Sometimes I get to create a custom piece for a client. This one is an ivory silk base ring bearer pillow with a French lace overlay finished with a champagne bow. Lovely through all the years.
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VINTAGE INSPIRED LOVE BOUQUET
Floral greetings from the Swedish west coast today! It was a charming surprise to see these jeweled Emici Livet heirloom blooms starring amongst the fresh beauties in this bouquet. I love the idea of having silk wedding day flowers that will remain forever keepsakes. You can see the shoot in its entirety on Ruffled. Phenom styling by Vintage Wedding Love by Greenbrook & Co. Photography by Nina and Wes Photography.
THE BEAUTY OF BLACK
There is a linen covered mannequin that I have in my office. Her name is Meme Francesca because I had fancied the idea of demanding her presence while shooting my accessories for a debut. “Bring me MEME FRANCESCAAAAA!” I would shout hastily while waving one arm over my head as if it were a magic trick I had anything to do with. This absurdity is what goes on in my head while I am designing and I grin, slightly. You have been warned. I think I am hilarious. Back to the point of Meme. She stands in my office clad in what I wish her to wear at any given moment. She sets a creative mood and as I type this, she is wearing the gold leaf Emici Livet headpiece from this shoot along with a dramatic black feather necklace. Black is lending her a gracious cloak of drama and unending pairing ability. When in doubt go with a bit of black.
The gorgeous gown above and below is by Claire La Faye. Love it. Truly beautiful pieces you should check out. Time well spent I say.
Oh this very special bronze jeweled feather ring bearer pillow. The sequined center is hand beaded with freshwater pearls and Swarovski rhinestones in two sizes. The feather fringed sides were created by stripping ostrich plumes into individual tufts, adding coque feathers and sewing them one by one to a silk backing. Add an antique sterling silver buckle tied down with black silk taffeta and you have set the dial to “Glam Overload”. These photos are from a shoot styled by Romancing the Stone Styling and shot by Megan Robinson. I always love being able to work with these ladies. Truly too much fun!
Of course, I felt that this black alencon lace ring pillow belonged in this post. Really, you don’t expect me to resist that do you?
Working with so many other talented people has given me so many gifts. Feeling truly lucky tonight. XO -Marie
VALENTINE GIVEAWAY
Another fun giveaway just geared up at the Emici Livet studio! I want to hear the story of you and your valentine. You can enter to win by leaving a comment below, contacting me through my site here or leaving a comment on the Facebook post for this giveaway. I will choose a winner for this romantic floral comb on Valentine’s Day! XoXo -Marie
GIVE LOVE, GET LOVE
The giveaways are beginning! I have always loved to give back and now that the Emici Livet studio and office are ready to hit this new year with a double punch of creativity and exuberance I am more than excited to announce that the very first giveaway has begun. By visiting Emici Livet and letting me know what hairpiece you like best you will be entered to win it. I am choosing a winner tonight so don’t delay. Yes I know, thanks for the warning right? Well I figure you can give at anytime with a spontaneous flair and the thought is still as sweet. It has been a long time coming and there is no better time to start than right now. There are many more events to come too. I will be launching some to be run by simply yours truly and also partnered with some of my wonderful industry friends. Hope to see you around! Give love, get love. XO -Marie
PRETTY LACY
I was lucky enough to be able to travel to NYC recently and picked out some gorgeous lace fabrics to create new ring pillows for Emici Livet. Now here is where I must confess something truly awful, the only reason I didn’t get more was because I had to leave so the wonderful staff could go home. Proposing to them that I nest in the silk racks for the night failed terribly. There is always next time. Fabric store sleepover anyone?
Each of these ring pillows features its very own take on a lace personality.
Taupe French alencon lace with a blush and taupe silk underlay.
An irresistible silver beaded lace tops this champagne silk pillow. A simple Swarovski button and thin cord to fasten on the rings.
Drama walks in with this gold and silver metallic lace paired harmoniously with charcoal silk satin.
Grosgrain ribbon lace in a fabulous ivory. Champagne silk ruffle staggers side to side under an ivory ribbon topped with a silver crystal center.
French alencon lace over a champagne silk base. Each flower resting on this pillow is handmade in the studio using an antique flower press.
This ring pillow sits on the corner of simplicity and detail. Feminine in all the right places with a tailored silk satin bow.
A modern take using an offset dupioni sash bow over a classic French lace.
THE POWER OF SMALL
I’ve grown to realize.
I am obsessed with the power of small… details. Small things are what build into that grand experience of life. A smile from a loved one, an offer to share a cookie between two that was meant for one. Small things are more consistent because they happen more often. Small things can change a person’s day. Small things compose the rungs in the ladder of life. In small things I trust.
