From Runway To Your Big Day: Top Trends for 2012

Romance and royalty. Tradition and transition. In 2011 the whole world watched as Catherine Middleton stepped out of the car at Westminster Abbey, breathlessly waiting to see what she would wear to meet her Prince. What length? What style? What designer? This was the most anticipated dress of the decade and designers, stylists and brides-to-be alike all knew that Kate’s walk down the aisle would be to usher in the trends for bridal wear for years to come. New York Bridal Fashion Week, which had preceded the royal wedding, featured elements of the princess bride in many of the leading designers’ collections for spring/summer 2012. Imaginative and innovative interpretations of regal style were presented by reigning monarchs of style, Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier and Carolina Herrera.

The ‘Princess Influence’ had begun. By the time Kate and William said their ‘I do’s’, designers were already stitching furiously, ready to launch their ‘copy-Kate’ creations onto the market in the days and weeks following the royal wedding. However, rather than what occurred in the wake of Diana and Charles’s wedding, which was an inundation of ‘Lady Di’ dresses at every price point, trendsetters are picking that the modern bride is unlikely to want a replica Alexander McQueen.

The influence of the royal wedding is expected to manifest in a more subtle way in years to come – with brides choosing to incorporate standout items such as touches of lace, a sleeved gown or a bridal bolero.

Like Kate herself, 2012 bridal fashion is all about Old World elegance and tradition marrying New World charm and innovation. Take note of our top trends to help you find a look that makes you feel like royalty.

1. Lace

Lace is due for a huge revival in 2012, after Kate’s gown proved that the classic fabric could be chic once again. Ivanka Trump and Nicole Ritchie were two other celebrity brides to showcase this look early on. Romona Keveza, a relatively new but increasingly popular designer, exemplified the elegance that lace can lend to a gown in her recent Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The lightweight Chantilly and Alencon laces used were romance-infused and whimsical. Lace detailing was also seen extensively at Provonias. Monique Lhuillier produced an exceptionally stunning lace embroidered trumpet gown, as well as her own version of ‘Kate’s dress’ which featured lace from head to toe.

Royalty has chosen to use lace for weddings and other ceremonial events for centuries, and a bride who chooses a lace dress will always have an air of refinement no matter how modern her ceremony.

Lace shrugs are another manifestation of the trend, and can give a simpler gown an extra touch of luxury. Sheer shrugs can be a great choice for women who are a little insecure about the arm area, or for winter brides seeking a little more coverage.

2. Illusion Necklines and Sheathed Sleeves

Marchesa demonstrated the breathtaking effect that lace on invisible backing can create, showcasing straight sheath and ball gown options during the recent New York show. The look is ultra romantic, with lace appliqué or light beadwork lending an almost ‘otherworldly’ air to the dresses. This is a wonderful way to showcase the shoulder or décolletage region in a subtle yet sexy fashion.

Dresses with illusion necklines are also very structurally sound, meaning that you can have the appearance of a dipped bodice or an elegant low backed dress whilst still gaining the support offered by the illusion panels. Anne Bowen’s collection featured sheer panels around the waist, creating a look that was both playful and practical.

3. English Rose

English poet Thomas Campion once wrote ‘There is a garden in her face. Where roses and white lillies grow; A heav’nly paradise is that place, Wherein all pleasant fruits do flow.’ 2012 celebrates Campion’s reigning queen of spring, the blossoming bride. Floral has been a feature of bridal style for a few seasons now, however during New York Bridal Week, the trend flourished even further, with petals, leaves, branches and other greenery springing up on skirts, veils and hems in unexpected and eye-catching ways. Rose petals spilled down dresses in Oscar de la Renta’s show. Reem Acra showcased floral sleeves, with floral appliqué also dotting skirts and veils.

Lazaro and Rivini catered for the dramatic bride, incorporating oversized flowers that stole the show. The spectacular lines of a Lazaro mermaid-style gown were further exaggerated by its huge fabric flower, creating a dramatic silhouette. Folded skirt pleats formed oversized roses that encompassed whole skirts at Rivini. Be bold and let your beauty blossom.

4. Blushing Bride

There has been a shying away from all-white in many of the recent collections, particularly in the case of Lhuillier, who paraded a number of blush and peach shade gowns during Fashion Week. Reece Witherspoon chose a blush-pink Lhuillier gown for her recent wedding. Blush, besides being very fashion forward, is a wonderful alternative to white, as the shade is both highly feminine and extremely flattering for the majority of complexions.

Pastels in general have featured strongly in bridal wear for 2012, echoing Chanel’s recently debuted spring collection, where chiffons in colours reminiscent of Paris’s famed Laduree macaroons drew awed admiration from attendees. Oscar de la Renta has followed suit, with touches in rose pink, icy blue and pastel green. Badgley Mishka had some wonderful taupe pink textured looks that are sure to show up on Australian shores.

Vera Wang also showcased a particularly colour-injected collection, with dusty rose, stone, pale nude and minty green all securing a place on the runway. A total of thirteen latte, cream and taupe gowns featured in her show, offering ample off-white options.

Even if you choose to stay traditional, blush or other shades from the pastel spectrum can be cleverly incorporated in other ways, such as the blush pink sashes from Vera’s collection or the striped sage green panels at the back of one of Carolina Herrera’s white gowns.

5. Ornate Belts

Sashes in varying colours have always been a popular look, however this season, waistlines have reached ornamental level. This season’s belts are elaborately embellished – Anne Barge’s versions were scattered with pearls, Swarovski crystals and flower petals.

