Kleinfeld Bridal’s Fashion Director Randy Fenoli of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” dishes to us on the top 10 style trends of 2010
Amidst fitting brides, getting miked for TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress,” flocking to the bridal runway shows, competing in bets with his co-workers for apple martinis and working with straight and gay brides, Randy Fenoli, fashion director at the renowned Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan, chatted with Equally Wed about trends he’s seeing in wedding dresses and gowns for 2010.
1. Dimension & texture
“One of the biggest trends I’m seeing right now is dimension and texture, like dimensional petals that fall off the dress, dimensional layers, ruffles, flowers, textures like raw edges, gathering and shirring, layers of pleated ruffles and just lots of movement and texture in the dresses.”
2. Star power
“Another trend we’re seeing is the one-shouldered dress, which I think really started on the red carpet at the Academy Awards on a dress by Kate Moss—I believe it was by Calvin Klein—and then trickled down to the bridal runways and ended up on the bride. Brides are really quick nowadays to get information rapidly, and they want it translated to bridal wear, which used to not be the case. It used to be tradition, tradition, tradition. And it took many, many, many years for any kind of fashion to hit the bridal world. Now, brides have so much information, and everyone of them wants to look unique and different. As soon as they see something they like on the red carpet, they want it implemented into their gown. And designers are stepping up to the plate, and they’ve really been coming forth with one-shouldered dresses. Who can forget Michelle Obama’s one-shouldered white dress with flowers on it for the Inaugural Ball? It was covered with tulle, which segues nicely into another top trend.
3. Tulle death do us part
“Tulle is coming back … tulle and silk taffeta are really making a big comeback. It’s interesting how permeated this all is. I just did a girl last night in a big tulle ball gown, which leads me to the next trend: fifties.”
4. Naturally waisted
“I’m seeing a lot of 1950s-inspired ball gowns, which with their natural waists, have very much the Dior look and the Grace Kelly allure. But those ball gowns are better suited to a lighter fabric, such as tulle, silk taffeta and organza. The natural waist offers a classic look, but it’s very romantic when done with draped pick-ups and flowers.
5. Ruch, ruch, baby
“Ruching is still very popular, and it’s probably going to stay very popular, because ruching is very forgiving on a lot of figures. Ruching is like a gathering across the body. If a woman has any kind of tummy or figure flaws, ruching is the way to go—diagonal or horizontal—it just really camouflages anything they might want to hide, minimize or whatever.”
6. Laced with love
“I don’t think lace will ever go out. Lace is timeless. It has a vintage quality to it. It reminds you of your grandmother’s dress. It’s romantic. It’s soft. It’s got everything you want. Lace is going to be around for a long, long time. But nowadays, the way they’re doing lace is different. They’re mixing laces. For example, Chantilly lace with a re-embroidered lace with maybe a Venice lace to give it dimension and texture. Designers are draping and ruching laces now, which is very different. It used to be that you would spread the lace out so you could see the entire pattern on it. Now, you’ve got that lacy feel, but with the ruching, it’s forgiving, yet it’s light at the same time.”
7. Bling sings
“For us at Kleinfeld, bling is a very big trend. Girls love sparkle. It’s huge out there. Brides want big, chunky Swarovski crystals on that dress. They want to come out sexy and flashy.”
8. In her shoes
“The No. 1 accessory for brides is their shoes. Girls are coming in the door with their shoes already purchased before they choose their wedding gowns. They’re coming in with stilettos, Christian Louboutins, Jimmy Choos, Manolo Blahniks, colors, sparkle, Valentino bows made out of solid rhinestones … I’m seeing every shoe. I’ve seen a Gucci shoe with gold metal studs that a girl brings in before she’s even looked at a wedding dress. We’re definitely seeing a lot more color shoes. And I think Carrie from “Sex in the City” really initiated that with her blue Manolo Blahniks, and now girls are going with every color under the sun. And guys are matching with socks! I don’t know if you watch the show or not, but sometimes I flash my own socks, and I’m getting e-mails from guys who are saying, ‘I’m matching my socks to my tie now.'” Take note, ladies in suits. You, too, can be a sock-matcher.
9. It takes two
“I’m noticing a lot more couples getting involved in all the decisions together—it’s not just one person taking it all on by themselves. From whether it’s going to be steak and potatoes to the color palette, couples are deciding everything together. This is your statement as a couple—your brand going forth.”
10. Own it!
“Let me tell you, I had a bride about a month or so ago who’s 41 years old. It’s her first wedding. She’s a police officer, and her fiancé proposed to her on top of the Grand Canyon. It’s going to be a destination wedding in front of the cliffs of the Grand Canyon. So what do you think she’s going to wear? Well, she has always dreamt of a big, huge lace-and-beaded ball gown. And guess what? That’s what she’s wearing. And it’s fabulous, because it’s something unexpected and she loves it. She feels great in it. When she put it on, you could see she’s going to be able to wear this dress and carry it off. No one is going to expect her to walk out in a big, beaded ball gown in front of the Grand Canyon, outdoors, at 41 years old. And she is quite proud to don it. It’s about individuality.”
Photo: Courtesy of TLC
