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Ron Ben-Israel

Look who I met!  Here’s the world’s most talented cake artist, Ron  Ben-Israel.  Otherwise known as the “Manolo Blahnik of wedding cakes” (quoted from the NY Times), or the “King of Cakes” as referred to by Modern Bride Magazine, or simply “fabulously dressed” in my book (check him out!), Ron is a superstar cake creator with a perfectionist’s attention to detail.  Just look at his amazing work below!

I hurriedly popped into the last room at the New York Palace’s bridal showcase hoping to take everything in before close as if I were just entering the last 10minutes of a Barney’s warehouse sale.  In my hurry to take in the crumbling fabulousity around me (vendors were tearing down much to my dismay), I barely noticed the celebrity cake maker staring at me.  I twirled in place quickly scanning the room to strategize my starting point when to my surprise, Ron approached me to comment on my look saying he wanted to take a picture with me.  (No one can resist my poodle purse as it seems to attract all!)  Little did he know I was even more excited to take a photo with him for not only have I seen him on Ace of Cakes I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time oohing and ahhing at his website, PLUS I was soon to be his future bridal client!  Ron is making my wedding cake!

The best part about the meetup is that Ron agreed to do a FabGabBlog interview.  So here is your chance, readers.  What do you want to ask Ron?  I’ll make sure to add in your questions and let you know the answers in a follow-up post!  Leave your comments here!

Kleinfeld Bridal Fashion Show part 2

As a continuation to my last post, here’s the 2nd half of Kleinfeld’s bridal fashion show.

Ballgowns are great for taller girls.  They help create a waist even when you don’t have one which is why I chose this style for my very own gown.  Of course, the model pictured here has no figure flaws but nonetheless this ivory ballgown by Rembo diminishes her waist which makes this taffeta gown worth every bit of the $2900 pricetag .

If fun and flirty is more your style, this next Ian Stuart one-shoulder cocktail dress could be for you.

$3100 may seem like a lot to spend on a secondary cocktail reception dress but I’m thinking that post-wedding you could even dye this and wear it again at another occasion.

This ivory mermaid gown pictured below had an interesting variation on the ever popular strapless styles that you see everywhere nowadays.  They called it the “illusion tank” but I didn’t like the bottom’s mix of tulle and lace, two things I tried desperately to avoid when choosing my own gown.

This Olivia Couture dress was on sale for $2100.  Pretty headpiece, huh?

If any of you watch Say Yes to the Dress, you know that Pnina Tornai wedding gowns are for the brides with no budget – the kind of bride that wouldn’t blink at spending the price of a car on her wear-once-dress.  So when I saw the designer’s name listed as the 14th look in Kleinfeld’s fashion show I literally held my breath as I waited for the next model to appear.

And then this dress came out and I started wondering, whether we were changing into the lingerie portion of the show.  See – through lace, boning details, and a corseted top plus a lace headpiece straight out of the 80’s made for a tacky sheath, something only the most daring of (rich) brides would wear. And it got worse.  Upon closer viewing, the chantilly lace reminded me of spider webs.  Halloween brides anyone?

The  next chantilly lace gown was trumpet styled and featured a tulle overlay and organza tiered skirt.  What do you think of this one? It’s$3100 by a Kleinfeld designer exclusive, Alita Graham.

Above is a beautiful plaid taffeta ballgown that would look so fresh and unique at a summery country club setting.  It’s part preppy, part classic given the silhouette and pattern.  But it would take a confident rule-bending bride to wear the nontraditional plaid.   I might not have chosen it as a bride but this was one of my favorites from the second half of the show.

Ian Stuart the designer also created a smart, detachable train. Pretty, huh?

Unlike the above dress, I thought this next dress was safe but forgettable.  Olivia Couture’s $3400 pleated chiffon skirt and embroidered bodice looked pretty but a little plain if I must judge but to each her own.

Can’t you just see this dress swing on the ballroom dance floor?  I think it is one of those dresses that looks prettiest in motion.  I can see the waltz now.

Pictured below is the dress for the lazy bride.  Don’t want to spend your day having to carry around a bouquet?  Why don’t you just wear it?

Seriously though, if you’re choosing this dress, please don’t carry a bouquet when you already have half a garden already growing out of your waist.  It would simply compete.

Sorry that I can’t tell you the maker or price of this dress but this look’s details were omitted from the program listing.  You can blame Kleinfeld…

The last dress of the show, which is always the most important wow look was a dress by over-the-top designer Pnina Tornai.  Not surprisingly, the price tag was listed as $24,000.  What do you think?  Is it at all worth it to you?

Going back to my earlier ballgown comment, see here how her waist seems itty bitty in relation to the width of her skirt?  Granted, this is an exaggerated ballgown but it proves my point even more.  But ladies, do not try this look if you are petite/short.  It will absolutely overwhelm you and make you look out of proportion.

In person, this dress was totally over-the-top borderline ridiculous but in pictures I can see how it would make the perfect editorial piece.  And this side angle is oh so flattering.   What type of bride do you see wearing this?  Would you?

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Kleinfeld Bridal Fashion Show