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March 17, 2008

Interview: Maya of Tiffanys by Maya

Today I am chatting with entrepreneur and designer Maya Warburton of Tiffanys by Maya.  Anyone who has walked through the doors of her elegant and chic salon knows that Maya is always on hand to lend her expert guidance to brides seeking that perfect dress.  What you probably don't know is the winding path that led her to the wedding community in Norfolk.

   Image:  Keith Cephus

Maya Wharburton, Tiffanys by MayaMaya pursued a career in the fashion industry in Boston, MA.  She was Director of Operations for the Gianni Versace boutique for three years and later, Ford Model Management. Maya moved to New York to work for Vera Wang at her flagship bridal house. After two months, she was promoted to Sales Manager of Vera Wang's bridesmaids' salon.

Love brought this superstar to Virginia where she became a bridal consultant for Tiffanys in August of 2003. She quickly became the top sales performer and was named General Manager in January 2004. A short six months later she bought the store and gave it her name.  Tiffanys of Norfolk became Tiffanys by Maya, and a new era was born!

Fast forward

Wedster:  What's new in bridal?

Maya:  We're seeing a more fitted silhouette on the runways in Chicago and New York.  Pleats and lace are also big.

Dixie - from Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard Collection

Wedster:  What about strapless gowns.  Are they still popular?

Maya:  Strapless will always be popular, but designers are showing lots of cover ups - boleros, chapel veils and mantillas....

Wedster:  Besides Yellow and Gray, what are the color trends?

Maya:  Olive and Gold, White and Wheat, Sapphire and Fuschia, Black and Pewter, Pink and Green are hot!

 

Wedster:  You also carry tuxedos.  What's new for the men?

Maya:  We're offering chocolate tuxedos, white dinner jackets, and suits in midnight blue and linen colored which are great for destination weddings.

Chocolate Perisian TuxedoJim's Formal Wear

Chocolate Parisian Tuxedo and Alfresco Destination Wedding Suit by Jim's Formal Wear

Wedster:  Anything else our readers should know about ...?

Maya:  Tiffanys by Maya will soon become Maya Couture, bridal fashions!

Wedster:  Why the change?

Maya:  I wanted a name that was more reflective our brand and our product, like designer and custom gowns and accessories.

Wedster:  Tell me more!

Maya:  I've designed my first collection of bridesmaid dressed to be introduced in the fall of 2008!  Also my design team and I will offer brides the opportunity to collaborate with us to create the one-of-a-kind gown of her dreams!

Wedster:  Congratulations!  Where can we find your collection?

Maya:  Exclusively at Maya Couture but the designs will be featured on our website and can be ordered and shipped to clients everywhere.

Wedster:  Wow! I can't wait to stop by and see everything we talked about.  Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to bring us up to date!

Before you go, got any tips for brides?

Maya:  Visit our website at www.tiffanysbymaya.com or sign up for our newsletter to stay current with bridal and wedding fashion trends!

Tiffanys by Maya
12 Best Square
(where Interstate 264 meets Military Highway)
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: (757) 461-1690
Fax: (757) 461-0045
maya@tiffanysbymaya.com

Fun Fact:  Guess the correct factoid about Maya and win a gift basket!*
    1. Maya is one of 9 children.
    2. Maya is a twin.
    3. Maya has 5 children.

*You cannot call Maya!  Winner will be selected from all correct entries.  Basket will be mailed to US addresses only.  Contest ends April 1.

Posted by Isha at 09:50 PM | | Comments (5)

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January 22, 2008

Interview: Kim Wadsworth, BridesMade

Wedster is always trying to bring brides the information they need to make their wedding day beautiful!  Today we are chatting with national makeup artist Kim Wadsworth of Wadsworth Style and BridesMade.  Kim has been a fashion journalist for over 15 years and is founding editor of VOW Bride and F.A.B. magazines.

 

Kim Wadsworth

 

Image courtesy of David Schwartz Photography
 

Wedster: Kim, what are the trends in bridal makeup?

