Tag: Olivelli

Maggie Sottero Fall 2015 Collection

by gaby

Bridal fashion time again! I realised recently that we’d never actually featured one of Maggie Sottero‘s collections, which is a bit mad, because not only do we love Maggie’s gowns, but it’s one of the collections available in South Africa. Turns out there’s never been a more perfect time to start though, since the Fall 2015 lineup is just ridiculously pretty. Seriously, there are so many showstoppers here – and so many that I think will really suit SA brides’ style. It’s all about detailing and femininity – the decoration on these dresses is just gorgeous. I think my favourite thing is the move towards gilded lace style embellishment using crystals and beads – it reminds me of wrought ironwork on the balconies of Paris, or the leaded glass of Notre Dame Cathedral. Combined with dreamy tulle? Heaven.Read More

Nicole Spose 2016 Collection

by gaby

Bridal fashion time! Today we’re showcasing a collection that comes all the way from Italy (my second home) and has all the glamour you’d expect, as well as the fabulous fits and luscious laces characteristic of Italian couture. The Nicole Spose line comes from designer Alessandra Rinaudo, and really captures brides’ current mood of intricate lace detailing on backs and necklines, along with frothy skirts that look like they’ve been painted by an artist’s brush. As always, it’s the illusion necklines and delicate sleeves that really capture my imagination! Just beautiful – and in South Africa, you can find the collection at Olivelli, so there’s no need to lose out if you don’t happen to be in Europe anytime soon. Let’s have a peek, shall we?Read More

Rosa Clara 2016

by gaby

It’s always such a pleasure to scroll through the latest designs from Spanish label Rosa Clara. Not only do we already know the gorgeousness that is Spanish wedding couture, but Rosa Clara’s line always has such wonderful details and textures, and each time I scroll through I notice a new embellishment, a sleek silhouette, or an unusual neckline. The 2016 collection was inspired by divas of the 1930s and 1940s, and manages to mix classic elegance with pretty much every fashion forward bridal trend we’re loving at the moment – two-pieces, off-the-shoulder gowns, portrait backs. Plus, even though this collection is straight from Barcelona with love, I adore knowing that local brides can find Rosa Clara at Olivelli, which makes the line that much more special for South African readers. So let’s take a moment to immerse ourselves in these calming, elegant lookbook images, and dream of each of these lovelies sashaying down the aisle next season.Read More

Rosa Clara 2015 Collection

by gaby

You know, when it comes to wedding dress features, I always love featuring Rosa Clara, not just because the gowns are gorgeous (which they are) but because this is a collection that’s available in SA, so I don’t feel like I am taunting my SA-based readers with forbidden fruit. Rosa Clara is one of the ranges carried by the fab Olivelli, so after sighing over the swooniness of this Spanish label, you can get yourself down to your closest store and try on many of the dresses in person. It’s a huge range as wedding collections go, but that means there’s really something for everyone each season, whether your style is Jackie O. preppy, fairytale ballgown, or Daisy Buchanan chic, all created in a range of luxe fabrics with an amazing attention to detail. The 2015 collection is particularly breathtaking – so excited to be sharing it with you today!Read More

Travel Themed Old Mac Daddy Wedding by Yolandé Marx {Marli & Pieter}

by gaby

You all know how I feel about travel themed weddings (love ’em!). Which might have something to do with my own love of travel, but I also love how it can be a metaphor for life and relationships. Because life really is a journey, isn’t it? I’m the first to admit I don’t always look at the scenery along the way, preferring to focus on the destination, but in hindsight it’s always the journey that gets you somewhere that teaches you or inspires you or provides you with the lasting lessons or memories. Today’s couple, inspired by their awesome airstream trailer park venue (oh, we love Old Mac Daddy’s don’t we!), based their wedding around the idea of going on a trip together – kind of a perfect metaphor for starting out on the adventure of marriage. They incorporated this theme in sweet, subtle ways – through an airstream logo, and travel-themed stationery, and (my fave) little old school cartoon-hobo-style knapsacks on a stick to house the favours. Adorable! The vibe was light hearted and lovely, made even more so by the drop dead gorgeous pics by Yolandé Marx. I’m a huge fan of Yolandé’s work (in fact, check our her gorgeous new category images in our Supplier Directory – swoonage!), and her dreamy shots of Marli and Peter in their lakeside location are some of my favourites!Read More

