COUTURE - wedding dress - Brief Article

Ebony, June, 2000 by Eunice W. Johnson

Bridal gowns

for the forward-thinking bride who wants to be stylish yet different on her wedding day, there are many options from mini-dresses to pant-ensembles to sexy form-fitting gowns that truly make a statement. European couture designers offer an interesting array of creative designs that make the avant-garde bride stand out fashionably on her special day. There are beautifully elegant full-gowns of metallic lame fabrics and others of heavy satin. One daring ensemble pairs sheer top with slim satin pants, and another features pants covered with feathers. In fact, feathers adorn several of these couture creations. And color also makes a bold statement for the bride walks to a different beat. an exciting red beaded gown and with gold hooded duster. There is even a multicolored gown fashioned from scraps of tulle. Whatever your fashion taste and personal style, you can choose a wedding ensemble that will make your big day memorable.

Louis Feraud of Paris designs wedding gown of silver metallic lame fabric with shoulder-tucked coat, large chiffon sleeves. Note: Embroidered head gear from which yards of veil are draped.

Getting married in red can be exciting, says Balestra of Rome, featuring his strapless ensemble with scattered beads and sequins and branch design in front. Accessorized with above-the-elbow gloves and red hooded tulle cape.

Right: Valentin Yudashkin of Russia designs two-piece ensemble with sweetheart-neckline beaver top with uneven edged peplum, worn with satin skirt decorated with cut-outs and beaver fur tails. Note: Fur choker-style hood with forehead decoration white kid gloves.

Left: Rocco Barroco of Rome designs sheer bodice midriff top with marabou-edged hood, satin pants with dangling chain belt and large marabou stole. Note: Marabou strip across high-heel slippers.

Above: Off-the-shoulder wedding gown covered in pearls around draped collar, bodice, back train and matching hat, by Yumi Katsura of Japan. Accessorized with long gloves, drop earrings and fan in hand.

Left: Egon von Furstenberg designs short wedding ensemble with deep-rounded, draped collar, feather epaulets on shoulders and feathered drop-waist skirt with thigh-high slit.

Right: Sarli designs off-white heavy satin wedding ensemble with draped, high-collar front, V-neck back with wide-collar lapels and back bustle. Note: Long draped veil tiara.

Far Left: Katsura designs cable knit, above-the-knee dress worn under beaded long sleeve hooded coat that has short-jacket-front and floor-length train in back, all heavily beaded.

Left: Valentin Yudashkin designs halter-crochet turtleneck jumpsuit with crochet and feathered bust, midriff area and ant legs decorated with multirows of feathers.

Below: Two scoop-neck bridesmaid ensembles with embroidered and beaded tops with fitted midriff, long flowing bias skirts embroidered, beaded with floral-design bottoms. Floor-length stoles extend from each shoulder, by Yumi Katsura. Note: Sheer above-the-elbow gloves.

Left: Spaghetti-strap wedding gown with stain embroidered top and bodice, fitted hip-hugging skirt with bias goddettes below hips. Sheer gold hooded long cover-up with full puff sleeves and train in back, by Gianni Calignono.

Frank Sobiere of Paris designs wedding dress of, as he says, "scraps of tulle" in rainbow colors with handkerchief tips shaping skirt and collar. Note: Earrings and long blonde fringed braids.