Tag: Bespoke Gown

Nova McLaren Bespoke Wedding Dresses

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

New Hartford County Resident – Olivia Humphreys – Wedding Dress Designer

There’s a new citizen in Glastonbury who sports some impressive credentials.  Her name is Olivia Humphreys, and she is the creative talent behind the designer label, “Nova McLaren”.

The Nova McLaren line specializes in wedding dresses, like the ones in the photos above and below.  She also designs gowns such as ‘Mother of the Bride’ dresses and christening gowns.

Humphreys is a transplant from the UK.  Prior to her move to Glastonbury, she worked for a few years in Manhattan for design houses: Marchesa, Reem Acra and Christian Sirianao.  She also free-lanced during this time developing designs for a few chosen companies.

Humphreys made her debut as a television expert on “Connecticut Style” (WTNH), speaking about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding and again on christening attire for the newest royal baby, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s son, little Prince Louis of Cambridge.   (Please enjoy still photos of her debut below).  Follow Humphreys on Instagram, and you can check out a snippet of her interviews: @novamclarenbridal.

As a mother of four daughters, I realize how expensive weddings, and wedding dresses, can be.  When I heard about the Nova McLaren label, I thought, ‘that’s what I want for my daughters!’  But the imagined price scared me a little.   While a bespoke, (a “made to order item of clothing’), dress is quite costly, I was presently surprised at Humphreys’ prices.  Nova McLaren wedding dresses start at $3,500.  This includes materials and supplies, hand stitching, beading, lace work, (if desired), all fittings, and – get this…a matching veil.  Just a moderately priced veil can start at $500.00. Fittings, at such locations as the overrated wedding reality show staple, ‘KLEINFIELDS’ in New York, are a flat fee of $700.00.  Humphreys’ materials are always premium.  The lace is imported from France, from the ‘Sophie Hallette Company’; in fact it is the same used by H.R.H. Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, on her wedding gown and veil.

How long does it take Humphreys to create her works of art? It takes about ten full days.  First, Humphreys develops a paper pattern incorporating the brides’ desired style.  Next, she cuts the pattern out from muslin.  She then sews the muslin, and has a fitting with the bride.  If it looks right, the precious wedding material is cut and hand sewn. More fittings are required.  The last steps are the attachments of beads, pearls, lace, embroidery or sequins if desired.  These gowns are completely customized.  Think of what an heirloom these gowns can become… a keepsake to hand down from generation to generation.

Photos included are of designer Olivia Humphreys.  The gowns shown are from her personal collection.

From Wedding Sari to Western Reception Dress

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

Here it is!  I promised part two of my last post about bespoke wedding dress designer, Olivia Humphries of the Nova McLaren Label. It was absolutely brilliant how Humphries “Married East and West” in her dress design.  Her ‘Wedding Sari’ design became a ‘Western Reception Dress’.  If you’d like to read part 1, click on the link.  “Update, Wedding Dress Designer Nova McLaren

In Oliva Humphries’ words:

“Alissa’s dress was a dream to work on! As her fiance’s family were originally from India, she wanted this to be a noticable influence in the wedding…which it was from lace sari, gold belt, gold earrings from a crafter in India, asymmetrical lace patterning on the skirt, elephant name holders, henna patterned stationary and bajhi’s and samosa’s for appetizers! Everything was beautiful.

Her family’s traditional midwestern and preppy CT styling was prevalent too in the styling, we used pearls to decorate her reception belt, beautifully delicate french lace for the just off the shoulder style, a beautiful long train and even longer veil – to please her mom!

 

 

 

I thought you might like to see an image of the beautiful designer, Olivia Humphries! Here she is to the left in this photo in blue.

The transformation from the first look where the groom saw her in the off shoulder pearl look to the Indian influenced lace sari and gold jewellry was so cool to see – the groom loved the surprise as did all the guests.  Above is a photo of the bride’s reception look.  This is more of a ‘Western Profile’.

