What To Expect

Bridal fashion is always evolving. Those planning their wedding in 2012 should take note of some trends.
IT is hard to believe that 2011 is nearing an end. Over the past year, we have seen a lot of corset wedding dresses, cap sleeves and one-shoulder gowns sweeping the runways.
For the coming year, we asked one of Malaysia’s top bridal designers, Celest Thoi for her trend predictions.
Her answer – lots of lace and layers of tulle with a touch of horsehair braid and feathers to create that romantic, dreamy look. Illusion necklines will be a big hit as it can be sexy yet at the same time modest and demure-looking.

 

Herrera.

Spring is the time to pull out all the stops and look bold, chic and sexy. We now bring you the top trends we’ve seen at the Spring 2012 New York Bridal Week that are sure to make the new year fabulous.
Illusion necklines
No, we’re not referring to any magic tricks here! Finding the right balance between sexy and sophisticated can be a challenge so here’s a tip from us: opt for an illusion neckline, which combines a skin-baring bodice with a sheer fabric overlay extending from the bust to the collar.
An illusion neckline can soften the shoulders and overall feel. Oozing femininity and sophistication, the use of a sheer fabric over the neckline draws the eye to your décolletage.
If you’re searching for a subtly sexy and fashion-forward alternative to strapless necklines, these are the dresses for you.

Sheath dress
The 90s have come and gone but the sheath dress is here to stay! It’s hard to go wrong with the sheath, really. What I love about this dress is the fact that even though it doesn’t scream bridal, you can’t help but be spellbound by its simplicity and elegance.
Also, this versatile dress can help create a defined, feminine silhouette. Did I forget to mention that the sheath dress can be tailored to look extremely flattering on every body type? That’s got to be a huge plus point!

Short
This is the season to flaunt those toned pins, ladies! Some brides cringe at the notion of donning a short dress on their big day. But if you’re planning to go off to a tropical island or have a casual, low-key ceremony, why not opt for this fun and flirty look?
Short wedding dresses can be quite tricky to choose as one wrong move will end up making you look more like a bridesmaid. And that’s something we all should try to avoid.
The trick is to look for ornate fabrics like lace and brocade that are simple in cut, but luxurious, texture-wise. Do this and you’ll still look every bit the demure and elegant bride you always dreamt of being.
Soft, lace sleeves
Soft, lace sleeves were all the rage on the runways of NY Bridal Week and with good reason.
Who can forget that magnificent Alexander McQueen dress that Kate Middleton wore at her wedding last April? What especially caught my eye were the traditional but updated lace sleeves. They lent an elegant, vintage touch to the wedding dress. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to see what else Sarah Burton (the dress’s designer) has up her sleeve in the coming year!
Safe to say, it’s only a matter of time before this regal look catches on in a big way.
Lines we especially love
Carolina Herrera’s dresses are always understated, elegant and instantly timeless. Her collection this time around has an overall soft, vintage feel and also some surprising elements such as black accents. If you’re one who’s aiming to sparkle down the aisle, then Herrera’s latest designs will appeal to you.
It’s interesting to note that the wedding dress worn by Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) in Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 got almost as much attention as the movie. It was designed by Herrera and reportedly cost a whopping US$35,000 (RM110,000)!
Where Marchesa is concerned, there was never any doubt that designers Georgina Chapman and Karen Craig know how to fit a woman.
Their Spring 2012 collection features sculptural wedding gowns made with sheer tulle, layers of chiffon, fringe, lace, and hand-embroidery, each more exquisite and fanciful than the last. Not only was their collection trendy, it featured understated silhouettes which are super glamorous but playful.
Too much of a good thing
Sorry, Oscar de la Renta, but your Spring collection didn’t quite appeal to me. There was simply too much lace and too much volume around the hemlines.
Too much fabric and volume can be a little loud and distracting. This season is all about soft, elegant, romantic silhouettes and we should always strive to keep up with the trends, shouldn’t we?