Tag: bridal

Marchesa In Matrimony

It was nearly sunset in a loft suspended above the Hudson, which sparkled like the flutes of Dom Perignon offered as a gesture of matrimonial indulgence to all of us lucky enough to attend Marchesa’s Fall 2013 Bridal show. Ms. Chapman and Ms. Craig are well known for amply providing the red carpet with their opulent balance of draping and design. Their white carpet is just as glamorous, yet slightly more vulnerable – fragile yet bold at the core.

story by Lisa Radano
photos by Charles Beckwith

It was nearly sunset in a loft suspended above the Hudson, which sparkled like the flutes of Dom Perignon offered as a gesture of matrimonial indulgence to all of us lucky enough to attend Marchesa’s Fall 2013 Bridal show. Ms. Chapman and Ms. Craig are well known for amply providing the red carpet with their opulent balance of draping and design. Their white carpet is just as glamorous, yet slightly more vulnerable – fragile yet bold at the core. Continue reading “Marchesa In Matrimony”

Badgley Mischka’s Heavenly Brides

The first gown out at Badgely Mischka’s fall 2013 Bridal show was named “Heavenly,” and celestial inspiration was abundant throughout the ethereal collection. The Mark Badgley and James Mischka design duo’s gift for enhancing classic silhouettes with intricate embellishment was tendered with a light and charming touch. Crystals and gold bouillon sparkled their way around waists, across bodices, and along panels, as if washed ashore by a glittering sea, or like stars revealed by passing clouds.

story by Lisa Radano
photos by Charles Beckwith

The first gown out at Badgely Mischka’s fall 2013 Bridal show was named “Heavenly,” and celestial inspiration was abundant throughout the ethereal collection. The Mark Badgley and James Mischka design duo’s gift for enhancing classic silhouettes with intricate embellishment was tendered with a light and charming touch. Crystals and gold bouillon sparkled their way around waists, across bodices, and along panels, as if washed ashore by a glittering sea, or like stars revealed by passing clouds. Continue reading “Badgley Mischka’s Heavenly Brides”

Reem Acra, Bridal Elevated

Weddings are a ceremony of immortality. They represent moments of transition in which responsibility for the continuity of life is passed from one generation to the next. Almost certainly second only to burial rites in the chain of human social imperatives, they are sacred and primal. The difficulty for any garment designer in rendering clothing appropriate for such a timeless ritual in our culture is to present fertility without vulgarity. In this, Reem Acra is a master beyond reproach.

story and photos by Charles Beckwith

Weddings are a ceremony of immortality. They represent moments of transition in which responsibility for the continuity of life is passed from one generation to the next. Almost certainly second only to burial rites in the chain of human social imperatives, they are sacred and primal. The difficulty for any garment designer in rendering clothing appropriate for such a timeless ritual in our culture is to present fertility without vulgarity. In this, Reem Acra is a master beyond reproach. Continue reading “Reem Acra, Bridal Elevated”

Tadashi Shoji – Spring 2012 Bridal Review

Tadashi Shoji’s Spring 2012 bridal collection once again confirms that the veteran designer’s calling card is his balanced touch with embroidery and other potentially garish or voluminous design elements. In short, the man knows when to stop and precisely what to do to create a compelling gown.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Adrianna Favero

Tadashi Shoji’s Spring 2012 bridal collection once again confirms that the veteran designer’s calling card is his balanced touch with embroidery and other potentially garish or voluminous design elements. In short, the man knows when to stop and precisely what to do to create a compelling gown.

Continue reading “Tadashi Shoji – Spring 2012 Bridal Review”

Ines Di Santo – Spring 2012 Bridal – Traditional On Top

Bridal fashion is unique in almost every conceivable way. From the demands of the fabric to the demands of the clients it’s an elite fashion form favored by just a handful of designers. This demanding and restrictive art form creates challenges for a fashion designer that most avoid, yet a select few embrace and then thrive. One of those that has succeed in the long term is the Canadian designer Ines Di Santo.

View the full collection in our Photo Gallery.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Ned & Aya Rosen

Bridal fashion is unique in almost every conceivable way. From the demands of the fabric to the demands of the clients it’s an elite fashion form favored by just a handful of designers. This demanding and restrictive art form creates challenges for a fashion designer that most avoid, yet a select few embrace and then thrive. One of those that has succeed in the long term is the Canadian designer Ines Di Santo. Continue reading “Ines Di Santo – Spring 2012 Bridal – Traditional On Top”

Reem Acra Bridal – Fall 2012 Review – Precision Opulence

The Reem Acra Fall 2012 bridal collection showcased pleated intricacy, laser-cut origami of tulle and sheer organza (“transparency is the new white,” declared the line sheet), and a judicious use of sequins. Asymmetrical cinching and striations give classic shapes in unconventional ways. Echoes of the recent Ready To Wear collection were present, such as cascading vine motifs, dazzinlg sparkles like rain running down glass, or waves of tears covering the body.

