Visions of the Modern Bride

Visions of the Modern Bride
A model attends the Kenneth Pool Fall 2014 Bridal Collection show at EZ Studios in New York City on October 12, 2013. (Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images)
11/7/2013
Updated:
6/28/2015

Neither November nor a Tuesday would be the ideal month or day to tie the proverbial knot if it weren’t for the magical consecutive number date of 11/12/13 which couples favor for its quirkiness. Perhaps it mirrors the hope that after weeks of preparation and suspense-filled drama things will fall into place just as the numbers do. For those who were caught off guard and will miss out this year, there is a change to take advantage of the numerological auspiciousness next year on 12/13/14, yet again, in the cooler season.

Once the date is set, it’s all about the dress.

If nothing else, a winter wedding has scope for a more unusual bridal ensemble with an added fur-trimmed bodice or perhaps a long coat over the wedding gown that can be taken off at the last minute.

The layered wedding outfit is not something catered for in this year’s Fall 2014 Bridal Collection show in New York City, but a made-to-order overcoat is an addition to the bridal outfit that any designer would no doubt relish if commissioned.

Here are our favorite picks for the warmer months from the Fall 2014 Bridal festival.

Naeem Khan

Miriam Silverberg: This is every girl’s dream of how she wants to look on her wedding day—flowing, strapless dresses and lace. Nothing new here which is the way so many brides want it. Just beautiful gowns.

Kati Vereshaka: Khan’s delves into textures, whether appliqued flowers with subtle beading or clustered beading on bodices, the emphasis is on the embellishments. The most heavily beaded and detailed dresses are also the simplest in terms of line, presumably heightening the drama as the bride appears and gets closer to her groom. Never underestimate the power of suspense, as no wedding ceremony would be complete without it.

Kenneth Pool

Ms. Silverberg: Pool’s gowns are more sophisticated and he actually showed a number of sheaths. I liked the collection.

Ms. Vereshaka: This collection lives in the tension between the taste for modern simplicity and the uniqueness of ’the event' which calls for something out of the ordinary. Hence Pool highlights the shoulders, which immediately creates a dynamic figure and the use of lace is interesting, sometimes appearing only at the hemline. A wonderful take on the wedding gown.

Jenny Packham

Ms. Silverberg: She showed a number of gowns with gathered bodices and deep V-necks. Also, I saw a number of dresses with sleeves. And there was an ankle-length gown. Packham seems to design for women as they really are, not as they would like to be. Not every woman can wear a strapless dress—some have arms and upper bodies that need to be more covered.

Ms. Vereshaka: The collection had a 1930’s cinema star feel reminiscent of the bias-cut gowns worn by Bette Davis and Thelma Todd. The silhouette was sleek and natural, the look was feminine with a touch of glamour but somewhat restrained at the same time.

Badgley Mischka

Ms. Silverberg: Here were also a number of dresses with sleeves. Dare we hope it’s a trend? The dresses were uniformly lovely.

Ms. Vereshaka: Badgley and Mischka catered for women of all shapes and sizes. Every bride would find a suitable dress in this collection that spans from simple to uber-embellished, full mermaid to minimal flare. Each gown was unique and could have been seminal to more variations on the theme.

Vera Wang

Ms. Silverberg: Beautiful, highly sophisticated dresses for women with sophisticated fashion taste and beautiful figures. Lots of color—lilac, pink, coral. Not every bride wants to walk down the aisle wearing a coral dress, but those who do will be very happy here.

Ms. Vereshaka: This is Vera channeling her inner Sweet Pea flower, both color- and texture-wise. The more adventurous bride will suit this less formal, asymmetrical style. The only objection I have is that the more body-hugging gowns would compete with the wedding guests’ attire or that of the bridesmaids. The solution would be to either do away with having bridesmaids or make them wear white.

Reem Acra

Ms. Silverberg: I loved Reem Acra’s collection. It seems more sophisticated than so many others. Along with the requisite full skirts and strapless tops, there were some really lovely sheaths and a couple with deep V-necks. One in particular had embroidery on the front and a wrap of feathers. The V-necks make the dresses perfect for the woman who’s more sophisticated and perhaps allergic to too much sugar!

Ms. Vereshaka: Acra tries, and largely succeeds, in navigating past the clichéd wedding gown ‘look’ by adding lace and feathers headdresses which would impart a statuesque dimension to any bride. Ostrich feathers were an unusual detail also appearing as cuffs or as trim for a shawl. The most daring gown of the collection looked like a bias-cut skirt and a totally transparent V-neck lace top with uneven edges. The bride with this figure will find it hard to go past the exquisite lace depicting daisies and jasmine flowers, and a skin-colored camisole will tastefully take care of the transparency issue.

Kati Vereshaka reports on style for Epoch Times.

Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a boutique publicity firm in Manhattan. She may be reached at [email protected]