360 West — February 2011
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News, Notes, Events
The venue: what the experts know
Travis Lee-Moore
Creative director, The Functions Event Group www.bookfunctions.com
The Interfaith Peace Chapel (at the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas) is an amazing space that just came online last October. Designed by architect Philip Johnson, the Peace Chapel was built with 16 plates (designed by local artist Donna Anderson Collins), representing different faiths, embedded in its walls. As each plate was installed, a representative from each faith tradition was invited to bless the space so that persons of any faith or even no faith may feel welcome. The architecture is amazing: stark and contemporary including no straight lines or angles. The large chapel upstairs is stunning and includes an amazing skylight over the stage/altar space. The seating is removable, so that space can be configured for anything. More information http://interfaithpeacechapel.org/ Julie Eastman,
Extraordinary Events & Design www.extraordinaryeventsanddesign.com
As a designer, I love a blank slate to work with: 809 @ Vickery in Fort Worth is just such a space. They have great stone floors, neutral walls and beautiful windows. They also have a beautifully landscaped outdoor area with a crushed granite base. I recently planned an event where we used this venue for the “after” party with a Latin vibe. We brought in a taco truck, a mojito stand and a cigar roller to provide cigars for the guests. Another favorite venue of mine is the Fort Worth Zoo, especially the Chesapeake Pavilions. These two beautiful tents are hidden away in the trees in the middle of the zoo. I love the fact that guests come through the main entrance and follow a torch-lined path through the zoo to these great tents. More information http://atvickery.com; www.fortworthzoo.org
Marla Watson-Werst, Pea Pod Productions www.peapodgroup.com
One of my favorites is ArtSpace111 in Fort Worth. It’s so versatile, and they make it super easy to have an event: Go all-out or keep it simple; use just the inside gallery or expand to the outdoor garden. They will let you tent the garden, which creates an even larger space to flow. And the night view of downtown is superb. Another favorite is Marc Events in Dallas. Marc DePetris is a Fort Worth boy, but he opened Marc Events a few years back in the Dallas Design District. It is an amazing space that has so much that he’s opening a second venue right down the street. Marc also is a phenomenal chef, so he can custom-create menus for his client, but he allows other caterers to use the space, too. He is easy to work with and loves to get creative. The other favorite space is Studios 1019 in Dallas. Jim and Lynn Sugarman are the owners. They are photographers and originally opened the venue as just a photo studio space, but it became apparent that it’s a killer event space as well. It is modern, and the walls are all painted white. They will allow you to paint the walls to match your event, bring in catering and decor to your heart’s desire. They are fun, funky and full of great ideas. More information www.artspace111.com; www.studios1019.com
SAVE THE DATE
Bliss Bridal Salon
833 Foch St., Fort Worth;
817-332-4696; www.blissfw.com
Feb. 4-6 Blue by EnzoaniCouture Plus Size
Feb. 25-27 Adele Wechsler Eco Couture
March 18-20 Bliss Private-LabelCollection
The Bride’s Room
5114 Camp Bowie Blvd.,
Fort Worth; 817-737-4100;
www.thebridesroomfw.com
Feb. 25-26 Lee Ann Belter
de ma fille
2964 Park Hill Drive, Fort Worth;
817-921-2964; www.demafille.com
Feb. 4-6 Alvina Valenta
Stanley Korshak Bridal
500 Crescent Court #142, Dallas,
214-871-3611;
www.stanleykorshak.com
Feb. 4-5 Badgley Mischka Collection
Feb. 11-12 Kenneth Pool
Feb. 25-26 Romona Keveza
Neiman Marcus
1618 Main St., Dallas, 214-741-6911;
www.neimanmarcus.com
Feb. 4-5 Romona Keveza
Feb. 11-12 Christo
Feb. 18-19 Monique Lhuillier and Homa Veils
Feb. 25-26 Liancarlo
Warren Barron Bridal
53 Highland Park Village, Dallas;
214-526-8400; www.warrenbarron.com
Feb. 3-5 Elizabeth Fillmore
Feb. 24-26 Lela Rose
Toronto-based designer Adele Wechsler uses organic hemp and silk, vegetable dyes and hand-cut designs to create eco-friendly gowns that uphold her couture standards.
