Introducing THE CIELO from the latest JORGE MANUEL Iris Collection 2012

To see this gown and the other 16 gorgeous styles from his latest color inspired collection, THE IRIS COLLECTION 2012, visit the designer's website at www.jorgemanuelweddings.com . While you are there, make sure to click on the bottom left box labeled "What Jorge Manuel color bride are you?" on the designer's homepage to take the online color quiz!

She sparkled in the dress! Jeannine Lalonde takes home the Jorge Manuel 'Star' gown

" I couldn't be any prouder for Jeannine. She looks amazing in her gown and I am so honored to be part of her special day. I wish her the world of joy with her new dress, but mostly a world of blessings for her upcoming nuptials!" responded Jorge Manuel. It has been a complete full circle of blessings for everyone involved with this contest.

The "Upon A Star win a wedding couture gown" contest was a success because of the amazing team effort made by wonderful people in the bridal industry. From the designer, Jorge Manuel, who created a one-of-a-kind gorgeous dress, to the wonderful team of 6 very talented seamstresses that took to make the 'STAR' gown, a Jorge Manuel's creation, to the amazing sponsors at Maddison Row owner Laura Kirkman Pelzer, Lindsey and Elle store managers, the wonderful staff at the gorgeous Wild Dunes Resort, the incredibly talented staff at Theweddingrow.com, as well as, the bridal industry dedicated and incredibly kind Della Macnicholas, the talented Paige Winn and Jennifer Bearden photographers that covered the events, as well as, Weddings Unveiled magazine and even down to the simplest details taken care of by the catering company of Caviar and Bananas and sweets by Sugar Bakeshop. To all of you THANK YOU for your support! Such a wonderful team of leaders in the bridal industry that helped make one lucky bride's dream a reality!

"I am a huge believer that if you can change something in one person's world for the better than you are a pillar in this world. The world needs more pillars."  Jorge Manuel responded as to why he decided to began such contest.

Jorge Manuel officially began his annual 'Upon A Star' contest in 2011 in memorium to his late grandmother, Etelvina, who once had a dream of opening up a bridal atelier. Although she passed away nurturing her dream, fortunately, it awakened in her grandson, Jorge Manuel. "I am grateful to be doing what I love to do most in this world. It is because of Brides who believe in what I do the reason why I am here and I could not be any more blessed," acknowledge the designer.

Jorge Manuel is eager to work with more professionals in the industry in the near future with his contest and looks forward to make at least one bride's dream come true every year! All of us here at Jorge Manuel, Inc. could not be happier for Jeannine Lalonde, the first of many winners in the Jorge Manuel "Upon A Star win a couture wedding gown," contest.

Jeannine the happiness in that gorgeous smile, tells us how wonderful you will look on your special day in your Jorge Manuel gown. You shine with it! We wish you the world of blessings and once again, Congrats! I guess dreams do happen when you wish 'Upon A Star.'

Pictures at left at the "turning over the gown" brunch reception held at the gorgeous Maddison Row Boutique. Photography by Paige Winn.

Jorge Manuel's Dress and Veil Fun Facts:

Dress took 6 talented seamstresses, 7 yards of tafetta and 21 hours to make. Each seamstress was responsible for an element within the dress:
-Pattern
-Structure
-Sewing
-Artistic Ornametal Elements (Piping floral work)
-Hand-embroidering
-Finishing details

Gown was designed and confected in the Designer's private studio in Miami, Florida.

The 'Star' gown was named after the contest's name. Each year a different name will be assigned to each contest gown.

The gown was squeezed into the designer's tight production schedule. The IRIS COLLECTION 2012 was being created at the time.

252 hopefuls submitted entries, 5 chosen as finalists, and 1 winner. Judges composed of 5 members:
-Jorge Manuel, Designer/President
-Annette Z. Garcia-Acosta, Vice President of Jorge Manuel, Inc.
-Kyle Leverett, Operations Manager for Jorge Manuel, Inc.
- Lindsey, Maddison Row Boutique Store Manager
-Elle, Maddison Row Boutique Store Manager

Visit www.jorgemanuelweddings.com for the latest JORGE MANUEL collection the IRIS COLLECTION 2012. A romance color inspired collection made for the ethereal and uniquely beautiful bride!

 

Have you taken the "What kind of JORGE MANUEL Color Bride Are You?" quiz yet?

What color Jorge Manuel Bride are you? Take the color quiz to find out based on your personality. Visit the designer's website at www.jorgemanuelweddings.com and find out!

