Meet & Greet: Elizabeth & Lyndsay, owners of Richmond

Elizabeth & Lyndsay

You won’t be surprised when we tell you of another fabulous twosome that became part of the Bella Bridesmaid family. Not only are Lyndsay and Elizabeth Downey sister- in- laws, but co-owners of the adorable Richmond boutique. After searching high and low for chic bridesmaid dresses for Lyndsay’s wedding, both women agreed that future brides in the Richmond area deserved to have a fun experience shopping for that special day. With the desire to make this happen, Elizabeth and Lyndsay opened the doors to their Bella boutique in March of 2010. Since opening, these remarkable ladies have given brides a beautiful selection of stylish and modern designer bridesmaid dresses, fabulous accessories and most of all an enjoyable shopping experience. We were able to catch up with Elizabeth and Lyndsay to ask them a few questions…








BB: What were your careers before becoming Bella Bridesmaid owners, and what attracted you both to the franchise?

L: I'm a CPA, but not a boring numbers girl! I actually continue to work full-time and Elizabeth manages the store! Even though I'm not at the store every day, you'll see me there on the weekends. I love working with all of our brides!

After travelling to Baltimore and DC to try on bridesmaid dresses for friends' weddings, it was obvious that Richmond needed an upscale bridesmaid boutique. While doing research to open a boutique, we discovered Bella Bridesmaid. It was the perfect fit - the best designer lines, beautiful design & aesthetic, and the support of an amazing group of franchise owners. We visited the Charlotte, NC boutique and our decision was made!

E: I was a recent graduate from University of Alabama (Roll Tide!), with a degree in Interior Design. I worked part time for some designers and worked in a great boutique up until we opened.

Elizabeth & Lyndsay at Bridal Market '11 with fellow
 Bella owner, Allison of Indianapolis 

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in owning your boutique?

L: Our trip to San Francisco for our first Bella Bridesmaid meeting! It was wonderful meeting all of the other franchise owners and our exclusive designers in such a fun city. So many awesome memories from that trip from karaoke to biking the Golden Gate Bridge.

E: I love getting repeat customers. It is so nice to have a former bridesmaid return as a bride or vice versa! You get to catch up with all the girls and see them try different styles and colors for the various weddings they are a part of.




BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it?

Joanna August "8th Ave"/ Coren Moore "Emma"

L: Drinks outside on a patio followed by dancing! What to wear, what to wear… that's a tough choice - so many fabulous options! I would either wear a LulaKate seersucker dress with Jack Rogers or the Joanna August 8th Avenue Lace dress in white with statement jewelry!

E: Trying out a new restaurant with friends or getting a big group together to grill out. I can't wait to get in my violet, faille LulaKate Jenny dress. I can throw a blazer and a fun necklace on or dress is up with some summer wedges and bright Kendra Scott earrings. I also have a few short chiffon dresses including Coren Moore's Emma. I'm actually wearing it in a friend's summer wedding that I like to belt with a pair of Jack Rogers and some cute earrings!

Abby Manning,  Image via Wedding Obsession

BB: Fave celebrity wedding dresses?

L: Abby Manning - I loved her Monique Lhullier dress... the beautiful lace, the sweetheart neckline and the sash! I also adored their destination wedding on the beach in Mexico… simply amazing.

E: I just loved the Royal Wedding and thought Kate's dress was stunning! I also loved the look of Jenna Bush Hager's dress. The lace was beautiful and the perfect style for their setting.

Bridal Market 2011

BB: How would you each describe your own personal style?

L: Colorfully classic and preppy… I adore Lilly and Kate Spade!

E: I'd say I have a pretty classic style but always try to mix that with some trendy pieces, bright colors, and fun accessories. A great scarf and big earrings seem to find their way into a lot of my outfits!

BB: Favorite guilty pleasures?

L: Reality TV, US Weekly and McDonald's (terrible, I know!)

