Monica's 2010-11 Bridal Gown Trends & Picks

Yay yay yay, how I looove this time of year when the designers spread their fashion love to those of us gaga about wedding dresses! I always like to post my faves and also let you know what trends I'm seeing so you can be up to speed on the hottest styles for your wedding!

First up - my absolute favorite dress (so far) by Jane Wang... which perfectly displays a big trend right now, which is dimensional floral embellishments that 'pop' off the dresses in a 3D fashion. The huge flowers are a big fashion trend in jewelry and accessories as well. Take a looksee...




More from Kelima K...Not necessarily my faves, but these demonstrate the floral trend... Designer Reem Acra...



Badgley Mischka combining the single shoulder strap trend from last year and the large floral...


Another trend is using feathers on the gowns. I love this. We've seen feathers surge in the wedding industry in last few years. Peacock feathers has been the biggest trend - could a designer please show me some gowns with the colorful peacock feathers on it? And even the gold-tinged ivory ones? Ugh that would be so gorgeous. But I digress...

Feathers have been a fabulous addition to the traditional wedding bouquet, invitations and even centerpieces. Now they're back in the fashion arena and they add such a rich textural look, although I will say it seems more appropriate in fall or winter seasons, but that's just my opinion.

Romona Keveza...
Isa Makino...
Justin Alexander

Also seen a lot on the runway right now is the use of black as accessories like sashes or headbands. Here's one from the fabulous Vera...


A few from Justin Alexander
LOVE this one.

This demonstrates the black and also the large floral accent. Sweetheart necklines are huge right now.


I always like to check out what J Crew has to offer in their wedding line, because with gowns starting at just over $300, they provide a much needed less expensive dress option for the more casual bride or for a beach wedding, etc. There's just something about the way they create neck lines that is so flattering and feminine. They're actually opening their first bridal store on Madison Avenue soon!

Here are a few faves from them:




And now, I'll leave you with a look at a few other gowns that I fell in love with...

Victoria Noelle


I'm in love with Justin Alexander's line this year! This makes me think of Sex and The City...

I don't love the actual dress as much, but do love the lace bolero jacket - would be gorgeous for a sophisticated older bride and a bolero is a great way to change up the look of your dress for the reception.


The brown super long sash and lace is interesting - very royal looking.


Continuing with the dramatic single shoulder strap look from last year's trends...


I know she looks a little pregnant, but the lace is so vintage looking and pretty!


This gown from Kenneth Pool reminds me of the most beautiful prima ballerina princess...




Love this Jane Wang - it's so simple and elegant...

Very cool take on a sheath dress from Something Blue

Now get out there and go shopping girls!

Trend Spotting 2

After gown shopping with a new bride yesterday, I'm loving the new gown lines even more. Seeing a bride in "the dress" still gives me goosebumps!

Continuing on the Spring '10 Bridal Gowns trends theme, here are some additional trends to watch for...

Let's talk skirts. Designers are really putting emphasis on them and making them textured... layered... different... points of interest other than just their silhouette or how they're bussled, which is very cool.

Some other trends that aren't so major, but that are still making a showing are one-strap gowns and lots of sweetheart necklines. Granted, both have been around forever, but I think Michelle Obama's love of the one strap dress has inspired bridal designers to bring it back. The sweetheart neckline may be the result of 40's and 50's-inspired fashion coming back. And remember the bow trend... showing up again today.

Now for some divine Badgley Mishka...




The incredible Monique Lhuillier...






And some Ines de Santo going for the one-strap looks... admittedly not my favorite, but this first little Oscar de la Renta number is pretty hot...






And finally, some 40's/50's fashion throw-backs that are simply... endearing. Immediately when I saw these, I flashed back to Audrey Hepburn, and to beautiful old photos of my older aunts and grandparents, impossibly skinny, in their gorgeous black & white wedding photos. In fact, this first gown from the Monique Lhuillier collection literally takes my breath away. Take it all in.

Trend Spotting: Spring '10 Bridal Lines

I love this time of year where the bridal designers have all their new lines out! There are always some fascinating trends each year, considering how difficult it must be to create them with a mostly all-white long gown as your starting point. But alas, I've spotted several unique trends this season that I'm going to share with you in a few installments this week.

There are 3 major fashion trends I see happening with the big-name designers...
1. BOWS - and I mean serious bows.
2. Textured skirts
3. 1940's/1950's throwbacks

We're starting with bows today! Vera Wang is the clear trend setter in the use of bows big and small in practically all of her designs this year. It's almost as if she's presenting brides as precious gifts to their grooms, which I adore. You'll notice Vera also is giving her skirts a much more textured feel (another trend). Take a looksee...








Stay tuned tomorrow for the next installment of fashion trend spotting in this year's bridal gowns!