DOUGLAS HANNANT, ANNE BOWEN, SARATINA BY SARAH JASSIR, DONNA MORGAN, CYNTHIA ROWLEY
PLUS: ASHLEY BROOKE DESIGNS Invitations
Anne Bowen takes it to the streets
Midtown/Downtown NYC
Words/Images Judith Ecochard
Cynthia Rowley Images courtesy of designer.
All brides are beautiful---and there’s a huge industry ready, willing and able to make it so.
Young and older gals going the traditional route with a walk down the aisle (or dance-see Jon and Kate's genius wedding dance entrance on You Tube):
…or those opting for on-the-fly nuptials in Vegas with an Elvis…have styles that will get the job done.
DOUGLAS HANNANT has a dedicated fan base for his RTW collections…
…and always shows absolute stunners at the luxury Plaza Hotel, an historical locale where the designer has an eponymous boutique.
A focused lineup of fourteen looks had many retail buyers scribbling away.
We loved the Ivory Crepe Back Satin Cowl Neck Gown…a take on the sensuous 30’s /40’s Hollywood siren’s classic …
A Satin One Shoulder Gown, a Fitted White Moire Mermaid Gown and a crisp Porcelain Blue Ivory Fil Coupe Mermaid Gown …seemed to us, the ideal silhouette for sophisticated glamorous brides…
the last look…an Ice Blue Embroidered Bodice Floral Printed Voile Gown…reminded us why brides to be go through all the fuss to get the dress of their dreams.
HAIR: WARREN-TRICOMI ---we spoke with Edward Tricomi about the “wild hair” (we loved…straight out of an Antoine Watteau rococo painting)---
…that seemed laboriously difficult to us.
Au contraire.
“It was easy to do, “ he said. “We teased the hair all over, rolled it up, pinned it up, and stuck flowers in it.”
“We were really happy with how it looked.”
ANNE BOWEN has been a go to label for fun/glam evening wear--- for hip chicks…much like the designer herself.
We so loved the shorter looks…that were just so fun and flirty. Sometimes a bride switches it up for the reception…but these looks can go from day---to night---to day.
And we can see these modern silhouettes perfectly adept at bride-ism at a day time church wedding…or on a sandy beach.
(And think practical…dye them for future wear).
Longer gowns, made of luscious silk satin, silk organza and charmeuse…with hand applied, sparkling trims (crystal semi-precious stones, quartz nuggets, silver beads)---were also head turners.
AND TRAFFIC STOPPERS…as the models and designer all took their final bows, lined up on the street. (3 West 57th Street).
FYI: WARREN-TRICOMI also did the hair for Anne Bowen….
With locks a gleam clean and classic, young/fun hairstyles.
NICE TOUCH: The floral pieces that used indigenous plants--- by L’Oasis Floral Design 917 601-2540
SARANTINA by SARAH JASSAR had an intimate runway show at the Essex House Hotel…made all the more special by her heartfelt speech prior to the show.
Growing up in Iran, Jassar made reference to her native country---
And to quote the run of show:
“Jassir dedicates her first collection to all women who fight for freedom and each gown is named after a woman who has made a difference in Jassir’s life….as…’they are truly my inspiration.’ ”
Notable was the eye-catching adornments… appliqué beaded lace, Swarovski crystal trims, the hairpieces,
---and the belted gowns that gave the dresses a feminine shape.
Silk taffeta, silk satin and silk organza were the dominant fabrics…on the models, who we note, were all very pretty and representative of what real women would look like. ($3000-$6000)
We were embarrassingly clueless when we go the invite for label DONNA MORGAN ---that as we learned, is a well known, retail wise, collection of bridesmaids and rtw contemporary dresses…for…”EVERY LIFESTYLE, FOR EVERY WOMAN.”
Bridesmaids will be happy with the silk chiffons cocktail frocks (all under $200) we saw…that have built in bras and belts… come in figure flattering lines...
…and in nearly every imaginable color. NICE: Rosette embellishments.
The RTW collection obviously pays attention to the latest runway looks…and some of the deep colors (Emerald, Plum, Ink, Moss, Black, Heather Gray, Midnight Navy)
---matte jersey dresses we saw for day wear ---feature bold zippers, sequins, and leather details---
---and would fit any wardrobe.
PLUS: Jersey travels well for gals on the go. Or women like us who have a tough time connecting the dots, looks wise, when we have all of five minutes to get up and out the door…without scaring people.
“…Chic sensibility to bridesmaids dresses…” is the working MO for the popular fashion designer/lifestyle brander Cynthia Rowley, who has teamed up with The Dessy Group ---for a modern collection of any color you want, attire for the female wedding party partiers.
Models and Cynthia Rowley (L)
Priced from $175-$220, the dresses debuted at Rowley’s the hip West Village Boutique last week.
We missed (Tri training beckoned)…but we think these flirty frocks will do for any occasion, really. Especially as perfect foils for ladies decked out with ornate jewels or wearing shoes that are artistic statements themselves.
Love the pretty, strapless netted tulle skirts (that have an edge IMHO).
There are also full lengths gowns too---to compliment the cocktail hemlines…and mercifully, the lines are sleek and modern.
We met the talented Ashley Brooke (Designs) at a recent Holiday fair. Her flair for cheeky illustrations--- make her custom designs--- featuring personal sketches of her clients (or pets…or both)… a very novel wedding invite or save the date card to send out.
