Drama, Glamour in Every Direction from Vera Wang Bridal

Renata Espinosa Fri Apr 18, 4:47 PM ET

New York – Vera Wang’s wedding gowns are among the most sought after for fashion-forward brides, where thoughtful, inventive design combined with luxurious fabrics and finishings extend the gown beyond the realm of mere canvas for traditional embellishments like sequins or beading. Instead, a Vera Wang gown takes ornamentation away from the mode of simple decoration, integrating the ornamental into the blueprint and structure of the dress – a true work of art. It becomes a part of the architecture of the gown as much as it is the focal point.

For Wang’s Spring 2009 bridal collection, which she presented in her showroom in New York on Thursday, April 17, the starting point was Hollywood glamour of the 1930s through the 1950s of silver screen sirens such as Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner.
Details like pleated organza ruffles or floral corsages on one shoulder, fractal-like spiraling hand-cut floral trains, hand-pleating or asymmetrically draped necklines and asymmetrically placed bows literally put a twist on the traditional bridal silhouettes, adding dramatic points of focus. Exquisitely rendered, these elements exuded not only luxury but also gave the dresses a modern sophistication that only good design can impart.

“We want to modernize the wedding vocabulary,” said Wang post-show. “It’s something we struggle with every season.”

For Wang, who approached the dress the way an architect or sculptor might approach their work – in three dimensions, from all angles – the back of the dress became a particular point of interest this season, with some of the best dresses featuring lavish trains with artistically pleated or hand cut flowers or voluminous bustles.

“Making an entrance is important, but the exit is just as important,” said Wang. “It offers even more opportunity for drama. For 50 percent of the wedding, the bride is viewed from the back, whether during the ceremony or for the first dance.”

Wang, who also designs a women’s ready-to-wear collection and her lower priced Lavender Label as well as a collection for Kohl’s, will launch a new e-commerce web site from Wang, verawangonweddings.com. In addition to tips and articles for wedding planning, the site will feature a bridal registry where couples can select from a full range of Vera Wang merchandise, including the just launched Vera Wang Fine Linens collection.