Vintage
Brides
We Love
Pg. 5 |
| Vintage
1970's |
    
The Watteau gown, named for Rococo painter Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721)
had a train that fell from the shoulder blades. Watteau gowns were
first introduced in 20th century bridal fashion in the 1950's but became a huge fashion trend
after President Lyndon Baines Johnson's daughter, Lucy, chose a Watteau
for her 1966 wedding.
This Empire Watteau of silk organza, was
a slim fitting A-line sheath, embroidered with three dimensional sprays of lily. A silk organza
handbag was accented with flowers to match the headpiece.
The Daphné
Gown
Mariées de France,
1972
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Serene simplicity for an empire of silk organza over taffeta.
Jeweled Alencon forms a Gothic cross at the center bodice and also edges the
Camelot sleeves. A sheer organza chapel length train is attached at
the shoulder blades.
The gown, by Constantino for Aida
Bridals, retailed for $130 in 1970 and was sold at the Bon Marché.
Bride's
Magazine, Spring 1970
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Revival styles were quite popular in the seventies, as shown in this 1973 advertisement
for Juliet Bridal Veils.
The cloche cap style shown is reminiscent
of the twenties, but this time around the designers used large cotton / rayon Venice
lace flowers of substantial weight and placed them on top of a stiff nylon
base.
Bride's
Magazine, Fall 1973
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The seventies should be remembered for the ornate and spectacular elegance
of Christos designs. Sold at the most exclusive bridal salons,
Christos gowns featured hand cut and applied lace medallions over English
net. Pearl beadwork was hand sewn and matching headpieces were
created by Lounette.
This gorgeous gown retailed for
the princely sum of $1,300 in 1974. Naturally, it sold in the
upscale salons of Bergdorf-Goodman, I. Magnin, Neiman-Marcus, Neusteters
and Frost Bros. for discriminating clientele.
Using the Columbia Conversion
calculator,
$1,300.00 in 1974 dollars becomes $4,761.90 in 2002 dollars.
Bride's
Magazine, August / September 1974
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A pure, form fitting demi-empire fits the figure beautifully. The gown,
by Eve Muscio for Milady, was created with Nylon organza and covered with
Ivory peau d'ange lace. It featured the newest balloon sleeve; a
tight fitting upper sleeve with a billowy lower that ended with a cuff. Nylon floated dreamily and was perfectly suited for the new
longer length. The gown retailed at Gimbel's in Philadelphia for
$190 in 1970.
Her headpiece,
an organza bow surrounded by forget-me-nots and grosgrain loops, created a
perfect addition of "something blue." Ivory tulle was
fastened at the back. Headpiece by Marionat and Bouquet by Irene
Hayes. |
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At the end of the 70's
decade, a softer, more feminine gown was facilitated by the sheer and
flowing use of nylon. Heavy three dimensional Venetian lace
embellished the bodice and accented the sheer blouson sleeves.
This gown, by Phyllis for the
House of Bianchi, was a full skirted empire with blouson style sleeve that
was both lined and unlined for interest. A Queen Anne neckline was
edged with Venetian lace and featured a sheer shoulder. Matching
Venetian lace edged the voluminous skirt.
Phyllis photographed her
gown with a matching Mantilla style veil that was edged in three dimensional
Venetian lace. The gown retailed for $350 in 1978.
Modern Bride, June /
July 1978
$350.00 in 1978 dollars becomes
$966.85 in 2002 dollars.
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