Has bridal fashion become less traditional and more in
sinc with
haute couture? Think of the brides of the 1960s-70s era. Did their gowns have that fashion forward edge like they do now? No. They were more like satin uniforms trimmed in
Alencon lace--the stuff society expected? Bridal fashion aside, women just don't dress up like they used to. Once upon a time we dressed at least three times a day and the right morning, afternoon and evening wear was
de riguer. Tune in any episode of
I Love Lucy and you'll see what I'm talking about. With the invention of microfibers and ease of wash and wear, we cashed in for comfort eliminating most of the work it takes to sport the kind of chic we created not too far back. In some ways we miss all that and it's coming out in the ultimate dress up game of all: the wedding day. Thus, bridal fashion may be the last bastion designers can really practice their art as an art. So much of fashion is about manufacturing and high production. True designers love an actual niche where someone will
fork over some bucks for top quality. Yes, designers want to incorporate all those couture methods no one
uses anymore to craft a garment into a work of art.
Competition though sometimes grinding, typically generates excellence. The dresses here are the visions of the top designers in the world. You can see each has put some sort of couture touch or signature on each gown . . . Valentino with pleats and ruffles; Saab with beautiful fitting and one-of-a-kind laces . . . .
Since fashion is more about casual chic
these days, there's still a glut of bridal designers all competing to make the finest gown in the finest fabrics. Each has their own version, moving more and more away from the bridal template of traditional into the more experimental realm of couture. And brides as a whole are loving it.
Valentino
Valentino
Elie Saab