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We’re thrilled to be showcasing our Merengue and Harmony couture gowns in this modern and glamorous styled shoot at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles.

The day was filled with grand architecture of the cathedral became the perfect backdrop to highlight our haute couture gowns, and expertly captured by Maya Myers Photography. The structured detailing of our Merengue dress paired perfectly with marble architecture in Vibiana’s altar. As our model was absolutely angelic as she posed in front of Vibiana’s rose window.

The shoot also featured a gorgeously designed tablescape by International Event Company. The sleek grey chairs from Chameleon Chair Collection were complemented by the velvet linens from Luxe Linen. The florals from Marks Garden were in a stunning green and ivory color palette, that popped against the marble altar.

Vibiana’s courtyard became a stunning scene for showcasing our Harmony gown. We adore the nude illusion and lace detailing of our gown created a glamorous over-the-shoulder portrait. Our model twirled in our gown, putting a spotlight on the divine tulle skirt details.

Thank you to all of our incredibly talented vendor partners for the work in bringing this vision to life. For more gorgeous details go to California Wedding Day for more photos from this shoot!

Photography: Maya Myers Photography | Videography: Blue Cat International | Floral Design: Mark’s Garden | Venue: Vibiana | Planning & Design: International Event Company | Linens: Luxe Linen | Chairs: Chameleon Chair Collection | Tabletop Rentals: Casa de Perrin | Lighting: The Lighter Side | Cake: The Butter End Cakery | Hair & Makeup: Elwynn + Cass | Model: Toria Webber

We are beyond excited to announce we have launched our  newest collection of designs inspired by women of color, The Fierce Lady Collection.

We have worked  to create new silhouettes and design features that will empower women of color by offering a revolutionary illusion mesh, allowing us to extend the diversity of our  designs to even more brides across the world. We already guarantee brides perfect size matching for their gowns as each gown is custom made to the individual bride’s measurements, but now we are also able to guarantee illusion necklines that match women of all skin tones. These gowns are customized to color match and to ensure inclusivity, making sure every bride feels represented and beautiful in her one of a kind gown.

The Fierce Lady Collection will be available through any of our  thirteen retailers across the globe that currently carry Naama & Anat Haute Couture. To ensure that any bride can purchase a Naama & Anat gown, we have also recently launched the option for brides to work with us directly through our  website if you do not have access to a local retail location.  

“Women of color have been ignored but things are beginning to change. We get so neglected and it’s so refreshing to know that someone from Israel is doing something for us darker girls. A lot of girls get lost buying gowns because we don’t have mesh options to match our skin tones. Naama and Anat have now empowered a lot of darker skinned girls, latin girls and all. It’s amazing!”- Briannah Jayde

“We saw a hole in the market for women of color. We wanted to make a change and bring about equality for every bride. We strive to design gowns that represent every bride and by providing this new collection that gives us the ability to match the illusion mesh for darker skin tones we are able to connect with a larger audience. We are so proud to bring to you the new Fierce Lady Collection so every bride can feel represented and beautiful! ” – Naama and Anat

“With this new line I feel confident saying; “YES!, this represents me!” This collection is the start of a trend that we’ve never seen before. To have an Israeli designer design something for our culture that no one has ever done before is wonderful!” – Tolu

We are thrilled to share this exciting launch with you!

Behind the scenes of the photoshoot: Get to know the creative team!

Photography – Loreen Sarkis: (BIO)

A photographer at heart since the age of fourteen, Loreen started out working for her father Sam Sarkis as just an assistant. Sam has lived out his dream capturing the special moments of people from all walks of life for almost 30 years.  Throughout the years, Loreen had the chance to learn from both sides of the lens from one of her most influential mentors about what photography was all about. Lessons in lighting, composition, and the professional business side were trades that Loreen was immersed within both a collegiate setting and a family setting. Under Sam’s guidance, she grew up to become his second shooter and since then has been shooting weddings throughout the United States and has become an immense part of her father’s brand, Sam Sarkis Photography. Loreen decided to expand the family’s notable Michigan based brand across the country to launch their international brand, Sarkis Studios in Los Angeles.

What was your vision for the shoot?

Loreen’s vision for the shoot was to create something simple, editorial and fashion forward.