Photo courtesy of Adele Wechsler
Sneak Peek
Kim Gotcher, owner of The Bride’s Room, has added Priscilla of Boston to her lineup of gowns. Gotcher attended the 2011 bridal shows in New York late last year and was thrilled by the collection, especially this breakaway design featuring a sequin sheath under a full skirt that can be worn as a reception dress.
Made to order
Custom dresses for the bride, groom or bridal party, especially mothers of the bride, aren’t as elusive as you think. Here are a couple of places to check out if you’re looking for something unique.
FIG: A Taste of European Fashion There are several made-to-measure designers who specialize in bridal gowns that feature hand-sewn lace, beading and intricate cutwork. The turnaround time varies depending on the dress. Cyprusborn designer Elena Strongyliotou’s bride book (a page is pictured below), features fabric swatches, lacework, tulle and more, so prospective brides don’t have to rely on a photograph. 910 Currie St., Fort Worth; 817-420-9630; www.figdesigners.com
Emiko Fabrics and Custom Sewing This quiet little shop in Fort Worth offers top-notch custom work. Bring in a design you like, or Emiko herself, a native of Japan, will create something special. There are many fabrics to choose from in-store or, again, bring in your own. She gets busy with weddings and prom come spring, so plan ahead. Village at Camp Bowie, 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 157, Fort Worth; 817-377-2773
From Texan Lauren Gibson comes the Bridal Suite collection includes this custom floral bouquet made with silk rosettes, a wonderful alternative to real flowers that can be accessorized with personal keepsakes. Available in white, ivory or a custom color (she did them in red for a bridal party and the results were stunning), the bouquet combines more than 28 silk roses with a silk-wrapped handle. Check out Lauren’s work (she also does custom garters, sashes, head pieces) online. Portions of her sales benefit Set Hope Free, a nonprofit group fighting human trafficking around the world and helping women reclaim their dignity. Find Rosebud Lips on Etsy or at www.rosebudlips.com. Email her at Lauren@rosebudlips.com.
Keeping it real
While it’s fun to capture the wedding party’s Thriller dance on a smart phone, there’s always the film auteur wanting to deliver movie-quality results when photographing your Big Moments. Count videographer/ cinematographer Daniel Lynn Troupe as one of these. Call up his website and the soundtrack to the wedding trailers scrolling by on the computer screen is blasting Pearl Jam and fading into David Gray: It’s definitely not your mother’s video (if she even had one). Troupe says he got tired of seeing highlight trailers put together the same way. “They seemed pretty cookie-cutter … a lot of them real slow, angelic.” Troupe, who studied film at the University of North Texas in Denton, and his wife, Johanna Lynn Troupe of Fort Worth, have worked some 70 weddings since they formed Lynn Films (so named because both their middle names are Lynn) about six years ago. Johanna handles the graphics side — DVD covers and such — while Daniel pursues dual passions for cinematography and the institution of marriage. “It’s so important for the fabric of our country to have family, to have the love that brings families together.” While video may seem like something that will be viewed once or twice and then put away, Daniel says the real value is in the long haul. “I always think 20, 30, 40 years down the road how priceless it’ll become” as the film is handed down to grandkids, great-grandchildren and beyond. For more about Lynn Films, www.lynnfilms.com or 469-955-9435.
— Judy Wiley
Nordstrom’s in the bride biz
Nordstrom has created a specialized bridal store-within-a-store called the Wedding Suite, which features a collection of moderately priced gowns, reception dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories, along with lingerie and more, all in a boutique setting. It’s meant to be a one-stop shop for prospective brides with the customary Nordstrom personal service via specialized wedding consultants. The Wedding Suite can be found at Nordstrom NorthPark Center, 8687 North Central Expressway, Suite 2000, Dallas; 214-231-3900.