View the full collection in our Photo Gallery.

story by Charles Beckwith
photos by Adrianna Favero

The Reem Acra Fall 2012 bridal collection showcased pleated intricacy, laser-cut origami of tulle and sheer organza (“transparency is the new white,” declared the line sheet), and a judicious use of sequins. Asymmetrical cinching and striations give classic shapes in unconventional ways. Echoes of the recent Ready To Wear collection were present, such as cascading vine motifs, dazzinlg sparkles like rain running down glass or waves of tears covering the body.
Continue reading “Reem Acra Bridal – Fall 2012 Review – Precision Opulence”

Badgley Mischka Bride – Spring 2012 Review – Tomorrow’s Traditional Wedding

When I spoke to Mark Badgley and James Mischka moments before their Fall 2012 bridal collection was to flow down the runway yesterday, they spoke to me of the challenging restrictions that are placed on bridal design. After I saw the collection, I think they might have been having me on, because theirs was a very unrestricted, even uninhibited collection. The rules of the bridal market don’t inhibit these men, they push them to greatness. Innovation and experimentation abounded from reworking of traditional shapes to different variations on almost every conceivable type of structure and construction.

View the full collection in our Photo Gallery.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Charles Beckwith

When I spoke to Mark Badgley and James Mischka moments before their Spring 2012 bridal collection was to flow down the runway yesterday, they spoke of the challenging restrictions that are placed on bridal design. After I saw the collection, I think they might have been having me on, because this is a very unrestricted, even uninhibited collection. The rules of the bridal market don’t inhibit these men, they push them to greatness. Innovation and experimentation abounded from reworking of traditional shapes to different variations on almost every conceivable type of structure and construction. Continue reading “Badgley Mischka Bride – Spring 2012 Review – Tomorrow’s Traditional Wedding”

Ines Di Santo – Spring 2012 Bridal

Ines de Santo and daughter Veronica de Santo have a booming bridalwear business out of Toronto, Canada. You can see why with some of the beautiful detail shown in Aeric’s closeup shots of the Spring 2012 collection here.

story by Charles Beckwith
photos by Aeric Meredith-Goujon

Ines de Santo and daughter Veronica de Santo have a booming bridalwear business out of Toronto, Canada. You can see why with some of the beautiful detail shown in Aeric’s closeup shots of the Spring 2012 collection here.

Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011 Bridal

The runway at Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2011 bridal collection show was framed by white branches that referenced a grove of birch or sycamore trees. A fitting setting, displaying a deep understanding of the mythology of woods. Those patches of pillars of white that shine out in a forest have long been believed to be home to magic and spirits unseen.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Sandy Ramirez

The runway at Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2011 bridal collection show was framed by white branches that referenced a grove of birch or sycamore trees. A fitting setting, displaying a deep understanding of the mythology of woods. Those patches of pillars of white that shine out in a forest have long been believed to be home to magic and spirits unseen. The 27 looks that shone out on the path that emerged from that thicket of pale wood were perfect for the marriage of dryads or sprites. Lhuillier’s looks ranged from cocktail to classic train, but all of the dresses maintained the air of fantasy that hung around the room. One of the many brilliant things about her as a designer is a talent at creating a delicateness in some of her garments that borders on fragility. The impression of fantastical softness is so strong that it makes the wearer seem dreamlike or almost ethereal. This is spot on for wedding gowns. in which many women want to appear to have descended from the heavens or walked out of a mythical realm. And, what man doesn’t want to marry a goddess? Continue reading “Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011 Bridal”

Reem Acra – Bridal Fall 2011 – New York

There were sparkles everywhere, the dresses just sang in the light as they moved.

story by Charles Beckwith
photos by Adrianna Favero

Master designer Reem Acra, who recently gave a wonderfully inspirational auto-biographical talk at TEDx in Doha, presented a cinema-themed Fall 2011 bridal collection in her Fifth Avenue New York showroom. Each look took the name of a romantic film, though direct visual connections to those films were not often plain. Continue reading “Reem Acra – Bridal Fall 2011 – New York”