Wedding Gowns & Bridal Fashion

An ethereal bridal collection from Vera Wang for Fall 2009 evoked wood sprites and forest creatures for “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” wedding. Taking cues from Wang’s ready-to-wear collections – barely-there, painterly color palette, layered hand-cut tulle and asymmetrical draping – challenging the notion that bridal couture needs stick to a white duchess satin ball gown formula. “I like to think outside the box with these collections,” said Wang after the show.

One of the keys to Wang’s re-imaging of bridal is to take the traditional silhouette, but soften or update it for a more modern, fashion-conscious customer. The “ball gown” turns into a cloud of softly folded tulle with a bodice like whipped frosting, accented with a simple lavender grosgrain sash. A “mermaid” gown softly flares into oversized layers of watercolor-like, earthy chestnut organza, while sequined straps suspend a slip dress from bare shoulders for a look that is as seductive as vintage lingerie.

Here, the way Wang manipulates fabric takes a starring roll rather than the usual beaded embellishment. Instead of using beading or embroidery to detail her gowns, she will twist and pleat tulle into a dramatic train, or line a hem with hand-cut rosettes. Necklaces or bracelets of sequins and beads sewn to ribbon provided just enough sparkle.

The show had editors buzzing for its creativity and advanced take on the bridal gown, but one editor was overheard asking a buyer whether the colorful gowns would be on their lists. “As long as they come in white!” remarked the buyer. Still, the collection inspired a bohemian, return-to-mother-nature narrative that will likely appeal to brides looking to avoid the conspicuousness of bling in favor of something soft and romantic.

A wave of white fabric cascaded down the catwalk as celebrated Canadian designer Alfred Sung kicked off L’Oreal Fashion Week Monday with the unveiling of sweeping creations from his bridal collection under the towering tents at Nathan Phillips Square.

Sung launched the 16th edition of the semi-annual event with a showcase of new bridal gowns aptly titled “The White Collection.”

The legendary designer said he was inspired by the late film star and style icon Grace Kelly when designing his collection, an influence that translated both to the dresses and hairstyles.

The glamorous gowns ran the gamut from fluid to more form-fitting. Voluminous, full-bodied silk taffeta creations and elaborate lace and satin gowns shared the runway with softer, more slender, draped georgette dresses. Lush materials, including angel tulle, silk essence chiffon and organza, were also incorporated into the mix.

Shimmering beads and Swarovski crystals added eye-popping detailing, lending dazzle to bodices, buttons, necklines, waistlines and dress straps. Some of the gowns had the intricate accents incorporated on a larger scale, like an elaborate floral beaded pattern cascading along a dramatic lace overlay.

While the floor-length gowns largely featured cascading trains or flared hemlines, the upper halves of the gowns offered a wealth of variety to suit the diverse tastes of virtually any bride, ranging from classic sweetheart necklines to plunging off-the-shoulder V-neck styles, halter and racer-back to elaborate crisscross straps.

Models also exuded elegance with their updos, wearing hair swept back into chic chignons accessorized by a band of white satin ribbon, flowers or a jewelled hairband.

“I wanted them to look really feminine, glamorous, elegant, and a little bit sexy with the off-the-shoulder,” Sung said backstage following the show.

During their final runway walk, the models tossed their bouquets into the hands of lucky onlookers as the audience gave the designer and his creations a standing ovation.

Sung got his share of the love when he stepped out into the spotlight to take his bow, graciously accepting one of the bridal bouquets from a man in the front row.

Despite more than 30 years in the business, with fragrance, eyewear, jewelry and houseware product lines among those to his credit, this marked the first time the iconic designer presented a collection during Toronto’s Fashion Week.

Backstage, Sung said it was honour to be asked by organizers to launch Fashion Week festivities, adding that he was “very flattered” to open the show, and said he was also touched by the warm reception at the end, despite being a bit reluctant to face the audience.

“I just have to thank everyone, I mean, being so kind and supportive all through the years,” he said. “Actually, I wasn’t going to come out because I’m so shy. They have to push me out!” he added, laughing.