E: Pizza and wine... can't get enough!







BB: Fave reality show?

Survivor Cast, Image by Monty Brinton via
Entertainment Weekly 

L: Oh gosh - that's a hard one…  The Bachelor/Bachelorette because I've watched every season.

E: Bachelor/Bachelorette… always a fun excuse to get together with the girls. Though currently I am loving watching Kim Spradlin, Austin & San Antonio owner, on this season’s Survivor!

BB: Must have beauty item?

L: Definitely, mascara and bronzer.

E: Mascara, eyeliner and OH, hairspray! Lots of hairspray!

Capri, Italy / Image via Best Beaches

BB: Dream vacation spot?

L: I love the beach, but I would have to say Italy... Capri & the Amalfi Coast to Tuscany.

E: I've always wanted to go on an African safari... though I'd never turn down a beautiful beach on a far away island!








BB: Fave daily blog read?

L: Ritzy Bee, The Little White Book and Southern Weddings.

E: I have a lot, thank goodness for google reader! I start with Bella Bridesmaid and all of our various designers. Then I check out some friend's blogs, fashion, wedding, cooking, interior design, and a few DIY. 


Bella Bridesmaid Richmond

Now... For This & That!

Real Housewives of OC or Beverly Hills?

L: OC

E: OC, but only on occasion.

Facebook or Twitter?

L: Facebook

E: Facebook… but working on my tweeting skills!




Green tea or skinny latte?

L: Skinny Latte, but I would probably prefer a Diet Coke :)

E: Green Tea

Brangelina or Justifer?

L: Justifer... I heart Jennifer Aniston!

E: Neither really

Lady Gaga or Adele?

L: Adele... her voice is amazing!

E: Adele for the moment.


                                                                                  Thank you both!

Wear it Again...

We asked Saukok Tiampo of 57 Grand to tell us how she would re-wear one of her favorite dresses from her gorgeous collection...

Last June, I wore our Grove dress in Cobalt for the wedding of a close friend in Bali. It was the perfect mix of love and laughter in a glamorous, relaxed setting. The bride, who’s known me and my husband since we met more than ten years ago, was married in a breathtaking outdoor ceremony on a black sand beach. The bridesmaids wore our Madison dress in Sunflower, pictured above. The bride had been considering the Grove, too. I chose these fabulous accessories to take this dress from a bridesmaid frock to a dress fit for this beautiful affair. My dress traveled the 10,000 plus miles to Bali in my carry on – it was a trooper!

Dress: 57 Grand "Grove"/ Shoes: Valentino / Blazer: Malene Birger "Amiri Draped Blazer"/ Clutch: Jimmy Choo / Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters "Contessa Cat-Eye"/ Earrings: Charm & Chain "Parrot"

Our Interview with Jessica of Ciarla

Jessica Ciarla knows exactly what the fashion forward bride wants for her special day. The Ciarla collection consists of modern dresses that are not only to be worn glamorously on the wedding day but for many fabulous events after. Jessica’s fresh designs allow for the bride to choose from various colors that will coordinate flawlessly with her dream vision. But Jessica’s designs don’t just offer a great color options, but an amazing array of silhouettes for all your bridesmaid’s figures. We couldn’t wait to catch up with Jessica and ask her some questions…








BB: What do you think has been the most important factor in the success of your business?

J: My first sale to Bella Bridesmaid was a very important factor in expanding my brand to the national market. I really love working with the storeowners and have been able to visit Bella Bridesmaid's all over the country for seasonal trunk shows. It's incredibly important to hear customer’s comments about the new collections and to get feedback from the Bella sales associates. I truly appreciate working with each and every owner from Bella's across the country and consider this to be a major factor in the success of my brand expansion on a national basis.

BB: When designing for women, specifically bridesmaids, what are your inspirations?

