Unveiled: 200 Years of Wedding Fashion

From the Victoria and Albert Museum
 London

Presented at The Museum

of New Zealand,

 Te Papa Tongarewa

Te Papa is situated in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand

Romance

Glamour

Extravagance

Dita Von Teese on her wedding day, 2005. Dress by Vivienne Westwood, hat by Stephen Jones. Photograph by and courtesy of Odessy Barbu.

On Now until 22 April 2012
Admission charges apply

If you are in New Zealand or visiting New Zealand before 22nd April 2012 taking a visit to this exhibition is well worth the effort.

Experience the evocative world of weddings through this extraordinary collection of wedding attire from the 19th century to today. See outfits inspired by tradition, practicality, fashion, fantasy – and, of course, love.

Wedding dress and coat designed by John Bates for his Jean Varon label, London, 1966. Cotton gabardine trimmed with silvered PVC. Worn by Marit Allen for her marriage to Sandy Lieberson in London on 10 June 1966. ©Victoria and Albert Museum

Embroidered silk satin wedding dress by Norman Hartnell, London, 1933. Commissioned by Margaret Whigham for her marriage to Charles Sweeny on 21 February 1933. Given and worn by Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Highlights include celebrity gowns by stellar international designers such as Norman Hartnell, Vivienne Westwood, and Christian Lacroix. Also on show are special commissions by New Zealand designers WORLD, Lindah Lepou, and Jane Yeh.

How is it that the traditional western European white wedding dress has become the garment of choice for brides in many countries and cultures? And what do wedding dress styles say about the social and economic conditions of their day? You'll learn some of the answers from this magnificent display.

Embroidered silk wedding dress by Christian Lacroix, Paris, Autumn/Winter 1992-93 Haute Couture. Given by Christian Lacroix. Photograph by Guy Marineau © 1992

Silk brocade shoes purchased from Peter Robinson, London, 1914. Worn by Phyllis Blaiberg for her marriage to Bertie Mayer Stone at the Bayswater Synagogue, London on 9 September 1914. Given by Mrs B. Rackow ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Francis Hooper, Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, and Benny Castles discuss their inspiration for the outfits that appear in Unveiled. Plus, we peek backstage as the dress is prepared for its debut at New Zealand Fashion Week. 

More pictures, videos of interviews with designers, recordings by the curator of the museum and much more is available on their website. Even if you can't make it to Wellington to see this exhibition it is definitely worth a visit to their website:

http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/WeddingDress/Pages/default.aspx

Suitably Dressed Morning Suit Groom's Guide

Morning dress has always been a popular choice for those hankering after a traditional wedding with all the trimmings. But did you know that not under any circumstance should a morning suit be worn to a wedding that starts after five in the afternoon? Morning suits are a great choice for those weddings to be held in the colder months too!	Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Four Weddings and a Funeral	Hugh Grant was the ultra-attractive groomsman in full morning suit regalia in Four Weddings and a Funeral. It's entirely possible that his heartstopping good looks in the formal outfit single-handedly prompted the renaissance of this classic!
Don't worry if it's not a morning event despite the name, morning dress can be worn into the afternoon to weddings held before five o'clock.
The morning coat or cut-away is usually black or dark Oxford grey and has tails. The shape differs from a traditional tail coat and is closer to a frock coat in style, the skirt of the coat is knee length. Formal trousers, traditionally worn with a morning coat, are grey striped with one pleat on each leg and should not have cuffs. Custom prescribes a grey, buff or white waistcoat, double or single breasted; weddings are the only occasion that colour variations are permitted. Braces should be worn to prevent the waistband from appearing beneath the waistcoat. Etiquette dictates that only the father of the bride and the groom wear grey morning coats; other bridal party members wear black coats. These days this rule is rarely enforced but a rule is a rule!
At weddings an Ascot tie or cravat is worn with a wing collar, however in more recent times a plain black long tie is acceptable, worn with a turn down collar. If the shirt has a turn down collar it should have sleeves with a double cuff fastened with cufflinks. On a wing collar shirt there should be a single cuffs fastened with cufflinks; a shirt with detachable collar and cuffs is the more traditional option. The shirt can be either pleated or plain, the most formal shirt colour is white, however if a coloured or striped shirt is worn it should have a contrasting white collar and cuff.	Ascot Tie How to make an Ascot Tie Beautiful "I Do" Wedding Cufflinks
In The Man's Book (2006) by Thomas Fink it states that if ever there was a time to wear a buttonhole, this is it. A simple white carnation or other white bloom attached to the lapel is most appropriate for morning suits.	The Man's Book by Thomas Fink
	Shoes should be a plain black Oxford style with laces and without brogue detail; never patent leather which is reserved for formal evening occasions. Black or dark grey silk or wool socks are appropriate.
For the ultra traditionalist a grey or black top hat and grey gloves completes the ensemble. According to Vogue's Book of Etiquette, in the 1940s a walking stick or umbrella was the height of correctness to complete the tradtional morning suit look.	Vogue's Book of Etiquette