Jorge Manuel is proud to introduce THE IRIS COLLECTION 2012

visit designer's website to view full collection and take the 

WHAT JORGE MANUEL COLOR BRIDE ARE YOU? quiz!
www.jorgemanuelweddings.com

Hours away from releasing the awaited IRIS COLLECTION 2012 from Jorge Manuel

"It will be the best bridal collection of the designer yet!"
 replied Kyle Leverett, Jorge Manuel's Operations Manager, to our insider about the latest bridal collection from designer JORGE MANUEL. Leverett would not reveal much, other than it is a 17 dress collection that will impress brides all over the world for the amazing craftsmanship, detail and intricate ornamentation, and for the use of COLOR to accessorize!

We are so excited for the designer to release his fifth collection to the bridal industry. His gowns are nothing like anything anybody has seen. Jorge Manuel is on a level on his own and his creativity has already gained international attention. This time he teams up with Canadian photographer, Greg Swales, and revamps his entire marketing look. "He made it a point to make this his most precious collection! Everything from the model's hair and make-up, down to the styling and accessories Jorge Manuel handled personally," responded Leverett.

Read the following interview we had with the bridal gown designer JORGE MANUEL:


Firstly, What did you think of the Duchess Kate's royal wedding dress?
I hope I don't get in trouble for saying this, but although I thought she looked sophisticated and elegant, it was a dress we have seen many times before. It was a bit plain and flat. I understand the protocols of a royal wedding, but I think the same gown with relief pieces of the lace would have made the dress a little more interesting. It just didn't do much for me, especially, since I was expecting something completely different from the label Alexander Mcqueen. It just caught me off-guard I think. On a positive note, she did look pretty. 
Now tell us about the name IRIS COLLECTION ?
I knew I wanted to bring in color to this collection. I had to be wise as to how I used it, because ultimately bridal is still very much traditional and conservative in nature. So, when I decided the heavy used of color accessorizing for the design and styling of my collection what better name to use than that of what give your eye its color....the IRIS. Hence, the reason why the collection was named the IRIS COLLECTION. 
Why is this collection your "best" collection yet?
Because it is a culmination of all my knowledge with brides and my creativity mixed in. It is a collection that gives a beautiful options those brides that just won't settle and are tired of getting the same style dresses the industry is highly saturated with. It is the one common denominator in all brides that I meet. They want to feel beautiful, but they also want something 'Unique and Different' that hasn't been seen before, Unfortunately, unique and different comes with a hefty price tag. I hope I'm able to reach all brides with all budgets with this collection and still satisfy their needs for that 'something different.'
Today's brides are more fashion conscience, why is that?
Brides are no longer just a 'traditional element' to the wedding where she once wore what was protocol and expected from her. Today's brides have voices, personalities and tastes that are no longer hindered behind the 'traditional dress.' These gowns help to reflect who they are as individuals and help radiate their true personalities.
What do you expect from the IRIS COLLECTION 2012?
I am hoping that brides, take a bold step forward, and for the first time use COLOR to accessorize and not only with their wedding shoes that stays hidden underneath their gowns. I am optimistic that brides will think outside the box with their wedding gowns designs and accessories. Brides can still be timeless and classy, and definitely, traditional and beautiful, but they don't have to go about it in a very 'boring and familiar way'. 

I hope my collection, The IRIS COLLECTION 2012, gives them a platform to be unique, unafraid of showing us their personalities with what they choose to wear and accessorize.
Do you continue to make all your gowns in the U.S.A? 
I am a huge believer that, "there is no place like home!" All work being done overseas will slowly but surely make it back here to the states. Every hanger and every bridal bag my gowns go out in, and any material used, with exception of few fabrics are all made in the U.S.A. All my gowns are made 100% in the U.S.A and I am so proud of that!
 Lastly, when can brides hit the stores to purchase your gowns?
The gowns will be in stores sometime between August and October 2011. Some areas may take a little longer.  We are all hoping every Jorge Manuel retailer will make the Iris Collection available latest by December 2012. In the meantime, the IRIS COLLECTION 2012 will be traveling with the designer through his trunk shows. Also, the Nebula Collection 2011, is nwo available wherever there is a Jorge Manuel retailer. 

Don't miss the IRIS COLLECTION 2012 tomorrow May 2, 2011 on the designers website www.jorgemanuelweddings.com or stay tune for weekly dress updates here in the blog after the unveiling date.