Travis Lee-Moore
Creative director, The Functions Event Group www.bookfunctions.com
The Interfaith Peace Chapel (at the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas) is an amazing space that just came online last October. Designed by architect Philip Johnson, the Peace Chapel was built with 16 plates (designed by local artist Donna Anderson Collins), representing different faiths, embedded in its walls. As each plate was installed, a representative from each faith tradition was invited to bless the space so that persons of any faith or even no faith may feel welcome. The architecture is amazing: stark and contemporary including no straight lines or angles. The large chapel upstairs is stunning and includes an amazing skylight over the stage/altar space. The seating is removable, so that space can be configured for anything. More information http://interfaithpeacechapel.org/ Julie Eastman,
Extraordinary Events & Design www.extraordinaryeventsanddesign.com
As a designer, I love a blank slate to work with: 809 @ Vickery in Fort Worth is just such a space. They have great stone floors, neutral walls and beautiful windows. They also have a beautifully landscaped outdoor area with a crushed granite base. I recently planned an event where we used this venue for the “after” party with a Latin vibe. We brought in a taco truck, a mojito stand and a cigar roller to provide cigars for the guests. Another favorite venue of mine is the Fort Worth Zoo, especially the Chesapeake Pavilions. These two beautiful tents are hidden away in the trees in the middle of the zoo. I love the fact that guests come through the main entrance and follow a torch-lined path through the zoo to these great tents. More information http://atvickery.com; www.fortworthzoo.org
Marla Watson-Werst, Pea Pod Productions www.peapodgroup.com
One of my favorites is ArtSpace111 in Fort Worth. It’s so versatile, and they make it super easy to have an event: Go all-out or keep it simple; use just the inside gallery or expand to the outdoor garden. They will let you tent the garden, which creates an even larger space to flow. And the night view of downtown is superb. Another favorite is Marc Events in Dallas. Marc DePetris is a Fort Worth boy, but he opened Marc Events a few years back in the Dallas Design District. It is an amazing space that has so much that he’s opening a second venue right down the street. Marc also is a phenomenal chef, so he can custom-create menus for his client, but he allows other caterers to use the space, too. He is easy to work with and loves to get creative. The other favorite space is Studios 1019 in Dallas. Jim and Lynn Sugarman are the owners. They are photographers and originally opened the venue as just a photo studio space, but it became apparent that it’s a killer event space as well. It is modern, and the walls are all painted white. They will allow you to paint the walls to match your event, bring in catering and decor to your heart’s desire. They are fun, funky and full of great ideas. More information www.artspace111.com; www.studios1019.com
SAVE THE DATE
Bliss Bridal Salon
833 Foch St., Fort Worth;
817-332-4696; www.blissfw.com
Feb. 4-6 Blue by EnzoaniCouture Plus Size
Feb. 25-27 Adele Wechsler Eco Couture
March 18-20 Bliss Private-LabelCollection
The Bride’s Room
5114 Camp Bowie Blvd.,
Fort Worth; 817-737-4100;
www.thebridesroomfw.com
Feb. 25-26 Lee Ann Belter
de ma fille
2964 Park Hill Drive, Fort Worth;
817-921-2964; www.demafille.com
Feb. 4-6 Alvina Valenta
Stanley Korshak Bridal
500 Crescent Court #142, Dallas,
214-871-3611;
www.stanleykorshak.com
Feb. 4-5 Badgley Mischka Collection
Feb. 11-12 Kenneth Pool
Feb. 25-26 Romona Keveza
Neiman Marcus
1618 Main St., Dallas, 214-741-6911;
www.neimanmarcus.com
Feb. 4-5 Romona Keveza
Feb. 11-12 Christo
Feb. 18-19 Monique Lhuillier and Homa Veils
Feb. 25-26 Liancarlo
Warren Barron Bridal
53 Highland Park Village, Dallas;
214-526-8400; www.warrenbarron.com
Feb. 3-5 Elizabeth Fillmore
Feb. 24-26 Lela Rose
Toronto-based designer Adele Wechsler uses organic hemp and silk, vegetable dyes and hand-cut designs to create eco-friendly gowns that uphold her couture standards.
