Category Archives: Accessories

Elsa Corsi Bridal Jewellery

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A couple of weeks ago we caught up withVancouver  bridal jewellery designer Elas Corsi at her trunk show at Valencienne. We asked her a few questions about her collection and here is what she had to say.

Elas Corsi bridal jewellery

Catherine Lash:  How long have you been designing?
Elsa Corsi: I started designing jewellery in 1999-it was a small collection of crystal hair bands, belts and anklets which were available at Fred Segal, Kitson and Henri Bendel. A little fun fact is that Tori Spelling was our first client!

C.L. What made you start designing bridal?
E.C. I always did a little bit of bridal, but what really got the collection going was my own wedding in 2006.

C.L. What designers are you inspired by?
E.C. I love, love anything Jenny Packham!  Her feminine and sparkly style really speaks to me-and our jewels look great with her gowns.

C.L. Are brides wearing colour and if so what colour?
E.C. The number one choice for brides remains crystal clear for their jewels although with some of the vintage style embellishments in the gowns there is some trend towards light champagne and silver toned Swarovski crystal.

C.L. Where can brides find your collection in Toronto?
E.C. We will be back in May 2012 for another Trunk Show with Valencienne.

C.L. What trend to you see happening in your own line? Are brides buying large chandelier earrings, large necklaces or statement bracelets?
E.C. We are famous for our earrings. Especially the mid size glamorous ones although I predict that there will be a trend towards the Statement Stud and Bold Bracelets, like we saw at this years Oscars. Our brides love this look-it’s elegant and uncomplicated which allows the beauty of their gown to really shine through.

Elsa Corsi wedding jewellery

Judging a Hat by its Feathers

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If you watched the Royal Wedding (sigh), you probably noticed how the hat designer’s choice of feathers transformed the look of a hat, fascinator or headpiece. “Feathers add whimsy,” says Karen Gingras of Lilliput Hats. “Plus, it’s nice to see something moving when the bride walks down the aisle.” Here are a few feathers we love from two Toronto hat designers.

Romantics will be drawn to burnt ostrich feathers, which Toronto designer David Dunkley sourced from the London supplier to the Royal Family. Imagine how this fascinator would sway gently with every step.

The polished bride would love the structure and lush fullness of this fascinator by Dunkley. The feathers come from French hens, so of course they’re impossibly chic.

Coq feathers add a little old-school Hollywood glamour.

Then there is the peacock feather for the colour-loving bride. We love how Gingras trimmed the plume on this birdcage veil into a fringe with a few wild wisps.

Then again, almost no feathers can be just as striking: these two designs,left Lilliput Hats and right David Dunkley, get their structure from feather spines, which act almost like punctuation marks.

Which feathers do you find most beautiful?