Shopping: Unveiled in Beverly Hills, a showcase of wedding style

Got a wedding in your future? You may want to check out Unveiled: Bridal Style Revealed in Beverly Hills on Sunday. The luxury showcase will include a runway show of gowns from Vera Wang's 2012 collection and a list of more than 20 exhibitors including Wolfgang Puck Catering, Williams-Sonoma, American Express Catering, Sandals Resorts  and the Beverly Hills Hotel. Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, is scheduled to give a talk on the state of weddings today, and there will be cake and champagne tastings.

Most of the event will take place outdoors in the Beverly Canon Gardens (between Beverly and Canon drives). The runway show will be in the adjacent Montage Beverly Hills, 225 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills.

Unveiled is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. For tickets ($30 in advance, $40 on-site) and more information call (310) 860-1300. Advance tickets may also be purchased online up to 4 p.m. Saturday at www.unveiledevent.com.

JLM Couture

Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings is also scheduled to be on hand Saturday evening at a private event celebrating the opening of JLM Couture's flagship bridal boutique in West Hollywood. The shop features collections from Lazaro, Jim Hjelm, Haley Paige, Alvina Valenta, Tara Keely and Blush. Wedding gowns are currently available andbridesmaids dresses will eventually be offered too.

JLM is at 352 N. Robertson Blvd.,  (424) 249-3909. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. (It's closed on Mondays.) www.jlmboutique.com and www.jlmcouture.com

esNAIL 

Japanese nail art salon esNAil has opened its first outpost in the U.S. at 8384 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. Celebrities including Katy Perry and Lady Gaga have been name-checked as fans of the brand's elaborate, bejeweled designs. Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling (323) 655-5800. www.es-nail.jp/us

Rosie Pope  

Rosie Pope, star of Bravo's "Pregnant in Heels," has opened a maternity boutique in Santa Monica, her first on the West Coast. The shop specializes in stylish clothes for expectant moms, along with diaper bagss that don't look like diaper bags. The boutique is at 1526-1528 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (424) 238-5902. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. www.rosiepopematernity.com

Can't get to Santa Monica? Destination Maternity recently announced that Pope is designing a capsule collection that will be available at Destination and A Pea in the Pod stores starting in June.

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-- Susan Denley

Photo: A scene from last year's Unveiled luxury wedding showcase. Credit: Plan A Events.

 

[Updated] Upscale bridal consignment store to open in West Los Angeles

A new boutique is opening in West Los Angeles for brides-to-be with champagne tastes on a Budweiser budget.

White Magnolia, a consignment bridal boutique featuring gowns from swanky brands such as Monique Lhuillier, Anne Barge, Stephen Yearick and Jim Hjelm, will launch this Saturday at 2500 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

All the dresses set to debut at the boutique have either been donated (with proceeds on the sale promised to charitable organization, Gowns for Good) or are on consignment. Each dress originally retailed for more than $1,500, is less than five years old and is in good-to-awesome shape.

“I believe that every bride should be able to find her dream wedding dress within her budget,” said owner Carolyn Tao, who is hosting a public Grand Opening event Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m. for former brides, inviting them to consign or donate their dresses.  

All who donate dresses Thursday evening will receive a tax receipt as well as a gift bag valued at more than $100. To attend the shindig, RSVP to yes@WhiteMagnoliaDress.com.

White Magnolia is open Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and various hours Wednesday through Friday. By appointment only. (310) 560-5743; appointments@whitemagnoliadress.com.

-- Emili Vesilind

[Updated at 3:30 P.M. August 9, 2011. A previous version of this post incorrectly stated that the White Magnolia boutique was located in West Hollywood. It is located in West Los Angeles.]

Photo: Browsing through wedding gowns. Credit: White Magnolia.

Catching up with designer and royal favorite Jenny Packham

British designer Jenny Packham is well-known for her romantic and delicately beaded bridal gowns, as well as a ready-to-wear line that boasts elegant evening wear and special occasion attire that generally  has a vintage feel perfect for her fans, such as Dita Von Teese, Reese Witherspoon and Emma Roberts. But the designer has been in the limelight lately because in addition to the bevy of actresses donning her dresses on the red carpet (Angelina Jolie, J Lo and Elle Fanning), the Duchess of Cambridge has worn her dresses several times, including the dazzling beaded gown she chose for the ARK gala dinner -- arguably Catherine's most show-stopping appearance since her wedding day. 