J: I come from a Ready To Wear background so I don't think about the typical bridesmaid when I design a collection. I concentrate on making beautiful, fashion-forward party dresses that can be worn again and again. The customized options and extensive color card that I provide allow the bride and bridesmaid to make each dress their own and to combine pieces from all of my collections to make a cohesive bridal party with a very unique approach.

BB: Was there a specific event or person in your life that led you to begin designing bridesmaid dresses?

J: While living in New York I designed a collection of high-end party dresses that I sold to specialty boutiques across the country. A customer inquired if I could make one of my dresses with five different necklines for her bridal party. This is how the classic collection was born. These bridesmaids’ dresses were featured in Brides Magazine and I received a huge response from brides across the country asking how they could order these unique bridesmaid dresses. I knew right then that brides and their bridesmaids were starving for unique bridesmaid dresses and decided to concentrate on expanding my brand to include a bridesmaid and bridal collection with designs that could be worn again after the affair.

Image by Johnstone via Style News

BB: If you could give any famous woman a makeover, who would she be and how would you style her?

J: Britney Spears. I would love to make her over and give her a sophisticated grown up style with a fashion forward edge. She never seems to get it right either with fit or styling and I would love to help her learn how to put red carpet looks together. I really admired how Nicole Richie transformed her look and now is considered a fashion icon and I would love to do the same for Britney.

BB: What high school trends are you embarrassed to admit you followed?

J: Matching off the shoulder midriff tops and matching shorts from Wet Seal. I worked at Wet Seal my junior year of high school and spent all my money on clothes. For some reason I thought everything should match perfectly from the accessories, clothes down to the shoes. I see pictures of myself from those days and cringe!

BB: If you weren't a designer, what career path would you have chosen?

J: I dabbled in Fashion PR and loved organizing fashion shows and pitching ideas to fashion editors. I think I would be a fulltime fashion publicist if I weren’t a designer.

BB: What is your favorite dress in your collection?

J: The Tear Drop and the Antoinette are two of my favorite dresses in the collection. I'm also working on a very chic, chantilly lace wedding gown that I will wear to my wedding. If it turns out well I may add it to the 2013 collection!

Tear Drop dress

BB: Advice for certain styles for different body shapes?

J: I always advise a very busty woman to pick a dress with some sort of strap and to stay away from strapless dresses. Someone who has larger hips and mid section looks great in a fitted bodice and loose circle skirt like a Marilyn Monroe style dress that flatters the bust line and minimizes the hips. Most importantly, pick a dress that makes you feel good about yourself and that will exude confidence and make you look even more beautiful.

BB: What are you carrying in your purse?

J: Tom Ford lipstick in cherry lush, iPhone, Mac makeup compact, Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses and Tylenol


Thank you Jessica!

Meet & Greet: Rae Anne, owner of Denver

Rae Anne pictured with her husband

Making the move with her husband from the Big Apple to beautiful Denver, Rae Ann Wheeler wasn’t exactly sure of the direction of her career. After coming upon a Bella Bridesmaid advertisement, Rae Anne was curious to know more about the franchise. Learning that Denver was in need of a bridesmaid boutique, she pursued and opened Bella Bridesmaid Denver in December of 2007. Busy raising her family and running her fab boutique, Rae Anne kindly gave us some of her time to answer a few questions…

BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

RA: My background is in marketing. I worked for Fisher Price Toys for a few years, as well as Corporate Macy’s in New York City. When my husband and I moved to Denver 7 years ago I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do, but knew I wanted to own my own business. I have always loved fashion and weddings, so when I stumbled on an ad for Bella Bridesmaid I was intrigued by the business concept. When I was engaged, I remember running all over town visiting several bridal salons looking for bridesmaid dresses. I loved the idea of one salon with a large selection of designer dresses. I quickly jumped on the opportunity with Bella and was up and running a few months later.

Megan with her maids wearing Amsale

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in owning your boutique?

