< PreviousTEEN SPIRIT IMAGES: SUPPLIED Get wedding-ready with accesories to make your new life as Mrs a masterpiece Words by SOPHIA SERIN SUNNY SIDE UP Th e Under the Tuscan sun collection by La Double J is about as rustically romantic you can get when it comes to homewares. In gelato-inspired hues, these table settings tick all the elegant epicurean boxes and are the ideal gift for fashionable couples. ladoublej.com TA K E NO TE In fi ve summery, unisex scents, Pur Muguet, Pur Kinkan, Pur Magnolia, Pure Rose and Pur Lilas, Cartier have created the fi rst-ever Les Épures de Parfum collection. Mathilde Laurent, in house perfumer at Cartier says the collection is like: “Bottling the delicate scent of life to off er the original pleasure of enjoying nature.” Th e fi ve scents are a thoughtful thank you gift or a glam giveaway in any goody bag. Cartier.com ALL A BOARD Sharpen up your skills in style with this Fendi backgammon set which is about as fabulous as games get. Play poolside (and pose) on your honeymoon with this wooden box layered in two-tone nappa leather with brass details, it’s sure to make you stand out in all the right ways. Backgammon set, Dhs22,780, Fendi With lambskin lining, gold fi nishes and iconic Triomphe snap button closure, the latest Teen Celine Victoire bag in leopard print canvas is the cat’s pyjamas. The perfect purse for your passport, perfume and post-wedding possessions, wear yours on your fi rst holiday as husband and wife as a cross body or over-the-shoulder situation for a stylish honeymoon look to have and to hold. Bag, Dhs13,000, Celine The NEWS HBBR_025_18_NEWS nibs3_13317253.indd 1827/06/2024 16:54THE SPARKLE 19 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 If you feel a proposal is on the horizon, don’t hesitate to hint for the diamond of your dreams. Even better, have your beau design it himself. Custom-make your big-day bands and develop pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation. Earrings, Dhs56,49; Ring, Dhs273,530, both Suarez Bridal Collection; joyeriasuarez.com RING IT IN The NEWS HBBR_025_19_NEWS VCA_13282132.indd 1927/06/2024 14:46HERE COMES THE BRIDE Titled New Beginnings Azzi & Osta’s fi rst bridal Ready-to-Wear line epitomises the modern-day bride. Featuring 17 looks ranging from gowns to suits and cocktail dresses, each piece is a riff on classic bridal silhouettes infused with updated conceptual design details such as bubble hems, three- dimensional appliqués and waist-defi ning peplums. As the concept of a wedding continues to broaden, designer labels, such as Azzi & Osta are leading the way in creating new visual expressions when it comes to contemporary bridalwear. As both George and Assaad state, “[Th e Azzi & Osta bride] is a modern bride, one that is romantic as well as rebellious. Loves tradition yet is creatively reinventing herself. She is looking to dance and enjoy her own party.” For the design duo, innovating means designing a collection that includes a myriad of diff erent styles, each catering to the many iterations of who the modern bride could be. From an early age, both George and Assaad were heavily infl uenced by the strong women in their lives and continue to be galvanised by the idea of designing clothes that allow the wearer to feel empowered and confi dent in their own skin. Famously, they’ve dressed a series of notable leading names for some of the biggest nights of their careers. Th ink back to Queen Bey arriving at the 2018 Pre-Grammy gala donning a black silk, crepe Azzi & Osta gown. As the two designers see it, everyone deserves to have a main character moment. What better way to celebrate women than to help them fulfi l their most fantastical dreams on their wedding day? Assaad adds, “Th e main catalyst for the launch was the COVID period – when we realised a bride will not stop despite the whole world halting for a while.” Th e Azzi & Osta brand has always radiated a certain THE DESIGNERS AZZI & OSTA designs have decorated many a red carpet and have been worn by A-listers and royals like Queen Rania and Beyoncé. The Lebanese power duo GEORGE AZZI and ASSAAD OSTA have now launched a Ready-to-Wear Bridal line to wow the groom and wedding guests alike Words by IMOGENE LEGRAND 20 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 HBBR_025_20-21_News_Azzi&Osta_13256003.indd 2027/06/2024 16:55 The NEWS Go all-out style-wise with bountiful bows, ballgown skirts and hand-made lace for a stylish statement exuberant joyfulness, which is ever so palpable in this debut collection and its accompanying campaign. Perhaps