A $2,012 toilet paper wedding dress gives new meaning to 'cheap and chic'

A wedding can be the most expensive soiree you'll ever throw. There's the caterer, the flowers, a band and, of course, the dress. But what if you decided to do away with all the embroidery, lace and taffeta for a dress material that was, say, a little more economical? How about a gown made of plain white toilet paper?

That's the idea behind Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com's eighth toilet paper wedding dress contest. The site asked people to use nothing more than Charmin toilet paper (one of the contest's sponsors), tape, glue and/or needle and thread to make a wedding dress, then submit pictures. The submissions were judged on creativity, originality, beauty and the use of toilet paper.

The winning design came from Susan Brennan, a 26-year-old aspiring artist and designer from Orchard Lake, Mich. Brennan used 10 rolls of Charmin toilet paper to make her Bohemian Cupcake dress. She won the grand prize of $2,012 for this year's entry. Brennan was also the 2011 grand prize winner.

A second-place prize of $1,000 went to Katrina Chalifoux, a 50-year-old electronics technician and mechanic from Knoxville, Tenn. Chalifoux used 28 double rolls of Charmin to make her dress. She is a three-time contestant and the 2008 grand prize winner.

A third-place prize of $500 went to first-time contestant Jennifer Henry, a 31-year-old alternative material designer and stylist from Las Vegas, Nev. Henry used 36 rolls of Charmin and no needle or thread. Instead she used packing tap and double-stick tape to keep her dress together. 

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-- Jenn Harris

twitter.com/jenn_harris

Photos: From top,  grand prize winner Susan Brennan in her toilet paper dress,  Katrina Chalifoux's entry and Jennifer Henry's submission. Credit: Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com

Wedding throwdown: Kim Kardashian vs. the royal wedding

The Kardashian family could be considered America's own form of reality television royalty. Kim Kardashian first popped onto our radar as a socialite and the girl in that, ahem, steamy video, but it wasn't long before she and her family built an empire. Sure they don't actually have any royal privileges of any kind, but when it comes to throwing a wedding, or any sort of lavish affair, Kim is sure to get the royal treatment.

Kardashian married basketball star Kris Humphries on Saturday in Montecito in a wedding spectacle that by all accounts rivaled the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton earlier this year. Both high-profile couples went all out for their big days, but who did it better? It's time for a good old wedding throwdown.

The gown:

Kate Middleton walked down the aisle in a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen white silk gown with detailed Chantilly lace sleeves. This was a big moment for the Alexander McQueen line and its designer, as noted by our own Booth Moore. For the reception, Kate donned an ivory gown with diamante waist embellishment, also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

Kim Kardashian wore three custom gowns by Vera Wang. The exact order is at the moment unclear but Us magazine reports that the first was an ivory ball gown that featured a full tulle skirt, basque waist and a bodice and train covered in hand-pieced Chantilly lace applique. The second was an ivory georgette mermaid gown with hand-pieced Chantilly lace applique on the bodice and a skirt with hand cut-organza petals and Chantilly lace motifs. For her final gown, Kim wore a bias-cut crepe back ivory satin gown with circle skirt and V-neck.

The jewels:

Kate Middleton sparkled in Queen Elizabeth II's jewels. She borrowed a 1936 Cartier tiara from the monarch for her big day.

Kardashian wore more than $10 million of exclusive Lorraine Schwartz jewels, including a diamond-encrusted headpiece. Kim and Kris also exhanged Lorraine Schwartz wedding bands.

The coverage:

The entire world got to watch the royal couple wed, with live feeds from major networks and a multitude of specials.

Kris and Kim decided to give their wedding top-secret status -- and to make money from it. The couple sold the rights to their wedding footage to E!, which produces Kim's show "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." Fans will have to wait until October (gasp!) to watch Kim and Kris walk down the aisle. 

Major dough:

Usually when a couple gets married it involves major splurging. CBS' MoneyWatch.com reported that when Kate and Will got hitched, it cost the royal family an estimated $34 million, and that was after some serious budgeting.

It's no surprise that Kim has turned her star power into profit with her clothing store, clothing line and perfume line, but who would have thought she'd find a way to make money off her own wedding? According to Mogulite.com, Kim not only scored major wedding freebies, but also made some serious cash. She held the wedding at Google exec Eric Schmidt's house, received nearly a half a million dollars of free bubbly from Perrier-Jouet Champagne and wore a comped $20,000 Vera Wang wedding dress. 