Photo courtesy of Adele Wechsler
Sneak Peek
Kim Gotcher, owner of The Bride’s Room, has added Priscilla of Boston to her lineup of gowns. Gotcher attended the 2011 bridal shows in New York late last year and was thrilled by the collection, especially this breakaway design featuring a sequin sheath under a full skirt that can be worn as a reception dress.
Made to order
Custom dresses for the bride, groom or bridal party, especially mothers of the bride, aren’t as elusive as you think. Here are a couple of places to check out if you’re looking for something unique.
FIG: A Taste of European Fashion There are several made-to-measure designers who specialize in bridal gowns that feature hand-sewn lace, beading and intricate cutwork. The turnaround time varies depending on the dress. Cyprusborn designer Elena Strongyliotou’s bride book (a page is pictured below), features fabric swatches, lacework, tulle and more, so prospective brides don’t have to rely on a photograph. 910 Currie St., Fort Worth; 817-420-9630; www.figdesigners.com
Emiko Fabrics and Custom Sewing This quiet little shop in Fort Worth offers top-notch custom work. Bring in a design you like, or Emiko herself, a native of Japan, will create something special. There are many fabrics to choose from in-store or, again, bring in your own. She gets busy with weddings and prom come spring, so plan ahead. Village at Camp Bowie, 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 157, Fort Worth; 817-377-2773
From Texan Lauren Gibson comes the Bridal Suite collection includes this custom floral bouquet made with silk rosettes, a wonderful alternative to real flowers that can be accessorized with personal keepsakes. Available in white, ivory or a custom color (she did them in red for a bridal party and the results were stunning), the bouquet combines more than 28 silk roses with a silk-wrapped handle. Check out Lauren’s work (she also does custom garters, sashes, head pieces) online. Portions of her sales benefit Set Hope Free, a nonprofit group fighting human trafficking around the world and helping women reclaim their dignity. Find Rosebud Lips on Etsy or at www.rosebudlips.com. Email her at Lauren@rosebudlips.com.
Keeping it real
While it’s fun to capture the wedding party’s Thriller dance on a smart phone, there’s always the film auteur wanting to deliver movie-quality results when photographing your Big Moments. Count videographer/ cinematographer Daniel Lynn Troupe as one of these. Call up his website and the soundtrack to the wedding trailers scrolling by on the computer screen is blasting Pearl Jam and fading into David Gray: It’s definitely not your mother’s video (if she even had one). Troupe says he got tired of seeing highlight trailers put together the same way. “They seemed pretty cookie-cutter … a lot of them real slow, angelic.” Troupe, who studied film at the University of North Texas in Denton, and his wife, Johanna Lynn Troupe of Fort Worth, have worked some 70 weddings since they formed Lynn Films (so named because both their middle names are Lynn) about six years ago. Johanna handles the graphics side — DVD covers and such — while Daniel pursues dual passions for cinematography and the institution of marriage. “It’s so important for the fabric of our country to have family, to have the love that brings families together.” While video may seem like something that will be viewed once or twice and then put away, Daniel says the real value is in the long haul. “I always think 20, 30, 40 years down the road how priceless it’ll become” as the film is handed down to grandkids, great-grandchildren and beyond. For more about Lynn Films, www.lynnfilms.com or 469-955-9435.
— Judy Wiley
Nordstrom’s in the bride biz
Nordstrom has created a specialized bridal store-within-a-store called the Wedding Suite, which features a collection of moderately priced gowns, reception dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories, along with lingerie and more, all in a boutique setting. It’s meant to be a one-stop shop for prospective brides with the customary Nordstrom personal service via specialized wedding consultants. The Wedding Suite can be found at Nordstrom NorthPark Center, 8687 North Central Expressway, Suite 2000, Dallas; 214-231-3900.
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