Bridal Fashion

by Georgia Benjou

“I Do” Fashion

Designers rethink the traditional bridal gown, transforming it into a fashion statement-maker by combining runway trends with couture craftsmanship

Bridal collections and international fashion runways are usually on two different trend wavelengths, but they’re increasingly growing closer together. For their fall 2019 collections, bridal designers tailored details and embellishments seen on the runways to create wedding looks that are more fashion-forward than ever.

Case in point: There’s been a recent obsession with sleeves over several seasons, from the classic bohemian peasant to medieval-inspired Juliet versions. Bridal designers including Galia Lahav (sold at Little White Dress), Temperley and Ines Di Santo (Anna Bé) used that inspiration to work delicate, sheer poet sleeves into their lineups. Di Santo’s were detachable, allowing her gowns an easy transition from church to reception. Leanne Marshall’s (Emma & Grace) voluminous bishop sleeves were another standout example.

Classic corsetry is a bridal mainstay, but it looked fresh in graceful and feminine silhouettes instead of overtly sexy ones. It’s a romantic, almost ballet-inspired approach that looked best when paired with soft tulle skirts, as seen at Lela Rose (Little White Dress), Inbal Dror (La Vallée Bridal), Mira Zwillinger (Little White Dress) and Vera Wang.

For romance and glamour, look to feathers. Designers such as Zuhair Murad used them to draw attention to a feminine décolletage, create a glamorous shrug as Justin Alexander did (Little White Dress and The Bridal Collection), or accent a full skirt (designer Liz Martinez, whose gowns are offered at La Vallée Bridal).

True modernists are nixing the sparkle and turning instead to the 1990’s minimalism revival. But instead of basic, think sculptural, as presented by Romona Keveza (Anna Be, Felicé Bridal), who focused on the curvaceous line of her diamond white dresses, while Alon Livné’s (La Vallée Bridal) streamlined Melissa gown is finished with a sensual, asymmetrical organza bow.

Another 90’s revisit is the crop top. Any woman working a body positive vibe (and her abs) for her wedding day can choose from Cushnie’s sleek off-the-shoulder version or Pronovias’ (Felicé Bridal) more dramatic interpretation, paired with an A-line, feather-trimmed skirt.

End the night in this season’s other major trend: the after-party look. The most fun option has to be the mini, which is either dramatically draped by Naeem Khan (Little White Dress) and Oscar De La Renta, or ready to dance the night away at Elie Saab, Rime Arodaky and Hayley Paige (Anna Bé).

 

Where to find dresses

Anna Bé Bridal Boutique

2050 W. 30th Ave.

Denver, CO 80211

720-855-1111

anna-be.com

Blue Bridal Boutique

685 S. Broadway, Suite B

Denver, CO 80209

303-446-2583

bluegowns.com

 

Emma & Grace

3353 Larimer St.

Denver, CO 80205

720-383-8091

emmaandgracebridal.com

 

Felicé Bridal

12245 Voyager Pkwy., Suite 168

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

719-344-9911

felicebridal.com

 

La Vallée Bridal

227 Bridge St., Suite E

Vail, CO 81657

970-763-5744

lavalleebridal.com

 

Little White Dress Bridal Shop

1130 31st St.

Denver, CO 80205

303-814-8972

lwdbridal.com

 

Mariel

3000 E. 3rd Ave., #8

Denver, CO 80206

303-623-1151

marielboutique.com

 

The Bridal Collection

4151 E. County Line Rd.

Centennial, CO 80122

720-493-9454

thebridalcollection.com

 

Georgia Alexia Benjou is a fashion stylist, editor and consultant whose work has been seen in numerous national and international publications. She loves covering bridal trends because it’s one of the few times real women can indulge themselves in fantasy dressing without feeling guilty.