Couture Bridal Accessories – Wedding Veils, Tiaras, and Jewelry
I love black! I would have worn black to my wedding if it wouldn’t have made my mother in law disown me. Here is one of my brides rocking the black accents with her Elizabeth Filmore gown from The White Dress. By the way, this was only one of her two wedding gown looks! The fabulous photographer is Tosti Studios in Newport Beach, California. Jane is wearing a black birdcage veil and the Panther feather flower.
Jane ROCKS black accessories in her Engagement Shoot
Anthropology- the study of humanity. Ever think about it? An anthropologist is interested in the origins of man, evolution theories and the nature vs. nurture debate. Pretty heady stuff. I like to consider myself an anthropologist when I people-watch. (Which, I oh so enjoy.) People are fascinating to watch just as they go about there everyday routine. Why did they choose those UNCOMFORTABLE looking shoes as they WALK to work? How will a person react when confronted by someone asking for help? How will they respond to themselves in the mirror after I deck them out in a couple of well-chosen bridal accessories? That’s all good stuff, if you ask me. But, how about this? Why do we (as a society) choose whom we do, as a romantic partner? Well, Dr. Helen Fisher, PHD is a REAL anthropologist and I follow her work as she conducts studies and writes on her findings. She’s touting a new book called Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love by Understanding Your Personality Type. She’s divided us into 4 types and tells us…Hey, if you’re this type, choose this type, NOT that type. Seems so simplistic considering our complicated make-ups. I typically love her work, but I’m not sold. Not at all. Check out this link for the 4 types and see what you think “How to spot your soul mate” . I’m not even certain I’m 100% one of the types. Maybe she’s so smart and accomplished, she just really had to dumb it down for us and these are the ho-hum results? In any case, doesn’t it sound delicious to be an ‘Explorer’?
Ahhh, been home for almost a month now. No planes or trains, but yeah, still automobiles (I’m in SO CAL!). Truly, a much needed break in my travel schedule. Still working hard on designing and creating custom pieces, but doing it from…HOME. Right here with my family.
My bridal family is special to me too. Like any co-workers, we see A LOT of each other. Often days, more time is spent with them than with our spouses or children. We end up sharing things with one another. Work triumphs, yes, but also, family stuff, individual concerns, you name it. I treasure those relationships.
So that’s got me thinking on the definition of family. Many moons ago, I was lucky enough to be a cheerleader for the Raiders (yes, I was a Raiderette.). At our first practice the recently deceased Al Davis (owner of the Raiders) was in attendance. He was only there a few moments and spoke only briefly, but the words and more importantly the sincerity he conveyed have remained with me. He impressed upon us that if you were a part of the Raiders, you were family. A quote I’ll paraphrase says, “People will forget what you say and what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” THIS was Al Davis.
So, while there is ‘no place like home’, I want my extended bridal family to know that I think of them like family and appreciate their consistently warm welcome and delightful friendships as I fly in and out of their various cities throughout the year!
Last Game of Season in December
Oakland Raiderettes (all from Los Angeles) 1996
I have a fabulous fight attendant friend who gave me a lovely little gift in as tiny prescription bottle a few months ago. She fancies herself a pharmacy “in flight” as she is able to pick up cool prescription strength products out of the country. She gifted me a bottle of Lumigan that claimes to make your eyelashes grow longer and thicker. Hmmmm..
of course I had to give it a try, not for my own Orange County vanity but rather as a public service to my clientelle. I figure my brides would want to know how to get longer lashes before their wedding day.
I have to be honest, I have never been very good a following directions. The instructions advised that I apply the product every night with a brush (like applying liquid eyeliner) and not to use on your bottom lashes. Well, I did sneak a little on my bottom lashes as if the direction following police was watching, and tried to apply nightly.
The instructions warned that your lashes would shrink back to normal (short and thin) if you did not apply consistently.
The truth…this liquid magic is amazing!!! I have a love affair with putting my mascara on my long and lovely lashes every morning. Even my lower lashes have grown. It has been over a month since I have used the product and my lashes are still fabulous!
Ladies, if you have wimpy lashes, and you don’t want to wear falsies for your wedding day, run to your doctor and ask for Lumigan. And get yourself luscious lashes!
Anybody else watching Real Housewives of NY? How ’bout Bethenny Frankel’s spinoff ‘Bethenny…Married’? Well, if not, you missed a great, modern fairytale where girl gets hot man, amazing career and a baby to boot. But I digress. Let’s pretend you missed it. I’ll set the scene…It’s Bethenny’s wedding day. She’s all hair and make-uped out, locked and loaded into her gown, getting emotional about walking down the aisle in mere moments and- Whoops!- somebody has GOT to pee. She stops a moment, considers her options. Decides (As I would. I get it. I have a tiny bladder.) that she’s not going down that aisle with thoughts of ‘When is this going to be over so I can relieve myself’ at the forefront of her mind. So, her friends in attendance rally to the cause. Someone produces a bucket(a bucket!) and dives under, while another two maids hold her dress up, up and away from the spray. It’s not pretty. It’s just not. But, I believe she made a solid decision in an intense moment. And the rest of the episode reads like a little girl’s wedding fantasy minus this little incident.
This is where I have to put in my words of advice… Brides, it takes only a minute to take an entire wedding gown off. I know it feels like a headache. But what would you do if you peed on your gown holding it up in the stall, or worse yet….stepped in the bucket!!
Do yourself a favor and take a moment for yourself! I also recommend that you take off your gown before your reception, dust with some baby powder to absorb perspiration, freshen up, and of course pee without the help of your bridesmaids!
I think I screamed in the car when La Belle Elaine’s Bridal Salon in Seattle, Washington called me to announce that my Queen Earrings featured at the salon made the cover of Seattle Bride Magazine, 2011. What a great day!!
Queen Earrings by Renee Pawele Bride
Rachel Feather flower
Tess and Ian get engaged
I am so thrilled to be designing for one of my personal friends this Summer, as she gets married to the love of her life. I had the pleasure of watching all the details of her wedding plans come together adding my input (only when I am asked!)
Trend Spot Runway Show featuring Katerina Bocci at the W hotel at New York Bridal Market week –October 19, 2010
October 19th, 2010, Renee Pawele had the once in a lifetime opportunity to design some of the runway pieces for the fabulous Katerina Boccii gown designer. Renee worked with Katerina to design one of a kind upscale bridal jewelry and headpieces using Swarovski rhinestones, feathers and vintage nets to complement the romantic gowns that were presented to bridal buyers from all over the country. Here are a few of the photos courtesy of Shawn Punch Fashion Photography.
Delilah Headpiece with Bandeau style net veil
Delilah Headpiece from a distance
Katerina Headpiece with feather accent
Katerina Headpiece side profile with feathers
Ambre Hat with vintage 20's honeycomb net
Ambre hat worn to the side from a Distance
AMbre hat close up on Ivana gown
Invite to Michelle Rahn
Renee Pawele with Michelle Rahn's PR Director Jaclyn
Desigher Renee Pawele styles a bride
Excited future brides
A Blushing bride trying a romantic hairstyle
Trying on one of Renee's runway looks
The popular side sweep
Renee Pawele Swarowski crystal Collection
Megan Earrings
Michelle Rahn Bridal Salon, Effen Vodka, and stylists from Salon Buzz partnered with couture headpiece and veil designer Renee Pawele for a trunk show and personalized styling session while trying fabulous wedding day hair styles.
Location:
Michelle Rahn Bridal Salon
211 N. Green St.
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-243-1919
Fax: 312-275-7791
Renee Pawele Bride is now designing lingerie! Perfect for a sexy evening or your wedding night. Currently, available exclusively online.
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