Take Five Wedding Looks…

by gaby

Hello beautifuls, as you read this I’ll be landing in Cape Town for a little stint in the Mother City (yay!) and probably getting lost in my rental car (every time!). I can’t wait to see my lovely friends and industry colleagues, and to spend some time looking at the gorgeousness that is the Western Cape province. And speaking of gorgeousness, I have such a fab shoot to share with you today – in fact, it’s more than a shoot, it’s like five inspirations in one. It comes from the team at TopVendor Wedding Awards, who you might recall me mentioning, and was photographed by Ronel Kruger (with gorgeous flowers by Elle Fleur). Whether you’re a modern bride, a boho bride, a romantic bride, a statement bride or a rustic bride, you’ll find something here to inspire. And it’s not just for the main lady – there are some adorable decor ideas and styling for flower girls. I promise you’ll fall in love with at least one look! If anything, it’s choosing between them that’ll be the hard part… ;)Read More

Rosa Clara 2014 Collection

by gaby

Wow. I thought I was in love with the Rosa Clara collection last year, but… wow. This year, they have outdone themselves. Just scrolling through the collection of floaty, lacy, ivory, super-feminine gorgeousness, I am blown away. All the big trends are there – illusion, Gatsby, peplums. But what I love so much about this design house is that there’s a little (beautiful, not gimmicky) twist in every single dress, a combination of detailing and shape that mixes things up a little but retains the elements that we’re all so in love with. It’s an astonishingly beautiful group of dresses, and I can’t WAIT to see these on brides! Rosa Clara is stocked exclusively in South Africa by Olivelli, so give your local branch a call to try on or order one of these beauties.Read More

Rosa Clara 2013

by gaby

Time for some more dress inspiration, my lovelies! When Natasha of Olivelli Cape Town told me the new Rosa Clara collection was in-store, I popped right over (virtually, obvs) to check out what this beautiful Spanish label had for us and oh my word, I am in LOVE. It’s like a cross between all the dress fashions I am obsessing about at the moment. A lot of Holly Golightly-esque 1950s/early 1960s styling, plenty of sheer and lace, a touch of ballet and feathery skirts, sweet pastels and some slinky chic numbers. With over 75 dresses in the collection, there really is something for every kind of bride, but I thought I would round up my Top 10. Okay, slightly more than 10. But whatever, they’re BEAUTIFUL.Read More

Fit for a Queen

by gaby

So… you’ve met the man of your dreams, you’ve dated, you’ve met each other’s parents, you’ve realised you want to spend a lifetime together, and the moment you’ve been waiting for since you were a little girl has finally arrived. Not THAT big moment (we’ll assume he’s already popped the question) – the moment you get to go into a wedding boutique and play dress up. The first time you really get to feel like a bride, when your mom will well up and your best friends will sigh, and you’ll all drink champagne and say yes to the dress. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from visiting both high end boutiques and (sometimes slightly dodgy) budget ones with friends, not all dress fitting experiences are made equal. And nothing makes you feel less bridal than getting stuffed into a shabby sample by a grumpy assistant in a tiny changing room with peeling wallpaper and a curtain hanging precariously off the rail.

Fortunately, that doesn’t have to happen to you. If you read the blog regularly, you’ll know that a brand new branch of Olivelli has now opened in Cape Town, and as well as drop dead beautiful dresses, Olivelli is all about personalised service. Owner Natasha Colson, who was inspired to open her own branch after a blissful experience as a bride at the flagship Gauteng Olivelli store, is passionate about making all her brides and their guests feel like royalty when they come in for their fittings. More than just another wedding chore, it’s an experience.Read More

Olivelli Cape Town + WIN a Free Fitting

by gaby

Good morning, SouthBound belles! I have some exciting news to share with you this morning. Those of you in Gauteng may be familiar with Olivelli, a dress boutique that carries some absolutely stunning, exclusive designs, and offers a unique, personal fitting experience. Well, good news for those of you in the Cape: Olivelli will be opening a branch at Tyger Valley next month!

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