Here is a breakdown by the New York Post of Kardashian's estimated $17.9-million profit:

-- Two-part TV special: $15 million.
-- Sale of wedding photos to People: $2.5 million.
-- Sale of rights to engagement announcement to People: $300,000.
-- Sale of rights of bridal-shower photos to OK!: $100,000.
-- Paid to have the bachelorette party at Tao Las Vegas : $50,000.

The guest list:

Europe's royal elite, as well as celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham and Elton John, joined a guest list of about 1,900 for the royal wedding, the Independent reported.

Serena Williams, Eva Longoria and Lindsay Lohan were among the 450 guests who attended the Kardashian-Humphries wedding, USA Today reported.

Who do you think did it better? Comment and let us know.

-- Jenn Harris
twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

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Photos: Kris Humphries and his fiancée Kim Kardashian in Los Angeles this month, left; Prince William and Kate Middleton after announcing their engagement. Credits: Matt Sayles / Associated Press; Kirsty Wigglesworth / Associated Press

Fashion News: Kate Moss, John Galliano and a lovely gown

 
Kate Moss' recent wedding makes up a spread in Vogue's September issue, which includes details about how her beautiful gown came to be. Her inspiration was the Great Gatsby, her designer (as we know) John Galliano. The two discussed ideas over the phone, then met  with "bags full of bits, and pulled tulle and sequins and veils and flowers out," Moss said. "And then we just kind of pinned things together, like the old days, you know?" [Vogue]

Meanwhile, Galliano calls designing the dress "creative rehab," after his firing by Dior in the midst of a scandal over allegations that he made anti-Semitic comments. [Vogue]

London label Issa -- a favorite of the Duchess of Cambridge -- is looking for someone to design a new print for its upcoming collection, a new model for the runway, and an intern. Those who have what it takes can apply at Hotnewface.com, a website launched to help newcomers get into the fashion business. [Telegraph]

Speaking of the Duchess -- as if she weren't thin enough (and photos of her seem to always send commenters into spasms of concern over whether she has an eating disorder) -- the magazine Grazia admits to photoshopping her waist to waspish proportions on its May 9 cover shot of her walk down the aisle. [The Cut]

Chanel is issuing a new version of the classic 1970s scent No. 19. Originally named in honor of Coco Chanel's Aug. 19 birthday, the new Chanel No. 19 Poudre retains the lightness of the original while adding crisp green notes and iris. [Racked] 

Accessories maker Botkier reportedly intends to send Sears a cease-and-desist letter contending that a handbag in the new Kardashian Kollection that debuted this week is a rip-off of the Trigger Clyde bag from Botkier's 2009 collection. [Fashionista]

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-- Susan Denley

Photo: Jamie Hince and Kate Moss on their wedding day, with Moss' daughter Lila. Credit: Jonathan Short / Associated Press

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: America Ferrera's wedding gown, Julie Benz's engagement ring, Dwyane Wade's watch, Johnny Weir's legs

 

-- Our Adam Tschorn just returned from covering the men's spring 2012 ready-to-wear shows in Milan and Paris. And some of the fashions were -- as usual -- pretty over-the-top. Who would wear that, I sometimes wonder (think of the fringes at Thom Browne's show or the birds of paradise print at Givenchy. Of course, showing mass appeal garments isn't really the point of the shows, but I digress). Well, in real life, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and TV reality star stylist Brad Goreski really wore shorts to a formal charity function in New York Monday night. Weir in particular was attention-grabbing in his tuxedo jacket and short-shorts. [The Cut]

-- America Ferrera married beau Ryan Piers Williams Monday evening wearing a strapless gown by Amsale's Christos label and Fred Leighton earrings. The dress hugged her curves to below the hip, then fell to the floor in a cascade of ruffles. Guests included former "Ugly Betty" castmates Vanessa Williams and Rebecca Romjin, and Blake Lively, with whom Ferrera appeared in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." [People]

-- "Dexter" star Julie Benz is sporting a new engagement ring, given to her Sunday by boyfriend Rich Orosco. The Kwiat ring features a handmade platinum and cushion-cut center stone, which sits in a Kwiat signature "floating basket" with a pave diamond frame. [People]

-- Smurfette, the female Smurf, has a new career as a model. The blue babe is featured in the pages of Harper's Bazaar, showing off "the hottest shoes, handbags, hats and jewelry; dancing in Dolce & Gabbana, looking lovely in Marc Jacobs and Lanvin, and prancing in Vuitton," according to Harper's. [Telegraph] [StyleList]