the designers’ lust for life can be attributed to their Lebanese roots – a culture famously known to champion joie-de-vivre par excellence. “Th e diversity of cultures and colours and environments you see in Beirut are what fuel our creative juices, we get inspiration from Beirut specifi cally on a daily basis, explains Assaad.” No doubt an Azzi & Osta dress, adorned with glistening embroidery and larger-than-life fl oral appliqués encourages us to move through the world embracing the whimsy of life to the fullest. While George and Assaad have always shared a deep appreciation for the traditional techniques of couture, their talent lies in their ability to simultaneously consider the commercial viability of their designs. “At launch, Azzi & Osta was more experimental and sculptural than focused on the commercial, today we feel we almost perfect the two worlds,” George tells Bazaar Bride. “Keeping creativity and experimentation in the realm of our designs while also keeping commerciality at its core.” Each piece in the Ready-to-Wear bridal collection is imbued with a homage to couture-like precision and artistic fl air, but revels in its wearability. While the use of mixed fabrics and exaggerated volumes make each piece unique, there is a steady undercurrent of versatility that traverses through the collection. Except for a few princess gowns, the majority of the items have been designed with the intention of being re-worn and re-styled. As George states, “We design styles that are meant for receptions and civil weddings, with the ability to re-wear again easily to other occasions.” Th e launch of the Azzi & Osta’s RTW bridal line marks a new chapter for the brand. It’s refreshing that such a renowned brand is encouraging women to be authentic to their own sense of style on their big day. azziandosta.com 21 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 HBBR_025_20-21_News_Azzi&Osta_13256003.indd 2125/06/2024 06:3122 HarpersBazaarArabia.com September 2023 The queen of couture wedding cakes, MICH TURNER OBE, brings a big slice of the LITTLE VENICE CAKE COMPANY to the Middle East LOVE AT FIRST BITE 22 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 HBBR_025_22-23_News_Little venice_13180859.indd 2225/06/2024 06:33The NEWS S he has baked culinary masterpieces for Th e Queen, Madonna, Pierce Brosnan and everyone in between – yes, Mich Turner OBE, Founder of Little Venice Cake Company, can create a wedding cake to end all wedding cakes. Having recently opened her fi rst regional atelier in Atlantis Th e Royal, she tells Harper’s Bazaar Bride how, with 40,000 delicious sponges under her belt to date, she came to be where she is today. Upon entering Dubai’s Little Venice Cake Company atelier, past the busy bakers in the stunning glass kitchen, you reach the serene consultation room and “Royal Wall of Fame,” as Mich puts it. “I like to say it’s the good, the great, the rich and the royal,” she jests, as everyone from Barack Obama to King Charles beams next to their delicious sponge. But Mich’s very fi rst client was from somewhat humbler beginnings. “My A-Level home economics teacher asked me to make her wedding cake when I was 17,” she says. Having just won a cookery competition the same teacher had encouraged her to enter, she confi dently accepted the challenge. “It was the very fi rst wedding cake I made, baked and decorated,” Mich says, it was one of her fi rst successes. “She still has the little fl ower arrangement I made for the top tier and keeps it in a little glass dome.” Mich continued to bake wedding cakes in her spare time while qualifying as a food scientist at university and securing placements with McVities and Marks & Spencer’s Christmas cake production. She joined Harvey Nichols as a supplier, then buyer: “I took the time to learn a lot about brand values, how to run a business and manage staff and all of those elements. I had the science side and creativity from within, but I needed to understand business before I took the leap of faith [to begin my own company] in 1999.” It was within that fi rst year of setting up Little Venice Cake Company that Mich received the commission for Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s wedding cake. “At that time, it was an absolute niche market. Cake companies at the time would bake, but wouldn’t deliver,” Mich says. Th is is when Little Venice Cake Company really set the gold standard for all artists that followed. Working with major London hotels, Mich made upwards of 30 wedding cakes a week, every single one with a diff erent base, fi