Another Royal Occasion

Over the weekend Zara Phillips, granddaughter of The Queen, wed her Rugby player boyfriend Mike Tindall in Edinburgh, Scotland. Attended by The Queen & The Duke of Edingburgh, Prince Charles & Camilla, William & Kate, Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, the ceremony was the first Royal wedding to be held in Scotland in almost 20 years. Zara chose a gown by one of The Queen's favourite couturiers, Stewart Parvin, and accessorised it with a full veil, tiara and Jimmy Choo shoes. The ceremony and reception was held in Cannongate Kirk's Holyroodhouse. I love Zara's full veil with the tiara. Very regal indeed!








Photos courtesy of ninemsn.com.au

Posted by Emilie Harrison

A Short Story

It seems that model weddings are happening left, right and centre at the moment! Anja Rubik wed her long time partner and fellow model, Sasha Knezevic, on the Spanish island of Mallorca over the weekend. Anja's modern Pucci gown was designed for her by Emilio Pucci designer and close friend Peter Dundas. With a short hem, long, flowing skirt and a veil Anja looked every bit the modern model bride. This gown is a fabulous choice for a destination wedding but it also helps when you have amazing legs such as hers. Congrats!




Photos courtesy of HarpersBazaar.com.au

Posted by Emilie Harrison

A Model Marriage

It was a star-studded affair when supermodel Kate Moss married her long-time partner Jamie Hince in a church ceremony Southrop, England over the weekend. In a gown designed for her by her friend John Galliano, Kate looked ever the glowing bride, attended by four bridesdmaids and 15 flowergirls, one of which was her daughter Lila Grace. Jamie opted for a powder blue custom-made Yves Saint Laurent suit that oozed rocker style. The guest list for the celebration was huge with Galliano himself attending, along with Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour, Lara Stone with husband David Williams, Carine Roitfeld, Jude Law, Naomi Campbell and Kelly Osborne. Never to shy away from a party Moss reportedly changed into three separate Stella McCartney looks for the reception including a single-breasted white wool suit for her going away outfit. Visit www.vogue.com.au for all the details.






Photos courtesy of celebitchy.com

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Royal Wedding Roundup

I think it's fair to say the wedding of HRH Prince William & Catherine Middleton on Friday certainly lived up to everyone's expectations. With over 2 billion people worldwide tuning in to watch the nuptials and 1 million people lining the streets of London to celebrate it has certainly reignited the worlds love and infatuation with the British monarchy. Possibly the greatest kept secret of the day was Kate's dress and after much speculation it was announced she was wearing a gown designed by Sarah Burton, head of famed British houseAlexanda McQueen. Made of ivory and white satin gazar with a train of just over 6 feet long, the Royal website notes "the skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs". With her hair down Kate wore a stunning Cartier halo tiara on loan from the Queen and diamond earrings given to her by her parents made especially to match the tiara. According to reports Middleton worked closely with Burton to create the formula for her gown, with obvious notes taken from Grace Kelly's famous wedding gown. There's no doubt that Kate's look will forever be replicated by bride's worldwide as have the looks so many famous brides in the past. Kate's sister and lady in waiting, Pippa Middleton, also wore a custom made McQueen gown complete with little sleeves, a cowl neck and covered buttons. Kate's second gown, for the 80's themed evening party, was another McQueen creation with embellished waist band and finished off with a super cute angora cardigan. Princess chic perfection! Visit the official Royal wedding website at www.officialroyalwedding2011.org for all the wonderful photos.