RA: I have had so many amazing moments it is hard to pick just one. One really fun moment was helping my store manager Megan choose her bridesmaid dresses for her wedding last summer. Amazingly enough she only changed her mind two or three times which is pretty incredible considering we are surrounded by bridesmaid dresses every day. Her wedding was absolutely beautiful, and what a special treat to actually attend a wedding to see the bridesmaids in their dresses.

Jenny Yoo "Blake"

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it?

RA: I love French bistro food, so a perfect night out would be a relaxing dinner with my husband at a quaint bistro. I love the new Jenny Yoo Blake dress. Denver is generally pretty casual so I would dress it down a bit with a bright cardigan and wedge heels.

Image by AP Photo
via US Weekly

BB: What is your fave celebrity wedding dress?

RA: I love the gown Courtney Cox wore when she married David Arquette. Simple but elegant, just perfect!

BB: How would you describe your own personal style?

RA: I would say I have a very classic, feminine style, nothing too trendy. I love classic shapes: pencils skirts, wide leg pants, and lots of black and neutral tones.

Rae Anne with her store manager Megan

BB: Favorite guilty pleasure?

RA: Definitely Gummi bears!



Now... For This & That!

Real Housewives of OC or Beverly Hills? Beverly Hills

Facebook or Twitter? Facebook

Green tea or skinny latte? Skinny latte

Brangelina or Justifer? Brangelina

Lady Gaga or Adele? Adele, but I have tons of Gaga on my workout mixes.


                                                                                              Thank you Rae Anne!

Wear it Again...

Dress: MAMIE+JAMES "Bonnieux"/ Top: Vince "Sequin Crop Silk Tee"/ Shoes: Badgley Mischka "Lacie"/  Bangles: Fashion2Craze

Our Interview with Laura Nelli of Nelle Handbags

What woman doesn’t love amazing accessories to add that special something to her ensemble? One our favorites are handcrafted clutches by Nelle. In 2004, Laura Nelli began her business in Minneapolis, MN where each lovely piece is sewn together creating fabulous and unique handbags for each Nelle customer. Laura’s mantra for her business is to be yourself and her handbags truly encompass that with their exceptional details, fab colors, and beautiful fabrics. Laura shared with us her inspirations and how she has maintained a successful business…



BB: What do you think has been the most important factor in the success of your business?

L: As the owner of Nelle, I am always focused on growth and development, I think having that ability to forecast and anticipate shifts in the market are what has helped Nelle to grow into the company it is today. I am currently in the process of restructuring & re-branding Nelle so much of my time right now is spent working on that project.

BB: When designing your fabulous handbags what are your inspirations?

L: The fabrics have always been an inspiration for me. I fell hard for manipulating textiles years ago, which is why you will never see a plain fabric clutch from me. Why? It's too easy to find a fabulous print to make a clutch out of!

BB: Was there a specific event or person in your life that led you to begin designing?

L: I spent my college years working at various flower shops and fell pretty hard for that industry, but the realities were that to open a floral business requires a great deal of overhead. So I thought on it and concluded that handbag design was the next best thing, both mediums work with color & texture in a 3d space.



BB: If you could give any famous woman, current or historical, a makeover, who would she be and how would you style her?


L: As a rule, I don't believe in makeovers, our culture is a little too obsessed with the idea of reinvention and I personally miss seeing people's authentic style walking around - even if that sometimes means tweety bird t-shirts. With that said, if there was one wedding trend I would love to see disappear, it would be red roses, I’m not a fan of them.


BB: What high school trend are you embarrassed to admit you followed?

L: I rocked a sweet grunge look all through high school, and had the most fabulous pair of camouflage pants that I use to wear with an oversized brown wool J Crew sweater, I even had an amazing perm. I loved it all and wouldn't change it.

Delphine minaudiêre

BB: If you weren't a designer, what career path would you have chosen?

L: I might have worked in advertising or I might have been a historian or scientist, it could still go either way.

BB: What's your favorite handbag in your collection?

