccaffreyhautecouture.com or call 416-928-1329. Let me know if you end up going!