Fashion is ever changing, especially in the bridal world. It’s hard to keep up, but someone has to do it! In order to better keep our brides up to date, we are excited to announce that our blog will be getting a make-over and a new address!

Here’s a sneak peek:

More details later, but we hope you will continue to follow us & “Muse with Us”!

Jill, Co-Owner

If you have seen numerous bridal reality shows – Say Yes to the Dress, Amsale Girls – then you have gotten a glimpse into the life of a bridal consultant! But what do the ladies of Mia do when they close the store on a Saturday afternoon? 

Well, after an exciting Kenneth Pool Trunk Show, Ashley went home to her newly minted “fiancé” after choosing her own wedding gown (a Kenneth Pool from the trunk show, of course)!  Emily jetted off for a long weekend with her husband to celebrate their first anniversary.  And Jill attended the wedding of a Mia bride and friend, Madeline Moreno.  I guess this Mia team just really loves all things bridal!

Madeline Moreno looked absolutely stunning in Amsale’s Blue Label Bijou gown in the caffe color.  She added an Amsale Swarovski sparkle belt for the reception.  And, quite the reception it was!  The Houstonian Hotel’s Grand Ballroom was a wonderland of white with sparkles of silver – orchids, roses, and hydraneas decorated the tables thanks to Charles Ratcliffe, his Team and Margie Moreno.  After the delectable seated dinner, guests enjoyed an excellent T2Production video of the couple, complete with the vows that had been exchanged only hours before.

The Happy Couple

As soon as the wedding cake (by Susie’s Cakes) was cut, the dancing began!   I was able to snap a quick photo of the new “Mr. and Mrs.” on the dance floor, which was packed due to the music of The Works, a wonderful Houston-based band.   Professionally capturing all the special moments was John Ly Photography, who also shot Madeline’s breathtaking portraits.

Photo by John Ly Photography

Photo by John Ly Photography

Congratulations to Madeline and Gerry – Mia wishes you both the very best!

Ashley, Consultant

Bridal fashion is always changing and growing, and so is our collection of gowns here at Mia. We have recently added three new pieces to our store, so come in and try them on! There is definitely something for every bride.

Anna by Kenneth Pool

Celeste by Rivini

Look at the beautiful detail in this lace gown! Celeste by Rivini

Hollywood by Watters - excuse the cell phone picture quality!

Loving the texture on this gown! Hollywood by Watters

Did you see the video of the finale of the Rivini runway show on our Facebook page? If you missed it, check it out here!

Collection Tone: Not only did Rita translate the energy and motion using textiles, she also paid homage to the color pallette introducing two striking new colors: fawn and elderberry.  

Favorite Looks:

Rivini gown sampled in elderberry

Rivini short dress in fawn

Rivini

Rivini - love the hint of elderberry

Rivini with a touch of elderberry

Rivini

Rivini

Rivini

Mia Must Mention: The London Hotel where Rivini showed the collection was a dream. Modern and luxurious suite, gorgeous views, a flood of natural light and phenomenal gowns: pure heaven. If you have an NYC trip planned sometime in the future, you must check out The London Hotel.

View from the Hotel London suite

View from the Hotel London suite

Runway Report: Accessories

A look is not complete until you accessorize! A dramatic bib necklace, dripping Swarovski chandeliers or polished pearl studs, each accessory selection plays a part in infusing your personal style into your bridal vision.

 Here is a peak at some of the baubles that will be arriving soon to Mia!

All from designer Erin Cole

Love the details on this dramatic sash

Beautiful necklaces by Rivini

Emily, Co-Owner

Runway Report: Kenneth Pool

Collection Tone: If you say to Texas women, “No sparkle,” many of us would emphatically respond, “What’s left?”

With the Kenneth Pool collection, Amsale pushed the contrived boundaries of glitz and glamour, showing what is left is quite phenomenal. With a variety of fresh mediums, she demonstrates how wedding day wow can be achieved even without all the beading. Our response? Apparently deep down there is a diva in every woman, and there was just enough beading to make a Texas girl smile.