-- Ken Downing, Neiman Marcus Group senior vice president and fashion director, has big plans for new accessories brand Theodora & Callum, which launched this spring at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. The future Downing envisions for the brand, created by Stefani Greenfield and Desiree Gruber, includes exclusive products, prominent placement in Neiman’s catalogue and dedicated e-mails. [WWD]

-- Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat is designing a limited-edition timepiece for Hublot. [WWD] (subscription required)

-- Husband and wife Shiro Gutzie and Shay Todd (the designer) are opening a beachy lifestyle store in West Hollywood that will blend shopping, art, food and pampering. The boutique at 8336 Melrose Avenue is to open next week. A spa will open later in the summer and a cafe in the fall. [PopSugar L.A.]

-- Nicole Richie's House of Harlow 1960 adds handbags to its offerings this fall. The 14 pieces will include clutches, hobos and cross-body bags priced from $150 to $650. They'll be available starting in mid-July at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Shopbop.com. [WWD] 

-- Susan Denley

Top photo: Johnny Weir, left, and Brad Goreski, bare their legs at Trevor Live: An Evening Benefiting the Trevor Project in New York City. Credit:  Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images;

Bottom photo: Smurfette stars in a Harper's Bazaar spread. Credit: Harper's Bazaar

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Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: A nonroyal wedding for Sarah Palin's son. A fairy-tale wedding for Tamera Mowry. And the Kardashians team with OPI.

Sarah Palin's Army reservist son Track, 22, has married his high school sweetheart, Britta Hanson, 21, in a small ceremony in Hatcher Pass, Alaska, and it seems to have been a much more low-key event than the recent royal wedding across the pond. Photos released by the Palins on Thursday show the bride and groom and both sets of parents in jeans, corsages and boutonnieres, with Hanson holding a bouquet of red and white flowers. They are standing outdoors, snowy mountains in the background. The couple reportedly plan to have a larger celebration sometime next winter. [People] 

More details are out now about Tamera Mowry's fairy-tale wedding to Fox News correspondent Adam Housley (that's the couple, pre-wedding at this year's NAACP Image Awards) over the weekend. Mowry wore a strapless Carolina Herrera gown with a long trailing veil, diamond earrings and a canary-and-white diamond necklace by Erica Courtney. Her nine bridesmaids -- including  twin sister Tia -- were in blush gowns, each cut differently. (This is an idea I really like; each young woman was able to wear her own most flattering style.) Then Mowry changed into Dolce & Gabbana for the reception dinner, and again into Herve Leger for the after-dinner dancing. Um, no word on whether Housley changed clothes!  [People]

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana hosted a cocktail party for A.C. Milan in their Milan, Italy, men’s store here Thursday night to celebrate the soccer team's 18th national championship. The party also introduced a book called “Milan Fashion Soccer Players Portraits,” filled with black-and-white studio portraits of the players taken by photographer Marco Falcetta. [WWD]

Louis Vuitton's upcoming ad campaign for fall 2011 has the usual beautiful models, but also has vintage cars and really cute dogs. Something for everyone! [WWD]

It was only a matter of time: Khloe, Kim, and Kourtney Kardashian are collaborating on a nail polish collection with Nicole by OPI. The shades will capture the "glitz and glam" of Planet Kardashian, says Kim. [BellaSugar]

Abercrombie & Fitch opened a flagship on Paris' fabled Champs Elysee.  And it wouldn't be Abercrombie if there wasn't a lot of flesh on display -- in this case with a passel of bare-chested and hunky male models. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

A lacy white Dolce & Gabbana frock is popping up on magazine covers all over the world. Constance Jablonski wore it in February on the cover of Spanish Vogue, and this month on the cover of Greek Vogue. In April, the dress was worn by different models on the covers of Vogue Paris and German Vogue. Apparently fashion is the same everywhere. Or something. [The Cut] 

--Susan Denley

Photo: Tamera Mowry and Adam Housley are all smiles at this year's NAACP Image Awards, just days before their fairy-tale wedding. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: Fur flies at Fendi. Oprah scores Ralph Lauren. Lily Aldridge marries in Vera Wang.

