News

A Dive Into The Joy Proctor x Bella Rosa Collection

The making of the Original Hat Box and working alongside top designer Joy Proctor.

The Original Hat Box the first product in The Joy Proctor x Bella Rosa Collection — was specially made for women on the go, sounding all too familiar to Bella Rosa Founder, Maria Caruso-Martin. The Joy Proctor x Bella Rosa Collection was not complete without a 14 hour travel day, a missed flight due to extreme weather, a 3 hour phone call with the airline staff, and many, many more long days of hard work. It’s expected, though — this is just the reality of creating something handcrafted in Italy.

 

 

Named a top designer by Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue Paris, Martha Steward, and BRIDES Magazine, Joy Proctor is a world renowned Creative Director, Wedding Designer, Editorial Stylist, Product Designer, and most importantly, a kind soul and dear friend. Prior to launching Joy Proctor Design, Joy had a booming hatbox business, Trousseau & Company. 

It had since been her dream to revisit the idea again – this time working alongside another female entrepreneur wanting to cater toward the modern woman. “As two champions of female advocacy, it has been a great journey to collaborate with Maria, Founder of the Bella Rosa Collection, to create something for women, by women,” Joy shared. 

 

Maria Caruso Martin and Joy Proctor pose for photo together.

 

As the two worked side-by-side offering their hands-on experience, The Original Hat Box was born. Crafted with white genuine leather with an embossed tag, the hatbox features silk detailing and metal hardware and is made in small batches by the finest Italian artisans, as part of Bella Rosa’s commitment to slowing the fashion cycle through purposeful, sustainable manufacturing. Each purchase will give back to VOW for Girls and boMake Rural Projects, two charities close to the hearts of the designers.

 

Sketches and drawings of the Joy Proctor x The Bella Rosa Collection Hatbox

 

This handbag was designed for individuals  with a deep appreciation for travel, whether by plane, train or car. Wherever your jet-setting takes you, usher in new adventures with this sophisticated, modern Hat Box - the first product in The Joy Proctor x Bella Rosa Collection. Available for pre-order on the Bella Rosa Collection and on Over the Moon.

 

Joy Proctor x The Bella Rosa Collection Original Hatbox in white leather.

Photography by Laura Gordon

Read more →

Creating Custom, Bespoke Bridal Accessories for Celebrity Stylist, Micaela Erlanger – As Seen In Vogue Weddings

Celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger and fiancé William “Mac” Osborne tied the knot in April 2022 in Miami, Florida. Vows were exchanged, love was shared, and the style was…superb. Consider Micaela’s wedding the Met Gala of the wedding industry. A three-day wedding weekend as seen in VOGUE featured a luxurious itinerary including poolside synchronized swimmer performance, guests arriving to the rehearsal dinner by floating tiki boats, a welcome party under the stars, a performance by Grammy award-winning artist Common, and more. 

Tom Ford once said, “Dressing well is a form of good manners.” If you believe this to be true, Micaela Erlanger is at the top of the list with her mannerisms and client list including the likes of Meryl Streep to Diane Kruger.

With all eyes on her wedding weekend wardrobe, it was a privilege to partner with Micaela to create multiple bespoke bridal clutches for her breathtaking looks and her dearest friends and family.

Read on for a complete guide to each look, as well as style details that have left us swooning

01 – A dinner with the wedding party at Nikki Beach.

One of the very first activities of Micaela and Mac’s wedding weekend included a private dinner with the wedding party at Nikki Beach. 

When Micaela and I began the custom design process for her clutch, we knew she would need something sleek, something that could easily be paired with a bold patterned dress, and something show stopping. This would be Micaela’s “opening look.” 

Micaela wore a vintage dress from the  SS2000 Gianni Versace runway show, worn by Amber Valetta and most famously known as the iconic Versace J. Lo dress. 

With the finest Italian craftsmen, we were able to create what Micaela and I have referred to as the Gold Brick. This custom clutch felt sophisticated  and modern, and paired perfectly with the tropical  look. 

Micaela Erlanger with gold brick clutch from The Bella Rosa Collection

02 – A poolside party at The Goodtime Hotel. 

After a day relaxing by the pool, guests returned to The Goodtime Hotel for an evening poolside party featuring food, drinks, and the world’s most glamorous water entertainment – synchronized swimmers

Styling only the best of the best, Micaela paired the vintage FW1995 Versace dress – most famously worn by Kate Moss when she closed the show with a custom blue Bella Rosa oval clutch. With Versace kindly offering the bodice of the dress to assist with color matching, Micaela traveled to our team in Italy and worked closely together to create an elegant extension of the dress, designing the clutch to be the exact color of the Versace dress. 

The final color selection was found in Florence, and Micaela was able to personally approve the satin. 

 Micaela Erlanger with Italian handmade blue satin clutch from The Bella Rosa Collection

03 – A Wedding Welcome Party Under the Stars.

Following the rehearsal dinner, wedding guests arrived at The Standard for a welcome party under the stars. Micaela and Mac planned a romantic evening filled with dancing; on the dock of the Biscayne Bay.

Arriving in a vintage Dior Haute Couture dress adorned with three-dimensional silk yellow flowers, Micaela introduced our signature Bella Clutch in Limoncello effortlessly. This custom satin clutch suited the dreamy Dior daisy dress perfectly, and the pop of color completed the look. The Bella Clutch silhouette was crafted with a gold frame and our signature clasp - which is available for purchase now. 

 Micaela Erlanger with Italian satin Yellow clutch from The Bella Rosa Collection

04 – Micaela Erlanger’s Wedding Day

Micaela Erlanger and William “Mac” Osborne tied the knot with a beautiful celebration of unity, filled with show-stopping, fashion moments at the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. 

Micaela wore three breathtaking looks on her wedding day, all custom designed with Prada. As for the bridesmaids, our Bella Clutch was selected as a gift for the bridal party. Our duchess satin was color matched by Micaela to perfectly match the custom bridesmaids’ Markarian dresses. While working with Micaela on these bridesmaid clutches, the idea of a tonal accessory led us to selecting the perfect sage shade for the clutch. 

Micaela Erlanger and bridesmaids from wedding holding Italian satin bridal clutches in green and blue

Micaela’s mom was given a special silhouette for her Bella Clutch, one that would complete the mother of the bride look. During a design meeting with Micaela in Milan, our team presented several silhouette options. Selecting one that felt perfectly fitting, we were able to custom color match the MOB dress with an elegant, bespoke clutch. 

Micaela Erlanger and mother of the bride with satin bridal clutches from The Bella Rosa Collection 

More to Come… 

Micaela Erlanger’s private client division of her styling business focuses on fashion styling for brides and weddings. She truly understands the importance of quality craftsmanship, something that the Bella Rosa team prioritizes. Partnering with Micaela to create multiple bespoke bridal clutches, as well as custom gifts for her family and bridesmaids to wear throughout her wedding weekend was a true honor and privilege. 

This partnership springboarded a very special friendship and forthcoming project. Allow us to tease the introduction of Micaela Erlanger x Bella Rosa.

 

Coming Soon. 

Read more →
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

As Seen In