Favorite Looks:

Kenneth Pool

One of my absolute favorite gowns of the entire market. I dream about this heavenly dress!

Kenneth Pool

Kenneth Pool

Mia Must Mention: The queen of behind the scenes, Allison oversees all of Amsale Aberra’s collections, but she may claim Kenneth Pool as her favorite. (Don’t tell Amsale!) Obviously, you can’t get her out of the Kenneth Pool showroom!

Allison and Mia Co-Owner, Emily

Runway Report: Judd Waddell

We have arrived at Judd!

What’s to love about Judd Waddell? Oh yes, everything! Judd persists each season to deliver a stunning line blended between fashion and function that defines a bride’s figure gorgeously. His attention to detail is thoughtful, not overworked, the gowns feminine, but not too sweet. And his hysterical wit and sense of humor doesn’t hurt either.

Mia Owners, Emily & Jill, with Judd Waddell

Favorite Looks:

Judd Waddell

This model was absolutely stunning! You could tell she loved wearing the gowns, which says so much to us.

Judd Waddell

Judd Waddell

Judd Waddell

Judd Waddell

Mia Must Mention: We mentioned this during last market, but it must be noted again. We absolutely adore that Judd invites stores and press to view the collection in his own studio. I snapped a quick picture of the work room, and couldn’t help but share it with you.

Judd Waddell Work Room

If you wore a Judd Waddell gown, or might be a future bride, how magical to see the space with an elite team hand crafted your gown. See the hand cut patterns in the back, one could be yours!

Emily, Co-Owner

Walking into Amsale’s market presentation studio is like walking into a dreamland of dresses! Only 24 hours before, media, press and select stores (including Jill & Starla from Mia) clamored into this space for the runway shows. Now the room has been transformed into mini-boutiques where each of the lines is presented for an up close viewing. For the Mia team, this is where the real work happens: selecting the dresses to bring to you. Pretty amazing job, if I do say so myself!

Just a note: The Mia team is pretty great at a lot of things, but professional photography isn’t one of them. However, co-owner Starla does take a fabulous iPad pic. So if you spot a great image it was most likely hers!

Runway Report: AMSALE

Runway Review: The design elements say it all: Necklines draped with elegant precision, architectural accents detailed in crisp fabrics, gently voluminous skirts, the perfected look of ladylike chic. Amsale returned to her classic design roots for this collection. To complete the aesthetic, the runway show was styled with a retro twist. Models looked polished and pristine with sculpted finger waves and tight defined curls.

Favorite Looks: It goes without saying most all wedding gowns are gorgeous as they glide down the runway. But up close you can truly appreciate the craftsmanship and care that goes into each Amsale dress. They are absolutely immaculate!

Look who we found shopping for their Atlanta brides!

Mia Must Mention: “Cool” is simply a family trait among the Aberra’s. An artist of a different medium, Amsale’s daughter, Rachel Brown, is an award winning singer songwriter. For the Amsale runway show, Rachel’s velvety voice crooned pop songs layered with the classic beats of Motown. It was a perfect soundtrack to the collection. Sometimes to be fashion forward you have to give a nod to the past. 

We have absolutely fallen in love with the talented Rachel Brown. Hear her here for yourself!

Runway Report: CHRISTOS

Collection Tone: Modern Heirlooms: this phrase, coined by the Christos team, personifies the look and feel of the collection. The Christos bride is a romantic with an effortless beauty, but don’t be fooled, she knows fashion!

Favorite Looks:  I personally have crowed the Christos collection as the “Take a Closer Look” collection. After watching The Knot’s online broadcast of the runway show (which Jill & Starla also saw in person!), I couldn’t wait to examine the details on these gowns. A Christos creation is like a painting where you notice a new, exquisite detail each time you see it. As a bride, you would wow your guests all night long!

Mia Must Mention: No two brides have the exact same body type, style or wedding vision. Understanding this about her brides, designer Amsale Aberra offers design changes to some her remarkable creations, making the look perfect for you.