Kim: In covering the bridal collections in New York each fall and winter for Vow Bride magazine, I get an idea of the overall look that designers envision for brides. Two looks stood out prominently for Spring 2008. The return to glamour with 40's styling- dark eyes, lashes, full deeper lip, hair down and wavy. Or the continuation of a pretty young look, again with hair down (very few updo's although they don't understand the humidity that Virginian brides must deal with!) Soft palettes for eye shadows, light glossy lips, fresh face with a touch of shimmer. Again, lashes made a strong presence, be they full lashes or flairs (individual.)


Wedster: How do you arrive at ‘the look’ for each bride?


Kim:  There is no template for bridal beauty. A dialogue must be established and it is up to us to draw as much as we can about the bride, her style, her daily makeup usage vs. special event application. We insist on making our brides be mindful that this is THE dressiest day of their life. Their guests EXPECT them to look different- meaning, that they have makeup that balances the elegance of their gown. It's their big day to shine and we make sure they are radiant yet as "natural" as one can be when wearing makeup. The meaning of makeup has changed so much in the last five years. The challenge is to break them out of a mindset that they will look unrecognizable. That is NOT what bridal makeup is all about. It is about drawing out the strongest features, documenting their wedding day beauty with sophistication and subtle allure with regard to application.


Wedster:  Is it better to try a glam new look or something more natural?


Kim:  Experimentation with your bridal beauty is a personal choice. We recommend taking steps beyond the day makeup you are use to. If it is an evening wedding (after five), then something more glam will look appropriate, no doubt. A morning or afternoon wedding signifies something classic but we have many brides who want to go for it, meaning they are ready to make their look memorable and glamorous. They DON'T want the same old look- that's why they hire us! 


Wedster:  Would you recommend a trial run?  If so, when?


Kim:  Trial runs are MANDATORY. They should also be with hair. We all desire that "dress rehearsal" to get all the unknowns known. This is the ideal time to discuss the look a bride wants, get an idea of the feel of the day, see photos of the dress and then know what direction to guide a bride. We always encourage brides to do the trial when they are attending a party or shower. Or, schedule a trial with their hair stylist, then come for makeup, and then get their gown fitting. It's the perfect way to "peek" at how the whole look will come together!


Wedster:  That is a great suggestion!  Do you recommend the bride begin a skin care regimen prior to the wedding?


Kim:  Brides are stressed and have the usual breakouts. Therefore, skin care should start 6 months prior to the wedding. Facials, waxing, hydration all play a key role in how your complexion will look. Brides fall apart over a blemish and we tell them every time, "this is why you hire the professionals." There are outstanding products that conceal and once the makeup is done, no one will know about that blemish but the bride- and us!


Wedster:  I know that you get very busy with media work.  How soon should a bride book your services?


Kim:  I am booked 6-10 months ahead. There is the usual list of important things that need to be booked- the location, the coordinator, the photographer, the florist and the caterer. But surprisingly, brides put beauty (meaning makeup and hair) near the bottom and then they are disappointed when they can't get with the beauty makers they want. Gratefully, I have three associates who have been with me for 10 years. We are all trained to cater to the needs of our brides and on certain dates, each of us has our own bride and bridal party to make up. If I am already booked, my girls as just as capable and experienced. We love brides.


Wedster:  Wow, that's good to know!  Tell our readers about the VOW bridal show.


Kim:  The Vow Bride Event is Sunday January 27, 2008 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Because the show is in tandem with Vow Bride Magazine, we ensure that brides are meeting with various vendors, as any show would provide, but we also feature guest speakers, designers and workshops to make the content of the magazine come to life. This year we have Heidi Elnora, a bridal gown designer who was on Project Runway and Mandy Greenan of Tigerlilly Tiaras and Jewelry. They will be there to meet brides and chat with them. They flew in their designs to us and we will feature them in the fashion show. I think it will be very exciting! All the proceeds at the door ($10.) will be donated to The Samaritan House, our local shelter for battered women. We are thrilled to be partnering with them!


Wedster:  That is a very worthy organization.  Thanks Kim!
 
Kim Wadsworth is the founding editor of Vow Bride magazine, available at specialty bridal stores and at Barnes & Noble. Her bridal makeup company, BridesMade, was started in 1990. Visit Kim at www.kimwadsworth.com and click BridesMade for bridal packages and pricing.
 

 

Posted by Isha at 12:59 PM | | Comments (0)

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