Bride Chic: Trends 2009 and Beyond
About Bride Chic
Talk about drama! Notice how the runways are full of it lately? Here's my theory. Some time back with the invention of micro fibers and wash and wear, we traded the work it takes to look chic everyday for comfort. Overall, women just don't dress up like they used to. We miss that and it's coming out in the ultimate dress up game of all: The Wedding Day. Thus, bridal fashion may be the final arena designers can practice their art. Since so much of fashion is about manufacturing and high production, would-be couturiers dream of that niche where someone will fork over serious bucks for top quality. There's still an excess of designers all competing to make that top gown in the finest fabrics. Each has a unique version, moving more and more away from the traditional bridal template into the more experimental realm of couture. While extreme, most brides are savvy enough to realize most of the looks here will be toned down by Seventh Avenue soon. On the whole though they are loving this break with tradition.
Trends Lingerie Looks
Noticed all those boned, lace corsets and sheer chiffon skirts floating down the runway? Two basic things really mark the look of a corset: lace and boning. Other characteristics include front or back ribbon lace-up, hooks and eyes and wiring under the bra cups. Italian designer Amelia Casablanca (Photos 1-3) has taken the corset to the level of a work of art. Each gown is a study in working different variations and incorporating imaginative detail. Paired with skirts sporting yards of sumptuous fabric, each corset sits a top a cinched waistline proffering an ultra-feminine look.
Lingerie chic also sports slimmer silhouettes like the Jean Paul Gaultier and Natalia Misslin creations (Photos 4-5). The Gaultier is a bit extreme and looks like a study in 1950s slip and bra creations sans the rubber and wire supports needed to shape the outer wear look of that time. The Misslin below reminds me of something Adrian would have designed for Jean Harlow to slink around in on an MGM film set. Green and Sustainable Fabrics
More lines are using sustainable fabrics like hemp, organic cotton, soy and bamboo. The green movement also has made popular the art of upcycling--a trendy term for reusing fabrics that already exist. This means people like my aunt who still have a closet full of finds from 1959 should finally get busy and make something.
Deborah Lindquist's environmentally conscious organic linen and vintage lace dress (Photo 6) has been a real winner this year. It's green and chic without that tattered radical look so many earth-friendly dresses have.
The Structured Silhouette: Yards of heavy-weight peaus and failles create drama with hems lined in stiff, wide horsehair. This look mimics the early 1950s Paris looks found in Irving Penn photos. The gowns featured in photos 7 and 8 are by Dior, who in part invented this look way back. Origami and Unusual Fiber Techniques
More gowns involving wearable art techniques are showing up in the collections. The most recent and popular is Origami. Originated in the east, origami fabric application consists of bending and starching fibers to take unexpected shapes and volumes. I like to think of it as a form of soft sculpture and indeed you'll find works of origami fiber art in museum collections allover the world. Take a look at photo 9. The look tends to be minimalist and severe, yet clean and pure all at once. Innovations in Head Chic (Photo 10): This includes a combo of hairdressing and head ornaments worked into the hairstyling to create a whole look. It's neither headpiece(s) nor hairdressing but both. Move over Marie Antoinette and make way for these new-fangled creations from the runways of Europe. Adventuresome Headpieces (Photos 11-13): With extreme hairdressing comes some big head wear. Seasons past designers have opted for smaller florals and hats to pair up with little veils like the pouf and cage. Take another look. Larger florals and bows are making their way down the runway--in many cases--clusters of them as in Chanel's latest collection. Lace stockings and hose-Whether you're going long or short with your dress, consider a pair of lace stockings. They're back. I haven't seen leg chic like this since the 1980s. Larcroix's design is more delicate than the allover crazy lace patterns of yesteryear (Photo 14).
These are the visions of the top designers in the world. You can see each has some sort of couture touch or signature. I hope these pictures have inspired you. I also hope we keep our casual trends going as well as moving into more of a mode of dressing up.