L: Like most designer's I always like what I have just made so the Delphine minaudiêre is my new favorite. Other clutches that keep me smiling are the Just Bowtiful clutch & the Perfectly Petersham clutch. Surprisingly, I am not a fan of the Classic clutch but I always seem to use that one when I head out! So silly.

Just Bowtiful

BB: Do you have any accessory rules to live by?

L: I guess the accessory rule or fashion rule that I have is there are no rules. Rules squash style and that's how you end up with red roses.

BB: What's in your handbag?

L: I don't carry a handbag, but I do use a custom navy Just Bowtiful wallet. Inside I have USPS tracking labels, receipts, credit cards & my cell phone.


                                                                                                                                   Thank you Laura!

Our Interview with Vi Hoang of Dolly Pearl

Breathtaking colors, lovely ruffle and flower details, and what we think are just the most perfect dresses all around… Dolly Pearl makes us swoon over each and every gown we see. Vi Hoang created this brilliant collection of dresses after designing for her own bridal party. Having an amazing sense of a woman’s body and incorporating her innovative ideas, she has created such flawless, modern designs. This collection is intended for a bride in search of beautiful, one of a kind dresses for her bridal party, that will make all her maids delighted to wear them on the big day! Vi was able to sit down to answer a few of our questions, even about her most embarrassing high school fashion faux pas…


BB: What do you think has been the most important factor in the success of your business?

V: The most important factor in the success of my business is the personal connection to my clients. In short, happy and satisfied clients equate to a successful business.

BB: When designing for women, specifically bridesmaids, what are your inspirations?

V: When designing for women/bridesmaids, my inspirations are simple--how do I make a woman feel comfortable and exquisite at the same time? Those are the two main points that I start with when I begin the design process. The creativity flows through my hands from there.

Vi's design studio

BB: Was there a specific event or person in your life that led you to begin designing bridesmaid dresses?

V: My wedding actually led me into designing bridesmaid and special occasion dresses and gowns. After my wedding was posted on my wedding photographer's blog, I began receiving numerous requests for my ready to wear styles in a variety of colors for bridal parties. I just thought it was so fun and special to be included on such an important day for brides. It was kismet!

 Katy Perry by Getty Images
 via MTV Style

BB: If you could give any famous woman a makeover, who would she be and how would you style her?

V: This is a tough one! I'm all for individuality in style, even if it's bad style! If I could give any famous woman a makeover it would be Katy Perry--she's all over the place! She has such an amazing figure, and occasionally she'll wear outrageous things to make a bold statement. I think she could still make a statement even if she tones it down a couple notches. You don't have to be outrageous to garner attention.

BB: What high school trend are you embarrassed to admit you followed?

V: I actually went through this horrible phase in high school where all I wore was Gap brand clothing--in black, white, and khaki colors. Talk about one-dimensional! The worst thing in the world to me is losing your individuality and conforming to the masses. Thankfully that was a very short phase.

BB: If you weren’t a designer, what career path would you have chosen?

V: If I wasn't a designer, I would definitely be doing something in the creative field. Before I was a fashion designer, I actually was an interior and graphic designer. I also love writing, so that's definitely something I would consider doing. It's creative, and a profound way to express myself.

Vi wearing the Melinda dress

BB: What is your favorite dress in your collection?

V: My favorite dress in the entire collection would have to be the Melinda dress. It’s minimal, yet sweet and simultaneously sexy. It's just perfect for any special occasion.

BB: Any advice for certain styles for different body shapes?

V: My advice for certain styles for different body shapes--if you're busty, a more tailored fit is ideal, hippy body types look amazing in super flowy dresses, and long torsos look amazing in belted and high waisted dresses.

BB: What are you carrying in your purse?

V: I keep the minimum in my purse--wallet, keys, the lipstick I'm wearing that day, powder compact, anti-bacterial hand lotion, business cards, and a miniature measuring tape roll.

