Lace, Ruffles and Short Stories: New Bridal Collections Showcase Ultra Femme Details
Lace overlays, ruffled bodices and embellished knee-high frocks are everywhere this season and we couldn’t help but notice how flawlessly these ultra femme qualities translate into the bridal couture of our favorite designers.
Clockwise from top left: Marchesa; Amsale, Kenneth Pool; Monique L’huillier; Elizabeth Dye, The English Dept.;Sarah Seven; Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston
Marchesa: Dramatic & Daring
Marchesa is known for fusing romance and structure, and its new bridal collection executes this vision perfectly. Each and every gown utilizes sharp-angled ruffles, layer upon layer of fluffy tulle and architectural rosettes. The “Lia” style represents these design elements perfectly and kicks it up a notch by packing all of those romantic details into an even smaller (and shorter!) package. A bride who chooses Marchesa for her wedding day isn’t afraid to color outside the lines.
Amsale: Timeless Trendiness
Since she began designing bridal gowns, Amsale Aberra has aimed to create “elegant and understated dresses” that are “forever modern.” This philosophy has carried through her career and into her new collection, as every piece hits corresponding notes of timelessness and trendiness. Where you might see a Swarovski-encrusted bodice on a gown from another designer, you’ll find a sash of expertly arranged crystals hugging the waist just so. The “Melia” style is distinctively Amsale with its subtle fit-and-flair silhouette and perfectly defined rows of satin ruffles. You’ll never fear looking back at your wedding photos in 20 years if you choose one of these beauties.
Monique Lhuillier: Showstopping Silhouettes
There’s no other way to define them: Monique Lhullier’s gowns are sophisticated and sexy this year. Dramatic necklines, curvaceous mermaids, and the most beautiful lace overlays have us whispering va va voom under our breaths. The “Addie” sums it up with its long, sheer sleeves, bustier with opaque boning and hip-hugging tulle. Lhuillier’s gowns aren’t just worn, they are worked!
Elizabeth Dye, The English Dept: Indie Lace
One of the greatest strengths of independent designers like Elizabeth Dye is their incredible attention to detail, and it’s her special touches that make viewing the Heroines collection an enchanting experience. It’s easy to get wrapped up for hours admiring the softness of her gowns and their delicate, ethereal details. Antique lace and miniature ruffles and bows work hard to achieve a vintage-inspired look that is decidedly current. The sweet bow belt and feathery, capped sleeves of the “Honeychurch” have us dreaming about a romantic backyard ceremony.
Sarah Seven: Homegrown & Handmade
Sarah Seven is quickly becoming a new favorite on the bridal fashion scene. On top of her stunning handmade craftsmanship and philanthropic approach to business (5 percent of her sales are donated to socially conscious charities) [http://www.sarahseven.com/Sarah_Seven/About.html], she uses all-natural fabrics and recycled textiles in her designs. Her commitment to this process translates into a collection of authentic, vintage-inspired frocks in some of the cleanest silhouettes on the market. “Forget Me Not” is made of airy silk chiffon, a pleated bust and a lovely flower belt. Sarah’s designs are highly customizable, adding even more uniqueness to the one-of-a-kind pieces she creates for each and every bride.
Melissa Sweet: Classic Elegance
Melissa Sweet’s collection for Priscilla of Boston just oozes style and femininity. Sweet’s gowns take bare-bones traditional white gowns and jazz them up with contemporary glamour. Sweet brings classic styles into the present in this collection with an array of elegant silk gowns with glittering details. You can imagine a long version of the “Tavi” silhouette at a ’70s wedding, but Sweet’s decision to take up the hem and switch out the shoulder pads for a more architectural neckline updates the look perfectly.
