Getting married? Rescu. has the ultimate fashion-forward guide to walking down the aisle in up-to-the-moment style…
Last weekend was the one-year anniversary of Will and Kate’s wedding, and THAT Sarah Burton dress.
What better time to look at the current trends in wedding gowns, for those Rescu. readers who are betrothed – and those who just like thinking about The Dress?
The Duchess’s conservative, long-sleeved gown brought back covered-up sleeves in a long way, as did the similar silhouette of Ivana Trump when she married her Jewish partner earlier in the year. Grace Kelly is a definite inspiration, with a lower-cut bust and a modern twist.
The trend is still going strong – Caroline Trentini, the Brazilian supermodel, wed her own partner this week with a sleeker version of the Duchess’s dress, in white lace and slim sleeves.
The strapless, big-skirt silhouette of classic 90s weddings is starting to be overtaken by brides who want a more distinctive look – and that reaches to colours and materials, too. Increasingly, one-shoulder looks, intricate beaded sleeves, halter-necks and even cap sleeves are more popular than the standard strapless vision (see Kim Kardashian’s ill-fated Vera Wang confection).
There is also an increased push to buy pre-worn wedding dresses from vintage eras and alter them to fit your taste. Etsy, The Frock and vintage wedding boutiques are reporting a roaring trade in 1950s and 40s dresses in mint condition, to find something truly one-of-a-kind.
There’s also been a run on boleros, jackets and other bits and pieces – accessories aren’t just about veils any more.
The recession is also meaning less fluff and fuss, with more brides opting for shorter, sleeker looks – bridal minidresses and tea-length gowns are now freely available on places like BHLDN, where previously they would have been only for the eloping. Now they’re mainstream – and thank god for that, in Australia’s weather.
As for colours, you only need look at Vera Wang, who actually released a range of black wedding dresses recently, to know that colour isn’t just for bridesmaids any more. White, cream and ivory are increasingly outmoded, with ladies tripping down the aisle wearing every colour of the rainbow – including the pastels that are very in this season.
There’s also a small uptick in patterned wedding gowns, for the more adventurous – silk prints, embroidery and complex beading are changing the bridal game.
The newest trends in materials? Laser-cut cotton and chiffon are seeing a vogue beside the more traditional silk and satin. Trentini actually wore a gown which was gold with heavy pale paint over the top. Textures are all the rage.
So feel free to experiment – the bridal look is freer this season than any time in the last decade.
Image: Vera Wang black wedding dresses.
Modern punk is all about sophistication, plus a little bit of a rough edge. Abandon thoughts of mohawks and bad tattoos, and think instead of sleek lines, well-cut leather and the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Rooney Mara was impeccably styled throughout her entire promotional tour for the Swedish remake, but it was her style in the film that really made a splash, complete with H&M tie-in promotional fashion line.
Modern punk is for those women who want to inject a little power and danger into their everyday look. If that’s you, read on.
Leather is the main component of the trend. However, it’s not leather as you knew it – bulky, aged or floor-length. It’s immaculately cut, soft and with styling reminiscent of Japanese bikers or Berlin hipsters.
The leather jacket is one essential component, but don’t get sucked into studs or excess embellishment. Look for interesting details – a cowl neck, an asymmetrical cut, an intriguing set of paddings across the shoulders.
Leather is also able to be used in unexpected ways – a lined camisole, for instance, or a softened leather wrap. Always go for dark colours, and never over-emphasise the punkishness. If you have the legs, opt for leather pants, but always stick to sleek lines and unexpected elements.
Denim is only able to be used for this look if it’s done properly, with sophistication – in dark colours and exceptional tailoring. Look for unusual or counter-intuitive denim pieces.
And then, of course, there’s the accessories, where your punk can really come out to shine. With Pamela Love’s pentagram jewellery range taking the fashion world by storm, it’s never been cooler to be counter-culture in your outlook.
Look for large, eccentric pieces, spikes, skulls and quartz – but never do anything cheesy or pop-art. It has to look real and edgy, not costume-ish.
Top off with a pair of big boots and you’re ready to take on the world….
Image: Pamela Love jewellery.
He’s the flamboyant editor-at-large of US Vogue, but Hamish Bowles hasn’t always been front-row material.
Bowles, who is now famous for his personal style – he’s single-handedly brought the ascot back into the mainstream – told a reporter that back in the day, he and his fellow classmates would pull supremely intricate tricks to get into Fashion Weeks around the world.
If you’ve ever tried, this is a very difficult undertaking. Gone are the days of claiming to know the designer and blagging your way in – the front doors are armed with lists on Blackberries, cross-checks, and microchipped invitations (well, perhaps not the last one yet).
However, in his time things were a little easier – if you had confidence.
He told the reporter that an intrepid friend of his actually invented a magazine, complete with masthead, mailing address, copy and all, and used it to obtain entrance to some of the most prestigious shows in the world.
So how long did this ruse last? “About four or five seasons, before people realised…”
The key to getting in these days is, of course, networking – LinkedIn, fashion events and aggressive social networks are the friends of people who’d like to get their credentials to see things front-row. However, every Fashion Week is rife with people who’ve claimed blithely to be reporters, models, fashion writers or relatives of the designer to claim entrance.
One now-famous fashion writer, who didn’t want to be named, told a recent interviewer that she used to try to gain entrance by pretending to be from the BBC – including carrying a clipboard! It didn’t work very often, apparently.
So if you want in, do your homework, attach yourself to a genuine organisation with access, maintain your own highly-respected blog about fashion, charm everybody, and you may just find yourself in the front rows…
Image: Hamish Bowles.