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                       Thank you Vi!
                     

Meet & Greet: Brittan, owner of Boston

After hearing of a franchise opportunity with Bella Bridesmaid years ago, Brittan McCarthy couldn’t wait to open the doors to her own storefront. On December 23rd of 2009 her wishes came true, as she celebrated the grand opening of Bella Bridesmaid Boston! Since then Brittan has kept busy with her Boston brides and even helped her best friend find the perfect dresses for her upcoming wedding. We finally got to chat with Brit and ask her a little more about her history before owning Bella, and how life has been since owning her own boutique…

BB: What did you do before owning Bella?

B: From 2003-2007, I owned a small business, “A Kid’s Kab”, that transported small children to and from daycares and preschools in the inner city of Boston. I then went and worked at an ad agency working with biotech and life science companies on their global branding. I thought I was heading to business school to grow further in this industry, but then caught wind of Bella Bridesmaid and was hooked!

Brit at Bridal Market 2011 with fellow store owners
and designer Jessica Brown of Ivy & Aster

BB: Why did you want to become part of the Bella franchise?

B: I have a good friend from college, Erin, who now owns the Chicago and Milwaukee franchises with her mother Kathleen. She had mentioned Bella Bridesmaid when I ended my time with “A Kid’s Kab.” But at that point I was ready try the corporate world and I didn’t think twice about Bella. Flash forward 2 years… I wanted to see if there was a Bella Bridesmaid in Boston that had a certain dress for my friend Kelly’s wedding. I saw on their website the franchise location was for sale and for some amazing reason, I sent an inquiry requesting more information. The rest is history!


BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in your boutique?

B: I have a many memorable moments so it’s hard for me to pinpoint one that tops them all. But, if I have to choose, I’ll never forget one of my first sales. I had just opened and I had someone call last minute on a Friday, I was totally booked for that Saturday. I offered her a quick, 30-minute opening after a fitting appointment, which usually is my lunchtime. She was the sweetest, kindest bride and had a fabulous vision. She came back later at the end of the day and ordered 8 dresses! Of course I was ecstatic about the sale, but more importantly learned that you never know what to expect. I haven’t taken a lunch break on a Saturday since!

LulaKate Zoe

BB: What are your favorite bridesmaid dresses that are hanging in your personal closet?

B: Where do I begin? I love my LulaKate Zoe and Bridget dresses. I currently am counting the days for my new Ivy & Aster Phoenix in stripes and Songbird in Chartreuse to arrive - I already have shoes picked out to wear with these the second they get here! 57 Grand Riverside and Carmine, Swoon Bali, Twobirds with the Rosettes, Joanna August Dara, and Carol-Hannah Pinckney all sit in my closet too. I just got engaged and cannot wait to wear the LulaKate and Ivy & Aster little white dresses!








BB: Tell us about a favorite recent bride that has an interesting story.

B: My best friend, Shannon, is getting married in April 2012. She got engaged last December and came to visit in February. She had already found a wedding dress, so the plan was to just to look at bridesmaid dresses. She ended up seeing a LulaKate bridal gown that I had borrowed for the week and wanted to try it on. This dress is so different than the gown she initially found, but she wanted to try it on. She came out of the dressing room with the most amazing smile on her face and looked at me and said this is my dress! Shannon lives in Atlanta and I’m here in Boston, so we decided to meet in the “middle” (any excuse for a trip to Charleston) at LulaKate, so she could try the dress on one more time. She is now wearing her LulaKate gown, with some fabulous LulaKate sashes, and her bridesmaids will be wearing Thread when she gets married this April in Cleveland!

Lauren Bush, Image by Norman Jean Roy
via Fashionologie

BB: What is your fave celebrity wedding dress?

B: I love Lauren Bush’s wedding dress that was designed by Ralph Lauren. I adore the vintage style of the dress with the sleeves and neck, but  also that it has a modern flare with the slim bodice and open back… stunning!

