June 12, 2007

  • Haute Bride Adventures

    Although I envy you NY gals who have easy access to all things fashion-forward, I honestly can't complain too much. Being a bay area native, I'm fortunate to live near plenty of amazing bridal designers and salons, including Jin Wang, Amy Kuschel, and Haute Bride who have all made their homes in San Francisco. This weekend, I took advantage of my close proximity to these lovely shops and I scheduled a noon appointment at Haute Bride.

    Getting to the Marina district of SF is no easy trek. The area is located at the northern-most tip of SF without any convenient freeway access. After my morning visit to the Flax sample sale, I journeyed half an hour through the busy SF streets only to circle 20 more minutes looking for a parking space (SF parking is a total nightmare). I lost twelve quarters to a ravenous parking meter, but it was all worth it when I was finally greeted by this:


    It was beautiful day--75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky!


    I made my way through Haute Bride entrance and up the stairs...


    And made a beeline towards their bracelet section. Above are just a few of the gorgeous jewelry samples on hand.


    Next I tried on hairpieces. I loved this delicate tiara that could double as a headband. (Please ignore my cross-eyed expression in this picture and the next. )


    Before I visited Haute Bride, I vowed that I would never ever in a
    million years don a tiara. Ever. Until I tried this one on (while pretending to hold my hair in some semblance of a bridal updo). I fell completely
    in love with it! But it's a little on the pricey side. What to do?


    An arrangement of brooches were displayed on the wall. These lovely
    pieces could be used do adorn a bridal sash or accent bustle. As an alternative, they could be custom-made into a bracelet of the bride's liking.


    Above is a sampling of the bridesmaid jewelry that decorated the shelves.


    Haute Bride is a full-service bridal salon so in addition to their jewelry, they also sell gorgeous gowns and bridal shoes to match. Through the window you can see the Marina district of SF--an area filled with tons of trendy boutiques and delicious eateries.

    Since I will not be wearing a necklace on my wedding day, I'd like to purchase a pretty bracelet to compliment the rhinestone detailing on my gown. What do you think of these? (If you can, pretend you don't notice my furry arms. )


    Haute Bride made this bracelet especially for Vera Wang's fashion show.


    This is the bracelet I've seen featured in many Knottie bios. Miss Plum has this one also, I believe. Totally pretty!


    Here's a third option that looks a bit like a cross between the first and second bracelets.

    Fun stuff! Expensive stuff, but definitely fun.

Comments (9)

  • Ouuu, very pretty stuffs! I live in SF and always wanted to head down over there, but never did.

    I love the tiara on you better than the headband.

    I like the 2nd bracelet on you, soooo pretty!!!

  • I like the first bracelet and love that delicate headband with your dark hair, gorgeous!

  • prettyyyy - i still really love the 2nd bracelet the best! but i'm biased heheh

    gorgeous tiara!!

  • The tiara is gorgeous but there are a lot more affordable options that Haute Bride for them that could give you a similar look & feel. If you are ever in the Los Angeles area, Erica Koesler has a working factory in N Hollywood where you can score wedding accessories for lots of the regular retail price.

  • I love the 1st hair piece!! It's sooo pretty!

  • OOh looks fab. I had a Haute Bride bracelet for my wedding so I think they are wonderful! I love that tiara! Its gorgeous. I say go for it! You can always sell it after the wedding In response to your question my tiara is actually a Thomas Knoell that I borrowed from a friend. I really wanted a Thomas Knoell piece and I even went to their flag ship store in NY but the prices were just too much especially after I bought my dream Reem Acra gown. My friend was so gracious enough to lend hers to me for my wedding as I wore it even before she did at her wedding (which is this year in Oct) That piece is called Destiny I believe and its close to $500 so yeah I was really really lucky. I say go for the Haute Bride one its beautiful and you only have one wedding!

  • such pretty things! your pictures make me wish that i had planned ahead and made a trip to the store the last time i was in SF.

  • i'm also biased -- i have the oh so popular second bracelet as well. and a necklace/broach, and my earrings --- all from haute bride. lindsey the owner is sooooo nice (but she probably wasn't there..? she's having twin boys!)

    yes, pricey, but definitely worth it!

    when i visited the SF salon originally, i was in there for a while. such fun stuff to look at!

  • Wowww.  Beautiful! I couldn't afford it.  But, I'm happy with my whiteaisle bracelet.  If I did have the extra dough, I definately would have bought the bracelet from HB!!

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