Goal:

Loreen states, the father-daughter team has recently expanded to the west coast and would love to begin shooting weddings internationally.

Videography- Shutter Doug Photos- Doug: (BIO)

Doug took photography in high school and a video production workshop at the local community access television with a cable company. He didn’t really begin to dive into photography until 10 years after studying it.  His business started by taking family portraits of family and friends. It wasn’t until they began to ask how much he would charge did he realize he can turn his hobby into a business. Before launching his business, he decided that he needed to learn the photography business inside and out. Doug reached out to all the photographers whose work he admired for a potential internship and who was willing to teach him their trade. Luckily, Roneil Chavez was kind enough to take him under his wings by showing him the business and photography side and also brought him into his network of photographer peers. Two years later Doug launched his own wedding photography business. Soon after that couples were inquiring about videography. He has always shot video as a hobby as a way to document. Due to the amount of video request, Doug decided to switch his focus to videography. He started out small, beginning with shooting birthday parties then built his way up to weddings. His goal for every wedding is to capture all the raw motions where the viewers feel like they are there in the moment with the couple, every time they watch the video.

Goals:

Doug’s goals for the future is to build a production team and put out amazing cinematic wedding videos with a worldwide following. Also, to produce creative and amazing bridal design videos to build a name for himself in the bridal fashion industry.

Show Productions and Art Direction- Briannah Jayde: (BIO)

Briannah fell in love with the bridal world from the moment she first walked into a bridal shop after managing fashion stores her entire career. The best piece of advice she received was from the woman that hired her, “You have passion and that’s all you need. Stay in it.” A woman who was getting married the next day came into the salon upset because her dress wasn’t pressed. Briannah without hesitation, pressed the dress herself and drove the dress 4 hours away to get it to the bride on time. In her mind, Briannah wasn’t going above and beyond, she was doing what she needed to do for this bride. Briannah worked in the bridal industry for 5 years and opened 3 bridal shops. She was then diagnosed with Stage 3 lymphoma and had to undergo brain surgery and chemotherapy. One day while alone at home, she suffered a stroke and was unable to walk or talk. When she came out of the stroke a day or so later, she walked down the hallway and saw someone walking towards her. It was the bride and father of the bride whom she drove 4 hours to get her gown to her. It was at that moment that she knew she was in the right industry. Briannah made it her mission to give back to the people who were giving to her. She becomes so involved with her brides that they more often than not, she becomes every bride’s best friend by relating herself and building up their self-esteem. “For you to give a human being their wings, you’re woven into that garment for the rest of your life.” From start to finish, she delicately handles every bride. Briannah lives vicariously through her brides: “I’ve been a tall Samoan woman and I’ve been a short Mexican woman.” She calls herself the one-hit wonder, bringing brides their gowns on the first try. She has helped generations of families their wedding dresses. Briannah is also a runway coach, cheerleading coach, and a director of fashion shoots. Briannah stated, “This is a meeting of my team and a preview of what my future is. My future in the bridal industry is to be the gateway. A gateway to all the designers. To give them more than just a dress. I take the most difficult bride. I am not afraid of anything. When your mind and your head is straight, you can go in for the kill.”

What was your vision for the shoot?

Briannah’s vision for the shoot was luxury-rich girl, but with a sense of urban. She wanted the shoot to be different than every other one that is typically shot in a meadow or luxury mansion, she wanted a more intimate setting. Once you see the model is comfortable, it transcends in the photos. Briannah made the model look  like a million dollars in an urban setting with the stunning gown and jewelry. Briannah stated, “If we do a line for a demographic of girl, we need to do it for the girl at the end of that spectrum as well.”

Location & Jewelry- Maragaret Rowe: (BIO)

After decades of developing a passion for estate and vintage accessories, Margaret launched Margaret Rowe Couture in 2003. Rowe is known internationally for her artistic, luminous jewelry designs and a refined collector following that spans the globe from celebrities to bridal to red carpets.  

