All eyes on the bride who wears these
THERE’S ONLY ever one bride in the room, so of course you will stand out on your special day — but what if you want to really turn heads? If you’re on the hunt for a statement dress, check out Australian designer Sophia Tolli. The expert construction of every dress makes the absolute best of the female form, while designs are breathtaking. Her Blake gown has ruffles of misty tulle and decadent hand beading. This fit-and-flare design features illusion tulle cap sleeves and a V neckline that delicately conceals a satin sweetheart bodice. The sheer tulle back with plunging neckline is framed with lace appliqués. The zip is trimmed with diamanté buttons, and a train completes the look.
Tolli’s Alex is a tulle trumpet gown with hand-placed shadow box lace appliqués, a V neckline and cap sleeves with delicate hand beading, a sheer tulle back trimmed with diamanté buttons and a floor-length train.
David Tutera is more than just a designer — in America he is also a highly respected fashion writer and celebstyle wedding planner, who often appears on TV talking about how best a bride can dress. Each gown in the David Tutera for Mon Cheri collection tells its own fashion story. His strapless organza and hand-beaded corded lace ballgown (£1,695) has a flattering, softly curved neckline edging a stunning lace bodice. The organza self-tie sash with flower pin is detachable and the dropped waistline, multi-tiered ruffled skirt and sweep-train make for some serious “wow”.
Tutera’s satin and embroidered lace ballgown (£1,035) has a softly curved neckline, attached belt with bow, full box-pleated skirt with concealed side pockets and covered buttons at the back, with a train. There is a matching jacket with three-quarter-length sleeves.
Tutera’s mermaid gown in Venise lace, organza and tulle (£1,560) has lace cap sleeves and a deep Queen Anne neckline with an illusion and lace modesty piece. The Venise lace bodice has an exaggerated dropped asymmetrical waistline, while the back features sheer tulle and lace with covered button closures. The full dramatic ruffled tiered organza and tulle skirt spills into a train.
Corded lace appliqué, tulle and organza-over-satin come together in a Tutera trumpet wedding dress (£1,305) with lace cap sleeves and deep Queen Anne neckline. The corded lace appliquéd bodice has a detachable beaded lace belt adorned with organza and lace flowers with beaded centres. The back of this dress is spectacular, with an elaborate keyhole, finished with cascading covered button closures. The exagg e r a t e d dropped waistline h a s l a c e appliqués s p i l l i n g i n t o a f l o w i n g o r g a n z a - over-satin skirt with a train.
Another b e a u t i f u l sweetheart neckline is s e e n o n a l a c e a ppli - quéd Tutera gown (£1,785) with a matching motif at the dropped waistline, a s of t l y gathe r e d t u l l e - over-memorytaffeta skirt, a lace hemmed border and a train.
Alan Hannah is a British label designed by the owner’s wife, Marguerite. She had the idea for the Watercolours collection after seeing her daughter painting Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s flower prints while studying for her art A-level. Silk chiffon and soft silk satins have been used to emulate the movement of water and Blake gown by Sophia Tolli, £2,085 shimmering colours, and flowers have been hand-painted on to the dresses. Beadwork is by a talented Indian designer, using techniques passed down through generations. Gardenia, in silk duchesse has a tulip skirt with hand-painted pink peonies (£2,500), and Peony is in silk organza with pale pink and white handpainted blossoms (£2,500).
Meanwhile if you’re after a fun, flirty style, Alan Hannah’s Rita Mae ticks every box, with its corded lace bodice and silk organza skirt (£950).
Ian Stuart is a super-talented British designer, sending some of the most avant-garde designs down the aisle. His Flowerbomb dress was displayed in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s recent wedding dress exhibition.
His Savanna is an exquisite tulle and