Wedding Dress Trends for 2016-17
Fashion forward brides around the world hold their breath for the arrival of the new season bridal collections, Wedding Dress Trends for 2016-17, and later the trade shows where buyers select the dresses which will be stocked in their stores and salons over the next twelve months. Bridal fashion weeks are a cornucopia of dresses, shoes, and bridal accessories, giving buyers the chance to see the collections up close so they can decide what their customers will be wearing.
Metallic
Designers have been flirting with metallics in their bridal collections for the last few years but this year they have fully committed to the sparkle. Silver was particularly prominent this year not only in fabric and embroidery, but in shoes and accessories as well. John Paul Ataker bucked the silver trend by showing gold in his Autumn Winter 2016-17 collection, sending models down the runway in modern designs which were almost origami-like with their dramatic pleats and folds.
Lace
In the early 1990s lace fell out of favour with many brides who felt it was outdated and old fashioned. The lace revival, which was influenced by the Duchess of Cambridge’s dress in 2011, is now firmly established with virtually every designer featuring it in many of their gowns. Divine Atelier showcased some of the popular designs including dresses with full lace sleeves, and cropped wedding tops and skirts. Wedding dresses with long lace sleeves were shown by Erin Cole, while Zakar hit two trends with silver lace sleeves and overlays.
Open Backs
Contrasting the demure look of long lace sleeves was the trend for open back wedding dresses. Ranging from a high keyhole to full plunge, open back bridal gowns allow brides to show off their body while still retaining an appropriate level of modesty. Gemy Maalouf dresses were a particularly strong example of how women can look both sexy and bridal.
3D
Where the fashion world leads the bridal world usually follows and the trend for 3D features is no exception, and additions like ruffled sleeves or appliqued flowers are especially popular with brides who want a whimsical and romantic look. To see the 3D effect done well look no further than Chinese designer Lan Yu’s Orchid collection, Marchesa, and Theia.
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