Captivated by the glamour of old Hollywood’s artistry and the allure of contemporary Hollywood’s red carpet pageantry, Margaret executes her designs with the belief that ‘Every Woman Is A Star’, deserving of the accoutrements that glamorize life.  “I have always been enthralled with the provenance and design excellence of estate jewelry. My passion is styling with accessories that merge fashion, beauty and timeless elegance. I believe that every woman is a star. I strive to create style that contributes to the sparkle of romance that illuminates the star in each of us,” comments Rowe.

What was your vision for the shoot?

Margaret’s vision for the shoot was to portray the Bride as a Star on the most important day of her life. We styled  the model as a Luxury Bride with all the accoutrements to glamorize her as as the Modern, Stylized Bride of today.”

Goals:

Margaret’s goal for the future is to accessorize brides in Margaret Rowe Luxury Jewelry. She will continue to collaborate with great bridal industry teams to bring to life today’s Modern Luxury Bride

Model- Tolu Lawal : (BIO)

Tolu is from Nigeria and moved here only 7 years ago who hit a growth spurt at age 13. Tolu often stood out in class. Teachers would often make comments like: “Take a photo of the girl of the class, girl of the year”. Her instructors then began encouraging her to compete for inter school competitions. Tolu’s parents didn’t really agree with her choice to pursue a career in modeling, they advised her to be either a banker or a doctor. She felt lucky enough to able to model while in school. One day her parents saw a Nokia ad with her in it while she was school. They furiously drove down to the school and confronted her. After a long discussion they agreed to let her purse both goals. Tolu then made the big leap to move to the states just to be told she was “too chunky” to be a model. But that hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her dreams, she made a conscious decision to model for portrait photography, Sue Brice, etc.

What was your vision for the shoot?

Tolu’s goal was to make every woman of color be excited to find a gown. As a fashion designer herself she strives to make a difference. Most brides are scared and just say, “I’ll wear it” and settle for a dress. She wants them to say, “YES!, this represents me!”

Goals:

Tolu would love to have her own line of ready to wear dresses that celebrate black women. Red carpet gowns/dresses/special occasions, etc.

Makeup- Rodney Jon: (BIO)

Rodney Jon was initially an auto mechanic with a degree in fashion. He chose to pursue a career at Aveda as a sales associate and eventually became their store manager. If he would not have gotten that position, he would have never been inspired to work in New York Fashion Week with Mac and Bobby Brown. Rodney later became working freelance in order to be able to work for film, tv and of course fashion.

What was your vision for the shoot?

Rodney wanted to go for a timeless look yet glamorous and high fashion. He focused on  pulling out her cheek bones and playing up her chocolate tones. His favorite feature was the golden highlights in comparison to her skin. He wanted her skin to pop as soon as the light touched it.

Goals:

He would love to own his own agency for makeup artists and possibly start a school. Rodney would teach them aspects of the business they don’t normally teach in a school setting. He also has a hat line and would love to combine his hat line with his makeup collection.

Hair- Derrith Mitchell: (BIO)

Derrith Mitchell began as a dancer. He would often go to the barber shop yet hated the way barbers would cut his hair. He learned to do hair by simply watching the barbers cut his own hair and would then go home to practice on his brothers. Derrith went to cosmetology school and then moved to LA in 1998 and got first gig on set as a hairstylist.

What was your vision for the shoot?

Derrith’s vision for the shoot was clean and sleek. He was honored to be the first to do this for this campaign and he wanted to make sure that she looked flawless to represent the first designer to make mesh for women of color.

Goals:

Derrith has done a few movies but would like to work more in feature films. He would also like to be the first black person take over the wedding industry!

Location and Jewelry: Margaret Rowe Luxury Jewelry  | Photography: Sarkis Studios – Loreen Sarkis | Shoot Productions and Art Direction: Briannah Jayde | Model:Tolu Lawal | Videography: Shutter Doug | Makeup: Rodney Jon | Hair: Derrith Mitchell | Dress Designer: Naama and Anat Haute Couture | Media Placement: Rayce PR

Brittani and Kostas tied the knot at The Springs-Tuscany Hill on September 15, 2018. As Brittani says, it was the best day of my life! I got to marry my best friend and have my dream wedding all in one. Brittani and her family have had a rough year. They found out her mom had Stage Four cancer that had spread. She was told chemotherapy alone would not save her life and that she had a 3-11% chance of survival. Shortly after, she started taking her to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas every other week for treatment. About 7 months into treatment her mom was officially in remission!

