Standout Style
Gowns with layers of light, flirty fabrics are giving brides a fresh look for 2010
By Nola Sarkisian-Miller CTW Features
Scrimping here and there is very much in vogue for 2010, but when it comes to weddings, bridal boutiques are finding that frugal frocks aren’t the only ones selling. Brides are also embracing flirty, frothy gowns with fabrics composed of English net, tulle and silk organza with heaps of ruffling and textures. Brides will practically float down the aisle in these light-as-air creations. The design, which can work in ball gowns and mermaid styles, helps brides stand out from the sea of A-line strapless gowns.
“The trend is for gowns to have layers and layers of airy fabrics,” says Grace Young , owner and buyer of Bridal Galleria in San Francisco, Calif. “It’s a little bit fairy tale and a way for brides to look different from their girlfriends.”
Vera Wang helped usher in the look with her spring 2010 collection featuring delicate fabrics and pale, hand-painted silks and tulles with tufted gathers and ribbons. Highlights include strapless gowns with bustling layers of tulle, ribbons of organza and an abundance of bows. Monique Lhuillier added on the tulle and whimsy in her fall 2010 collection that includes an ivory gown with an asymmetrical embroidered peplum skirt and a silk organdy gown with a wispy embroidered tulle skirt and illusion tulle bolero.
The more lavish look dovetails with brides’ bounceback budgets. Young says her store’s Monique Lhuillier trunk show in November represented the boutique’s best week in sales in its 24-year history.
“Brides are coming back in force,” she says. “I’m blown away at the number of $10,000 gowns we sold that week. I think it’s a sign that things are turning around.”
Creating an ethereal look, however, doesn’t mean that a bridal designer should turn into the Ed Hardy of the wedding dress world. Designers can add ribbons and lace and tiers of fabrics without concocting an over-embellished, overwrought dress. Fussy details such as sequins and rhinestones get the boot while floral fabric appliqués and oversized waist bows add touches of glamour to the gowns. Ultimately, the bride herself wants to be the center of attention on her big day, not her dress or its designer.
“The goal is to straddle simple and elegant with fun and innovative,” Young says.
