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Just when we were starting to think that bridal fashion
couldn't get any better, it did. This season, models sashayed down runways
dressed in every romantic fantasy you could imagine and then some. Topping
every designer's must-do list had to be the empire
silhouette (seen absolutely everywhere for spring daywear in it's
more playful guise, the baby doll). Queen of the empire Reem Acra created what seemed like a record number
of tiny bodices and voluminous skirts cascading from the bust line, each more
stunning than the next.
No need to
worry if you're figuring on flaunting your curves, though. The form fitting dropped waist also made a huge comeback. How far
the waist was dropped depended on each designer's vision. Anne Barge drew the line just under the hips,
giving the bodice a perfect hourglass shape. Kenneth Pool went lower for Platinum for Priscilla of Boston, wrapping the
torso to mid-thigh for a look that was both sophisticated and sexy, in keeping
with the entire collection.
Not so
surprising for fall collections, gowns with sleeves
popped up everywhere. What was surprising was the variety of sleeves, from
short and sweet at J. Crew, to knuckle
grazing at Karin Yngvesdotter Couture.
Leave it to Vera Wang, though, to
illustrate how absolutely beautiful a sleeved gown can be.
Extraordinary detailing required up close
viewing, the better to check out amazing feats of workmanship. One of the most
charming designs was Henry Roth's
destination-perfect gown with crocheted bodice. By far the most outstanding
were Carolina Herrera's utterly
romantic hand-painted gowns.
Even the back
of a gown was news this season as designers took extra care to ensure a bride
looked stunning from every angle, whether they were planning a garden wedding (Claire Pettibone's lace and rose confection)
or a pull-out-all-the-stops gala (Ines di Santo's pearl and gold chain draped
stunner).
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