"I dress for myself.
Not for the image, not for the public, not for the fashion, not for
men."
Marlene
Dietrich
The
dress silhouette known as the strapless gown may be the last true
great cult. What makes it so special? To start with the
obvious, the strapless gown is uniquely American, with a stripped
down simplemindedness that is as much a personal statement of fear
as any fashion revolution against ornament.
"I
just want it simple. Just keep it simple."
Ironically it is
the "simple" Brides who consider themselves the most
chic; buying into an idea that a stripped down
gown is incredibly complex. Perhaps
one of the benefits of a strapless gown is that it doesn't venture
too far out of the box, and for most American Brides, that's just
fine and dandy. Safe and sure and no mistakes.
As
the Germans say, Sometimes even a blind hen finds a grain of
corn.
But when
it comes to being fashionable, and wearing simple cookie cutter style, you
really are starving yourself by not partaking in a banquet of
personal style.
THE
SAD TRUTH: Even if we want something unique, it's not offered.
Current
Bridal
style is notoriously stale. American style is
just about at the end of a strapless gown cycle that began over a
decade ago.
It
takes a decade or more for wedding styles to change noticeably. The old adage,
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a mantra of sorts
for the commercial wedding business, which allows consumers to
order the same gown over and over again until it becomes passé.
This usually happens when the next generation refuses to wear the
same style as their Mother did.
You
were born an original. Don't die a copy.
Most women can handle a little more style.
Think outside of the box. It's all about self confidence. Be true to
you.
Do
what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized
anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
Eleanor Roosevelt
And if
you still like a strapless, that's fine too!
Feeling
Naughty but Nice?
ORIGIN: 1939
INFLUENCES: THE HAYS CODE
Welcome
to the MGM costume design of Adrian, a working morass of censor definitions,
Hollywood axioms, starlet theorems and brilliant demonstrations of
the impossible.
Who
else could sensibly swath an actress in a waterfall of sheer chiffon
and have her appear in the celluloid light as though she was wearing
nothing but a protective jabot breastplate?
Only
a creative mystic, who believed, as all good mystics do, in the
oneness of the universe, the "more is less" philosophy
that requires an entire bolt of silk marquisette and the mathematic
skills to allow for a sleeve to drape gloriously over an akimbo flashed
bicep. Now, you go
girl. Don't you feel pretty and just a little, um, naughty too?
Isn't she lovely? The
ethereal look of bare shoulders while still being covered
up. A
stylized vintage solution to modern strapless desires.
1940's
marquisette gown with sheer sleeves and jewel neckline of
sheer illusion. Hand embroidered violets at bustline and
skirt provide a touch of color.
Hollywood romance returned in a Re-worked wedding fashion in
1980. The bodice design extended to the wrist cuff, allowing
the softly flowing gown a traditional lace inset.
Made
from silk or nylon, vintage chiffon gowns are an affordable alternative to the modern Bride's
increasing budget.