And above, the FABULOUS long veil, (which doubles as a train!), so cherished by the bride’s mother.

Don’t forget to check out Nova McLaren’s website.  Just click on the link!  Nova McLaren

Photos: Olivia Humphries

Update: Wedding Dress Designer Nova McLaren!

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

What’s the latest on wedding dress designer Nova McLaren?  If you remember from previous posts, I showcased brilliant wedding dress designer Olivia Humphries, the genius behind the Nova McLaren Wedding Dress Label.  If you’d like to read some of the older posts, click on the following links.  I just love the beautiful options Olivia offers brides. No one knows better than the bride what she wants.  Olivia helps the bride achieve her heart’s desire.  And the price, while not inexpensive, is completive with other choices.

New Wedding Dress Designer

More Nova McLaren – Bespoke Wedding Gowns

Nova McLaren Bespoke Wedding Gowns

Let’s Catch Up With Nova McLaren

 

Who better to tell the story of this bride’s wedding journey to the prefect dress, than her bespoke designer, Olivia Humphries:

“Alissa’s dress was a dream to work on! As her fiance’s family were originally from India, she wanted this to be a noticable influence in the wedding…which it was from lace sari, gold belt, gold earrings from a crafter in India, asymmetrical lace patterning on the skirt, elephant name holders, henna patterned stationary and bajhi’s and samosa’s for appetizers! Everything was beautiful.

Her family’s traditional midwestern and preppy CT styling was prevalent too in the styling, we used pearls to decorate her reception belt, beautifully delicate french lace for the just off the shoulder style, a beautiful long train and even longer veil – to please her mom!

 

They got married at the Branford House in Groton on July 8th 2017.”  Branford House photo below by Mary P. Karnes

The transformation from the first look where the groom saw her in the off shoulder pearl look to the Indian influenced lace sari and gold jewellry was so cool to see – the groom loved the surprise as did all the guests.  Would you like to see the beautiful western ‘pearl’ ensemble described here?  Check back next week!

All lace was from french crafter Sophie Hallette – Maralyn Monroe and Amal Cloony used the same lace as the sari design for dresses! The peach blush silk crepe was from a supplier in New York and the silk tulle for the veil from Pongees of London. The pearls on the belt were Swarovski.

 

Nova McLaren – Website

 

Let’s Catch Up With Nova McLaren

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

It’s time to catch up with the brilliant wedding dress designer Nova McLaren.  Olivia, the artist behind the label, has been hard at work this wedding season.  I don’t know how she does it, and with such creative perfection too!

Olivia’s July weddings for this year, as always, are something special.  One in particular strikes me. The bride is from the mid-west; the groom’s roots are from India.  For the ceremony, as a surprise for her groom, the bride has commissioned a beautiful lace sari to drape over her wedding gown.  It will sport a gold belt, and traditional Indian gold jewelry she has had specially made.  This will be removed for the reception and then her groom and their guests will see her exquisite french lace ‘off the shoulder’ gown.   The look for this dress will focus on pearls, both on the gown, and as accessories.  Olivia confides they are two completely different looks, but beautiful none the less. (if you’d like to read a blog post about “Two in One Wedding Gowns”, clink on the link.)

While I can’t show you photos in progress, due to the “top secret” status, I can show you some lace samples — exquisite!

The photo below gives a brief glimpse of the time consuming bead work Olivia does.  I am in awe of her talent.

Wonder what’s in the photo below?  I did also at first!  They are lace covered buttons; covered by hand!  Olivia works with the precision of a surgeon.  A wedding dress designer is not just a seamstress, but an artist.  One must truly love this work, and it’s apparent that Olivia does.

Are these gowns out of most brides’ price range?  No.  While not inexpensive, when one takes into account that all alterations are included in the price of the dress, the value is exceptional.  I still have two daughters to marry off…I will definitely be knocking on Olivia’s door to at least see what our options would be…Kudos Nova McLaren. (Link to website below)  And don’t worry…there will be another installment about this brilliant designer soon…  🙂

Nova McLaren