The Reem Acra runway show: what a way to kick off Fall 2013′s Bridal Fashion Week! We’ve had our eye on this well-known designer for a while now and we were excited to view her newest collection. After seeing her runway show and getting a look at these gowns up close, we had all but decided that we had to bring Reem Acra to Colorado. These dresses are just that beautiful. (The actual decision to carry Reem Acra was made at our viewing appointment the next day – all the details to come in the next post!)
From BRIDES: Exotic wedding venues and nontraditional locales inspired Reem Acra’s glamorous Fall 2014 wedding dress runway show, titled “Going Global.” From feathery crowns to twinkling beadwork, Acra’s latest collection managed to be modern, exotic, and feminine all at the same time, aiming to satisfy the growing number of brides traveling overseas to tie the knot. Like Acra’s previous collection, lace-embroidery glistened over a sheer nude bodice. Light fabrics such as tulle, delicate shirring, and buoyant ruffles made this collection feel as breathless as ever.
Ms. Acra may have had exotic places in mind when designing this collection, but we think these gowns are the perfect match for Colorado’s beautiful landscapes and wedding venues. They are extraordinarily delicate and elegant, while being natural, fresh, and understated all at the same time. Our brides are going to fall in love with these gowns as much as we have.
Enjoy some of our images from Reem Acra’s runway show!
Stay tuned for all the details about our viewing of the collection at the Reem Acra showroom, including meeting with Reem Acra herself, and our decision to bring this incredible designer to Colorado brides!
Little White Dress Bridal Shop‘s team has just returned to Denver from an incredible Bridal Fashion Week in New York, where we saw thousands of wedding gowns by dozens of designers over the course of five full days. Our style report covers not only the top trends of Bridal Fashion Week, but also the bigger picture of bridal fashion and where wedding style is headed. The bottom line: we know our brides are going to love what we saw – and what is coming to Little White Dress!
We noticed – and heard similar thoughts from many others – the overall movement toward distinctive and thoughtful collections from the biggest names and most talented designers in bridal fashion. Designers are staying true to who they are with their new collections, without letting other designers influence what they do. (So refreshing to see!) We heard it best when when one designer told us, “I know who I am – and who I’m not.” This sentiment translated into some of the best, most interesting, and most beautiful creations we’ve ever seen in bridal collections.
One of the results of this movement is an ease, effortlessness, and elegance in nearly every trend we noticed, influencing everything from fabrics to shapes, details, and accessories. Take a look at what we mean, with the 10 styles we saw most at Bridal Fashion Week:
Updated Romantic
Left to Right: Jenny Packham, Liancarlo, Anne Barge, Rivini
We were pleased to see the return of fuller, more romantic silhouettes than in seasons past. Form-fitted, fit-and-flare, and mermaid silhouettes are certainly still around, but we are loving the new version of A-lines and ball gowns. It’s not the ball gown we’re all too familiar with: it’s easier, more comfortable, lighter, and unfussy. We’re calling it “Updated Romantic” since the days of stiff, poufy styles are (thankfully!) long gone.
Easy, Breezy Chiffon
Left to Right: Anne Barge, Jenny Packham, Rivini
Chiffon is back. Keeping with the flowy and light theme, chiffon creates movement that is so easy to wear. We saw chiffon in a variety of ways, including layered over silk charmeuse and silk crepe, and in full skirts as a contrast to an ornate bodice.
Subtle Color
Left to Right: Matthew Christopher (1, 2), Jenny Packham (3, 4).
The use of color in wedding gowns has been around for the past couple of seasons, and we can now say that it is a trend with staying power. Almost every designer showed at least one gown in color. But before you think about going out and buying a hot pink wedding dress, consider the use of subtle color. It’s so much more wearable than a shock of color (like we saw with bright-colored sashes a few years ago or with some of the all-over red or pink – or black! – gowns we’ve seen recently), yet it’s a way to bring uniqueness to your wedding gown. Our favorite looks were shades of champagne, blush, and the lightest blues – with dreamy names like “coral mist” and “candlelight.”
Illusion Everything
Clockwise from top left: Claire Pettibone, Reem Acra, Jenny Packham, Rivini
The newer illusion trend is also continuing. This time we’re not seeing it only on necklines: it’s everywhere, from sleeves, to backs and décolletage. In the sheerest of nude and ivory materials, with many of the illusion details you really can’t tell the fabric is even there unless you’re within touching-distance. We think this is the most elegant way to bring in the illusion trend. And illusion long-sleeves are by far our favorite way to have a full sleeve that will never be associated with the word “matronly.”
Tasteful Low Backs
Left to Right: Reem Acra, Charlie Brear, Inbal Dror, Rivini.
Designers showed the low, low back look this season with styles that are well-made and tasteful. Brides want to be alluring yet appropriate, which is why we were thrilled to see the super-low look in ways that are surprisingly easy to wear and without veering anywhere close to trashy territory. We think showing off a toned back is the most elegant way to show some skin on your wedding day.
Feminine Metallics
Left to Right: Claire Pettibone, Matthew Christopher, Jenny Packham
One of the biggest trends we saw this season was metallics. From rich and royal golds to shimmering silvers, we loved seeing metallics on laces and embroidery as opposed to an all-over metallic look. Again, it’s about being unique while maintaining wearability. This look is eye-catching yet soft, edgy yet feminine. And imagine how gorgeous this would look for a fall or winter wedding!
Horsehair Volume
Left to Right: Rivini, Reem Acra
We loved seeing what’s called horsehair hems (which is a bit misleading, as this type of hem is now made from nylon instead of actual horsehair). These hems are a type of crinoline netting that creates volume without being bulky. They look like ribbons, but they hold their shape while being incredibly light and translucent. We saw horsehair hems this season in airy, romantic gowns – as an ultra flattering take on a peplum, and as the most modern, wispy ruffles.