The official photographer for the wedding was Hugo Burnand






Kate wore a Cartier tiara, on loan from the Queen, with earrings gifted to her by her parents


Kate carried a bouquet of Lilly of the Valley, which also represents 'trust' when refrencing the 'language of flowers', a floral code made popular by Queen Victoria








Kate's second gown for the evening celebration was another McQueen creation with embellished waist band and angora cardigan


The amazing cake was crafted by Fiona Cairns and took five weeks to design. The cake, consisting of 17 individual fruit cakes, was decorated in cream and white icing with 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Rebecca Twigley & Chris Judd Wed

Myer Ambassador Rebecca Twigley and Carlton Captain Chris Judd chose New Years Eve, December 31st 2010, as the date for their uber-fashionable wedding. Tying the knot at Albert Park's Carousel, in Melbourne, the couple celebrated with 220 friends and famiy. Rebecca chose close friends Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino of J'Aton Couture to create her exquisite art deco-inspired gown as well as her bridesmaids and her mothers gowns. Weighing a whopping 30kg the gown featured lace and intricate beading all over the bodice and took 300 hours to make. I have no doubt girls will be clammering to have a gown similar to this. Visit www.jatoncouture.com to find out more about their couture service.






Pictures courtesy of zimbio.com

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Suzie Willks & Nick O'Halloran

In the new summer issue 17, on sale now, we were thrilled to get offered to opportunity to run the gorgeous wedding of the even more gorgeous Suzie Willks & Nick O'Halloran. Married in front of 170 guests on the 21 August this year in a marquee on the banks of the Ornamental Lake in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, Suzie and Nick's celebration was warm, colourful and love filled. Stylists extrodinaire A Lavish Affair created a simply breathtaking space filled with flowers, candles and topped off with a grand chandelier from Harry the Hirer.

A note from the stylist:
"The brief - a warm and inviting 'feels like home' setting. After the ceremony, the space converted into a luxutious French-style lounge. A vintage chandelier hung over seating areas set amongst an abundance of gorgeous florals, candles and framed family photographs. Soft neutral pieces were enhanced by the bride's choice of vivid colour florals"

Suzie's amazing gown was designed for her by the very talented Jane Hill with the photography by Blumenthal Photography.

A note from the photographer:
"Suzie and Nick are such a beautiful couple, it is hard to imagine we would have achieved anything but beautiful photographs. The attention to detail put into the styling ensured every shot had a consistent colour palette and a point of interest. The brilliant, bright colours looked just fantastic and photographed so well"







Photographer - Blumenthal Photography
Bride's dress - Jane Hill
Florist - Victoria Whitelaw
Grooms suit - Tom Ford @ Harrolds
Ceremony & reception - Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Event coordiantor & stylist - A Lavish Affair
French Provincial Furniture Hire - Splendid Days
Cake - Alison Louise
Caterer - Blakes Feast
Stationer - Chapel Press

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Nicole Richie & Joel Madden

I have to say I thought Nicole Richie looked beyond gorgeous at her recent wedding to musician Joel Madden. Married on the Estate of her father Lionel Richie, Nicole wore three different gowns designed for her by her close friends Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. Channeling Grace Kelly, Nicole noted she'd always wanted a dress inspired by the gown Kelly wore at her wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. Of course the wedding was a flamboyant affair, styled by celebrity wedding planner extrodinaire Mandy Weiss. Check out this weeks issue of Who Magazine for all the pics.




Photos courtesy of cocoperez.com

Posted by Emilie Harrison