GUEST LIST: Peeking Peony

MARK MEETS: Randy Fenoli, Fashion Director of Kleinfelds

Randy Fenoli is the Fashion Director of Kleinfelds, one of the largest Bridal dress shops in the world. Based in New York City, Kleinfelds offers the largest and finest selections of designer wedding gowns. Carrying around 75 designers and 1,500 dresses. Randy personally works with around 15,000 Brides annually.

He is also the star of the hit American TV Show, Say Yes to the Dress.

Mark caught up with the man who has a practiced and perfected eye for embroideries, laces, beading and bustles.

How did you end up at Kleinfelds…
After designing bridal gowns for almost 15 years and winning two DEBI, (Design Excellence in the Bridal Industry) awards, I decided I could work with and dress more brides as Fashion Director at Kleinfeld.

How best would you advise a Bride to personalise her wedding day look…
Choose items or a theme that is a true representation of her “story and style”. Be unique!

Who would you say is an iconic bride you would love to dress at Kleinfeld…
Princess Grace Kelly, Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn.

What do you love about working within the wedding industry…
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than helping empower a young woman and confirming the fact that no matter what size, shape or age that she is beautiful!

What do you loathe about working within the wedding industry…
That most dresses are sample size and don’t accommodate fuller figured brides, giving them fewer options and more anxiety at an appointment.

What does marriage mean to you in three words…
Soulmate. Love. Respect.

Ideal wedding venue…
Boathouse in Central Park, New York City.

How does British style compare to American style…
British men dress for style. American men dress for comfort. I am more European in my ‘dress’, comfort is usually on the bottom of my list.

Favourite flower…
I love peonies for the smell. I love poppies in the fields.

Favourite cocktail…
Apple Martini or Raspberry Mojito.

Should a Bride have a clutch bag on her wedding day…
She already has to carry a bouquet and manage her gown, so only to hold essentials like lip gloss, powder. But I would rather the maid-of-honour carry these.

Bridesmaids… love or loathe…
Love, if they are well behaved! ; )

Essential item for a bride on her wedding day…
The groom!

Finally what can we expect from Kleinfeld’s in the future…
More of the same…Impeccable customer service, incredible selection, and the best alteration department on the planet!

STYLE: Niemierko Bride Sarah in Max Chaoul

 

FRONT ROW: Jasper Conran, Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection

Mr N: Solving your wedding day dilemmas

SEATED RIGHT

Dear Mr N

We're trying to create our seating and table plans, what ideas do you suggest that’s a bit different?

Leah, Poole

Escort cards are a fun talking point and really move away from the over-done seating plan. You can present escort cards in numerous ways from trees to moss covered notice boards. Or even have models handing the cards out, along with a buttonhole. Naturally a male model for lady guests and female models for gentlemen guests, this ensures a little cheeky flirt may take place!

But whatever you do please don’t name your tables after places you’ve visited, your favourite pets, or famous people. It’s been overdone and become rather tiresome. Just simply name your tables numerically. Another no-no would be those ghastly tall silver number holders, which will make your venue end up looking like a bingo hall. Instead insert them in table frames, or have waiters hold up a large ornate stand by each table.

Send your wedding problems to Mr N: mr.n@niemierko.com

NIEMIERKO TV: Mark discusses the guest list for Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding on BBC Breakfast

Mark was back on BBC Breakfast on Sunday to speculate on who has been invited to the Royal Wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William. 

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GUEST LIST: Pretty Focus

NIEMIERKO TV: VALENTINE'S PARTY 2011

Peta Hunt, Fashion Director of You & Your Wedding Magazine, joined the Niemierko Valentine's Party 2011 to interview Mark and his other guests on how they’d like to romantically spend Valentine’s Day, and of course with whom… Watch the video for some interesting answers!



Video by Allora Visuals

BACKSTAGE: VALENTINE'S PARTY 2011

Last week Mark Niemierko and Caroline Burstein, Creative Director of Browns Fashion, co-hosted a romantic champagne reception to celebrate St Valentine’s Day at the Browns Bride boutique in London’s fashionable Marylebone.

Champagne and Rose petal martinis were served alongside canapés by famed caterers Peyton Events. Spearheaded by Oliver Peyton who brought his experience in creating innovative food design. The menu included Quails Egg & Pancetta, Cheese Soufflés and Venison and Blackcurrant Skewers.

One room within Browns Bride was lit into a mix of pinks and blues, for renowned cake designer Peggy Porschen. Within this dessert room Peggy had arranged for cupcakes, meringue kisses and delicious fondant fancies to be available for the guest’s enjoyment.

The sweet treats didn’t stop there. Peyton Events had several sweet treats in store from Macadamia Crème Brûlée, Tiramisu Balls and Raspberry and Chocolate Lollipops. All washed down with Espresso martinis.

Mark commissioned one of his favourite floral designers, Rob Van Helden, to create remarkable arrangements. Rob is the florist of choice to some of the biggest celebrity names from Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham and Valentino. Starlight Design ensured guests looked their best in flattering lighting, as well as installing a huge silk upholstered bar with shinny chrome top, along with a love seat.

Calligrapher Paul Antonio scribed love notes and hearts onto the Browns Brides fitting room mirrors.

DJ Matt Maurice had pre-mixed a soundtrack to the evening. London’s most famous accordion player Igor Outkine of Mazaika Music provided the live entertainment for the night.

All whilst respected wedding photographer David Willems captured the evening.

Lucky guests walked away with gift bags which included a bottle of Oscar de la Renta’s signature fragrance, “Oscar”, Browns Fashion’s 40th Anniversary Book, a Browns Fashion T-Shirt, Claridge’s Hotel pencil set, a heart shaped Jammy Dodger from Peyton Events and a DVD copy of “The Wedding Planner” starring Jennifer Lopez, with a florescent warning sticker across it which read “Unlike JLo, Mark Niemierko doesn’t run off with the Groom.”

The evening couldn’t have been more fun and fabulous. So much so the 8pm finish time was rather extended… to 11pm! Well what did you expect, at Niemierko we sure know how to throw a party in style!

View some of the party photos below and also on our Facebook Page.