A dispute over fur may jeopardize Fendi's plans to stage a fashion show for 1,200 invited guests in Seoul, South Korea. The government, in response to concerns from civic groups, won't allow Fendi to show any garments with fur. “Fur is part of the DNA of Fendi,” says a brand spokesman. Two days of talks ended Monday without a resolution. [WWD]

Oprah has scored the first television interview with Ralph Lauren in 20 years. It is scheduled to air Wednesday and was shot at his Telluride, Colo., ranch. [WWD]

Speaking of Oprah, her dermatologist, Dr. Harold Lancer of Beverly Hills, is expanding his skin care line to reach more customers through department store sales this summer. [Styleite]

Victoria's Secret model Lily Aldridge wore Vera Wang for her wedding to Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill late last week at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, Calif. The bespoke strapless gown featured delicate Chantilly lace around the bottom of the mermaid skirt and train. The groom wore a dapper gray Gucci suit.  [Telegraph] 

It was Carolina Herrera for actress Tamera Mowry when she married Fox News Channel correspondent Adam Housley on Sunday in Napa Valley. [People]

Designer Jason Wu launches a new Twitter account Monday, under the name “MissWu_NY.” The tweeting will be done in the persona of Wu's owl logo. "Having a bird that tweets — it just seemed natural, right?” Wu said. Next up: A redesign of the Wu website.   [WWD]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Oprah Winfrey. Credit: Evan Agostini / Getty Images for CFDA 

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Pundits wonder if Kate Middleton will wear a tiara on her wedding day.

This is the week of the much-anticipated royal wedding in Britain, and the drumbeat of speculation has reached a fever pitch. Besides all the rumors over the identify of the designer of the bridal gown, now there's talk of tiaras: Will Kate Middleton wear one or not? Will it be the Russian Fringe, the diamond tiara worn by the queen, the queen mother, Queen Mary and the Princess Royal? Will it be the Spencer family tiara worn by Princess Diana (above)? Or will the queen give Kate a tiara as a wedding gift, as she did her other daughters-in-law? I guess we'll just have to wait till the big day Friday to find out. [Telegraph]

No one knows yet who designed Kate's dress, but Isaac Mizrahi has advice for whomever it is. Having designed "millions of wedding dresses," he says he can empathize. "It's so stressful, because you always think something's going to fall off right in the middle of the most important day of [the bride's] life," he says. The solution? Tranquilizers. [Cut] 

Speaking of weddings, no one knows how to dress a bride like Vera Wang, so when she gives her 10 top tips for getting through the big day beautifully, I pay attention. Among them, always step into your gown. Do not -- repeat do not -- pull it on over your head. Why? By the time you are putting on the gown, your makeup has been done and you really can't risk a lipstick smear on your dress. [WWD]

For a wedding closer to home, "Grey's Anatomy" is planning one, to air May 5. Followers of the crew at Seattle Grace know that weddings on the show can be fraught with angst -- remember Burke leaving Cristina at the altar? Meredith and Derek's postponements? Izzie flatlining after marrying Karev?  This time, no matter how it turns out, we will at least get to see two wedding gowns, because the couple in question are Callie and Arizona. [BuzzSugar]   

The trend of lingerie this fall? Sweet, girly ruffles are back. [WWD]

Interior design firm Tony Duquette Inc. is suing J. Crew over the use of a leopard print. [WWD] (Subscription required)

Macy's is taking several steps toward being more eco-conscious this year, including rolling out hangers made of recycled material. [WWD] (Subscription required)

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Prince Charles and Princess Diana, wearing her tiara, on their wedding day in 1981. Credit: Associated Press 

 

Royal Wedding Roundup: Wedding dresses of royals past; Kate will not 'obey'

We're just a week away from the big day, and more details of the wedding have started to leak. In this edition of Royal Wedding Roundup, we take a look at royal weddings past, present and future.

Item 1: Put Kate’s dress in context. The Telegraph has an excellent video that shows six recently restored royal bridal gowns, dating back to the ankle length gown Princess Charlotte wore in 1816. Historic Royal Palaces senior curator Dr. Joanna Marschner talks you through each of the six dresses, explaining what it was made of, who wore it and why it was so special. Another bonus to the video: Marschner has a delightfully understated manner, which is a welcome relief from all the know-it-alls blabbing about wedding nonsense on TV.

Item 2: Kate will "love, honor, comfort and keep" but not "obey." Kate will deviate from tradition in her wedding vows, promising to "love, honor, comfort and keep" her husband, but not to "obey" him. Traditionally royals have used the vows in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which requires women to promise to "love, cherish and obey." Princess Diana, who was just 20 when she was married, also left out the "obey" in her vows, but Sarah Ferguson and Sophie Rhys-Jones used the traditional language in their subsequent weddings. According to a poll on the Daily Mail's website, 75% of readers think Kate has made the right choice.

