Embellish - Press, The Oregonian




	Oregonian 4/6/2003 Portland, Oregon THE OREGONIAN April 6, 2003 THE LOOK / WEDDING WEAR SOMETHING BOLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING LOCAL, SOMETHING YOU Author: VIVIAN MCINERNY - THE OREGONIAN Edition: SUNRISE Section: LIVING Page: L07 Summary: Oregon dressmakers, designers and stylists can help brides express their individuality on their special day THINK GLOBAL, WED LOCAL. The modern bride wants to put her own touch on her wedding. But who has time to hot glue rhinestones on acres of tulle? One way to give a wedding individuality without getting knee-deep in do-it-yourself projects: Shop close to home. Regional craftsmen and stylists offer unique goods and services that ensure the bride's special day won't look like a thousand others. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD She wants to be an individual -- just like every other bride. "As a bride you believe that your wedding is going to be different from everyone else's," said Carmen Bailey Davis, owner of Ella, a Portland special events planning business and boutique. "A bride has a much better chance of expressing her personality when selecting from unique, locally crafted products." Hairpins, sparkly necklaces for the bridesmaids, a vintage handkerchief embroidered with the wedding date, and an artist's illustration of the wedding gown, suitable for framing, are just some of the ways a bride can personalize her wedding. Individually produced items aren't necessarily much more expensive than mass-produced ones. Pretty pearl and crystal drop earrings can sell for $35, a Swarovski crystal bracelet for $100. Some brides enjoy working directly with area artisans to create custom designs that tie together eclectic tastes. "They can put an heirloom piece with an edgy piece," said Bailey Davis, who worked as a project manager of a technology company before launching Ella two years ago. "I use a lot of skills and tools used in project management," Davis said. "It's fun, but also very efficient." She works up plans to fit each bride's needs and budget. Some are looking for a planner to take care of every detail. Others just want ideas. "Options," Davis said. "That's what they want." HERE COMES THE BRIDE A good bridal gown-maker is snoopy. "You ask really personal questions about who they are," said Terri Spaeth-Merrick, an independent designer of Embellish in Portland. Brides-to-be usually have a vague idea of what they want. Spaeth-Merrick helps them define and refine it. "I usually start with, 'What do you want to feel like on that day?' " she said. She's heard glamorous, elegant, comfortable, even "like a vixen." She asks each bride how she wants the dress to feel that day-- soft and flowing, rustling -- and follows with a slew of questions about the wedding itself. Some brides seek custom-made gowns because they've fallen in love with a designer version and can't afford it. A Vera Wang may be $10,000 while a Portland copy could be $2,000. More often brides seek custom because they want an original. "The reason people call me is that there aren't a lot of clean, elegant, long-line, bias-cut dresses out there. That is my specialty," Spaeth-Merrick said. There are several bridal dress-makers in the area, from the alternative country style of Kara-line at Tumbleweed shop (503-335-3100) to the dramatic gowns of Babe O'Sullivan (503-635-2247, cosullivan@mindspring.com). Also refer to the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers Association of Oregon (503-335-6941, www.paaccoregon.org) or the PDX Fashion Incubator (503-241-4004) for references. A custom gown requires three to six months to make -- more if the dressmaker is booked -- and the fitting process is time-consuming. "I try to make the experience fun," Spaeth-Merrick said. "I invite them to bring their bridesmaids or mothers and have a mimosa toast at the fitting, and they can shoot photos." Her custom gowns have included a colored underlay, buttons from a grandmother's gown and an antique family brooch worked into the design. "You get the exact dress you want," she said of the advantages of a custom dress. "And it fits." THE BLUSHING BRUSHIN G BRIDE It's personal. A bride wants to make sure her head serves as more than a pedestal for the stylist's follicular talents. But she doesn't always know what she wants. A trusted stylist can offer experience in wedding day 'dos. "Hair is probably the biggest accessory on that day," said Crae Hasler-Elliott of Hello Gorgeous salon in Portland. "It's going to be a big focal point, so it has to be in line with the dress." She asks about the style, fabric, cut and line of the dress. She also encourages brides to go through style books and bring in pictures of hair they like, as well as any jewelry, headpieces or accessories they plan to wear. She also recommends a trial run before the actual wedding. Some brides choose a full fantasy escape. Others feel more comfortable staying close to what they look like in everyday life -- whether that's alternative, athletic or urban sophisticate. "You can take a Gothic, hip type and put a twist on it," Hasler-Elliott said. "She can have punch to her makeup so she doesn't appear to be a shy, wilting bride." An outdoorsy type does not have to change personalities for the wedding day. "She's not going to want fussy hair if she's standing in the wind in the gorge," Hasler-Elliott said. A less-structured style and low-maintenance makeup, like a simple bronze to give the skin glow, might be enough. "A trendy urban bride doesn't want soft peaches makeup," she said. "A bold red lip color and retro Jackie Kennedy hair with a little back-combing gives it cool." If Hasler-Elliott's bridal clientele shares a common thread, it's uncommon. "She doesn't want to appear as all the brides in the magazines," she said. "She wants to have her own boldness, her own power." Vivian McInerny; 503-294-4076; vmcinerny@news.oregonian.com Caption: 3 Color Photos by ROSS WILLIAM HAMILTON - of The Oregonian Staff Photo by ROSS WILLIAM HAMILTON - of The Oregonian Staff Copyright (c) 2003 Oregonian Publishing Co. Record Number: 0304040184 CAPTIONS FROM ARTICLE Author: ROSS WILLIAM HAMILTON/The Oregonian Edition: SUNRISE Section: PICTURE CAPTION Page: L07 Gowns - Model AdaZoe of Cusicks Talent wears a bias-cut gown made by Terri Spaeth-Merrick of Portland from her Embellish line. Smoothed hair and red lipstick accentuate the sophisticated look. Her accessories include pearl and crystal drop earrings, $32, by Patty Lehner of Portland. Headpiece hair comb, $175, is by Mink of Portland. A blue and gold special-occasion handbag by J. Maffei is embellished with a vintage brooch, $60. All are available at Ella in Portland. Hair styled by Erin Shorthill, Crae Hasler-Elliott and Jack Leigham, makeup by Georgiana Calatean, all of Hello Gorgeous salon. Status: Merlin Archive Hair and makeup - Model Chantelle has natural-looking makeup by Georgiana Calatean and soft hair styled by Erin Shorthill, Crae Hasler-Elliott and Jack Leigham, all of Hello Gorgeous salon. Status: Merlin Archive Accessories - Necklace of pearls and crysta! ls, $330, pearl bracelet, $45, and earrings, $20, by Patty Lehner. In center of necklace, six hairpins by Mink by Kim Dunham, total of $162. Handbag with ruffle and flowers by Posie Rosy Little Things, $64. Status: Merlin Archive Copyright (c) 2003 Oregonian Publishing Co. Record Number: 0304040284 Back to the top of the page Back to the top of the text Embellish, a bridal design studio in Portland, Oregon. Specializing in custom wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses. Embellish 503-282-6228 ring for an appointment design@embellishdesign.com Home Contact Portfolio Profile Process Press Links For a text based version of this site, click here. ©Terri Spaeth-Merrick, Embellish 2004/2005; Web Design, Embellish