Year-End Hours

We will close early on December 31; our hours will be noon until 4pm. We will be closed January 1 and resume normal business hours on Saturday, January 2. Happy New Year!

Alyssa from Lea-Ann Belter

We received "Alyssa" from Lea-Ann Belter just in time to have a beautiful customer of ours, Robin, model it for our blog. Thank you Robin!

Alyssa is an exquisitely rich Alencon lace over duchess satin with a soft, silk organza sash at the natural waist. In a word, she's breathtaking.

Rejuvenation Spa photo shoot by Krakora Studios

Earlier this year we were pleased to be included yet again in Rejuvenation Spa's photo shoot to exhibit their styling talents and even more so this time because they asked our friends, Krakora Studios, to create the images. The Krakoras finally got a chance to put some of their favorite images up on their website and we think that they are fantastic! And Rejuvenation's styling is spot on - romantic, beautiful and with an understated natural appeal. Visit the Krakora's blog to see more images and a slideshow of more of their favorites.

You have to love how Lea-Ann Belter's "Mathia" photographs!

Prom 2010 is here!

We received our first selection of fantastic Alyce Designs prom dresses today! The splash of intense color and dazzle always takes a bit of adjustment for Laura and me but we are so excited about prom this year that the change is welcome!!

Our collection will be filled with incredibly fashionable designs that are made to flatter your figure, reveal the fashionista within rather than too much skin without and never exceed $400 with many designs far below that mark. We also will have a fun gift with puchase with every dress! This is supposed to be fun and we go the extra mile to make sure that it is! And don't forget, as always, we sell only one dress per style per school so shop early for the best selection!

Prom 2010

Closed early on Thursday

Dang it's cold out there! We will close early today, 4pm, but will be open for normal business hours tomorrow, Friday December 11.

Baby, it's cold outside!!

As I am sure you are aware - it's crazy cold and wintry outside! Laura and I have decided to make today a "snow day" for Premiere Couture and remain closed until tomorrow!

For those of you who have no choice but to brave this blizzardy weather, we hope you stay safe and warm!

More new arrivals from Robert Bullock!

Two more new designs from Robert Bullock Bride arrived today and we couldn't be more thrilled about them. They're even better than we remembered!

Parker is thrillingly fashionable yet incredibly romantic. Tier upon tier of organza, lace and netting creates an unbelievably flattering fit while satisfying the fashionista in each of us.

Justine, while being the epitome of taste and grace, is just flat out beautiful. Gorgeous lace overlays the entire figure-flattering fluted gown and the buttons trailing all the way down the back are just the perfect finishing touch.


I tend to upload all of my photos as large files so if you want to see more detail, just click on either photo. You can see Robert's beautiful photos of each of the four designs that we have so far received at his website.


The back of Parker as requested!

Our newest Nicole Miller is fantastic!

We received the first of our new Nicole Miller bridal designs and it is fantastic! The silk charmeuse is expertly gathered and crossed to form a flattering v-neck and the halter tie and braided spaghetti straps are truly special touches to accent the open back. The bias cut skirt has a surprisingly flattering drape and easy fit to make sure you look your best. I think you'll love it as much as we do!

December's Movie(s) of the Month: It's all about Christmas!

There was no way Laura and I were going to be able to narrow down our Christmas movie choices to just one so we decided to just make it about all of the Christmas movies that we love. Today, for instance, Laura played "A Christmas Story" and tomorrow it will probably by "Elf" or "It's a Wonderful Life" or "White Christmas" or who knows! We'd love to know what your favorite Christmas movies are, too.

This month's movie special is another fun gift with the purchase of any dress. In the spirit of giving, you will receive a gift certificate for one of Monroe Street's - and Madison's for that matter - best women's casual clothing stores- A Stone's Throw. Use it for yourself, or use it to ease your Christmas shopping a bit. If you choose to be generous, there's still something in it for you - a charming snowflake broach that is a perfect little bit of glitter to make the winter brighter!

Robert Bullock Bride, welcome to Premiere Couture

Ever since our shopping trip to Chicago in early October, Laura and I have been very excited to announce the newest addition to our spectacular line up of bridal gown designers: Robert Bullock. As half of the Birnbaum & Bullock duo, Robert has years of experience designing some of the finest couture bridal gowns available today. Now he brings that expertise and genius to his new line, Robert Bullock Bride, surprisingly affordable - from $1350 to $1725 - but uncompromisingly fashionable.