Sung, who has designed bridal wear for 15 years, said part of what sets the line apart from the countless others that comprise his brand is what manifests in the end result - helping brides feel beautiful.

“This is one product line that you just think of making women look absolutely drop-dead gorgeous on their special day because that’s how they want to be, because it’s fun.”

Sung’s philosophy on capturing the uniqueness and special aura surrounding the wedding day even filtered down to a key decision in how to present the collection.

Rather than having the models scramble to change into different dresses backstage, he opted to have each model walk down the runway in one gown - 32 in all.

Angela Sgarbossa, owner of Bridal on Pulteney, more brides were going for non-traditional colours for their wedding dresses.
 
“It’’s a generation that has paid their own way, and are used to making decisions for themselves, so why shouldn”t it be the same when it comes to the most important dress they”ll wear?” The Courier Mail quoted her as saying.
 
She added: “The modern bride is veering from tradition and choosing dresses that make them feel attractive and reflect their personal style, from black and red to deep green and brown.”
 
And one can easily have a look at the changing face of wedding gowns at the Spring Bridal Ideas Expo at the Adelaide Showground on Oct 18-19
 
Expo director Elizabeth Falloon said there was a trend towards unique weddings such as sky diving and deep-sea diving.
 
In fact, a poll taken of more than 100 exhibitors last year, showed less than half of weddings fell into the traditional category.
 
“We have brides who get married deep-sea diving. Others walk down the aisle in a bright red dress. A truly “traditional” wedding is hard to come by,” said Falloon.
 
In fact, New York brides are a step ahead in their eccentricities— they are actually making their bridesmaids sign contracts which mention everything from prohibiting them gaining weight to having a tan.
 
Geoff Slater, of Elite Weddings and Functions, revealed that recently a bride had “dropped” a bridesmaid in the middle of wedding plans because she was deemed inappropriate in her appearance.
 
Brides can be “very, very, demanding,” he said.
 
In fact, in his opinion, “even in this economic climate brides would spend less” because it was their most important day.
 
Source: ANI

Jeany Li is an urban planner’s dream. Actually, Li has a master’s degree in urban planning, so when she describes her life in one of Orenco Station’s live-work units as making her “feel like I’m living a dream right now,” her opinion carries some weight.

After three years in her home, Li came up with an idea for a business that would fit perfectly with the commercial space integrated into her home’s ground floor. And it would allow her to use another skill she’d practiced almost her entire life: clothing design and fine sewing.

The result is Jeany’s Bridal Couture, and Li is now spreading the word that brides have a source for one-of-a-kind, locally designed and crafted wedding dresses.

Li is working on expanding the sample gowns displayed in her downstairs shop. With four complete, she wants to add four more by January.

However, she emphasizes these dresses are just to give her clients ideas to draw on. When designing a gown, Li inquires about the future bride’s interests and asks, “What do you want to be on your special day? What would you like to feel?”

From this information, she starts the process of designing for that individual. Everything is handcrafted. Li even has a machine for making her own lace, so she’s not limited to what’s available in the retail trade.

All of this takes infinite patience. Li says she first learned to sew from her grandmother as a child in her home in Tianjin, China. Li was the only granddaughter in the family, and her grandmother wanted to pass her skills to a new generation. At age 5, Li was too young to use a machine, so her first lessons were all in hand sewing, including embroidery.

Li says her parents were surprised a child so young could sit still and do one step at a time. Her grandmother, though, had told her, “You have to love it, if you want to learn it well,” a message she took to heart.

Along with patience comes flexibility. Li says she will work with a bride to ensure she gets a couture gown that still fits her budget. She said the cost of a simple elegant wedding gown might be as low as $900, compared to the cost of an original by designer Vera Wang, which might cost as much as $15,000.

Li does not outsource, choosing instead to do every step herself. She even plans to offer brides souvenir photo packages, capturing the steps during creation of their gowns and documenting they are a one-of-a-kind original.

Jeany’s Bridal Couture is at 1460 Orenco Station Parkway. For more information or to make an appointment, call 503-848-8303. A Web site at orencobridal.com is under development.