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Paint it Black Be it accents on your gown or the whole she-bang, a little bit of darkness is now becoming chic for the big day. Is it just a blip on the map or is beating down the white-only myth?  Image courtesy Alfred Angelo In an interview for Marie Claire, “Sex in the City” style icon Sarah Jessica Parker once said that her biggest fashion regret was wearing black on her wedding day. Her reason for wearing off-the-rack black in the first place? Both she and her husband-to-be, Matthew Broderick, didn’t want people paying too much attention to them. Funny thing is, more and more brides are opting to accessorize with the inky color for the very reason that they want to be noticed and make a statement on their wedding day. In fact, from Alfred Angelo’s wide ebony sashes to CYMBELINE Paris’ striking sable gowns, it appears that, when it comes to bridal wear, black is, well, the new white. As few brides nowadays choose to broadcast their sexual status via their clothing, clearly the “white gown equals purity” notion has become a bit antiquated. Today’s brides are instead choosing to focus on both personal expression and high fashion, and although black is often considered a morbid color, it is also considered the gold standard of formal attire and is flattering on most body types. “Black is making a comeback in bridal wear, not only within the bridal party, but also with brides choosing to use it as an accent color, especially for more formal weddings,” says Amanda Sheronas, director of public relations and special events for Alfred Angelo. “Whether it’s a simple satin sash, the piping at the neckline or a full back panel on the gown, brides are looking at black as a much more sophisticated option for ‘color’ in their wedding attire.” There has been a shift toward a greater use of all variations of color in bridal fashion, adds Antonia van der Meer, editor-in-chief of Modern Bride magazine. Recent runway trends have shown soft all-over hues, such as champagne, taupe, mauve, light pink, pale blue, metallic gold and silvery grey, she says, as well as bright injections of color in sashes and accessories. The trend started with small details like the colored sash or bright fabric flowers cascading down the back of a dress and has led to gowns in a wash of antiqued and faded colors. “This is absolutely an important trend,” says van der Meer. “Whether it’s a hot-pink sash across a traditional white dress, a champagne-colored dress or a dramatic black embroidered dress, using color helps brides to distinguish themselves and stand out. There will always be dresses for the classic and traditional bride, but there are now more options offered for the bride who wants something unique.” Black accents, such as Vera Wang’s black-velvet ribbon belts, can make for a bold and elegant statement, but if a bride is feeling really adventurous, she should look overseas. It is a more of a European trend to have a full wedding dress in bold colors like black, red or bright gold, van der Meer explains. European designers such as St. Pucchi, Atelier Aimée, Creations Bochet, David Fielden and Pnina Tornai have all incorporated black into their bridal designs. And even Ms. Parker might not have regretted wearing black on her wedding day if she could have walked down the aisle in one of CYMBELINE Paris’ stunning floor-length creations, accented with feathers and lace. “It’s unbelievable how many black dresses we have sold, and how many brides are interested in incorporating black into their wedding attire in some way,” says Chantal Joubert, one of the three sisters/designers behind CYMBELINE Paris. “We had a few different-colored dresses in our collections last year, but it was just a ‘blast’ for our black gowns. A black gown says you are one-of-a-kind, confident, proud and free-spirited.” Indeed, unlike the brides of yore who wore their mother’s wedding dresses whether they liked it or not, today’s newly engaged are style-savvy, playful and unafraid. “Brides who choose color are not afraid to experiment and are not afraid to be different,” says van der Meer. “This is someone who wants a wedding that is totally hers, down to the last detail.” |
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