You never know what to expect from Bridal Market, a nod to tradition or a splash of color; we of course welcome the latter. Like I’ve mentioned before this is our second year back and we’re still fine tuning our fashion crystal balls. We’ve been following our favorite designers and trends but there were still many pleasant surprises in store. Douglas Hannant and Stephanie Allin were two designers with distinctly different looks this year… which kept us on our toes and in our sketch books!
Douglas Hannant looks this season were distinctively daring with peekaboo silhouettes and angular folds. The showstopper was an origami style ball gown with tiers of deep pleats casting shadows for maximum dramatic effect with powerful results.
But what caught our eye was the intricately beaded and embroidered Taffeta gown that shimmied down the runway…all inspiring the sketch…
Icy silver hues of richly textured floral pattern cascaded organically over the gown below- effortlessly interesting, chic and endlessly inspiring.
Images courtesy of from left The Bride’s Guide
Lux, lacy and feminine, Stephanie Allin’s designs have a definitive mystique. The richness of her textures played in soft nudes and warm blushes creating a dreamy landscape to sketch. I found myself charmed by soft sweeping curves and sprawling florals as my pencil scribbled across the page.
Her delicate beading layers with three dimensional blooms and bursts of sparkle kept my eye moving across the dress, taking it all in. Allin plays with color, texture and shape in a way which evokes the story of a worldly woman whose home is her suitcase and style is her savvy.
Oh…there is so much more to come!! And, yes, you may have noticed…the ballgown is back.
