Bride Chic

  Fabric can do a lot of heavy lifting if you let it speak. For me, that dialogue begins the moment I'm working with it. The ultimate communication is a beautifully cut wedding dress can make its statement through fabric alone. The crisp folds of taffeta, the quiet luster of duchesse satin, the sweep of a generous skirt—each brings its own kind of decoration. In these gowns, the eye follows the shape: a defined waist, a carefully placed pleat, a neckline that frames the shoulders. Even a single bow becomes a focal point when the surrounding design gives it room. That apparent simplicity hides considerable work. Proportion, fit, and the way a fabric responds to cutting and shaping all become especially visible on an unadorned surface. A row of bodice pleats can provide all the interest a dress needs; a full skirt can find its drama in the depth of its folds. This is an approach I return to in my own designs—giving beautiful cloth room to express itself, with each detail chosen to se...