Item 3: And on to the next one: The wedding hasn't even happened yet, but for some people, the nuptials of Kate and William are so yesterday. What to do? How about speculate on what Prince Harry's wedding might be like. That's just what Time magazine has done in a feature called Royal Wedding Redux: Who Will Marry Harry? In journalism, it is always good to stay ahead of the curve.

-- Deborah Netburn

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Photo: The full-skirted white court dress worn by Alexandra of Denmark when she married Albert Edward, Prince of Wales in 1863. Credit: Associated Press / The Royal Collection / Historic Royal Palaces

 

Royal Wedding Roundup: Etiquette, hats and cheats

Welcome to the latest installment of Royal Wedding Roundup, where we take a look at the media madness surrounding the April 29 wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William in which no detail is too small to report, and no tie-in too ridiculous to contemplate. In this edition, etiquette books, the rise of hats, and the proliferation of misleading but clickable headlines.

Item 1: An etiquette book for guests. How do you get 1,900 wedding guests to follow the rules of the palace? Simple -- send them a 22-page royal etiquette book explaining some key dos and don’t s for the big day. A palace source confirmed to the Mirror that just such a book was sent to the royal guests with a list of rules to keep in mind at the wedding. For example, do remember to address the queen as “Your Majesty,” don’t wear cream or white (colors reserved for the bride) and if you intend to wear a top hat, make sure to take it off inside the church.

Item 2: Speaking of hats. Royal wedding obsessives have known for months that milliner Philip Treacy will design hats for the wedding party. Treacy was responsible for the Dutchess of Cornwall’s headdress at her 2006 wedding. (He’s also done work for Alexander McQueen and Lady Gaga). But the Pittsburgh Tribune Review is wondering whether the royal wedding will spark an interest in hats stateside.  We say not likely, but the co-chairwoman of the 13th annual PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon would beg to differ.

Item 3: Cheap clicks. So, there’s no new wedding news? Not to worry. Some of the media is willing to make some up. "ET" is reporting that Simon Cowell has not received his wedding invitation yet. Why? Because he’s not invited. And the Daily Mail claims to have pictures of the bride’s dress — as imagined by “Mad Men” designer Janie Bryant. Now that’s just cheating (though the dress does look pretty).

-- Deborah Netburn

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Photo: Prince William and Kate Middleton cookies by Eleni's New York Inc. Credit: Jin Lee / Bloomberg

Royal Wedding Round-Up: There's a doughnut and an app, but there's no ring for Prince William

 

There's nothing we love more than a good old fashioned media frenzy, and nothing causes a frenzy like a royal wedding. Consider the pending nuptials of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton. We've read breathless reports on the number of canapes to be served at the wedding (10,000), considered ordering the unfortunately named "KaTea and William" commemorative royal wedding tea bags and felt ourselves slightly nauseated by a manicure featuring a picture of Kate and William on each nail. (YUCK!)

As the countdown to the big day (April 29, in case you didn't know) continues, we'll round up some of our favorite bits of non-essential royal reporting here on this blog.

Item 1: Royal weddings? There's an app for that. The Royal Collections, which usually deals in exhibitions, has created a smart phone app to commemorate the big day. The app tells the story of seven royal weddings dating back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's nuptials in 1840 and will provide historical context for the upcoming wedding. It will be available from the Apple Apps Store and the Android Market on April 18.

Item 2: Dunkin' Donuts pays its respects with heart-shaped doughnut. From April 24-29, participating Dunkin' Donuts will sell the Royal Wedding Donut: a heart-shaped, jelly-filled doughnut topped with vanilla icing and drizzled in chocolate. Suggested retail price is 89 cents. Surprised to see a company like Dunkin' Donuts getting on board with royal madness? Don't be. The chief executive is a Brit.

Item 3: The ringless habits of royals. Over the past few days it's been widely reported that while Kate's ring will be made of exclusive Welsh gold from a mine that is no longer operating, Prince William will continue to go ringless after the ceremony. Apparently this is not unusual in the royal family. As the BBC reports, "William's father, the Prince of Wales, does wear a wedding band, but his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, does not."

Stay tuned for more!

--Deborah Netburn

Photos: Kate Middleton with Prince William as the two dedicated a lifeboat in their first official appearance since their engagement. Credit: AFP/Getty Images. Royal Wedding Donut credit: courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts.