Thursday, October 23, 2008

the wedding: dress part 4

Somewhere in between all the wedding dress shopping I’d spent an inordinate amount of time in Forever 21 and also bought my Boz frames. Yes, the very same sexy red frame for which this blog is named! FMIL told me about this quirky spectacle store she’d found on Union Square when she was in NY in February. Unfortunately, she’d been there on a Sunday and it was closed so she could only drool through the window. I was in the market for a new pair (long story, later!) and said I’d love to go with her and see this shop. Off we went and in we walked and there she pointed out this gorgeous red frame and I loved it, needed it, had to have it immediately. Now she loves telling people how I stole them out from under her, when she’d actually wanted them!

Anyhow, it was our last day in NYC and we started off with two boutique appointments. At Wedding Atelier we had the most charming girl from New Zealand to help us. The shop is pretty and light with huge change rooms and overall just a pleasant place to be. There was a Cymbeline dress I liked, a Chantilly lace sheath (no surprises there) but nothing came close to nudging any dress off the top three spots.

Final stop was Designer Loft and I did feel a quiver of excitement at getting to this store, because they stock Jenny Packham. One of the very first dresses I ever tore out of a magazine and that everyone agreed on, was the Eloise.



Looking through wedding magazines for a friend’s wedding a couple of years ago, I also adored this image. In fact, I still do.



So we arrived at the Loft and though the shop is quite crowded with dresses and people, everyone was so cheerfully loud that it felt like fun straight away. We went straight for the JPs and chose about 10 that I liked. Every dress was mind-blowingly beautiful. I think it’s the soft, floaty, fluid movement of her dresses that I’d been searching for in vain. They are voluminous and full but still hug your frame so you get romance and body-consciousness all at the same time. FMIL and I both had a bit of an emotional reaction to the Manouka. It’s so simple, so airy and clean. We loved it.





We went through the JP rack one last time and the lovely sales lady pulled out one more dress. “Oh no” I said, “Remember I said I don’t want any beading or bling…” She pleaded with me to try it just for her, I was really so well suited to Jenny’s dresses and she’d love to see it on me. Everyone at the Loft had been so kind and complimentary all along, without seeming desperate or false, I figured what’s the harm? So I stepped into the Papillon and came out to the big mirror and saw FMIL’s face. Then looked at my own. Oh goodness. It’s not exactly what I thought I’d go for, but it is a thing of beauty.

EDIT: I am such a fool. I know full well that my darling reads my blog every day... and then I went ahead and posted pics of the dress! Oh well, he claims he didn't really look, but just in case, I've decided to remove the pics for now. Sorry! (You could always google it if you want, but then so could he, so whatever man...)

So, unbelievably, it's now 23 days since my wedding and I can put the beautiful Papillon pictures back up here. I am still in love with this dress.

See, I knew it. I could never have fallen for the sketch, I'm just not visual enough!



It looks okay on the ramp.



It was good for me to see it worn in such a modern, minimalist way.



But this is the mood I totally adore.



And then, spoiler alert, me in it!



Sigh, I wish I could wear it again...

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my God, that is a stunning dress! And I know exactly what you mean, I also thought I'd never go for the kind of dress I did, but when I tried it on (to humour the sales lady really) I fell in love with it and my mom got teary. I never thought I'd also be into beading and lace, but when something is magical it just is! So is that dress the one you're gonna wear? Did you buy it? Ooh,I'm so excited for you, and dying to see the real wedding pics of you in it!

Em said...

That's my dress, too!! So what can I say except - great choice! I've been on tenterhooks waiting to see what you chose in the end, and this was definitely worth the wait. It's a magical dress, and will definitely wow everyone! I can't wait to wear mine, but I have a lot longer to wait than you do.

I had exactly the same "issue" with being tall and slim and suiting pretty much every dress I tried on (it really is a mixed blessing) but the Jenny Packham dresses immediately blew everything else out of the water. And Papillon is just so amazing.
How exciting!!

cara said...

Oh My God! I can't believe you bought Papillion! I've had a love affair with that dress since I got engaged. I never managed to find it to try it but it's probably for the best as it was a gazillion times over my budget. It's so very very very stunning, one of the most special wedding dresses I have ever seen. Oh my, I'm so happily surprised that this is your dress! Happily surprised and happily jealous!

Unknown said...

By the way, I was dying to ask, what is New York like? I'd love to go there!

Janine / Being Brazen said...

WOW!!!! Its a stunning dresss...great choice, Its very different, elegant, yet very sexy....you must look gorgeous in it.

Anonymous said...

OMG! LOVE LOVE LOVING IT!!

Cate Subrosa said...

Wow, that really is an amazingly beautiful picture.

Sometimes you just have to let someone convince you to try something different, eh? How wonderful that it worked out so well for you.

Abbie said...

I love the dress! All of JP's dresses are amazing... too bad I'm not tall and skinny! ;) I have been waiting to see which one you picked and absolutely adore it!

Mrs. B said...

Gorgeous dress!! Do we get to see pictures of you in it?!

Anonymous said...

absolutely gorgeous! My mom made me try on a dress that I thought would for sure be a no. beading was not my thing. wouldn't you know i fell in love with it :) it wasn't in my price range, but still. sometimes you just never know :)

The Cwtch said...

Oh how beautiful! I love the Eloise dress, I keep seeing it in magazines and I'm currently using it for a bride-board cake inspiration but I hadn't seen the papillon ... beautiful ethereal gorgeousness!

Hannah said...

That is ONE SEXY dress!! oh wow-- I bet you look amazing in it!!

Is that the dress you ended up getting? Please tell us you're going to show us which dress you got-- okay? please? lol

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Modelmental said...

Thank you so much for all your excited, complimentary comments!
I didn't quite want to cry but I guess there was something stirring!
Due to BB reading these, I'm afraid you all have to remain in the dark for another 26 days! I'll schedule a post of me in the dress for the day after the wedding, how's that? x

Laura said...

red, that dress us STUNNING! You are going to look so amazing! And see I'm totally envious of you cos when I tried manouka on, she just didn't suit. And if M had a choose he would def choose that dress. Oh and re the lanterns, you need them! They are totally magical when the all float away. We wanted to get everyone to write a wish on them.. And by the way, those pro pics are fab!

Laura said...

duh I totally meant papillon...!

Modelmental said...

Thanks Babypicthis, we'll just be each other's bridal alter egos!

M said...

Jenny Packham rules! I'll be walking down the aisle in 3 weeks in her Charlie. Rock on!!

M said...

You look beautiful!! And what a great photo as well!! (No I'm not stalking you... it's just coincidence I reread this post today... I picked up my baby (Charlie) today and was just reminding myself how you found yours...

Modelmental said...

You picked her up?! Yay, how exciting! Now remember not to wear it all around the house every day, you'll want to. And no shame in stalking, I pride myself on my stalking abilities as you've experienced yourself!

bubbleberrie said...

OMG. Love every little detail of your wedding. Found your site via a google search for the papilion dress, the one I hope to wear next year. Ended up looking at your pics, stunned by how similar our taste is. Love everything. Congratulations.
Hope you dont mind me asking though, whether you would consider selling your beautiful dress? If so please contact me bubbleberrie@hotmail.com if not no worries. Congrats x Sam

The Charcoal Cottage said...

I had no idea that you actually wore the Jenny Packham dress I have lusted after ever since I set eyes on her range. It is no wonder I find your comments and wedding posts so inspiring. I am so jealous you were able to bring one home with you :)

My dress just isn't panning out the way i had hoped and I have no idea how I am going to recreate a Packham lookalike here in SA. I don't suppose you know of any local dressmakers with a bit of Packham flair up their sleeves?

Ali Reid said...

Hi I was wondering what size you are? I am trying to work out what size I need to buy but am unable to try the dress on. I thought you looked about a similar size to me so I was wondering what your dress was tagged. I can only find it second hand at the moment and often in foreign countries so it makes working out which one to get posted to me very difficult!
If you'd like to sell it please let me know! (if you haven't already)
doskathon @ yahoo . com