Top 2014 Wedding Dresses: What designers envision for the modern bride
The top 2014 wedding dresses are varied, sensual, and beautiful.
Victoria Dawson Hoff presents a slide show in Elle online that shows a fabulous designer collection for the 2014 wedding season. In recent years, the traditional strapless heart-shaped bodice has dominated the brides dresses, and although that look has certainly not disappeared, other necklines have made a strong showing.
There were different lengths, lots of color, and some sultry slinky looks, even trousers. Many designers presented the fitted dress that flared at the knee. There was a lot of sheer fabric with appliqued lace to form sleeves or straps. Various forms of netting appeared in tiers and overlays. Combinations of fabric were common. Floor length and beyond was the norm, although the bride had chances to show off her shoes, as well.
Vera Wang presented a strapless gauzy pink fantasy with a bow in front, a fitted bodice, and a traditional southern belle skirt, covered with tiers of fabric.
Oscar de la Renta displayed a white-on-white dotted sheath with a sweetheart bodice that seemed to rise from a misty pyramid of net. It was a companion piece to his lovely flared gown with a white lace overlay that had increasing concentration of flowers as it rose to the shoulders of the gown.
Dennis Basso came in with a shiny tight bright red attention-getter with flounces at the waist and the knees.
Theia had three entries in the slide show. First, a modern statement with gleaming soft trousers topped with a beaded V-neck, cut to allow for generous long sleeves. Next was a golden metallic close-fitting gown with tiny straps, designed to highlight motion. It was accompanied with a long white cascading bouquet. Another white Theia gown displayed bare shoulders on either side of a high-necked halter. The dress had generous gathers at the hip, accented with an intricate silver-colored belt.
Temperley London evoked the 1920’s era with a plunging neckline and a cap veil that descends to mix with the train. Its super-soft fabric is accented at the bodice and the hips with appliqued floral motif. Another Temperley London dress was a simple off shoulder cut with a narrow flare from the hips, over-laid with white lace that also formed simple short sleeves.
Monique Lhuillier, with six gowns, develops a theme of possibilities. A white strapless gown, flaring just above the knee, explores possibilities in combining fabrics in various folds with elegant results. Another gown features an inlaid design of sequins on a closely-fitted bodice. The color is a not-quite-white silver grey. The sequined cap marks the beginning of a floor-length veil that matches a flair of netted tufts beginning at the hips, looking like the feathers of an exotic bird. Another gown along the same theme is a bit whiter, the veil is shorter, the bodice longer, and the flare of the skirt is a continuation of the dress fabric, making a smooth silhouette. Continuing the thought, the next dress is classic simplicity; it is stark white, with a classic strapless sweetheart bodice. The soft appliqued fabric hugs the body past the hips, then drops to the floor in a narrow waterfall that forms a circle train at the bride’s feet. Next, we see an empire version , a Grecian treatment with flower-capped sleeves on sheer lace above an empire bodice. Generous gathers of chiffon-thin fabric fall straight to rest on the floor. Then, in a quick change of pace and mood, Lhuillier goes to an above-the-knee short-sleeved white lace dress with a circle skirt, a modest neckline and a scalloped hem. This little-girl look is spiced up with spike heels.
Marchesa has a white, ethereal, many-tiered floor-length gown, with an appliqued accent high on the waist, and a sheer ruffle around the neckline, accenting narrow straps. Marchesa also offers a more substantial gown in a heavier fabric, with white-on-white applique on a sheer fabric overlay. It has a fitted strapless bodice and a subtle sheer veil.
Carolina Herrera offers a fitted bodice with an off-shoulder neckline filled in with sheer fabric. White appliqued floral patterns cover most of the dress, which gathers at the waist, and stops at the brides ankles. Another sweet dress by Carolina Herrera is a knee-length off-white and light-blue print with shoulder straps accented with blue bows. The gathered skirt (with pockets!) starts just below a fitted waist.
Badgley Mischka evokes a deco era with a fanciful cloud of white hair (in place of a veil?) Strings of beads drape from the shoulders to cover the bodice. Alternating sequins and tiers of lace grace the length of the gown to the floor.
It is a year of sensuous fabric and colorful whims for brides.
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