Rana Greiche 2011 Wedding Dresses

SALUTE TO THE BALL GOWN PART 2

Gown by Dior/ Photo by Frank Balthazer

Monday we looked at the definition and origins of the ball gown, today we'll explore all the different variations out there . . .

Oscar de la Renta

Bouffant or Hourglass-Fitted bodice with cinched natural or dropped waist atop gathered or pleated full skirt.

Justina McCaffery

Bubble, Poufs and Pick-ups have been trendy a few years now with no signs of disappearing anytime soon.  Defined, a bubble is a bouffant shaped skirt swelling out of a cinched natural or dropped waist. Skirt curves in a balloon like shape at the hemline or picks up throughout the skirt.  Pick ups were reinvented by designer Ulla Maja back in the 1990s, now they are everywhere in bridal . . . .

Amsale

Petal Skirt-A very structured over skirt. Imagine a fuchsia. A cinched natural or dropped waist sitting atop a full skirt with curving under structure that slits open in the front. Sometimes shows a bit of sheath-like under dress peaking out.

Oscar de la Renta

Shirt Dress-Say what? How could something so utilitarian make it into bridal?  Well, the shirt dress so popular in the Kennedyesque sixties lends itself well to lighter weight fabrics.  Above is a more relaxed version of the hourglass, a classic and tailored look concentrating as much on the bodice detailing as the skirt. Typically has long shirt-like or billowing sleeves and full gathered skirt. Can be made out of lightweight fabrics like organza, chiffon and crepe, as well as medium weights like linen. Nice for a garden reception, especially with a wide- brimmed hat.

Informal Wedding Dress

WAY OUT HEAD CHIC

 Now here's some inspiration for the bride looking for a real outside the box look on her wedding day.  Hong Kong Stylist, Maribaybee has brought shades of white and textures to a whole new level of chic.  Her asthetic is, 'One picture tells a story better than a thousand words do . . . .'

Hot Dresses

SALUTE TO THE BALL GOWN: PART 1

Dior

Does any dress say ‘bride' more than a beautifully designed ball gown? Ball gowns have been the trademark of some contemporary designers like Kenneth Pool, Amsale and Reem Acra, to name just a few. Going back sixty-some years, Christian Dior revolutionized fashion with his “New Look”. Cinched waists atop skirts flowing in yards of fabric marked a turning point in twentieth-century fashion. The hourglass, the most defined female silhouette, was back.

 From the ballet Giselle

The ball gown is definately an hourglass and remains the most dramatic of all bridal silhouettes. A ball gown can be as romantic a confection as those seen in the corps de ballet, flowing in swirls of white tulle; or as edgy and structured as the silk faille versions in 1950s Paris Vogue (see below). But it doesn’t matter whether the fabric used to create it is delicate, mid-weight or heavy, one aspect of the ball gown always remains the same: the skirt and its understructure are both based on volume. Thus, sweeping skirts equal sweeping entrances especially awesome on brides who know how to work their strut.

Dior around 1949

  Regardless of its formality, a ball gown seems to have flex when it comes to showing up anywhere and looking beautiful. While they go great in all the splendor of a full-blown cathedral ceremony, imagine an outdoor garden wedding where nature, big and diverse as a thousand cathedrals can be the perfect sanctuary.

Kate Middleton’s Dress