While there will only be one Royal Wedding (yes, it has become a proper noun), according to Statistics Canada, there are more than 20,000 weddings each year in British Columbia alone. Interestingly, these numbers haven’t shifted much in the last 10 years — but the brides have. “The phenomena of reality TV, specifically [TLC’s] Say Yes to the Dress, means brides come educated about the process of buying gowns, the designers of the gowns, and the cost of the gowns,” says Colleen Karavidas, owner of False Creek’s Bisou Bridal.
In addition, bridal wear has become much more closely linked to the fashion industry, with gowns better reflecting designer’s runway trends. “Many of the gowns look like they just came off the red carpet,” notes Karavidas. “They resemble those dresses seen at exclusive parties at the Golden Globes and the Oscars and in fashion magazines.” So sure, Middleton may be the only woman marrying a prince, but every bride deserves to look like one.
Silhouette and inspirations
“After years of simple, elegant and chic dresses, we’re now heading into a romantic, extravagant period,” says Karavidas, noting the return of gorgeous detailing like hand-formed organza roses, beautiful lace and hand-stitched beading, and flattering, feminine silhouettes.
Lorna Paterson, owner of West Vancouver’s Blush Bridal, agrees. “Hand- and old-world craftsmanship, as demonstrated through textured details such as floral appliqués, petals and ruffles, are a top trend,” she says, as are “vintage-inspired crystal brooches and belts.”
Colette Komm, a Vancouver designer now based in New York, whose Victorian gown is featured in the Winter 2011 edition of Martha Stewart Weddings, has always created gowns with vintage cues and a modern sensibility. “No one wants a period costume,” she says. “It’s not any one decade or era—it’s about finding those gems of design that transcend the time in which they were first created.”
In addition to hand-finished details, beading, and textured rosettes, Chantilly and Alençon lace are popular fabrications this year, while silk organza gives gowns a soft, romantic feel. “They literally float down the aisle,” says Paterson, and they’re often made even more special with full tulle and a sprinkling of Swarovski crystals.
Local designer Manuel Mendoza, who fits up to 50 brides each year, says ruching, pleating and feathers are more popular than ever. “We are doing more textural embellishments than heavy beading or embroidery,” he says.
Of course, the more work that goes into a dress, the more expensive it is. Komm knows this well, as she works entirely on a custom basis. Clients fly to her in New York from across North America for multiple fittings, and her gowns start at $10,000. Her rationale: “A wedding gown is the only piece of clothing you’ll save for the rest of your life. Why not have one that’s an art piece too?”
Alternative dresses
Fifty years ago, a bride wearing a short dress might have been sacrilegious. Not today. More brides are choosing short gowns, especially when they fit the overall vision of the wedding better. “Short dresses are a chic, modern alternative,” says Paterson, “and brides are willing to stray a bit from tradition. They want dresses with more personality, and the minidress is perfect for that.”
Mendoza has also seen short dresses become more popular, although he adds that a more casual wedding is the common thread in brides opting for cocktail or knee-length dresses.
Another good reason for choosing a short dress? “Brides want to dance, and as a second dress to change into, these are perfect for dancing the night away,” says Paterson.
At Blush, Paterson stocks pieces from Amsale’s Little White Dress collection, an entire grouping of these new, cropped styles.
Colour
It seems odd — paradoxical, even — to think that colour is a consideration for bridal dresses. Aren’t all wedding gowns white? Hardly. In fact, Paterson claims that most brides prefer ivory; those who choose white are now opting for a warmer, softer white.
Paterson also points out that designers such as Vera Wang and Ines di Santo have introduced pink and light coral into their bridal collections; other designers, like Mendoza and Romona Keveza, even offer brightly-coloured dresses in lavender, pink, blue, red and even black. Many labels have gold or champagne options, and local designer Catherine Regehr says these are especially popular choices for second weddings.
Celebrity influences
Kate Middleton and, yes, TV, are also affecting bridal trends. Natalie Portman and Reese Witherspoon (who wore Vera Wang to wed first husband Ryan Phillippe) are both tying the knot this year, but in addition to their gown choices, other celebrities’ red carpet looks are major influencers. “Many of our customers prefer a glamorous look that isn’t a typical wedding dress,” confirms Mendoza. At his boutique, “celebrity weddings haven’t been referenced quite as much — at least, not since Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. It’s more common for brides to be inspired by gowns worn to galas by stars like Kate Hudson, Natalie Portman or Eva Longoria.”
Paterson agrees, citing Old Hollywood as another influence this year. “Slim gowns accented by chic couture bows, belts, one-shoulder straps, and dramatic side trains” — all details common in red carpet style reports — feature heavily at Blush, courtesy of designers such as Kenneth Pool and Romona Keveza.
So whether it’s what we’ll be seeing on TV, the red carpet, or Middleton, this season’s brides clearly have plenty of choices.
source:http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Bridal+trends+which+dress/4282265/story.html
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