Wedding Gowns & Bridal Fashion

Bridal design has long been the stepchild of the fashion world, but a recent wave of chic gown design has taken the corniness out of duchess satin. Siman Tu Jewelry Gallery (860 Lexington Ave., nr. 65th St.; 212-327-4626) moves wedding jewelry in the same direction. Unlike the designs of other bridal costume jewelers, whose froufrou creations can look cheap, Tu’s handmade designs are sophisticated and dazzling—and, admittedly, more expensive. He uses Austrian crystal and freshwater pearls, among other materials, in bib necklaces (from $300) and tiaras (from $400). Besides the bridal bling, there are two rooms filled with bold, Art Deco– and organic-looking pieces.