Mid week, and we’re on a roll this Wednesday.  I hope you’re ready for a journey back in time.

With all the hype over the 82nd Annual Oscar Awards on March 7th,  I thought I’d dig deeper into one of the nominees in particular.  (Hope you didn’t miss the Avatar dream palette.)  Nominated in the categories for Best Costume design, Art Direction and Make-Up…and a popular theme among wedding styles, it’s only natural that a dream palette would be in order, inspired the movie The Young Victoria.

Inspiration: VICTORIAN SECRETS – EURO CENTRIC

(Above: Vanity Fair)

Emily Blunt plays the role of young Queen Victoria, monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland for over 63 years.  She was also the ruler in a time of intense global colonization of other countries such as India, Australia and many countries in Africa.  Needless to say, the Victorian era harbors a lot of emotional contradictions even today. Yet in spite of this reality, Victorian style is still very much a vast exploratory palette when it comes to art direction, design, fashion, and wedding style.

Dream Palette # 69: VICTORIAN & BLUSH

Colors: Black, Blush & Cameo

(Above: Dining Room & Busts via Topsy Turvy; Bride gown by Vivienne Westwood; Necklace; Lace gloves by La Camelot; Parasol by Pamela’s Parasol; Bedroom photo by Living Etc via Design is Mine; Pink House; Invitations by Hello Lucky; Lace Ankle Boots; Earrings & Pendant by Amedeo Inc. via Martha Stewart Weddings; Cake by In Style Weddings; Paper & Envelope; Typewriter by Salt Harbor Designs [Photo by Millie Holloman Photography]; Silhouette Mantle by Cutarts; Rings by Eric Norleen; Pink Bathroom)

In true Wedding Nouveau style it doesn’t end here.  We’ll take things a step further, dreaming in culture of course, to offer a fresh and unique approach to Victorian aesthetics.

Coming up later today, the alter ego of this eurocentric palette.  Trust me, it’ll blow your mind.

I finally watched James Cameron’s Avatar!

As a valentine’s day present to my husband and myself, my family volunteered to watch our 10-week old daughter, granting us our first date “sans bebe,” since last November.  We decided to go to the movies, something that I absolutely live for, previews and post credits included.  Three hours later, my world had been changed forever.

Coming from someone who prides herself in having an extensive palette on movies and a very critical standard…I was transported into a vortex of childhood imagination, giddy excitement for a potential sequel and absolute awe over every singe detail of graphic design, color scheme, plot and character.  Put simply, Avatar was “Slap-Me-it’s-so amazing” great!  So much so that I was inspired to draft up a wedding dream palette in continuation of our Reel to Reality series.  Didn’t think I’d go there, did ya!

Inspiration: AVATAR

(Above: Source)

Before you run for costume cover, trust me when I say that today’s dream palette redefines that whole “Something Blue” saying in a way that could make for a truly memorable event.  Remember, it’s an inspiration not a replica of the film (which should apply to all your wedding boards).

Dream Palette #68: CINEMA & FANTASY – AVATAR

Colors: Cobalt, Lime Green & Aqua

(Above:Yellow Tree House Cafe via here; Flower; Couple on bridge photo by Nine Photography via SWS Mag; Candle in water by Enchanted Florist; Blue eyeshadow; Tribal Wooden bracelet; Archer; Bride with braids via The African Bride; Love Carving photo by Punam Bean; Runway model with beads & Blue dress by Jean Paul Gautlier via here; Tree; Butterfly; Perfume bottle; Avatar Face via here)

The Breakdown

Where are my manners?  I’ve spewed words of excitement over Avatar, assuming that everyone reading this has seen it.  Since I detest movie spoilers in the crowd, I’ll keep my synopsis to a PR-approved minimum.  In this epic action adventure fantasy, we voyage to a spectacular new world beyond our imagination, called Pandora. We follow the journey of a reluctant hero as he embarks on a journey of redemption, discovery and unexpected love — as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization. Avatar is exactly what innovative story telling should be by taking the best of the best in computer graphics as a support for excellent story telling.

REEL TO REALITY

Color and Composition:

(Above: Avatar; Candle in water by Enchanted Florist; Arched Ceiling photo by Angelica Glass; Flower; Butterfly )

Sometimes inspiration can come from just one shot, like the one above.  A palette of sensual and seductive color combinations can be enough to spring board into your design aesthestic.

Hair and Make Up:

(Above:Top Left- Avatar; Top Right- Avatar; Runway model with beads & Blue dress by Jean Paul Gautlier via here; Bride with braids via The African Bride; Blue eyeshadow)

Taking beauty elements and  re interpreting them to fit your style is always a plus.  If you missed the feature on ideas on alternative head pieces, visit here.

Props and Favors:

(Above: Avatar; Archer; Love Carving photo by Punam Bean; Brooch by Kirna Zabete via here)

Okay, so you don’t have to take the whole “robin hood” theme literally.  But incorporating the bow and arrow into your wedding as mini favors, jewelry and or decorative accents can make for unique touch.

