BBCH Fall/Winter 2012 : Page 124

W E D D O S SIE R fashion The best time to be a bride in Chicago is right now, as business owners are elevating the industry to skyscraping new levels. “We love the city’s incredible energy, sense of fashion—the entire culture,” says Elizabeth Cooksey of BHLDN, a member of the recent bridal store crop. We have to agree. | By Diana Tychsen | Shop Around! Mignonette Belle Vie Bridal Couture BHLDN Bella Bleu Cou-tour de France Amanda Bonnell, the glamorous black-Gucci-sheath-and-Manolo-Blahnik-clad owner of Belle Vie Bridal Couture boutique, knows a thing or two about “classy.” So it’s no surprise that our sister city, Paris, was chosen by the fashionista to serve as the design inspiration for her newly unveiled space on Oak Street. “Our clients are raving about our European ambience,” Bonnell says. “ ey say it is true to ‘the perfect bridal experience.’” Located in the old Vera Wang store, the warm, soothing neutral palette picked by interior designer Julie Clary of M. Leigh Interiors mimics the lushness of the dresses. “My inspiration came directly from the beautiful gowns sold in the store—always elegant, be they simple or extravagant,” says Clary. 34 E. Oak St., 312.751.2222, belleviebridalcouture.com C’est Très Mignon(ette) “Vintage modern” is how Kpoene’ Ko -Nicklin of Mignonette bridal boutique describes her aesthetic, though as a skilled seamstress she can do it all. “I’ve done more minimalist and architectural dresses, but I’m drawn to a more romantic look—I love lace, chi on and everything ethereal. I want people to be comfortable and beautiful at the same time.” Ko -Nicklin, a recent San Francisco transplant and trained FIT alum, only works with the best materials such as silk and chi on, never using polyester or nylon for her custom work. In addition, the store acts as a showroom for accessory collections by more than 40 local artists, such as Violet Bells Bridal veils, feather headdresses from Pish Poshes and even menswear by Humble Collective’s Jonathan Chávez. 1747 W. Belmont Ave., 773.880.9141, mignonettebridal.com Brides, Behold e Chicago BHLDN store (Anthropologie’s bridal brand) opened to much fanfare this winter. Giddy girls dressed to the nines—most sans ancés—took in the bi-level showroom of perfectly assembled special occasion-inspired collections. On the main oor are the cute cocktail and bridesmaid dresses, and the top level is divided into four areas: accessories in antique glass display boxes, event décor (think cake stands and tablecloths), lingerie and a gorgeous gown-draped group of mannequins showcasing “ e Dress” o erings. For Director of Stores Elizabeth Cooksey, it’s only natural that local ladies have responded so well. “Our customer is con dent, has a strong sense of her own personal style, and is looking for a dress that will create a look that is uniquely hers.” 8 E. Walton St., 312.573.2573, bhldn.com Something Bleu How to make lemonade out of lemons: Andrea Novak, Exhibit A. “When I got engaged, I was traveling a ton for work and couldn’t nd the accessories I wanted for my wedding—none were true luxury items,” explains the owner of Bella Bleu . “I was so frustrated; I started a bridal accessory business so brides wouldn’t have the same unpleasant experience that I had.” After years as a successful e-commerce store, Novak recently opened a bricks and mortar outpost in Park Ridge as a complement to her online operation—o ering Sara Gabriel veils, Margaret Rowe couture jewelry and Polly Edwards headdresses. “I have exquisite, high-end designs that people can’t get easily from New York, Australia and Europe.” By appointment only. 143 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, 847.696.7152, bellableubridal.com 124 F A LL / W I N T E R 20 1 2 BELLE VIE BRIDAL COUTURE PHOTO BY MELISSA HAYES PHOTOGRAPHY; MIGNONETTE PHOTO BY GENEVIEVE BURRUSS FOR THE WAY WE CLICK PHOTOGRAPHY; BELLA BLEU PHOTO BY MYRA PHOTOGRAPHY

From Downtown To Park Ridge, We Uncover Four Posh New Bridal Boutiques That'll Have You Head-To-Toe Fabulous In No Time

Diana Tychsen

Shop Around! The best time to be a bride in Chicago is right now, as business owners are elevating the industry to skyscraping new levels. “We love the city’s incredible energy, sense of fashion—the entire culture,” says Elizabeth Cooksey of BHLDN, a member of the recent bridal store crop. We have to agree Cou-tour de France Amanda Bonnell, the glamorous black-Gucci-sheathand- Manolo-Blahnik-clad owner of Belle Vie Bridal Couture boutique, knows a thing or two about “classy.” So it’s no surprise that our sister city, Paris, was chosen by the fashionista to serve as the design inspiration for her newly unveiled space on Oak Street. “Our clients are raving about our European ambience,” Bonnell says. “They say it is true to ‘the perfect bridal experience.’” Located in the old Vera Wang store, the warm, soothing neutral palette picked by interior designer Julie Clary of M. Leigh Interiors mimics the lushness of the dresses. “My inspiration came directly from the beautiful gowns sold in the store—always elegant, be they simple or extravagant,” says Clary. 34 E. Oak St., 312.751.2222, belleviebridalcouture.com C’est Très Mignon(ette) “Vintage modern” is how Kpoene’ Kofi-Nicklin of Mignonette bridal boutique describes her aesthetic, though as a skilled seamstress she can do it all. “I’ve done more minimalist and architectural dresses, but I’m drawn to a more romantic look—I love lace, chifion and everything ethereal. I want people to be comfortable and beautiful at the same time.” Kofi-Nicklin, a recent San Francisco transplant and trained FIT alum, only works with the best materials such as silk and chifion, never using polyester or nylon for her custom work. In addition, the store acts as a showroom for accessory collections by more than 40 local artists, such as Violet Bells Bridal veils, feather headdresses from Pish Poshes and even menswear by Humble Collective’s Jonathan Chávez. 1747 W. Belmont Ave., 773.880.9141, mignonettebridal.com Brides, Behold The Chicago BHLDN store (Anthropologie’s bridal brand) opened to much fanfare this winter. Giddy girls dressed to the nines—most sans Fiancés—took in the bilevel showroom of perfectly assembled special occasioninspired collections. On the main floor are the cute cocktail and bridesmaid dresses, and the top level is divided into four areas: accessories in antique glass display boxes, event décor (think cake stands and tablecloths), lingerie and a gorgeous gown-draped group of mannequins showcasing “the Dress” offerings. For Director of Stores Elizabeth Cooksey, it’s only natural that local ladies have responded so well. “Our customer is con dent, has a strong sense of her own personal style, and is looking for a dress that will create a look that is uniquely hers.” 8 E. Walton St., 312. 573.2573, bhldn.com Something Bleu How to make lemonade out of lemons: Andrea Novak, Exhibit A. “When I got engaged, I was traveling a ton for work and couldn’t find the accessories I wanted for my wedding—none were true luxury items,” explains the owner of Bella Bleu. “I was so frustrated; I started a bridal accessory business so brides wouldn’t have the same unpleasant experience that I had.” After years as a successful e-commerce store, Novak recently opened a bricks and mortar outpost in Park Ridge as a complement to her online operation—offering Sara Gabriel veils, Margaret Rowe couture jewelry and Polly Edwards headdresses. “I have exquisite, high-end designs that people can’t get easily from New York, Australia and Europe.” By appointment only. 143 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, 847.696.7152, bellableubridal.com.

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