Paper City— May 24, 2010
Sanctuary for Brides in River Oaks
By Laurann Claridge
Images by Jenny Antill
Stocked Goods: Parsons-trained retail designer Erika Ferretti once crafted in-store boutiques for a bevy of bold-named designers at Neiman Marcus in Dallas. Now she brings her expertise to a new French-inspired shop, Belle Mariée Bridal, tucked into the former Carlton House space on River Oaks Boulevard. The salon — its name means "beautiful bride" en français — offers a refuge from the maddening rush to find a perfect dress. Flax-colored, linen-covered French-style furnishings soothe the eye, while a wall of floor-to-ceiling mirrors and chandeliers cast a flattering glow. Oversized dressing rooms can accommodate any jittery bride-to-be and her entourage, along with all the white-dress possibilities she can imagine.
Twirl in a layered silk-taffeta concoction by Anne Barge, a crystal-studded Badgley Mischka,a sleek Ines Di Santo or a cutting-edge design by emerging talent such as Jorge Manuel, Selia Yang, Nashville's Karen Hendrix or Acquachiara. Ferretti, a mother of two, says she was inspired to open a bridal shop because wedding gowns tell a story. Of course, it's up to you to embellish the tale with all the great details … 2509 River Oaks Blvd., 713.523.0068; bellemarieehouston.com.