Packham was in L.A this week shooting a campaign for her next bridal collection (it's her first campaign shot in Southern California, set in an impressive home in Malibu). We caught up with her to see what she’s working on and how this royal frenzy has affected her.

So much attention has been put on what Catherine is wearing, whether she’s stepping off a plane or walking the red carpet. Has it been interesting to see her in your dresses multiple times?

I think she’s been an amazing ambassador for British fashion, especially in the way she marries designer clothing with high street fashion. The first time she wore one of our dresses was at the Ark gala. But we’ve got Angelina Jolie and so many exciting people wearing the dresses as well.

You’re well-known for your romantic, often vintage-inspired bridal gowns. Do you ever cross over with ready-to-wear and bridal?

The lines are very separate to me as far as businesses go. With bridal, every single dress has to have something that makes it extremely special. The ready-to-wear does too, but for bridal a woman really has to fall in love with the piece. Also, each market is so specific for bridal. Certain markets like different styles. Some can wear this and not wear this, some need sleeves … but it’s nice that sometimes we do get a shape that works in both collections.

Also, the jewelry and head pieces we make tie back into the bridal dresses. I think we’re finding a lot that brides want to buy into the whole look. They can be so overwhelmed by all the choices on how to look, so with the campaigns and accessories, we’re presenting an image that’s strong enough to appeal to somebody who might want to look like that.

And that goes for the lingerie line too? It’s very glamorous  lingerie.

Yes, it’s very decadent and luxurious. Many pieces have beading and feathers. Strangely enough, the  pieces that are really selling are the more elaborate pieces. A lot of people get them as wedding night outfits. It’s not lingerie to sleep in.

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-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos (from top): The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the 10th annual Absolute Return for Kids (ARK) gala dinner at Kensington Palace in London on June 9. Credit: Arthur Edwards / Reuters. 

Catherine at the Foundation Polo Challenge at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet club last week. Credit: Jae Hong / Associated Press

A bridal gown from Jenny Packham's 2011 bridal collection. Credit: Jenny Packham

Catherine arrives at Calgary Airport on July 7. Credit: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: Karl Lagerfeld recycles Nietzsche, Jessica Simpson recycles a sweater and, finally, a way to recycle bridesmaid dresses

Bridesmaids everywhere will love this: The Dessy group is launching a website, Newlymaid.com, on which you can recycle your usually pricey and only-used-once bridesmaid dress in exchange for a discount on a new black dress. I bet the characters in "90210" wish the site had been around after the wedding shown here! [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

I've become fascinated with trying to keep up with what Karl Lagerfeld is doing. Being creative director for Chanel has never been enough for him. A few days ago, he was unveiling a Paris hotel room made of chocolate that he designed as part of a promotion for an ice cream company. This week, he is announcing plans to publish a volume of Nietzsche's writings. Lagerfeld and Gerhard Steidl plan to print only 3,000 copies of the 12-volume set, to be published in fall 2012. "Nietzsche's Nietzsche" is to include both the typeset writings and the philosopher's hand-corrected manuscripts. [WWD]

Meanwhile, Lagerfeld and Chanel were in Antibes for the atelier's latest resort show, and hosted a kickoff dinner Sunday night for guests including fashionistas Blake Lively, Vanessa Paradis, Rachel Bilson and Alexa Chung. [WWD]

Chung looked fresh and summery at the show in a fluttery embroidered pink silk dress -- by Chanel, of course! [StyleList]

Heidi Klum and Seal renew their wedding vows every year, and this being Heidi and Seal, it can be pretty over the top. This year, there seemed to be a costume-ball theme, with Seal in a pirate's hat and vest, Heidi in crinolines and a feathered mask. [The Cut]

It's rare for a celeb to be caught wearing the same thing twice, but that doesn't bother Jessica Simpson, who has been photographed numerous times since 2005 wearing an oversized green Juliette sweater from Theory. She's worn it over leggings, with jeans, with heels -- and, she says, over nothing but underwear around the house. Sounds like a keeper. [People] 

Just when you think there's nothing new under the sun, jeans-makers come up with denim coated to look like leather. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Rachel Zoe not only has new baby son Skyler, but she is sporting a 10-carat Neil Lane diamond ring -- a "push present" from husband Rodger Berman. [People]

