CelebMagnet is not exactly the place you would expect to find a post on a bridal designer, but since that is exactly who you are reading about right now, then, that designer must be a very special person. And indeed, she is, both to me and to the world of fashion.

But before I tell you about the designer, let me give you some context behind my post.

My story begins with Allison Kornberg, Assistant Editor at LA Times Magazine. Allison is also a bride-to-be. A very brave bride-to-be. How so? Well, in order to avoid becoming a “bridezilla,” you know, the type of bride-to-be who focuses so much on the event that she becomes difficult and obnoxious, Allison is letting her readers and the public in general plan every aspect of her wedding. 

Whenever a decision has to be made about any detail of her wedding, Allison puts the decision-making reigns in her readers’ hands by giving them three options to choose from. 129 days and counting into the wedding planning “by committee,” Allison has had the theme (French), date (May 2011), the location (at the beach), and the party attire (formal) all chosen for her, by her readers. She will also be hiring a wedding planner. All because her readers told her so.

Pretty darn brave if you ask me.  After first hearing about this story, I said to myself, there is no way that Allison is going to let the public decide her bridal dress for her; I mean, isn’t what dress to wear the single biggest decision a bride can make? Well, that is of course after the choosing of the groom part is done (don’t worry, she DID choose the groom all by herself). But Allison just announced on KTLA-TV (Los Angeles) that even the bridal dress is not off limits. During that TV appearance which you can watch below, models showed off the three dresses from which the public can chose.

THIS is where all MY readers come in: I am encouraging all CelebMagnet readers to vote for the incredible dress designed by my favorite wedding designer, Nanaz Hatami, the fashion guru behind Aalia Bridal. That dress is the one pictured above and is also the second dress shown in the video above. The dress is a French-inspired piece (which would fit in well with the theme chosen for the wedding) and is made up of petal shaped pieces resembling a rose, so the bride can stand out on her big day.  Click here to vote for the dress designed by Nanaz for Aalia Bridal.

Want to know a little bit about the designer, Nanaz Hatami? I have known Nanaz for a couple of years; and she and my parents have been close family friends since childhood. Nanaz is a down-to-earth, sweet, creative, sharp, fun and witty lady. She has designed evening, cocktail and bridal gowns for celebrities all over the world. I was lucky enough to be at an Aalia photo shoot last year, and I fell in love with so many of her designs that I told her the one and only reason I will ever get married is so I can wear one of her one-of-a-kind designs on my big day. She is that good.

So, here is your chance to help Allison pick her dress and help my friend Nanaz win the contest to dress Allison on her big day.  Click here to vote for the dress designed by Nanaz for Aalia Bridal.

I asked Nanaz what inspired her to design the dress that was chosen by Allison as one of her top three choices and Nanaz responded, “All my life I was inspired by Hollywood’s classic looks from the ’50s and ’60s and Valentino’s touch.”  Nanaz’ favorite actresses were Ava Gardner and Audrey Hepburn. When I asked her why those two, she said, “They were always beautiful and they introduced a classic elegance.  Anything they wore became extremely popular because the two were always ahead of the curve. That’s how I feel about Valentino too.  He is a genius.”


And, here is another reason why I love Nanaz: She is always thinking of others. Whether or not you vote for her, she has has kindly offered my readers a special deal.  Anyone who contacts Nanaz and mentions CelebMagnet will receive a free designer veil with the purchase of a wedding dress. Not getting married but invited to a wedding? NO WORRIES! In that case, mention CelebMagnet and receive 20% off of any cocktail or evening dress of your choice.

Vote away guys. Her dress is the best and fits the theme. You only have two weeks to vote! And, thank you 🙂