We've received our first two gowns from this magnificent collection and already they're getting great attention. Remember that little "photo shoot" Laura had with Erin and her sister Alexis? Here they are in Robert's designs. Thanks again Erin and Alexis!

Lynn Lugo Trunk Show Friday and Saturday!

We're so excited to be able to show you Lynn Lugo's newest designs for 2010 before they are available in stores - especially now that we've gotten to see them! Her collection has always been our favorite but she's really outdone herself this season. Fantastic new skirt shapes and lengths, necklines and extra touches will make you want to own one for yourself! Lynn has also taken her bridal gown collection to a whole new level and you simply cannot deny what a value they are at $690 - $1090 being, like all of her gowns, 100% silk and expertly made here in the USA.

Visit us this Friday or Saturday for an energized yet more relaxing shopping experience than the malls and box stores and treat yourself to authentic fashion, meticulously crafted one dress at a time just for you. And remember, our awesome "Penelope" special, a fashionable and cozy scarf free with every dress, ends Monday!

Here's just a taste of the 50+ new styles showcased this weekend only!!

Lea Ann Belter trunk show

We have a wonderful Lea Ann Belter trunk show this weekend, as you may well know, and her 2010 collection is spectacular! One of our favorite models/brides and her sister Alexis stopped by and let us play dress up for a bit so we could show you a few new things, including this stunningly beaded gown by Lea Ann. Thank you, Erin and Alexis!



A few other things that Erin, along with her sister Alexis tried on for us were some of our fantastic holiday/party dresses and an Alyce bridal design.

Sneak a peek at new line of bridal gowns

Laura and I have decided to add a new line of bridal gowns from an old favorite designer of ours, Alyce Designs. Just launched, Claudine Bridal by Alyce encompasses fashions that so many of you are looking for at truly amazing prices - under $1000! They sent eight beautiful designs to us for just the weekend so that we could make certain that they were everything we thought they would be - and they are - and so that we could get a little immediate feedback from you - so far an A+ in that regard. Stop by on Saturday for your own sneak peek!

New holiday dresses, Penelope scarves and a sizzling customer

So much to share and there will be more tomorrow! Today we received amazing new holiday and party dresses from Donna Ricco that are fantastically timeless and stylish - like the proverbial little black dress but in rich jewel tones instead!

Plus we have received our "Penelope" scarves in three different (click on the photos for a larger view) yet equally appealing and soft fabrics that have already been a great success. We didn't really intend for them to accent our dresses but as I was trying to figure out how to best show them to you, I was struck by how great so many of them looked with a cocktail dress. Who knew?!


We received an awesome thank you note along with fabulous photos of one of our recent customers that decided against the little black dress in favor of a hot little red dress instead and she wasn't sorry! Photographed with Miss Wisconsin, I'm sure you'll agree that Mallory certainly holds her own. Her date certainly thought so. When she took off her coat his first word was "Wow!" No kidding.

Janet Nelson Kumar here this weekend!

As you may know, we are hosting a special event featuring the designs of Janet Nelson Kumar, with Janet herself in attendance. There are a couple available appointment times left if you haven't made yours yet and once you see her designs, you'll want to make sure you do!

Penelope - November's Movie of the Month

You may think that "Penelope" is a rather unusual choice for our Movie of the Month as it doesn't really have much to do with Thanksgiving - possibly Laura and my favorite holiday - but it is more fitting than you may think. When the little known movie, starring Christina Ricci, James McAvoy and Reese Witherspoon, was playing here in Madison Janet Nelson Kumar, this weekend's guest designer, happened to visiting us. She had time to kill before her plane left for New York that Sunday so Laura, along with her daughter Anna, took Janet to see "Penelope". Besides that bit of trivia that makes it the perfect movie for Janet's trunk show, it also feels like the right time of year for this beautifully stylized modern day fairy tale of true love and self acceptance. Chances are you haven't seen this little movie - it only grossed around 11 million in the US - but both Laura and I think you should. We think that you'll love the characters, atmosphere and fantastic costume design. And if you want, you can watch it right in our shop as it will be playing all month long! Check out the trailer here.

Penelope begins her journey of self acceptance declaring her independence with the help of an absolutely fantastic scarf - first to hide behind then to emerge from behind. In honor of her voyage, we are offering a beautiful(and free!)scarf with the purchase of any dress all month long. So keep warm and stay true to yourself!

Masquerade!

Today is the final day of "Phantom of the Opera" and the perfect day for a masquerade! Just for fun, if you shop with us today and arrive in your own mask or costume, you may have 10% off all of day's purchases! But there's a catch: You have to allow us to snap your photo and post it online!