Australian swimwear brand Lisa Blue has removed from its latest collection a swimsuit picturing the Hindu goddess Lakshmi after protests -- including an Australian flag-burning -- by some Hindu groups in India and complaints and death threats against designer Lisa Burke. [The Cut]

-- Susan Denley

Upper photo: Bridesmaids look like they would really, really like to recycle those dresses in his scene from "90120" Credit: Fox

Lower photo: Karl Lagerfeld. Credit: Francois Durand / Getty Images 

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: Dukan diet might be helping Kate Middleton lose weight before the big day and Miranda Kerr is already back in bikini shape

-- The Dukan diet, popular in France and with celebrities reportedly including Gisele Bundchen, Jennifer Lopez and, possibly, Kate Middleton (OK, the latter is just speculation on some people's parts because her mother is on it, but it seems as plausible as a lot of other wedding speculation), is due to hit the U.S. with the publication next week of "The Dukan Diet," by Dr. Pierre Dukan, a French physician. How does it work? Kind of similar to Atkins, heavy on protein, restrictive with carbs. But hey, this is a French diet, so it does allow a little wine. Sign me up. (But I think Kate looks perfectly fine without dieting.) [FitSugar] [The Star]

-- Some things just aren't fair: Model Miranda Kerr had a baby in January (with husband Orlando Bloom), and this week she was snapped posing in a bikini in Malibu for a Victoria's Secret campaign. [StyleList]

-- Taking a different tack, curvaceous TV chef Nigella Lawson hit the beach in Sydney, Australia, wearing a burkini ... kind of a hooded jumpsuit made for swimming and usually worn by Islamic women to protect their modesty. Lawson wore it to protect her creamy complexion. But I have to say it would be useful for any celebrity trying to avoid paparazzi bikini shots. [Telegraph] 

-- Work by renowned fashion illustrator Rene Gruau, who died in 2004, is going up for auction at Christie's in London. [Telegraph]

-- Chloe Malle, the 25-year-old daughter of Candice Bergen and the late director Louis Malle, has been named social editor at Vogue. [WWD]

-- "Hussein Chalayan by Hussein Chalayan," a book that delves into the work of the experimental British fashion designer, is due to be published in July by Rizzoli. Chalayan's work has made a splash in the worlds of fashion and art and has been the subject exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world, including five solo shows in London, the Netherlands, Tokyo, Istanbul and Paris. He has been named British Designer of the Year twice. And he is only 46. [Telegraph] 

-- Cynthia Steffe is expanding its new Seamline Cynthia Steffe collection of contemporary dresses for fall. Seamline is priced below the main Steffe line. [WWD] (subscription required)

Wedding roundup:

-- Vera Wang has unveiled her new bridesmaids' line for David's Bridal, which will ship to stores in late June. [WWD] (subscription required)

-- Priscilla of Boston is adding a new line by Marchesa, Eterna by Marchesa, starting this fall. [WWD] (subscription required) 

-- Los Angeles has some gorgeous places to take wedding photos, and PopSugar suggests several including the Disney Concert Hall, the Venice Canals, Echo Park Lake and others. [PopSugar L.A.]

-- Susan Denley

 Photo: Kate Middleton, whose mum is on the Dukan diet. Is she? Credit: Indigo / Getty Images 

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: Mulberry makes a splash at Coachella. Mary Louise Parker's good looks. And Chelsea Kane's dancing diet.

Our Booth Moore wrote about the phenomenon of big companies sponsoring parties at the Coachella music festival, which wrapped up Sunday. Even British brand Mulberry hopped across the pond to host a splash party. Eliza Doolittle, Nicole Richie and Alexa Chung were among the attendees. [Telegraph] [Los Angeles Times]

And you can take a look back at the fashionable flock attending the music fest in the desert here.

Forty-six-year-old beauty Mary Louise Parker attributes her good looks to genes. And no hard partying, drinking or drugs. She eats healthfully and uses sunblock. Her only beauty regret is trying a keratin smoothing hair treatment -- a.k.a. the controversial Brazilian Blowout. It contributed to hair loss, she says. [T magazine]

What keeps Chelsea Kane in top form for "Dancing With the Stars"? Red Bull and a doughnut a day. [People]

Reese Witherspoon wore a white Jason Wu cocktail dress embellished with black beading to pose for publicity shots with "Water for Elephants" co-star Robert Pattinson. [People] For more on the New York premiere of the film, check out our photo gallery. 

