ENTERTAINMENT
DAVID EMANUEL ON DIANA, BRIDAL TRENDS AND DREAM DRESSES
Wedding dress wizard David Emanuel chats to the Weekly about his beloved series Say Yes to the Dress UK.
Why do you think the dress is so important?
The wedding day is all about the bride, really. Everyone gathers in their finery an hour or so before the ceremony. Then the music surges, the guests turn around and all to see what the bride is wearing. She has to feel fabulous!
When did you first become interested in designing wedding dresses?
From a young age I was sketching womenswear, not particularly bridal. In 1981,
I was fortunate to co-design what has become Princess Diana’s iconic wedding dress. I continue to design all womenswear and from time to time a bride will get in touch.
What was it like designing Princess Diana’s dress?
It was a huge privilege and the most wonderful time. Working with Diana was refreshingly straightforward. She wasn’t bound by Buckingham Palace red tape and she did not arrive with a huge entourage. It was a pleasure and delight.
What trends are you seeing
in wedding dresses right now? It falls into two categories.
The Hollywood fishtail or full blown Cinderella ballgown. The Duchess of Sussex’s beautiful wedding dress is bound to have a huge influence on future bridal trends too.
What is the best part of being involved in Say Yes to the Dress UK?
Being updated in current, reallife bridal trends. Many brides are misguided by what they see and read in magazines. They come in thinking they know the look that they are after. My job is to put them straight and find their dream dress.