Project Wedding Blog

Alyce Designs invited me for a visit at their Chicago office last week, and I had a fantastic time marveling at their gorgeous 2010 dresses, complete with two new collections: Claudine Bridal and 312 Bridesmaids.   What I love most about this 40-year-old, family-run company is the pride they take in making brides happy.  Dozens of awards are on display in the lobby and the hallways are lined with forty years of photographs.  Alyce Hamm (pictured more recently in the lower right corner above), the co-founder and original designer, designed custom formalwear for famous female athletes, socialites, and national pageant contestants dating back to the 1960’s.  I had an absolute blast peeking through vintage photographs and capturing a glimpse of the rich history behind Alyce Designs.

To see more of the gorgeous 2010 collections, visit Alyce Designs here.

Tags: Alyce Designs, Vintage Photographs.

Last week Project Wedding had the rare opportunity to sit down and chat one-on-one with Jean-Paul Hamm, CEO and President of Alyce Designs, to discuss the 40 year-old company’s launch of Claudine by Alyce Designs and 312 Bridesmaids.  This flourishing, family-run dress company was founded by Jean-Paul and his sister and designer,  Alyce Hamm.  Fortunately, the “gene” for exquisite taste and artistic talent was inherited by her nieces, Claudine Hamm and Nathalie Lambert, who now head the design team that has created these two gorgeous collections.   We wanted to know the secret to their success and what this new generation of bridalwear means for the bride in search of the perfect dress for herself and her attendants.

312 Bridesmaids: Style 1290

PW: What was the inspiration behind the new collections?

JPH: For Claudine by Alyce Designs, our design team was most inspired by European elegance, incorporating design nuances that reflect fashion trends from Spain, London, and Paris.  The 312 Bridesmaids collection is a blend of traditional fabrics and contemporary lines and embellishments.

312 Bridesmaids: Style 1285

PW: Tell us more about your favorite embellishments for this season.  What is new for 2010 and where did you take a more classic approach?

JPH:  For 2010, we’ve introduced pale color accents in the Claudine bridal collection.  We also offer options to coordinate bridal accent colors with 312 Bridesmaids fabric colors.  For bridesmaids, we’re working with two-tone color options, knee-length hemlines, and ruched fabrics.  A classic approach is taken in our selection of quality fabrics and our never-compromised attention to construction.

Claudine for Alyce Designs: Style 7252

PW: What is the secret to Alyce Design’s success and excellent reputation in the fashion world?

JPH: Over the years we were never afraid to try new things. Each season we create a diverse and contemporary collection by first, testing out a variety of styles, and then developing a perfect pattern for the dresses that pass the test.  We’ve combined this cutting edge approach with time- tested reliability and quality; this combination is what has put Alyce Designs on the map.

Claudine for Alyce Designs: Style 7221

Tags: 312 Bridesmaids, Alyce Designs, Claudine by Alyce Designs.

This past weekend, Project Wedding got a first look at some of the gorgeous bridal styles for 2010!  Among some of our favorite collections of the new season was Claudine for Alyce Designs.  We found the Claudine collection to be a perfect fusion of European elegance and contemporary style and we fell in love with the rich fabrics and intricately beaded embellishments.  Here are some of our favorite styles from the collection:

From Left to Right: Style 7261, Style 7222, Style 7227, Style 7703

Style 7227

This dress features asymmetrically draped fabric which is great for the figure. We love the very sweet, yet intricate light blue beaded belt at the natural waist and bubble hem skirt.

Style 7222

A great alternative to strapless- this sweetheart neckline with off-the-shoulder straps reflects a timeless sophistication that we simply adore.  The draped and elongated bodice adds a contemporary and curvaceous twist to a classic style.

Style 7223

While this dress features beautiful shape and fit, we are head over heels for the embellishments.  This dress is for the feminine and romantic bride who is not afraid to make a statement and be the center of attention.  The strapless lace bodice makes a stunning contrast to the ruffled skirt and can be complemented by an exquisite lace bolero.

Tags: Alyce Designs, Claudine Bridal.