BB: What are a few of your most versatile styles at the moment?

B: Zoe from LulaKate! It is such an adorable dress that can so easily be re-worn after the wedding day. You can wear it with a cardigan, belt and tights in the fall and winter…or my favorite, is wearing it in the summer with ballet flats or sandals. We just got a new sample in Grass Shantung, I may need to add this to my closet!

Nina Forbes Shoes in Gold

BB: What is the best wedding trend you've seen recently?

B: I’m so glad shoes are back to being an important part of the bridal party’s whole look and style! It just takes one awkward pair of shoes on one bridesmaid to distract from the fabulous dresses and the bride! Nina Shoes offer so many great styles and colors for the bridal party. Everyone can pick their style for their comfort, but have a cohesive look! Our brides have been loving the canary, fuchsia, steel, and gold colors on the Evelixa, Forbes, and Culver shoes.
 
                                                                             Thanks Brit!

               
                                                                                                                               

Wear it Again...

Mar y Sol Multicolor Clutch, Eugenia Kim Sunhat, Jimmy Choo Espadrilles, Kendra Scott Karina Earrings

Joey Brooks of Elle & Jae Accessories

Joey Brooks

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Joey Brooks, owner and designer of Elle & Jae Wedding Accessories, knows exactly how to add that extra special something to your fabulous wedding party. Her sashes, headpieces, and combs come in an array of fabrics and colors bringing endless options and versatility to your bridal party. Not only are these accessories beautiful and unique but are also, all handmade in Los Angeles. As fans of this amazing line of accessories, we wanted to chat with Joey and see where she gets her inspiration for her lovely and one of a kind collection…


BB: What do you think has been the most important factor in the success of your business?

JB: I think it’s due to a creative instinct and filling a gap in the bridal market. I believe it’s also a great attention to detail… a high quality and craftsmanship. There are so many great designers out there, and I’m designing new, unique pieces that I love and think other modern women would love too.

BB: When designing your gorgeous accessories, what are your inspirations?

JB: I take inspiration from so many things – new and vintage apparel, photographs, discovering unique resources and lots of color… choosing and adding colors is the best part! And if you have ever been to the Rose Bowl flea market, you know just wandering the aisles is inspiring. I’m always shopping vintage designer markets in Los Angeles and looking at great design blogs.

BB: Was there a specific event or person in your life that led you to begin designing?

JB: When I was young my grandmother had a collection of thimbles on her wall and was an expert sewer. Even from an early age, she taught me to make clothes for my Barbie’s using t-shirts and socks… she even knit them sweaters! My grandmother always inspired me to be creative – she could paint, draw, sew, knit and needlepoint.

Julia Child via Vanity Fair

BB: If you could give any famous woman a makeover, who would she be and how would you style her?

JB: Julia Child, she is truly one of my heroes but I am not a fan of those high collar button-up blouses. (Although, it probably made changing clothes after cooking very easy!) I would love to see her in a circle skirt and ¾ sleeve sweater… or maybe since she likes prints, I’d put her in a classic DVF wrap – she would rock that look!





BB: What high school trend are you embarrassed to admit you followed?

JB: Bike shorts with boxers over them and scrunch socks in shoe boots. Man, middle school was rough!

BB: If you weren't a designer, what career path would you have chosen?

JB: I would love to work with animals; training therapy dogs would be so rewarding.

Champagne Flower Belt

BB: What's your favorite accessory in your collection?


JB: I think my favorite piece from the bridesmaid collection is the champagne flower wide belt with rhinestone centers. It’s just so pretty for any dress. And I love the black ostrich and velvet sash from the bridal line.

Grecian headband

BB: Do you have any accessory rules to live by?

JB: I think if you can put a belt on something and give yourself a great waistline, then do it! And staying away from anything really hard and crunchy – I like soft fabrics.

BB: What's in your purse?

