Up For Discussion: Eye Candy – Blushing Bride or Back To Black?

Posted on: 22/10/2011

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It’s no secret that colour is a big trend in bridal fashion for 2012.  As I recently reported to Pure Weddings Magazine (for their next issue, out soon), at the couture shows this season the catwalks were awash with a palette of blush pinks, champagnes, crème de menthe and dove greys and we can expect to see more real brides incorporating a taste of the rainbow into their bridal attire. 

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Vera Wang and Monique L’huillier via Martha Stewart Weddings

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Reem Acra and Oscar de la Renta via Martha Stewart Weddings

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I wore a blush gown in duchess satin by Alan Hannah on my wedding day.  It flattered my skin tone better than the diamond white or ivory options and just felt special.  Colour isn’t for everyone, but this is one trend that I just love.  I can even remember when Gwen Stefani did it first and rocked the pink dip dye.  Classic couture.

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Photograph of Julia by David Lawson Studios, photographs of Gwen Stefani via bridalwave.tv

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However, always one to lead the way, Vera Wang has gone one step further and unveiled a completely black bridal collection at New York Bridal Fashion Week.  Whilst The Daily Mail (who shared the story) explains that “Until Queen Victoria popularised the trend for white when she wore the shade for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, many brides – including royals – had worn gowns in a variety of hues [including black]”, I’m not sure what to think!  My first thoughts were that she was just in time for Halloween, but when I looked a little closer, I kinda fell in love. 

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To do black bridal with aplomb, I think it will always need to be couture.  The beauty in these dresses is all in the layering of black on a peep of nude, the precise structures and the gorgeous fabrics.  Where a pale colour way might have meant that intricacies in the design were bleached out, the flat black colour means that the stunning workmanship can really be seen.  Very, very, clever and very, very couture. 

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Ms Wang knows exactly what she is doing, but if you love this look – I urge caution, as I worry that a cheaper imitation might not cut it and you might end up looking more Scottish Widow than Blushing Bride.

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What do you think?

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Let me know where you stand on the trend for colour and especially these black gowns?  Leave a comment with your thoughts.

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2011 Vera Wang via The Daily Mail, other images as credited

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