A Soolip Wedding - Personalized Glamour is in The Details! The historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was transformed into a dazzling bridal parlor on March 19 for A Soolip Wedding event. In its seventh year, the annual show produced by Plan A and The Gallion Company hosted approximately 500 brides plus guests with a collection of wedding essentials and professional services who showcased jewels, gowns, lingerie, bridal resources, and some striking pink cosmopolitans by Pinky Vodka and catered nibblies by Wolfgang Puck. Soolip is Chinese for "one's life destiny is to seek wisdom," according to co-founders Wanda Wen and Grant Forsberg. In 1999 they conceived A Soolip Wedding from a desire to find the best vendors in all categories for brides. Blending tradition with nouveau design, the results spanned a little something for everyone. Here are the highlights in the fashion categories. Jewelry. Whether vintage, classic, modern, or custom-designed pieces, jewelry is utmost important on the bridal list. And nothing says elegant quite like Harry Winston. From tiaras to commitment bands, red diamonds to sapphires, we were educated beyond the four C's (cut, color, clarity, carat), by master jeweler, Harry Winston. Beverly Hills Salon Director Randy Soto met with us to discuss, indepth, what brides and grooms are requesting from this full service treasure trove. (See sidebar.) Smaller but unique Single Stone Vintage & Contemporary Jewelry showcased their collection of exquisite Victorian era jewels. Custom designer Corina Limon-Madilian highlighted the vintage styles and stones, such as cushion-cut diamonds with emeralds, which peaked in the 1880s. Single Stone is adept at fashioning jewels and pieces they discover at various estate sales and auctions and from heirlooms furnished by the bride. Gowns. The spectacular fashion show illustrated expert draping, fitting, and design techniques that epitomize "couture." Anna Maier-Ulla-Maija Couture presented their Collection 24, a collection they've been doing for the past two seasons where they continue to "push bridal toward fashion," according to lead designer A-M. (See sidebar.) "We are a bridal gown business so that's what we do. In this collection we wanted something happy and light, essentially spring. We used fabrics that were more fluid, had more air in them. We can create shape and contouring with the fabrics we use." This contouring was illustrated by the focus on draping and expert draping, fitting, and design techniques throughout the gowns shown. Classic ballroom fits in pallettes of soft whites were well constructed with expert draping and flow, attractive yet not overwhelming. Fitted sheath gowns with exposed back and shoulders were the predominant look, with exquisite beading and embellished that were "just enough" to enhance the gowns, the bride, add a touch of personalization. Smooth, soft constructions complimented every figure in achieving the spring season ambience. Satin babydoll dresses with oversized bows designed by Thread were modelled by flower girls. Specializing in bridesmaid gowns, "Thread is primarily concentrating on bridesmaid dresses that are a little shorter, chic-er, than a traditional bridesmaid dress," according to lead designer and CEO Melissa Akey. "We make dresses that are more wearable, mix-and-matchable. Although we don't do custom couture, we have liberty in designing." Thread pallettes include whites, ivories, champagnes, and for this event, pinks. The current season consists of chiffons, seersuckers, designed in varying full-length and shorter dresses. Akey described the dresses as, "More cocktail and wearable which is good for L.A. because weddings are a little more ecclectic." Mother-of-the-Bride. Hanna Hartnell, a thirty-year career dress designer, has mothers-of-the-brides and second-time brides covered in her understated, graceful yet "pretty sexy" gowns that are age-appropriate. Hartnell's signature pieces are glamorous and have a simple elegance quality. Her designs are made to order in 90 colors from which to choose. She donated a gown for the show's drawing, shown here from left Hannah Hartnell, winner by bride-to-be Cassandra Hoang, and Next Agency model Virginia. "Certain things have been a constant throughout my career---my devotion to feminine styling, my passion for beautiful fabrics and detailing, and most of all feeling great about how I look," said Hartnell. "If you can't enjoy the color you're wearing or love the feel of a fabric, or the swirl of a skirt, then there's no point in dressing. Just stay naked!" Other Hartnell items will cover you for receptions, rehearsal attire, whether daytime wedding chiffon or nighttime charmeuse. She has built her bridal collection further with her destination beach gowns, currently available in trunk shows with upscale retailers such as From Vegas to Venice. Lingerie. Stunning lingerie was also spotlighted by upscale French boutique, Eres. Spicy fuschia pink sets and an array of bridal negligees in whites with feminine detailing previewed the Parissienne designer's well-constructed, flattering pieces. Bridal Resources. Bridal Bar is a bridal boutique in Los Angeles that supplies a complimentary peek at the prescreened "best of the best" in the wedding industry. Harmony Walton, owner, explained that Bridal Bar represents various professionals in every major wedding category: photography and videography, event planning, invitations, cakes, beauty, health and wellness, floral and decor, entertainmnet, rentals, transportation, travel and honeymoon, fashion, gown preservation, jewelry, accessories, to name a few! Remarkably, all services are gratis. "We study portfolios with each couple and spend an hour or two to get them in the right direction, efficiently. We work with about twelve brides every day," said Walton, who garnered her wedding expertise while a contributing writer for a major bridal magazine. "I saw the need and wanted to branch out and do this to help brides." Another complimentary wedding resource service for the bride is Splendora.com. Karen Bar, editor in chief, explained Splendora.com is an on-line luxury resource guide for the bride. Covering bridal, shopping, beauty, travel and leisure, and health and fitness, for example, Splendora.com is known for its expertise in the San Francisco and New York luxuries and has recently expanded to cover Southern California serving up the best in Los Angeles. Whether a bride-to-be or a want-to-be bride, a relaxing and enjoyable time was had by all. A Soolip Wedding has truly achieved an enlightening experience. For more information on this event, see www.asoolipwedding.com. For vendor details see the following list of vendor websites. Soolip Wedding Coverage by Pamela Heath |