Talk about drama! Notice how the runways are full of it lately? Here's my theory. Some time back with the invention of micro fibers and wash and wear, we traded the work it takes to look chic everyday for comfort. Overall, women just don't dress up like they used to. We miss that and it's coming out in the ultimate dress up game of all: The Wedding Day. Thus, bridal fashion may be the final arena designers can practice their art. Since so much of fashion is about manufacturing and high production, would-be couturiers dream of that niche where someone will fork over serious bucks for top quality. There's still an excess of designers all competing to make that top gown in the finest fabrics. Each has a unique version, moving more and more away from the traditional bridal template into the more experimental realm of couture. While extreme, most brides are savvy enough to realize most of the looks here will be toned down by Seventh Avenue soon. On the whole though they are loving this break with tradition.
Trends Lingerie Looks
Noticed all those boned, lace corsets and sheer chiffon skirts floating down the runway? Two basic things really mark the look of a corset: lace and boning. Other characteristics include front or back ribbon lace-up, hooks and eyes and wiring under the bra cups. Italian designer Amelia Casablanca (Photos 1-3) has taken the corset to the level of a work of art. Each gown is a study in working different variations and incorporating imaginative detail. Paired with skirts sporting yards of sumptuous fabric, each corset sits a top a cinched waistline proffering an ultra-feminine look.
Lingerie chic also sports slimmer silhouettes like the Jean Paul Gaultier and Natalia Misslin creations (Photos 4-5). The Gaultier is a bit extreme and looks like a study in 1950s slip and bra creations sans the rubber and wire supports needed to shape the outer wear look of that time. The Misslin below reminds me of something Adrian would have designed for Jean Harlow to slink around in on an MGM film set. Green and Sustainable Fabrics
More lines are using sustainable fabrics like hemp, organic cotton, soy and bamboo. The green movement also has made popular the art of upcycling--a trendy term for reusing fabrics that already exist. This means people like my aunt who still have a closet full of finds from 1959 should finally get busy and make something.
Deborah Lindquist's environmentally conscious organic linen and vintage lace dress (Photo 6) has been a real winner this year. It's green and chic without that tattered radical look so many earth-friendly dresses have.
The Structured Silhouette: Yards of heavy-weight peaus and failles create drama with hems lined in stiff, wide horsehair. This look mimics the early 1950s Paris looks found in Irving Penn photos. The gowns featured in photos 7 and 8 are by Dior, who in part invented this look way back. Origami and Unusual Fiber Techniques
More gowns involving wearable art techniques are showing up in the collections. The most recent and popular is Origami. Originated in the east, origami fabric application consists of bending and starching fibers to take unexpected shapes and volumes. I like to think of it as a form of soft sculpture and indeed you'll find works of origami fiber art in museum collections allover the world. Take a look at photo 9. The look tends to be minimalist and severe, yet clean and pure all at once. Innovations in Head Chic (Photo 10): This includes a combo of hairdressing and head ornaments worked into the hairstyling to create a whole look. It's neither headpiece(s) nor hairdressing but both. Move over Marie Antoinette and make way for these new-fangled creations from the runways of Europe. Adventuresome Headpieces (Photos 11-13): With extreme hairdressing comes some big head wear. Seasons past designers have opted for smaller florals and hats to pair up with little veils like the pouf and cage. Take another look. Larger florals and bows are making their way down the runway--in many cases--clusters of them as in Chanel's latest collection. Lace stockings and hose-Whether you're going long or short with your dress, consider a pair of lace stockings. They're back. I haven't seen leg chic like this since the 1980s. Larcroix's design is more delicate than the allover crazy lace patterns of yesteryear (Photo 14).
These are the visions of the top designers in the world. You can see each has some sort of couture touch or signature. I hope these pictures have inspired you. I also hope we keep our casual trends going as well as moving into more of a mode of dressing up.
Posted in
Veils and Accessories
Wedding Dresses
Pinterest