Planning your dream wedding and traveling every other week can be very hard. Luckily with all the vendors and assistance from Fit & Fab Weddings; wedding planning,  everyone made it so much easier. Kostas is Greek so of course, they had to have a Greek inspired wedding! The couple got permission from Metropolitan Isaiah to have their Greek Orthodox ceremony outside at their wedding venue instead of inside the church. Brittani was so excited for all her friends and family to get to experience a Greek Orthodox ceremony & reception! She would walk down the aisle in our modified mermaid style, Aurora gown with an illusion plunging v-neckline  and a fitted beaded lace bodice that she found at The Blushing Bride Boutique. Brittani states, “my wedding day was perfect, even with a little rain right before the ceremony I knew without a doubt it would turn out exactly how it was meant to.” Fifteen minutes before she walked down the aisle the rain stopped, the sun was setting, and a beautiful rainbow was casting through the clouds as she married her best friend. They were pronounced Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Pagoulatos and now the real fun began!

The venue was a Tuscan inspired mansion where everyone was seated for dinner around the grand entrance that was put into place by TLC Event Rentals and assisted by Premier Events and Staffing. The floral arrangements by DIRT Flowers complimented the modern elegant designs by Wedding Décor by Faiza beautifully. The newlyweds entered Tuscany Hill to their first dance Young & Beautiful – Lana Del Rey played by Serenata Strings and Harmland Visions. Following the groom and mother dance and the father and daughter dance was their traditional Greek dinner that was out of this world provided by Yanni’s Greek Cafe. Some of the main attractions at the wedding was the champagne tower and cigar station … it was their “Great Gatsby” twist to their wedding. The night was full of love, laughter, and a lot of dancing! Everyone picked up a glow stick to get ready for the grand exit while Kostas & Brittani shared their last dance to Ed Sheeran. It was the perfect way to end the night and have something to share just the two of them. As the couple existed to one of their favorite Greek songs they walked through a tunnel of glow sticks and waterfall fireworks to reach their 1936 Rolls Royce by Blue Diamond Limousines. The ride to the hotel felt like a dream! Brittani’s favorite part about her wedding day was having my mom there to watch her get married and share this beautiful experience with her.  The day goes by so fast so they were so happy they had a great team of people such as Rafael Serrano and Harmland Visions to capture their beautiful Greek inspired wedding. Now the newly pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Konstantinos Pagoulatos are off to their honeymoon in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!

Photographer: Rafael Serrano Photography | Videographer: Harmland Visions  |  Gown Designer: Naama and Anat Haute Couture  | Bridal Salon: The Blushing Bride Boutique  | Venue: The Springs-Tuscany Hill | Planner: Fit & Fab Weddings   |  Floral:  DIRT Flowers | Decor: Wedding Décor by Faiza| DJ: Harmland Visions  | Fireworks: Harmland Visions | String Quartet: Serenata Strings | Rentals:  TLC Event Rentals  | Cater: Yanni’s Greek Cafe  | Stationary: Shine Wedding Invitations  | Hair:  Hair By Lisa Stewart  | Staff: Premier Events and Staffing   | Rolls Royce Rental: Blue Diamond Limousines

We are thrilled to announce we have launched our newest collection, the Gowns of Wisdom Collection. Inspired by strong, intelligent women and their successes all over the world, the collection includes eight new gowns along with two new “baby” gowns to coordinate. We were ourselves inspired by this movement which influenced the name of the collection therefore every gown in this collection is named after noteworthy attributes like “Successful”, “Feminine”, and “Brilliant”.

As always, this new collection is made with lavish fabrics and confectioned with an inner bodysuit that makes our gowns comfortable and easy to wear – like a second skin! We are dedicated to providing a unique experience to each bride and guarantee perfect size matching as each gown is handmade to the individual bride’s measurements.

What is your favorite dress in this collection and why?

To choose one style  from our entire collection is an impossible task.

We design each model with love  to each and every detail , therefore each model serves a different kind of bride, a different kind of love,  so we love every model in its own way.

What did you like about designing this collection?