BOTANICAL GARDEN SHOOT
Get ready for some major color inspiration! I am lucky enough to be able to work with some very talented folks. Not only do they inspire me constantly but I consider them friends as well. This styled botanical garden shoot was shot at Belle Victorian Gardens and styled by the lovely Pam Terpstra at Romancing the Stone Styling. Couple this with the photographer extraordaire Megan Robinson and you can’t go wrong. It was recently featured on Magnolia Rouge so if you want to see even more gorgeousness head on over there!
*Gasp* This is just magical. For the shoot the Emici Livet Morgan Crown was paired with a silk veil by the stylist. The combo really lends itself to the soft romance of the shoot.
Pretty amazing right? Sweets by Batch Bakeshop, Model Kelsie Fields, Paper goods by Katie Leute Design, Wedding Gown The Velvet Bride, Hair by Esther Lawrence, Makeup Shasta Hankins, Tablescape Rentals Glam Vintage Events
LAYER UPON LAYER
One of the parts of my job that I love is free design. That part in my week where I gather materials that speak to me in that moment and begin to shape them. The end result can vary greatly. I submit to you, the jury, the three photos above of pieces that were crafted from the exact same vintage French lace I sourced in the NYC Garment District. By the way, I have a really grand design coming for this lace. I am talking biiiig deal here. Stay tuned for that.
Being flexible in design is essential. Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes you need to have the precision of a surgeon in bringing a vision to life but then there are those times when you are just having fun with gorgeous things. That is a happy place. There’s lots of room in the happy place so please pull up a chair will you? Sometimes the best things were found on accident or by mistake. Always be open to these discoveries. That is how we grow in technique and happen upon our very own style of doing things. It’s the sort of process that keeps the evolution going.
Adding layers to something builds the interest and pushes your design away from others that may be close in nature. Not sure if at first glance you can really see just how layered this is. It begins on a piece of antique silk net. Top that with twisting vintage gold trims, a rhinestone base, layers of independently hand wired rhinestone loops, champagne freshwater pearls and finally vintage Swarovski rhinestones wrapped in golden metal mesh and sewn on. Do you have a favorite?
Photo credits to Megan Robinson Photography for the product pictures and model photo by Samantha Cabrera with Styling by Alisa Lewis Events.
DESIGN CRASHES IN SOFTLY
I knew exactly what I was going to make as soon as I saw the Victorian sterling silver piece that is the base for the Emici Livet Psyche feather fan. It begged to be paired with blush feathers. When a design crashes into your mind you can’t help but listen. After all, if you don’t comply it may just haunt you. Remember me old friend? You had that idea and you left me alone, to whither away. Although, I must confess, it usually never stops at the initial impulse. I settled on creating a small series of feather fans to roll out at the same time just to explore this new ground. Waterfalls of gemstones and pearls edged their way into the fans. Giving a playful swing to things.
Finishing the back of the Psyche fan was a challenge because I wanted it to be as dramatic as the front but not really compete with it. It also needed to feel natural while being held. The heavily beaded back is an ombre fade of pearls, glass beads, crystal quartz gemstones and silver rhinestones. You wouldn’t know it but the base started out as French Alencon lace and later on I decided it needed a little more kick. I love the way the pleated tulle carries the lines off to the edges and is met with tufts of blush ostrich feathers.
I get lost in this, in a good way. Psyche is named for the love story between Cupid and Psyche. A rare happy ending in mythology. If you live in the Seattle Washington area you can see the Psyche blush feather fan at Luly Yang Couture on the corner of 4th and Union downtown.
The ever stunning Siren Song feather fan. Stormy gray ostrich feathers sway back and forth like waves crashing on sand. I promise that this Siren is less menacing than those in stories of old. It’s actually quite lovely. Labradorite is one of my favorite things so to incorporate it into this fan felt natural. The flashes of blue and green from within a deep watery abyss paired perfectly with peacock freshwater pearls and gold glass beads. The vintage gold tone floral center is from a seller in France who tucked perfume samples into the package for me. I have often said that when supplies arrive they feel like I am getting presents but that really took it to a new level of validity.
Siren Song has a beaded back of bezel set labradorite gemstones, vintage gold trim, peacock freshwater pearls and gold beads. This is all over a bed of teal silk velvet. A heavy layer of labradorite gemstone fringes the bottom edge.
The ivory ostrich Florentina fan. Gold and ivory is a classic combination. You would not expect me to resist right?
The back of Florentina is a heavily beaded gold lace base that is covered in freshwater pearls and gemstones. Pleated tulle borders the bottom.
Sterling silver plays another role here in the Liana fan. This piece is reminiscent of antique powder puffs.
Well dear friends, do you have a favorite?
Product photo credits: Megan Robinson Photography
Model Photo of Siren Song Fan at photo shoot styled by Alisa Lewis, photo by Anna Peters Photography.