If you're planning a wedding, you can save big bucks and be kind of eco-friendly by buying a previously worn (i.e., used) gown. Just be sure to do some due diligence and first ask a lot of questions about use, care, measurements (not just size) and specifically what is included in the price. [SavvySugar] 

Looks we're not ready for: Viveca Fox attended an event at Miami's Vault nightclub, posing on the red carpet in a pink halter and white skinny jeans, ripped at the knees. [The Cut]

When Dylan Lauren marries hedge funder Paul Arrouet, her dogs will be the flower girl and ring bearer. Dressed in couture from her dad, Ralph Lauren, of course. [The Cut] 

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Mary Louise Parker. Credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images 

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Fergie's fragrance breaks records. John Galliano at LAX. Justin Bieber and the Old Spice guy nominated for Webbys.

Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie's first fragrance launch for Avon did better than pretty well.  "Outspoken has been our most successful fragrance launch in the history of Avon," Chief Executive Andrea Jung said at a news conference in New York, although she didn't give specific sales numbers. The next Fergie-fragrance, Outspoken Intense, a fruity floral, is due out in July. [StyleList] 

Justin Bieber and Old Spice guy Isaiah Mustafa are among the nominees for this year's Webbys -- the "Oscars of the Web." A full list of nominees is available on the Webby website, and the results will be announced May 3. [People] 

Christian Louboutin is seeing red. A week after filing a trademark infringement lawsuit against Yves Saint Laurent, Louboutin is now going after Carmen Steffens of Brazil for the same thing: using red soles on their shoes. Louboutin has been soling its shoes in red since 1992 and had the practice trademarked in 2008. In a statement, Steffens says it has been using red since 1998 and finds it "surprising that another brand is trying to reserve the rights to any color." [Telegraph]

Kate Middleton dressed very conservatively Monday when she visited Darwen Aldridge Community Academy in Lancashire on the couple's last official state visit before she marries Prince William on April 29. Her navy shift and hook-and-eye jacket by designer Amanda Wakeley was elegant but safe, worn with nude stockings and pumps. Her outfit blended in with the prince's navy suit, in fact. [Telegraph]

The latest trend in bridal wear? Sleeves. It was probably only a matter of time because in recent seasons strapless gowns have been ubiquitous. [WWD] (Subscription required)

The idea for Ralph Lauren's dog tags benefiting the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research -- which we told you about last week -- had a serendipitous beginning. Fox's wife, Tracy Pollan, and son were strolling through East Hampton and popped into the Ralph Lauren store to look at its collection of dog tags from World Wars I and II. There they ran into Ralph's brother Jerry, got to talking and the rest, as they say, is history. [WWD]     

If you're a modern bride planning a wedding, FabSugar has picked 10 simple gowns with a modern sensibility that are worth a look. [FabSugar]   

John Galliano has reportedly been in rehab in Arizona since he was fired by Dior on the eve of Paris Fashion Week, but he was spotted at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, and hassled by a photographer, according to reports. [Fashionologie]

Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet welcomed a new daughter last week, the second for Bendet and her husband, Eric Eisner. [People] 

--Susan Denley

Photo: Fergie sings. She also sells perfume, producing record-breaking sales for Avon. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times 

 

Costco gets hitched to Kirstie Kelly Couture for in-store bridal trunk shows

L.A. designer Kirstie Kelly calls her new line of couture bridal gowns Costcouture. A partnership between Kelly and the Costco membership warehouse club, the Kirstie Kelly Signature line will be sold through in-store trunk shows, allowing women to try on gowns with bridal experts in jewelbox salons set up inside Costco stores.

The trunk shows began in Northern California last month and will make their way to Southern California beginning March 3, with four-day salons at Costco locations in Torrance (March 3-6), San Bernardino (March 10-13), L.A. (March 17-20) and Van Nuys (March 24-27). Appointments are recommended.

Kelly designed six gowns for the collection. They cost $699 to $1,399 and are available in sizes 2 through 24.

"The Costcouture line is for the bride who wants to wear Kirstie Kelly Couture but get a phenomenal price point. We're starting at 40% off regular retail," said Kelly, whose gowns normally cost $2,000-$7,000.