More Bridal Fashion Week insights & reviews to come…

Emily, Co-Owner

“You never miss an opportunity to go to a party at the Library.” – a New York Wedding Professional.

The Mia team excitedly sent in a “YES!” RSVP for The Knot’s Annual Wedding Industry Gala held at The New York Public Library last Tuesday. This exclusive invite brought our NYC bridal trip to a fabulous close on our last evening in the city.

Front of the New York Public Library - talk about a party!

How to describe the evening? After serious thought it is best described as “the wedding Oscars’ most fabulous party”. Bridal Fashion Week is an interesting mix of an ending and beginning. It marks the culmination of months of hard work on the part of designer’s and their teams, and then the passing of the “wedding baton” to boutiques like Mia as we bring these fashions to you. Mingling with the designers, store owners from around the country and NYC’s top wedding insiders there was a palpable, celebratory energy in the air.

In the midst of all the excitement I still maintained focus. There was something I had to find. New York Public Library? You know you are thinking it too! Is this the landing where Sara Jessica Parker was standing in Sex and the City’s dramatic wedding scene? Found it!

Obviously, my camera phone skills are lacking. Fortunately, professional photographer Brian Dorsey shared his images. Enjoy! 

This band was rocking!

Ashley, Consultant

I just love October! I feel it’s the real start to Fall (meaning boots and layers!), and of course it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A whole month set aside for us to remember the women and men who have lost their battle with breast cancer, and to celebrate those who have survived the disease and those that are still fighting. It’s a cause near and dear to my heart because my mom is a 17-year breast cancer survivor!!

There is a fantastic organization that allows those in the bridal industry to show our support – Brides Against Breast Cancer. It is the largest fundraising division for the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, which grants wishes to stage IV breast cancer patients. There is a Nationwide Tour of Gowns that travels the country helping brides find their perfect gown while proceeds go to benefit Making Memories. How beautiful is that?

One of our own, Mia owner Emily, was able to volunteer at the event in Houston last year helping dress the brides and put together the looks for the Bridal Fashion Show Kick-Off. You can find more information here on their facebook page.

And of course Breast Cancer Awareness Month has me THINKING PINK! And that brings to mind images of beautiful blush pink gowns from some of our favorite designers. Would you “think pink” on your wedding day?

Watters, Palm Springs

Rivini, Florissa

Rivini, Chantal

Christos, Nevine

Christos, Kandace

Don’t forget to show your support by going here and clicking to help fund mammograms for women who can’t afford them. Together we can find a cure!

Ashley, Consultant

The weekend is almost here, and at Mia that means it’s almost time for the Christos Trunk Show! I wanted to give a little peek into some of the gorgeous gowns we will be getting in for this special event. I cannot wait to start unpacking these “ladies” and seeing them on our beautiful brides! Call today to make your appointment – 713.622.2022.

"Alita" by CHRISTOS

"Yasmine" by CHRISTOS

"Tresor" by CHRISTOS

"Spring Blossom" by CHRISTOS

"Sarah" by CHRISTOS

"Regina" by CHRISTOS

"Nevine" by CHRISTOS

"Maribel" by CHRISTOS

"Lorena" by CHRISTOS

"Julianna" by CHRISTOS

"Cordelia" by CHRISTOS

Emily, Co-Owner

When new things arrive to Mia, I love to envision how our brides will style their look and the setting where the gowns will be worn. In the past, we have blogged about wearing white to more than just your wedding. A short dress is a fabulous option for your engagement party, bridal luncheon, even the rehearsal dinner. But maybe a short dress is simply the perfect thing for your ceremony. 

Watters dress available at Mia

Watters dress available at Mia

With these fabulous new short options on my mind, I recalled a gorgeous post from one of my favorite blogs, A Cup Of Jo about a chic NYC City Hall wedding 

This bride’s look is so effortless and classically stunning. Makes me want to get married all over again, but I say that pretty much every day!