Bridal Market Bits | Anne Bowen "Of the Gods"

If you have been reading our tweets and perusing our Facebook page, you've probably been wondering why we haven't uttered a peep about Bridal Market on the blog. Yes, it wrapped last week. Yes, we loooved the shows. Yes, the events were awe-inspiring. And yes, we cannot wait to share all the pretty details... But we kind of want to take a different approach. Not bombard you with all the sweetness at once {because believe me, we've got a lot}. We're doing this in tiny touches. Pretty pieces. One designer and event at a time. Because guess what? These gorgeous gowns aren't hitting the stores tomorrow, they're coming down the pipeline in the months to come.
With Halloween on the horizon, I cannot help but think of one of my mom's most frustrating tactics when I was a kid. After bringing home piles and piles of delicious candy from all around the neighborhood, my big bag of treats would sit {just out of reach} atop the fridge and I would be allowed one piece of Halloween candy a day. Total torture for a ten year old.
But maybe mom had a point. Bridal market is our big bag of Halloween bounty. It's a jack-o-lantern filled with sweet, fashionable treats and gorgeous goodness. Boy, do we want to dive right in. But we're not going to gorge you. We're feeding one juicy, little morsel at a time and letting these puppies last you til December.
It certainly lets the fun linger a little longer...
Here's hoping you enjoy our {intentionally intermittent} bridal market posts!
xx,
Jacqueline
Alrighty, all that said, are you ready for some bridal market? I'm excited to share our take on the the fabulous Anne Bowen collection.
Being of Welsh decent, Anne Bowen titled her collection "Of the Gods," and named her gowns after Welsh Goddesses like Tamara {Goddess of Rivers}, Serona {Goddess of Healing} and Don {Goddess of the Heavens}. It was truly breathtaking to watch these ethereal creations saunter down the runway. Anne provided a bit of goddess-goodness for every bride.
Loved the dress on the left for a chic reception dress, or quite frankly, as one's only dress for an intimate, yet chic wedding. Can't you just see the layers of layers of sheer fabric pairing well with a fete atop the Gansevoort rooftop? J'adore.
Equally ethereal, but worlds apart stylistically, the gown on the right is wonderfully romantic, but the swirling layers add a modernized texture that keeps it from becoming too sweet.
Again, an amazing juxtaposition in style showcasing the breadth of the Anne Bowen line. At left, drama sings most high with a bold shoulder for the fashion-forward bride. You really need gusto to wear this dress, but I can name countless city brides who would rock this with the chic confidence it deserves. At right, the most demure of brides can find simple solace in this classic, elegant silhouette.
Two trends we want your two-cents on! One of the most prevalent trends across market was the presence of what we like to call "veiled" gowns. Here, the shimmer of the sheath underneath is softened by a textural layer of tulle. What would normally be a bit "bling" is instantly transformed by the tulle into a softer silhouette. What are your thoughts?
The gown at right began a Twitter conversation on it's own when we polled our readers about Anne's "bridal hood." There's a pneumatic beauty to it's shape, and we love it for a certain destination bride... but would you wear it on your wedding day?
Perhaps you saw our tweets about these gowns... The gown at left is one of the most fluid, luscious pieces I have ever seen. The wonderfully lush fabric flowed like a wave down the runway - making it a perfect pick for gamine figures looking to channel their inner goddess. The gown at right pairs well for more petite figures. Embracing the ever-popular illusion neckline in a new way, I loved the creation of a v-neckline from an otherwise sweetheart bodice, as well as the figure-enhancing soft chevrons created from the overlapping fabric.
So lovelies... which goddess-like gowns suit your fancy? Would you opt for a "veiled" dress, bridal hood, or bold one-shoulder neckline on your wedding day?

Top image by Clark + Walker Studio, bottom images courtesy Anne Bowen.