Each of the Costcouture gowns features a fully constructed bodice, or corset, inside the gown. The fabrics range from lush satins to silk organzas to Alencon lace, incorporating crystal and pearl beading as well as handmade details such as flowers. Fingertip and cathedral-length veils are also available.

The pop-up salons are staffed with Kirstie Kelly employees. The salons are walled and carpeted, or, as Kelly says, "You can't see the person with the roasted chicken and the toilet paper."

-- Susan Carpenter

Photo: Kirstie Kelly Signature bridal collection for Costco. Credit: Kirstie Kelly

Your Stylist: Inspiring ideas for a chic wedding

In this installment of Your Stylist, I am taking a brief hiatus from talking trends to address a few of the super-adorable dress, accessory and decorative options out there for the bride-to-be.

Let's start at the top. It might seem like a last-minute detail, but a cake topper can really make a wedding cake come to life and, most important, make a tower of flour and fondant totally personal. Paper sculptor and artist extraordinaire Gwen Barba creates the most amazing little cake toppers totally from paper. The figures are made from acid-free paper and contain every last detail of a wedding dress, veil and tuxedo. She'll even include glasses, dress embellishments and sculptures of your dog(s) if you so desire.

When the Champagne and cake are gone, you can still display this modern take on a cake topper (Concarta -- www.concarta.blogspot.com).

Jennifer Behr makes some of the most beautiful and original hair accessories happening today, and her bridal collection is no exception. There are dramatic headpieces and veils made of feathers and lace for the bride who likes something just a little over the top and vintage-inspired headbands and clips for the woman who wants a touch of sparkle somewhere in her hair. A whimsical headpiece is also an easy way to add some character to a simple dress and create an unforgettable look.

And finally, when I first heard about the bridal line BHLDN (under the Urban Outfitters and Anthropolgie   umbrella), all I could picture were short, reworked vintage dresses that would only fit a teenager and maybe some bridesmaid dresses made from cream-colored flannel. But boy, was I wrong. The line is not only well-priced, it's also modern and romantic. The gowns are vintage-inspired and unexpected, and they come in nontraditional colors, such as light gray and a graphic poppy-and-white floral print, as well as more traditional tones. The accessories look more like heirlooms. There are salmon pink sling-backs with a dainty bow at the toe and a simple netted veil with tiny white bows. Prices range from $80 to $4,000.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos from top: Paper sculpted wedding-cake toppers from Concarta. Credit: Concarta. Jennifer Behr Dorothee veil, $675. Credit: Jennifer Behr. Wedding gowns from BHLDN, from left, Pleated Fantasy, $3,600; Tiered Tulip, $2,400; Ribboned Silk, $1,600. Credit: BHLDN

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Lady Gaga launches Vogue's new iPad app, hat suggestions for Kate Middleton and more acclaim for Rodarte

Lady Gaga is on the cover of March Vogue, and she also is launching Vogue's new Cover Exclusive iPad app. The app, which went on sale at the iPad app store at midnight Wednesday, has the full text of the cover story, exclusive video from the photo shoot by Mario Testino and author Jonathan Van Meter's audio diary. [StyleList]

Anthropologie's BHLDN wedding collection, which launched this week, includes apparel and accessories, of course, but also decor such as cake toppers and glassware. [OhJoy!]

Chalk up another vote of confidence for Los Angeles-based Rodarte. The fashion house of sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy could be the next Alexander McQueen or Galliano, Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour says. [Telegraph]

Like mother, like son. Nick Ashley, son of Laura, is designing a new menswear line, Private White V.C., inspired by British World War I hero Jack White, who was awarded the Victoria Cross at age 20. [Telegraph] 

Old Navy is apparently putting those creepy talking mannequins to rest and kicking off a spring ad campaign Thursday featuring singers and dancers. [WWD] (Subscription required.)  

Bijou Van Ness hat designer Rehn Dudukgian, whom we've written about before, has a new hat collection that FabSugar says would be lovely on princess-to-be Kate Middleton. We agree! [FabSugar]

And speaking of head gear, Spirit Hoods, the Los Angeles maker of furry animal-inspired caps, is making them for kids now, as well as adult trendsters. [Style Section LA] 

--Susan Denley

Photo: Lady Gaga accepting the award for pop vocal album at the Grammys last Sunday. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images