lling, frosting, decoration and delivery. “We’ve never missed a deadline,” Mich states. She even implemented a failsafe system to avoid London’s frequent weekend city marches and road closures. “We had a hotline to the city of Westminster so we knew where the road closures were and did a risk assessment each time,” she laughs. It’s this attention to detail that spread Mich’s name far and wide on the wedding circuit. In 2001 a fl orist acquaintance recommended Little Venice Cake Company to none other than James Bond at the time, Pierce Brosnan, as he wedded Keely in Ireland’s Ballintubber Abbey. “I sent cake samples to Pierce and Keeley in Malibu by FedEx, so they could actually taste it and approve the recipe,” she says. Working with them to create a beautiful six-tier carrot cake with elegant hand piping on each tier, Mich also insisted on building an identical polystyrene replica – just in case of any damage in transit. Th ankfully, it wasn’t needed. Working with clients to provide the perfect focal point for photographs is always a warm experience for Mich, but there is one cake in particular that she remembers fondly. “Th e diamond wedding anniversary cake that we took to Buckingham Palace to celebrate Th e Queen and Prince Philip’s diamond wedding anniversary was particularly special,” she reminisces. Taking direct inspiration from Her Majesty’s wedding gown, the detailing took days, and to Mich’s surprise, she was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her services to the British catering industry. As she brings her expertise here, Mich delights in a whole new level of extravagance. “Th e Middle Eastern market love the idea of having a super spectacular wedding cake,” she says, something she embraced for the opening of Atlantis Th e Royal Dubai. Th at cake took over 2,000 hours to create, stood fi ve feet tall and was aptly called the ‘feast of dreams’ cake. Th e region may indulge in opulence, but how do tastes diff er? “We use a lot of dates and pistachios, and we’re growing our sticky toff ee date cake, in which we stuff dates on the top and fi ll with a salted caramel centre and lots of pistachios,” says Mich. Any last advice on choosing the perfect wedding cake? “Sugar fl owers will last pretty much indefi nitely,” Mich smiles. What sweeter token for everlasting love could a couple wish for? atlantis.com WORDS: RACHEL BASSETT . IMAGES: SUPPLIED 23 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 The Little Venice Cake Company at Atlantis The Royal, Dubai and some of its creations. Bottom: Mich Turner OBE THE SWEET TOUCH HBBR_025_22-23_News_Little venice_13180859.indd 2325/06/2024 06:3324 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Autumn / Winter 2023 24 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 THE STYLIST Contemporary brides rejoice, personalised bridal styling experience, TROU/SO, may have you prioritising a wedding stylist before your wedding planner Does your dream wedding wardrobe not only consist of one white dress, but weekend looks, fi nishing touches and multiple outfi t changes, too? Amman-based Bana Abujaber, founder of personal styling wedding service TROU/ SO – the voice behind the high profi le Sidenote Banaa blog – is the woman to make your bridal vision board a reality as she takes care of every outfi t detail, so you don’t have to. What is it that sets TROU/SO apart from other bridal styling companies? Our digital approach and brand partnerships. We have been styling clients remotely with great success and our network and access to partners enables us to have early sneak peeks into trends. I took a disruptive approach aiming to challenge the status quo and introduce a fresh perspective to the bridal fashion landscape. How does the process of styling a bride and her entourage compare to other occasions? What makes the journey and experience so diff erent to other events is the rollercoaster of emotions and excitement brides and their dependents go through. Th is is why we take away any additional stress of fi nding the right looks. Can you walk us through the process of working with TROU/SO? Our fi rst step is a virtual discovery call to meet the bride-to-be and capture what they’re looking for. Within two to three days, we turn around a proposal and discuss her vision in more depth with mood boards. We keep our process interactive without overwhelming our clients and build a stylebook that includes multiple looks (fully styled, multiple outfi ts with accessories), shoppable links and brand recommendations. How has the styling for a bride evolved