Ask the Expert

Brides

By Sloane Stephens Cox

Fess up, ladies. Finding the perfect gown is up there with finding the perfect guy. While we can’t help you meet Mr. Right, the dress of your dreams is only a bridal boutique away.

Looking for the lowdown on the latest connubial creations?  From luxe lace to body-skimming styles, 2008 is filled with dresses to please any bride whose budget is bigger than a boutonnière.

Here’s the fashion forecast for 2008, according to experts at Essense of Australia and Pronovias.

Bringing sexy back.
“I think the biggest change is that brides want to be more sexy than in recent years,” said Melody Smith, national sales manager for Essense of Australia. “Brides are loving sexy back details, especially with gowns that are beautiful, traditional pieces in the front, but with backs that give a gorgeous and surprising look.”

What’s driving the trend?
“I think brides look to Hollywood for trends,” she said, “and this year we have seen a lot of sexier looks on the red carpet with unusual back detail – for example, Jessica Biel’s, Beyonce’s and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Oscar dresses.” 

Here’s the skinny.
More brides are requesting slim-fitting styles this year, Smith said. Skinny is big at Pronovias, as well, said Laura Zanone, a regional sales manage for Pronovias. “We’re doing an awful lot of modified mermaids and slim silhouettes,” Zanone said. “We’ve moved away from pickups definitely. It’s certainly a cleaner, slimmer line.”

Romancing the sleeve.
“Pronovias is trending away in some degree from strapless,” Zanone said. “Whether it’s a spaghetti strap, something wider, to an actual sleeve. And with sleeves coming back, we’re seeing more Vs and scoop necks.”

All in the dapper details.
“A new detail that we have added on our Essense of Australia gowns this year is 3-D beadwork, which is more raised details of beading, ribbon and lace cut-outs placed on top of each other to give a three-dimensional effect,” Smith said. “We have also used micro-pleated tulle on bodices, flaring at the knee and layered it with laces to give a fun and elegant accent to gowns. Last year we started using very small, heat-infused Swarovski crystals placed on the gowns to give a ‘secret sparkle,’ and this has been a big hit. We have used it again, and brides are loving it.”

Jump on the train.
“This year at Essense of Australia, we have incorporated many different train lengths, from a full-on cathedral length, to sweep trains,” Smith said. “The things that I am hearing from brides is that they want diversity, not just one look to choose from
this year.”

Follow your own fashion rules.
Do all the new trends make your head spin?
Here is some advice from Lynn Rohrman, the director of design for Emerald Bridal, which is based in Salem, Massachusetts.

“Each bride is so different, from her body type to her personal style. I would never want a bride to feel that she couldn’t wear the dress of her dreams because I said she should be wearing a certain type of gown.”

“Bridal gowns are as unique as the young women who wear them down the aisle. Each one is so very beautiful in its own way, whether it is a gown with heavy embellishments of crystals and pearls or a simple satin, full ball gown or a figure-fitting
mermaid style.”

“Your wedding day is the one real opportunity you have to feel most beautiful, and I believe it should not be influenced by my opinion or that of any other designer.”

“In every collection I design, I incorporate all silhouettes and many different fabrics, laces and beading patterns. I want the bride to have a wonderful selection to choose from and each season includes styles from grand ball gowns to elegant sheaths.” 

“Lace and beautiful beading patterns will always be part of every collection. There are so many fantastic gowns from which today’s bride can choose.”

“Go to your full-service bridal salon and try on varied styles. You will slip on that one special gown that suddenly makes your eyes light up, and you feel so exquisite. That is your wedding dress! It should make you feel like a princess, and it should be your choice.”