JB: Oh, I travel a lot so it can be messy in there. Currently, there are lots of receipts from trips, a moleskin notebook, ribbon swatches, safety pins, Aquafor, Mac face powder, a few pens, a balance bar, and my iphone.

Fabulous Nina Shoes & Accessories

Looking to accessorize you and your maids from head to toe? Need to find that perfect color shoe for your maid’s dresses… or add some extra sparkle with some fabulous earrings? Well, look no further. Nina Shoes and Accessories has everything you need put the final touches on your gorgeous dresses from Bella Bridesmaid. Dying to see just what we’re talking about? Here are some of our absolute favorites…

1. Cerise Veil
2. Maize Veil
3. Evelixa Peep-Toe-Pump in Grape Luster Satin
4. Forbes Peep-Toe-Pump in Steel Luster Satin
5. Gwenyth Bridal headpiece
6. Briella Bridal headpiece
7. Norway Ballet Flat (available April 15, 2012)
8. Sophia bracelet
9. Monique necklace
10. Gale earrings
11. Flores earrings
12. Kiera bracelet
13. Eiffel earrings
14. Eden necklace
15. Tessi earrings
16. Quinn bracelet

Our Interview with Lauren Leonard of Leona Bridesmaids

Our beloved southern sweetheart, Lauren Leonard of Leona Bridesmaids, has won us over with her modern and impressive bridesmaid collection. Fitting for any bride looking to dress her lovely maids in stylish, flattering and adorable frocks, Leona dresses are just the ticket! Combining her Nashville roots with her knowledge of fashion, which she developed after working in the Big Apple, Lauren’s designs are perfect for the modern gal. Taking a break from the bustling holiday season, Lauren shared some of the inspirations and secrets to her fab collection…

Leona office in Nashville, TN

BB: What do you think has been the most important factor in the success of your business?

LL: Never forgetting the customer. I strive to blend special appeal; versatility and functionality into something the Leona girl will feel striking and comfortable in... no detail is forgotten!

Lauren and her fabulous team!

BB: When designing for women, specifically bridesmaids, what are your inspirations?


LL: I initially try to take the word bridesmaid out of the picture, thinking more of designs that this girl would wear to an elegant party. I take that idea and form it into something that is both appropriate and phenomenal for a wedding party to wear. There are so many factors to consider like photographs, body types, and functionality. If the design meets those criteria and is still stunning and special then we have a winner!



BB: Was there a specific event or person in your life that led you to begin designing bridesmaid dresses?

LL: When I started the Leona ready to wear label, I was immediately approached to do bridesmaid dresses. I have now been designing for weddings for three years. It was time to officially launch the new label and Bella Bridesmaid was the perfect partnership for us because of its focus on luxurious, modern dresses.

Image via Victorian Wedding

BB: If you could give any famous woman a makeover, who would it be and how would you style them?

LL: I would love to see modern day makeovers on some of the women from the Victorian era. They looked so uncomfortable. Wouldn't it be fun to see Queen Victoria in a Leona dress?!

BB: What high school trends are you embarrassed to admit you followed?

LL: It was the age of Britney Spears, distressed jeans, and tube tops...not exactly a shining moment in fashion history. I tried a little bit of everything.






BB: If you weren't a designer, what career path would you have chosen?

Serena dress

LL: A photographer! Although I have no current skills in this area, I love being a creative director at our seasonal Leona photo-shoots.

BB: What is your favorite dress in your collection?

LL: The Serena! So versatile, effortless and chic.

BB: Any advice for certain styles for different body shapes?

LL: A V-neck or halter looks nice if you have a larger chest. I love a sweetheart neckline to add definition for more boyish figures. A skirt that is slightly A-line with some added fullness at the hem looks great on all shapes and sizes and a sash is the easiest way to define the waistline!

BB: What are you carrying in your purse?

LL: iphone, Chapstick, business cards, RayBan Cats, bobby pins!


Thanks Lauren!