Location, Location:

(Above: Avatar; Tree; Yellow Tree House Cafe)

I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.  The Yellow Tree House Cafe out of New Zealand is a gem for architects, foodies and nature enthusiasts.  If you’re no where near Kiwi country to book an event there, here are some examples of other exotic tree house locations for your wedding or honeymoon.

As a kid, growing up in Cameroon, Sundays were dedicated to going to the cinema, which coincidentally, only showed either Bollywood movies or French movies.  So, my childhood memories of going to the movies, entail watching endless hours of over dramatic,  yet equally exciting Bollywood dramas with Arabic subtitles.  Although we couldn’t directly understand what was being said, the emotions, costuming, lighting and music said it all.  Who needs translations when you have a vivid imagination within which to play?  I’m happy to say that my fascination with the movies has only been strengthened as I’ve matured.  I’ve resisted long enough.

Today, we’ll begin what on going series of wedding inspiration boards, that I hope will challenge you to think beyond cookie cut themes and color wheels.  I challenge you to think in scenes, acts, costume design, lighting, leading characters, villains, arcs, scores and all the other hidden gems that make cinema such a wonderful medium.  Rob Marshall’s Nine is the perfect launch.

Inspiration: NINE, The Movie

(Above: Source)

Dream Palette # 55: CINEMA & COUTURE – NINE

Colors: Vintage Gray, Red Wine, Blush, Black

(Above: All images ©.  Woman on Balcony via Lottiebites; Car and Alley photo by Julien Capmeil; Stairwell photo by Robert Sukrachand; lounging woman; Spotlights; Bouquet by Viva Bella Events [Photo by Neysa Ruhl] ; Man with hat photo by Oscar Falk; Woman in black photo by Suresh Natarajan; Shoes by Rene Caovilla; Invitation by Ceci New York via here; Chair & Frames photo by Katya de Grunwald; Lace Wrist band by Satanica; Centerpiece by Asiel Design; Necklace by Jealous Cat; Stockings and legs by Helmut Newton via Glamour Daze; Theatre photo by Melissa McClure; Bride in Dressing Room by Kella Macphee; Birdcage headpiece via Offbeat Bride; Nine poster)

The Breakdown:

Nine is based off of acclaimed Italian film director Federico Fellini’s classic 8 1/2.  My favorite of his works is La Strada.  As an artist, Fellini redefined cinema by his use of stark contrasts in lighting, absurdism and very heightened emotional life in his characters.  The color palette pays homage to the gray and white vintage look of 1950s Italy, while adding a hint of sass and life.

Often times, designers use inspiration as a direct and literal source for their design ideas.  While this works for costume parties, it can be a miss for a stylish wedding event. I say, pick two or three things to replicate, and then allow the other things to trigger an emotion.  For me, the movie Nine conjures up feelings of romance, cobblestone backstreets in Italy, nighttime rendezvous, smokey eyes, backstage debauchery, glamour, high fashion and tempting boudoirs.

REEL TO REALITY

(Above: Left – Daniel Day Lewis in Nine via here; Right – Stairwell photo by Robert Sukrachand)

(Above: Left – Penelope Cruz in Nine via here ; Right – Birdcage headpiece via Offbeat Bride)

(Above: Left – Nicole Kidman in Nine via here ; Right – Man with hat photo by Oscar Falk)

Let your imagination go further, by using character design to inspire your wedding accessories and intimate details.

(Above: Top Left – Nine via here; Top Right – Lace Wrist band by Satanica; Bottom Left – Stockings and legs by Helmut Newton via Glamour Daze; Bottom Right – Necklace by Jealous Cat)

Lighting and props offer a unique palette as well.

(Above: Left – Daniel Day Lewis in Nine via here; Top Right – Chair & Frames photo by Katya de Grunwald; Bottom Right – Spotlights)

Not everyone has a three level warehouse or set at their fingertips to stage their wedding.  Nonetheless, there are many theatre spaces that are open to rent.  Check your local city listings to see what could work for you.

(Above: Top – Nine via here; Bottom – Theatre photo by Melissa McClure)

(Above: Left – Penelope Cruz in Nine via here; Right – Bride in Dressing Room photo by Kella Macphee)

Dream in Color, Dream in Culture….

…and now, dream in Cinema!

Spicyhugs,

Fri

Tomorrow will be the debut of our series of dream palettes inspired by Film.  Think 1950s glam, fab fashion and a nostalgic era in Italy.

(Above: Source)

NINE: Movie Trailer – Watch more top selected videos about: Nine, Musical, Daniel_Day-Lewis, Judi_Dench, Nicole_Kidman, Penelope_Cruz, Kate_Hudson, Marion_Cotillard, Rob_Marshall, Weinstein_Company, NINE

Till Tomorrow…

Spicyhugs,

Fri