since you started working in this space? In the past six years I’ve noticed a shift in bridal trends. Nowadays women have a broad range of options, thanks to the infl ux of new ready-to-wear brands entering the space. Brides are now more inclined to showcase diff erent looks throughout their celebrations, departing from the traditional single-outfi t approach. Words by RACHEL BASSETT In your opinion, how did the wedding of Sofi a Richie galvanise the wedding styling approach? Sofi a Richie’s wedding played a pivotal role in reshaping the approach to wedding styling. Th e extensive behind- the-scenes coverage of her wedding shed light on the signifi cance of in-between outfi ts and her choice to wear multiple outfi ts by Chanel normalised the idea of a full wedding weekend of various events. What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing when it comes to servicing your niche? Our research tells us that the MENA region is very under served in bridal styling. Developing an awareness of the need (and benefi t) to have a wedding stylist is something that will develop with time. I’m confi dent the norm will be to hire a wedding stylist before a wedding planner in the near future! Your fondest memory when it comes to starting your own business? Finalising the company name. Th e origin of TROU/SO i.e. trousseau [clothes collected by a bride] holds a profound signifi cance in my family passed down through generations. My mother mirrored her father’s actions by telling me, “Let’s fl y to London and Paris and get your trousseau ready,” soon after my husband proposed to me. How did you choose the look for your own big day? My focus was on creating a style that was edgy, unexpected, and uniquely my own. One day, I came across a stunning image of Kaia Gerber in a black drop-waist ball gown. Instantly captivated, I knew this was the exact look I wanted. I discovered that the dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta, inspired by Bianca Jagger’s dress for the Met Gala in the 80s. I went to great lengths to connect with the brand for a custom design – and fortunately, it worked out. Your can’t-live-without bride-wardrobe essentials? Firstly, a change of shoes is non-negotiable. Secondly, a statement accessory – be it a striking headpiece, elegant gloves, or oversized bow – that adds a touch of individuality. Finally, a getting-ready outfi t is crucial as this part is often documented. The NEWS HBBR_025_24-25_News_Wedding Stylist new_13289746.indd 2426/06/2024 17:46IMAGES: SUPPLIED The NEWS 25 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Autumn / Winter 2023 25 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 Stylishly EVER AFTER How important are shoes and bags on a wedding day? I cannot emphasise enough the importance of choosing comfortable shoes for your wedding and having an extra pair to change into. As for bags, personally, I’m not a fan of a bride arriving at her wedding with a bag. However, if this is something the bride desires, we will honour it – we have super cool bag selections in our repertoire. What is your most treasured piece from your wedding? Th e most cherished piece from my wedding is an oversized scrunchie. For those who know me, it’s no secret that I never leave the house without one and to my luck, the Oscar de la Renta team stepped in and designed the perfect one! trouso.com This page: Bana looked stunning on her big day in custom dress and bespoke scrunchie HBBR_025_24-25_News_Wedding Stylist new_13289746.indd 2526/06/2024 17:47 The NEWS The NEWS WORDS: EMIL Y BAXTER-PRIEST “I’m not a romantic designer but I’m a hopeless romantic at heart,” says Begüm Kiroglu, the Turkish designer behind jewellery label, Begüm Khan. It’s an interesting stance for someone who’s just launched their debut bridal collection. But this is bridalwear accessorising with a twist. Entitled the Non-Bridal Bridal collection, it’s fi lled with humour, and aims to transform the perception of bridalwear. A fresh perspective away from the overly-romantic and cookie- cutter, towards something more playful and unique. “I think the way weddings have now become, there is a certain formula around them. But I like spontaneity and freedom. So this collection is about making fun of a wedding and injecting a bit of humour into the celebrations. Romantic meets fun,” she says. With a Marry Me ring, All the Single Turtles necklace, and hairpins called I Said No and Kiss the Frog, it’s tongue-in-cheek and full of personality. Th e collection launched in Paris this February. “We had a pop-up during Paris