Danielle Frankel’s hand-painted silks, Cult Gaia goes bridal, and much more
Words by CAROLINE CAGNEY, REBECCA RUSSELL, and ELIZABETH VARNELL
Danielle Frankel’s Tranquil Tones Go West
DANIELLE FRANKEL, an L.A. native known for the meticulously crafted gowns she creates in her New York atelier, is bringing her eye for design to her hometown with a new West Coast boutique. The by-appointment space created by interior designer Augusta Hoffman offers privacy and a harmonious neutral palette to give brides a slow-paced environment in which to view the craftsmanship and details of ready-to-wear or custom gowns. Vintage furniture is locally sourced, as is the art. Visitors will get a first look at the boned bodices and hand-painted silks of Frankel’s latest Collection X, inspired by Russian-French artist Erté. Layered designs in silk wool twill, linen organza, crinkle chiffon, and tulle all add to the elegant theatricality of the looks on view. 8475 Melrose Pl., L.A., 323-533-7241; daniellefrankelstudio.com. E.V.
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Cult Gaia Gets Hitched
CULT GAIA, the L.A.-based brand responsible for striking social media gold with its vintage-inspired accessories and cutout dresses, has entered the bridal space with a collection of everything from a strapless silk gown with ostrich feather accents to a column dress with raffia fringe to a pearlized acrylic clutch. “Each piece is thoughtfully created to captivate, inspire, and evoke pure emotion on your most special days,” says founder Jasmin Larian Hekmat, adding that her goal was to offer a range of looks that can be worn time and time again. Other standouts include a a crown adorned with delicate silk flowers — a full-circle moment for the brand, which began with flower crowns as its initial product category. cultgaia.com. C.C.
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Talula Dempsey’s Tempting Sweets
What began as a cupcake project for an event at Talula Dempsey’s sorority at George Washington University quickly grew into a small-scale catering operation out of her Malibu home called TALULA’S KITCHEN. Dempsey sought out advice from her parents, actor Patrick Dempsey and makeup artist Jillian Dempsey: “[They always said] the best way to gain experience is to go out and do the actual job, so I did and never looked back,” she says. Friends began putting in shipping requests for her chocolate chip cookies, so she formulated a mix with step-by-step instructions before finding herself catering larger events. Among her most requested items for wedding receptions is a spread of both large and individual-size pastries, such as cinnamon swirl brioches, cupcakes, and her famous organic mixed-berry crumble. talulaskitchen.com. C.C.
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Zoë de Givenchy Devises A Perfect Pairing
Melbourne-born founder and creative director of luxury brand Z.d.G., ZOË DE GIVENCHY, dreams up the most exquisite pieces, and her new table collection, NÉNUPHAR, a collaboration with American ready-to-wear designer ADAM LIPPES, is no different. The selection includes lace-like charger plates, hand-painted dinner plates, French silver, and hand-embroidered linens from France and jacquards from Italy. The launch also marks de Givenchy’s foray into glassware with wine tumblers and bowls hand painted in Austria by the famed glassmaker Lobmeyr. The delicate wedding-appropriate designs are informed by 18th-century Japanese obi jacquards featuring trailing white jasmine and water lilies. “[Adam’s] clean aesthetic, American ease and eye for beauty, feels at home alongside my own,” she says. Sounds like an ideal marriage. zdgofficial.com; adamlippes.com. C.C.
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Merlette’s Shore Thing
In 2016, Australian-born designer Marina Cortbawi launched her Brooklyn-based atelier MERLETTE intending to refine shapes and textures, creating “a sense of empowered femininity” through airy, elegant designs. Nearly a decade later, she opened her first brick-and-mortar shop in Montecito, and now she’s launched a Spring/Summer bridal capsule showcasing laid-back, understated dresses, some of which are designed using existing silhouettes reworked in ivory or white. The collection includes dresses that are versatile enough for a chill beachside ceremony or an elegant rehearsal dinner. Details, including intricate hand-smocking and trademark balloon ruffles, flatter all shapes and float with the coastal wind. 1805 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Ste. D., Santa Barbara; merlettenyc.com. R.R.
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Foundrae Crafts Customizable Keepsakes
The ever-fixèd mark of love is the subject of FOUNDRAE’s United in Love collection, designed to celebrate the freedom to love as people, lovers, soulmates, partners, or friends. Yellow gold Commitment Medallions and pendants are complete with pierces around an outer border in a nod to the ancient Roman god Cupid, whose arrows strike mortal hearts. Customizable Four Heart Clover pendants with the phrase “Will you marry me?” can include two pavé diamond initials and two pear-shaped stones for the lucky pair. There are also engagement rings, customizable cigar bands with cream or black ceramic, stackable rings, and bracelets and vow renewal gifts. 8405 Melrose Pl., L.A., 323-424-4304; foundrae.com. E.V.
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Celebratory Florals Take on a Green Hue
Fresh florals are one of the most defining elements of wedding day design, and many brides are gravitating toward more herbaceous, green-heavy compositions. “I have been seeing brides embrace the use of green or greenery as a primary element in their design rather than an accent to it, which has been really fun for me,” says SoCal floral designer JENN SANCHEZ, who pulls from her own garden, abandoned fields, or farmers’ markets for edible accompaniments to centerpieces. Sanchez, who has worked with everyone from Jenni Kayne to Jimmy Choo, emphasizes how important it is for brides to step out of their comfort zone to ensure “the day feels dynamic and true to your personality.” jennchez.com. C.C.
This story originally appeared in the Weddings 2025 issue of C Magazine.
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