THE ROMANTIC BRIDE PICTURES HERSELF IN A SYMPHONY

of ruffles and bows, exquisite laces, and delicate pearl and crystal bead-
ing. This spring, she also can pick rambling roses (in fabric or in nat-
ural dried buds) that blossom over bodices and trains, adorn necklines,
or nestle into back bustles. Bridal buyer Susan Finale of the renowned
Kleinfeld in New York (the largest bridal specialty shop in the world),
says popular British-inspired looks from her shop's European collec-
tion offer colorful three-dimensional blooms and embroidered bou-
quets scattered over classic shapes. At Pollak's Bridal in West
Bloomfield, bridal buyer Deb Pollak is receiving numerous requests
for silk and tulle gowns.. And Bride's magazine editor-in-chief Barbara
Tober says unexpected mixes of two or three different fabrics in one
gown (such as a beaded lace bodice over a taffeta sheath with tulle
train) are making bridal news. Tulle, once considered a spring peren-
nial, is now teamed with long-sleeved styles for year-round wear.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Sophisticated Bride believes
in modern minimalism with little or no embellishment Sumptuous all-
over textures like silk satin, ribbed charmeuse, faille, and brocade are
molded into streamlined shapes that provide an alternative to lace and
beading. Along graceful sheath, slim princess lines, a draped Empire,
or a sculpted bodice and bell skirt are silhouettes that appeal to a no-
fuss bride. Practicality is carried through with convertible features such
as removable jackets, and detachable trains and overskirts. 'Trains are
available in numerous lengths depending on each bride's individual
needs, as well as detachable trains on both straight and full skirts," says
Deb Pollak.
The Dramatic Bride knows how to make an entrance and carries
her cutting-edge fashion sense into the bridal arena. For her, styles
swiped from eveningwear are often reinterpreted with a bridal hand —
a plunging low-back sheath, perhaps, or a jewel-encrusted bustler
descending into a profusion of point d'es-
prit tulle and accompanied by a tulle shawl
for the ceremony. She may choose to
bridge the hemline gap with a high-low pro-
file (short in front, cascading to a sweep
train in back), or with a sassy mini sheath
and detachable long overskirt. Spring
gowns with daring front slits and sheer-
skirts mimic fall's leggy fashion trends. With
soft fluid pants the new priority among the
spring ready-to-wear collections, the dra-
matic bride may soon sweep down the aisle
in billowy palazzo pants topped by long lacy
vests and beaded jackets. In fact, at the new
bridal boutique Wearkstatt, in New York's
SoHo, owners/designers Jonas and Ursu-
la Hegewisch included four pants ensem-
bles in their line of twenty contemporary
wedding outfits.

(continued on page 32)

30

•JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1993 •

STYLE

7_1

a_
2

TOP: A SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL GOWN FROM SIM-

PLICITY PATTERNS "DESIGN YOUR OWN

BRIDE." MIDDLE: A SI M PLY ELEGANT DRESS

WITH TRIAN BY VICTOR COSTA FOR VOGUE.

BOTTOM: AND THE SIMPLY SWEET LOOK OF

LAURA ASHLEY.