Fashion Week and then a huge party in Istanbul. It was Begüm’s non-wedding wedding,” she laughs. Th e dress code was bridal. “Everyone came in white, dressed as brides. It was so much fun.” THE ART OF LOVE Turkish jewellery designer Begüm Kiroglu on her venture into bridalwear and creating a collection for women seeking uniqueness Begϋm Kiroglu is known for her eye-catching statement pieces Earrings, Dhs4,780 26 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 HBBR_025_26-27_News_Belgum Khan_13254875.indd 2625/06/2024 06:36Launching Begüm Khan in 2012, it took over a decade for the designer to enter this sphere, despite numerous requests from friends and clients. “I thought [the requests] were a bit strange, because if you look at our bugs, dragons and lobsters, you wouldn’t really think ‘bridal’,” the designer explains. “But somehow I found myself experimenting with it and I wanted to do it.” Despite never considering herself as one who makes ‘pretty things’, something romantic did emerge. Flowers. Perhaps an organic evolution from the natural world her striking designs are so known for, blooms became a starting point for the Non-Bridal Bridal collection. “I never thought I’d do fl owers, but as with everything, life evolves and your designs evolve,” Begüm says. “Flowers were the roots, habitats and homes of my animals and suddenly they made a beautiful story. Th ey made perfect sense.” Never straying too far from her dreamlike world of mystical Eastern and Ottoman infl uences, the Non-Bridal Bridal collection features nazar, marigolds and liliums, alongside turtles, frogs, scarabs, and dragonfl ies. “Of course there’s animals,” Kiroglu laughs, “But this time it’s more subtle, as the bride should be the focus.” Th e collection features everything from rings to hairpins, chokers to bangles and, “Because this is a diff erent kind of bride, huge ear cuff s.” Material-wise, there’s plenty of crystals, pearls, diamante, and pink, and quieter colourways than usual. “We use gold, rose gold and platinum, because we wanted them to look more bridal.” Everything is handcrafted in Begüm’s workshop in Istanbul. While the pieces aren’t quite bespoke, the artisanal craftsmanship allows every piece to have their own subtle nuances, rendering then ‘unique.’ “We don’t make large quantities – maybe 10 of each piece.” Th e collection is so big, however, that Begüm has split it in two – the fi rst drop was during Paris Fashion Week and the second this summer. “We might even have a second wedding!” she laughs. “I never repeat anything, but the fi rst wedding was so loved, that I think this requires a second. Or perhaps a renewal of the vows!” As for inspiration, “It’s like love,” Begüm says. “If you’re open to it, it’s everywhere. I never push for inspiration, but I have a really open heart and eyes.” For the Non-Bridal Bridal collection, Begüm looked to famous ‘non-bride’ brides, like Bianca Jagger and Jane Birkin. “It’s not just about how they dress or the ceremonies,” she explains, “It’s about the attitude.” How you wear each piece, where you wear it, how you style it... Th e collection’s campaign, photographed in Paris, shows just that – two friends driving around the City of Lights, a hotel room, a pizza parlour, Begüm Khan jewellery wherever they go. It all ties back into the notion of breaking out of formulaic patterns and off ering a fresh perspective on what a wedding could be. “You could close your favourite pizza place and have pizza and champagne and that could be the best wedding ever,” Kiroglu says. “You don’t need perfection. Perfection is overrated. You need your own perfection.” Pieces for the Non-Bridal Bridal collection have been designed as ‘icons’ in their own right, and will be available for years to come, says the designer. “We’re going to add to this collection and also create a new one.” But the real beauty of the Non-Bridal Bridal collection is that it goes beyond bridalwear – allowing the pieces to be worn in diff erent ways on diff erent occasions. “You can be a bride, or if you’ve never been a bride before but want to feel bridal without wearing bridal pieces…” Th e designs are for everyone, with pieces that celebrate the excitement of new beginnings, and freedom and originality for all. begumkhan.com Signature animals and amusements adorn the inaugural jewellery line Hair Pin, Dhs1,670 Bracelet, Dhs5,410 “I’m not a romantic designer but I am a hopeless romantic at heart” 27 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2024 HBBR_025_26-27_News_Belgum Khan_13254875.indd 2725/06/2024 06:36Next >