Today is also the last day for free chandelier earrings with each dress purchase - don't miss out!

Become our 100th Facebook Fan!

We are so close to 100 fans on Facebook that we would like to just get there! Our 100th fan will receive a special prize. Will it be you?

Lynn Lugo's Fall Promotion

Our favorite bridesmaid and mothers-of-the-day designer Lynn Lugo is again offering her fantastic *Fall Promotion! Through November 30 receive $20 off every dress ordered. This savings is in addition to her ever-popular $25 per dress discount with orders of three dresses or more. And better yet, if you are a Premiere Couture bride, you get an additional 10% off! It's dizzying, isn't it? This is always the best time of year to purchase your Lynn Lugo!

And don't forget that if you purchase during October's "Phantom of the Opera" month you'll also receive a free pair of beautiful chandelier earrings with each dress! Truly dizzying! See you soon!

**Update: Since October has passed, you can now receive November's "Penelope" gift with purchase - a beautiful and fun scarf! Stay as warm as you are fashionable!

414

New Milwaukee area fashion magazine, 414, chose our "Mathia" by Lea Ann Belter for their very first issue and it turned out beautifully. Thank you 414!!

New Fall/Winter Arrivals

Let the parties begin! We've got brand new party dresses that will win you over with their fashion, fit and affordability!

We've received an entire new collection of bridesmaid dresses from Alyce Designs, a company that we've worked with for years for prom and evening dresses, that we're excited about. They are made in the same meticulous fashion that we are accustomed to yet they are priced from just $135 to about $200 and the range of colors is fantastic!

And remember, during "Phantom of the Opera" month, you will receive an awesome pair of chandelier earrings with every dress!!



I have included some in-store snapshots as well as some of the photos provided by the designer. You may wonder why I don't just always use the designers' photos as they are so well done and professional and the truth is that I have always preferred the authenticity of showing our designs actually residing in the store. Also, designers don't always photograph their dresses in the same color as they sample them or as we choose to show them. If ever you see a picture of a dress in the store and wonder about a professional perspective, just let me know and I'll send it to you if it's available.

Phantom of the Opera

When one thinks of October, as Laura and I did when choosing the Movie of the Month, one often thinks of costumes and masks. So what is one of our favorite costume movies? With a masquerade no less? Phantom of the Opera of course! We love the music, the costumes and the the atmosphere of this lush movie musical. (After seeing it on Broadway several years back, I actually prefer the movie - of course that probably had more to do with the gentleman seated directly in front of me who obviously was battling whatever street vendor delicacy he probably just consumed. I believe Laura loved the Broadway production she saw at the tender age of 18.)


The special this month was just as obvious to us as September's "As You Wish" sale - receive a free pair of chandelier earrings with every dress! We've chosen a beauty of a pair from our costume jewelry collection that we're certain you'll love. If you purchase a bridal gown, you will have a much broader selection.

Stop by, absorb the music, find a fantastic dress and get a free pair of earrings. It's all we ask of you.

Samples on Sale

Visit our new Samples on Sale page as we begin to highlight a few current designer gowns that are 40% off - perfect for that fast wedding or tight budget. We've started out with some fantastic Nicole Miller designs along with an elegant, timeless Caroline DeVillo. Happy shopping!

Just twelve more days until...

..."As You Wish" rides off into the perfect sunset...

Genevieve and Three Maids

This weekend only view LeaAnn Belter's "Genevieve" - hand beaded Alencon lace set atop a silk satin banded midriff and dreamy silk organza a-line skirt.

Also for your perusal, by popular demand, three new chiffon bridesmaids that come in a plethora of colors and are particularly well priced from $130 to $170!

Amanda and Zane....again

Generally I don't blog about a bride and groom more than once, but then again, I don't generally get to blog about a bride and groom that happen to be family. My first post had a couple of my own images posted, but finally I can share with you images from Front Room Photography's Neil who did an amazing job at capturing the essence of everyone he photographed. So forgive me if I overindulged a bit in the number of images I've shared with you here, but come on, he's my nephew! Congratulations again Amanda and Zane!

Congratulations Jacqui and John!

Laura and I both so enjoyed getting to know Jacqui as she prepared for her beautiful wedding day. Vibrant, intelligent and beautiful, she's an extraordinary woman that is truly appreciated by her husband, John, which we know because we also had the rare privilege of getting to know him. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day and congratulations!




Photos of Jacqui and John's wedding were taken by one of our favorite photographers, Calfa from Front Room Studios.