Off-The-Shoulder Sleeves
Left to Right: Jenny Packham, Reem Acra, Anne Barge
The off-the-shoulder look is another great way to bring romance into your wedding gown, while highlighting the collarbone. Our favorite off-the-shoulder looks are structured without being too restricting. (We asked the models to show us how high they could raise their arms. The best answer we heard – with a demonstration – was, “I can’t do the YMCA, but I can raise the roof!”) You don’t want your arm to look or feel glued to your body, but going for this ultra flattering style does work best with a bit of structure so the fabric doesn’t just hang loose.
Long, Coordinating Veils
Left to Right: Anne Barge, Reem Acra, Liancarlo
Along with designers embracing the romantic, flowing style of gowns is the reemergence of cathedral-length, coordinated veils. The details of these veils are just as well-crafted as the gowns, but – again – they aren’t heavy. They compliment the gowns without overtaking them, and they look and feel like a cloud. Because they are so light and unstuffy, these stunning veils would look just as good at a rustic outdoor wedding as they would at a traditional church.
Fashion Forward Coverage
Clockwise from top left: Matthew Christopher, Reem Acra, Matthew Christopher, Charlie Brear
Jackets, capes, and ponchos were all over the runways this Bridal Fashion Week – in ways that aren’t just for show, but that are actually easy to pull off for your wedding day. Our favorite versions are perfect to add for the ceremony or for photos, and they don’t cover your whole dress. Perfect for the fashion forward bride who wants a timeless gown.
Which look is your favorite? Tell us what you would wear and what you would leave behind. And stay tuned in the coming days for the full collections of our incredible designers, behind-the-scenes at the fashion shows, and the details about all the new gowns we’re bringing to Colorado!
Today we went to the biggest and most buzzed about shows in bridal – all day and all over New York City. We saw some of our most favorite, been-with-us-forever designers, some designers we like to check in on whenever we can, some designers we’d never seen before but were curious about, and some designers that we knew would be fabulous even though they’re not exactly what our brides are looking for right now. And for the following reasons, the rest of this post will be in pictures: 1) We can describe a dress all day long, but the picture of the dress is what will inspire you; 2) We took a lot of great pictures today of beeeautiful gowns; 3) It’s very late; 4) Our feet hurt.
Enjoy our recap-in-photos of our third day at 2013 Bridal Market!
The GORGEOUS Rivini show. Always one of the best venues of Bridal Market, and the gowns were just beautiful.
Matthew Christopher brought it this Market. We loved seeing these trends in his new collection: gold embroidery, high-low hemlines and horsehair hems, plus a pale blue gown. Just perfect.
A few more of our favorite looks throughout the day: a drop-waist gown that is crazy flattering on every figure; metallic built-in jewelry for the edgy bride; architectural yet feminine detailing and mixed materials.
Which of the trends we saw today is your favorite? 1) Punk rock brides, 2) Feathers and Sequins (in a pantsuit that we actually loved!), 3) The low-low-LOW back.
And a few more snaps of our thrilling, fun, tiring, beautiful day:
Matthew Christopher threw a party to celebrate his new collection – and OF COURSE we had to attend!
A well-deserved drink at the Mondrian Soho to cap off the day!
Little White Dress Bridal Shop was featured on Wedding Chicks this week! The styled shoot by with our Badgley Mischka ‘Ariel’ gown was the epitome of fall romance at Villa Parker. The Ariel gown is such a unique and stunning gown: subtly shimmering gold jacquard with beaded cap sleeves, a flattering deep-V neckline, and a playful peplum at the hip. It is an exceptionally beautiful and well-crafted wedding gown.
We had the pleasure of working with Ashley Sawtelle Photography and a whole bunch of other talented Colorado wedding professionals on this shoot. Thanks to the hard work of everyone who contributed!
Enjoy the romance of a fall evening, and check out the feature on Wedding Chicks!
In a recent article on the Huffington Post, Claire Pettibone’s advice to brides searching for their perfect wedding dress is:
“Be true to yourself.”
She says, “When considering a wedding gown, my advice is to choose something that moves you, that makes you feel happy and your most beautiful, that you know will melt your soon-to-be spouse’s heart.”
With such wonderful advice coming from the designer of some of the world’s most unique and beautiful wedding gowns, it’s no wonder that brides, blogs, and magazines can’t get enough of Claire Pettibone. In fact, Claire was also recently featured on the crème de la crème of wedding blogs, Style Me Pretty. They teamed up with ultra-talented photographer Elizabeth Messina for a glimpse of Claire’s life, love, and new showroom (nicknamed “The Castle”!). Take a look at this gorgeous feature.
Images from Claire Pettibone’s feature on Style Me Pretty
It’s no secret that Claire Pettibone – and her delicate and feminine, yet statement-making dresses – are a hot commodity these days. As the only bridal store in Colorado to carry Claire Pettibone gowns, Little White Dress Bridal Shop has loved being a part of the buzz surrounding this incredible (not to mention genuinely nice!) designer.
In 2012 we were delighted when Priscilla Chan – wife of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg – traveled to Denver from California to find her Claire Pettibone Sky Between the Branches gown at Little White Dress. But Priscilla isn’t the only bride who has made a special trip to come see us: we’ve had brides come all the way from Alaska, London, and even Hong Kong to find their Claire Pettibone gowns at Little White Dress!
Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg on their wedding day
Whether you live down the street or halfway around the globe, a Claire Pettibone gown from Little White Dress Bridal Shop will make you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world on your wedding day!
Don’t miss our Claire Pettibone trunk show, September 5th-8th! Appointments are almost booked up, but there are a few left! Call us quick at 303-814-8972.
