Chicago Bridal Market and the 2006 Debi Awards

It has been a very busy time for Jane Engelke these days.  During the first week of October Jane was in Chicago at the Bridal Market with her friend Michelle Puccio, marketing director of Puccio Veils. Puccio is a couture custom line of veils that range from the traditional to top of the line hand dyed and beaded creations. Brides from all of the country seek this top of the line company to create their every whim making their wedding day as unique as them.

The Chicago Bridal Market is one of the oldest markets in the country specializing in bridal. Patrons from all over the world come to market and buy their specialties resulting in a bridal extravaganza whirlwind of fashion shows, top designers with sparkling champagne, ooing over hundreds of yards of silk and satin and buyers heads bent in concentration writing their orders for the latest in the bridal scene.

Honored to be one of the patrons Jane was one of the many buyers on the floor choosing the best for the Mid Ohio Valley. 

Some new items that will be appearing at Elizabeth Michaels are an authentic pearl and gemstone tiara collection, Winters and Rain.  The unique thing about this collection is the fact that after you finish wearing your bridal tiara you can send it back to the company and they restring the pearls and gemstones into heirloom jewelry.  Start a tradition and hand the jewelry down to a daughter for her wedding and on to future generations. Or as best friends have been known to do, something borrowed will be the recreated bracelet or necklace that once walked down the isle with her love. Some pieces have walked down an entire wedding party of girls dream weddings.

Another fun new item is custom embroidered wedding panties and boxers.  His and Hers to keep forever. Once again the saying something blue plays up the whimsical panty that says, “I belong to Wilbur” or future “Mrs. Smith”.  Even honeymoon towels, tee shirts, robes and baby clothes can be stitched in the famous blue.

An upscale line that will be introduced is the YSA Makino Collection.  We are proud to be the only boutique in state that will be carrying this collection, a line that is sought out by brides that only want the best. The gowns are all hand beaded on sumptuous silk fabrics with romantic details and a perfect fit.

Once again color is a strong influence on the bridal dress. No longer is a bride expected to wear the stark white of the past.  Pale pink, baby blue, beaded details in any color of the rainbow and color sashes adorn dresses from the simplest of styles to the most elaborate designs. Freedom is a word that a bride can become friendly with during the creation of her wedding. The choice of fabrics, styles, colors and designs that are available can help a bride style even her wildest wedding dreams, or the most traditional Cinderella day.

Elizabeth Michaels prides itself on offering the best designers in the world; shopping at all the premier shows to insure that the Mid Ohio Valley bride can celebrate her day in style.

To wrap up the week in Chicago, Jane attended the sold out 2006 DEBI (Distinctive Excellence in the Bridal Industry) Awards at The National Bridal Market™ in Chicago, on October 9, 2006. This nationally recognized market presents the newest styles from top manufacturers of apparel and accessories for bridal, prom and special occasion.
The DEBI Awards are produced by The Merchandise Mart and the National Bridal Market Association (NBMA). The nominees are recognized for their stellar contribution to industry excellence. The criteria by which their performance was measured included the following attributes: superior quality, service, salability and fashion leadership.
Emceed by former Seinfeld cast member John O’Hurley (Mr. Peterman), the evening was filled with laughter, high style runway show and a live band playing songs from Sinatra, Martin and Davis. Held at the famous Field Museum and located next to world renowned Solider Field the evening held a magical spark that was reminiscent of Cinderella and her ball. A sign that a girl can have her dream wedding day, no matter how big she dreams.