We loved working together as usual, it is not easy working together because our minds are so different but this is what makes the gown complete – plus and minus will always give you the perfect design  . There are many debates and conversations until we get to the final design. The design process involves many sketches and different lace choices until we reach the final design that both of us are pleased with. What we most like is the moment that the decision is absolute and we feel this piece of mind with it.

Where did you draw inspiration from for this season?

This season was marked by strong AND SMART women, all over the world  the succes of women is inspiring others, we were very influenced by this stream so we called the collection GOWNS OF WISDOM and even the names of the styles are suitable for this inspiration of the collection we have a dress called “Successful,” we have a dress called “Fame.” There is even a dress called “Powerful.”

What trends are you looking forward to seeing on brides?

Sophisticated techniques and fabrics. The gowns are made of lavish fabrics such as French Lace, Silk and Chiffon, and confectioned with an inner body suit that makes the gowns easy and comfortable to wear. This is literally the best part, it’s like a second skin, so the shapewear is built in.

Do you offer custom designs?

We custom design and provide brides with a unique experience and the highest level of customer service by hand making the gowns specific to each individual bride’s measurements – that means PERFECT size matching. Every gown is also customizable, from detachable sleeves to overskirts: the possibilities are endless. We treat each gown as a collaboration between us and the bride as we are dedicated to creating the perfect gown for a bride’s most memorable day. we make all sizes and treat each bride as unique and special we are making her dream come true NO MATTER WHAT we are willing to change colors silhouettes lace or straps …basically anything is possible .we make sure to use layering techniques and deliberate design details that together orchestrate graceful movement and flow for the bride.

Who and what inspires you as a designer?

We’re inspired by the female body, shape and curves. This is what inspires  us to create.

Who is your fashion icon?

Our inspiration comes from the actors and actresses from the late 1930’s and 1940’s. Everything from their hairstyles, makeup and body structure influences us to create our unique designs.

Fady and Gina glamorously tied the knot at Southern Exchange in Downtown Atlanta.  Fady and Gina have always been just friends until one day he asked her to be his girlfriend. Fady asked Gina to be his girlfriend two years prior to their gorgeous extravagant wedding.

He proposed on a rooftop lounge in downtown Atlanta Georgia that looked down to the beautiful lite city. The Atlanta skyline provided a gorgeous backdrop for the proposal, it was a proposal you see from a film that you never thought would actually happen! The night was filled with love and excitement.

It was now time to begin the planning process. Our wedding was held at the glamorous rich historical Southern Exchange ballroom right in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. It is a beautifully restored, living tribute to glamour, style and the elegance of a bygone era. The wedding theme and colors revolved around the colors gold and white. The elegant white floral design  by Perfect Petals Design Group; throughout the venue tied everything together and brought a luxurious touch to the venue. Gina wanted a very classic, elegant and modern vibe to her wedding. She wanted to keep the colors neutral due to the extravagant venue and did not want anything to distract or take away from that. Even her custom made Sensual Gown from Naama and Anat Haute Couture complimented the venue. The gown was a modified mermaid/ trumpet style cut with a laser cut lace bodice and patterned lace embroidered over illusion back. It also included illusion off the shoulder sleeves, a plunging neckline and a tulle skirt that also incorporated an embroidered lace design. Gina’s bridesmaids incorporated the glamour and gold style as well through their lovely gold sequence gowns.

Gina states, planning a wedding is not easy at all; but none of it could have been done without the help of her wedding planner Nadira from Envi Events! Without her I would have been completely lost, and was a huge help in bringing all her ideas to life. Like most brides, she never knew how much planning and attention to detail it took to plan a wedding. Even though at the time she thought it was a difficult challenge to try to coordinate and incorporate everything she dream of, she misses the process. It was one of the most special moments in her life that she will always remember.

Gina and Fady are so grateful to Brandon from Brandon Andrews Photography for capturing all the most amazing moments that will now last a life time. One of my most memorable moments of her wedding was her custom made dress designed by us, because there is no wedding of course without the perfect wedding gown!

Photographer: Brandon Andrews photography | Gown Designer: Naama and Anat Haute Couture | Venue: Southern Exchange 20- Peach Tree | Floral: perfect petals design group  | Planner: envi events