Monique Lhuillier’s versions sparkled with intricate iridescent beading and diamante detailing. The great thing about this look is that the belt can be added and removed with ease, dressing the look up or down depending on your wishes. The addition of an eye-catching belt can dress up a more understated reception dress, as Kate Middleton showed when she changed into a circle skirted dress with a diamanteembroidered waist for the royal reception dinner.

6. Bolero Bridal Jackets

A stylish shrug is another way to transform your look from ceremony to reception. A lacy floral cover up can cleverly incorporate the trend for sleeves and is also very princess bride. A satin bolero can look stunning over a lace wedding dress, or for a more theatrical bride, feathers can be a fun option.

There is a subtle sexiness to a bolero, which both Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera demonstrated in their New York shows. Think Kate Middleton’s white angora bolero cardigan at the reception dinner – soft, sensual and perfectly paired with a strapless satin gazar wedding dress.

7. Lingerie Inspired Bustiers

Drawing upon the tradition of corsetry, bridal bodices have been notably sexier this year, with lingerie-inspired bustiers all the rage at Lhuillier.

The frequency of corset tops with sweetheart necklines and delicate detailing meant that femininity (and the décolletage!) was at the forefront during her runway show. However, the materials were ultra romantic, keeping the look tasteful, with Chantilly lace corset bodices falling away to sweeping skirts. This was fairytale romance at its best.

8. New Necklines

Strapless dresses have dominated the runways for several years now, but new approaches to necklines were a standout element of New York Bridal Fashion Week. Pleated and highly sculptured necklines were shown by Carolina Herrera. V necklines are making a comeback, as are cap sleeves (seen strongly at Reem Acra and Alvina Valenta) and boat-shaped off the shoulder styles.

Boat-shaped necklines can be a fabulous choice for brides who want to emphasise a small waistline, as the style draws the eye to that region. Monique Lhuillier had sheer off the shoulder sleeves and Remona Kevesa showcased 1940’s-esque wide necklines. These slightly more covered up looks are both graceful and girly and would work perfectly for brides who are having a church ceremony and thus after a more demure design.

9. Short Hemlines

Almost every major designer bridal collection of 2012 featured short options, the trend has become a staple as more and more brides seek versatility for their big day. The trend for short is also echoing recent celebrity red-carpet choices, with many brides wanting to show off fabulous figures at their reception party.

Marchesa’s short dresses were a highlight of the New York parades, with the designer coupling lace with tulle to create voluminous architectural-style skirts.

Oscar de la Renta’s shorter dresses ended just above the knee and like Marchesa, the skirts were floaty and almost cloudlike in shape, creating mesmerising movement as models came down the runway. Rivini’s shorter styles echoed their dramatic floral-driven longer gowns, with the models appearing almost like life-sized white roses, comprised of oversized petals.

If you are looking for a more form-fitting option, Ines de Santo’s versions of the look were sleek and sexy and are sure to trickle down into the Australian market, where brides often choose shorter hemlines to offset casual-yet-chic beach weddings.

10. And the Bride Wore Slim Line Pants…?

Oscar de la Renta shocked the crowd with a bridal ensemble that consisted of silky white slimline trousers, a sheer tunic and a fur stole. It was miles away from the traditional concept of ‘bride’ however the overall effect was sophisticated, tasteful and overwhelmingly gorgeous.

Douglass Hannant also featured a women’s white tuxedo in his collection. White suit sets were a major feature of Australian Fashion Week and this can be a great option for a destination bride or a chic urbanite who wishes to shy away from ornamental excess. Think jetsetter Angelina Jolie. Alternatively, silky skinny pants and a white shrug can be a fabulous and comfortable going away outfit, as well as a sexy choice that is sure to impress your new husband!

Words by Tara Englington

Sunshine Coast Bridal Showcase

The Sunshine Coast Bridal Showcase is the longest running Bridal show on the Sunshine Coast.

Meet with the finest companies to help you plan your wedding. See the spectacular display of cakes, gowns, floral arrangements, wedding cars and much more. The show will feature must-have products and services for the sophisticated bride and groom.

• Date: Sunday 24th June 2012
• Show Hours: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
• Venue: Novotel Twin Novotel Twin Waters Resort – Ocean Road, Twin Waters
• Admission: $10.00 each
• Giveaways: The current edition of Sunshine Coast Brides Magazine will be on-sale at the expo, with back issues as give aways.
• Fabulous Prizes – go into the draw to win a fantastic wedding gown by “Hills in Hollywood” or win a number of lucky door prizes valued at over $15,000.00 in total.

www.sunshinecoastbridalshowcase.com

Hills in Hollywood

For that exclusive look guaranteed to impress, Hills in Hollywood brings
the best fashions to the Sunshine Coast from New York, Memphis and Tennessee.

• phone: 07 5451 1321
• address: 2/64 Sugar Road, Maroochydore
• email: sunshinecoast@hillsinhollywood.com
• internet: www.hillsinhollywood.com

New Store at Hervey Bay

• phone: 07 41283749
• email: widebay@hillsinhollywood.com
• address: 6/56 Torquay Rd, Pialba

Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions

Specialising in couture bridal gowns. Made to measure. Made in Australia. Designer consultation available.

• phone: 07 5443 3003
• address: Shop 2, M1, Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore
• e-mail: info@devarga.com.au
• internet: www.devarga.com.au