THE NEW NOVIA

POST MODERN BRIDE

Today’s Novia, as the Spanish call a betrothed woman, is not slavishly beholden to tradition. She takes the styles of her forebears and reinterprets them, or abandons them altogether!

Couture Carrie admits that the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” superstition is one that will survive the ages, but today’s bride is not afraid to combine them.

The focus of today’s post is the forsaking of the traditional white gown in favor of color. After all, the ivory-clad bride is a rather modern invention, as chronicled in Color Me Beautiful, a recent W Magazine article which explains that “white has only been donned by Western brides since the Victorian era, when . . . Queen Victoria set a trend by slipping into a colorless lace confection” for her 1840 wedding. Read the full article at http://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/2008/06/colorful_brides.

Georgina Chapman's new wedding line actually includes black in the “color” repertoire. Photo at top left of black and white Marchesa gowns with floral appliqué courtesy wmagazine.com.

It is the right (nay, obligation) of the bride to simply don a gorgeous gown, in whatever shocking shade she so desires. It is, after all, her day – her very own red carpet. It may, indeed, be her only chance to wear such a sumptuous frock and be famous for the day. Weddings are the new Oscars!

In that vein, Couture Carrie takes great pride in suggesting some lovely bridal gowns in adventurous hues (and also

some less traditional cream-hued stunners).

My personal favorite, in a signature CC shade, is the Zac Posen purple gown shown at upper right, taken from the pages of Spanish VOGUE. It is decadent, alluring, sultry, and fabulously flattering, with a plunging neckline, delicate feathered straps, and expert draping.

A brave bride indeed might don Gai Mattiolo’s rose asymmetrical gown, from the Hiver 2009 Paris Collection, as pictured in French VOGUE.

Or go glamorously green with this Amanda Wakely spaghetti strap slipdress . . . ideal for l'mariage sur l'herbe.

If you are insistent upon a white or ivory gown (such as the Armani Privé, Douglas Hannant, Carlos Miele, and Dolce & Gabbana gowns pictured from top to bottom at left, via nymag.com), may Couture Carrie at least suggest an adventurous shoe, in a purple or periwinkle?

Several years ago, Christian Louboutin introduced a wildly successful line of wedding footwear (now, sadly, no longer in production) that rejected the traditional Louboutin red sole in favor of a baby blue one, providing something both new and blue for the lovely lady’s upcoming nuptials. Pure genius!

The best part about opting to wear color here is that you can buy the most fabulously decadent and expensive pair of Jimmy Choos and actually get to wear them again!

CC likes Manolo Blahnik’s blue satin Sedaraby (pictured here at right and available at Barneys New York). Or go for a strappy Alexandra Neel sandal in a luscious shade of chartreuse. Remember: it is your day, and your privilege to express yourself.

Be a slave to tradition only if it works for you...

WHITE HOUSE

LILY OF THE VALLEY

In case you haven't heard, white is hot!

The most and greatest offerings in this category were to be found on the Givenchy Couture Spring 2008 runway. The craftsmanship was (as ever) impeccable, the forms delightful, and the designs refreshingly creative. The standout piece for me was this elegant asymmetrical inverted flower dress (at left), complete with bustling folds of silk that create three-dimensionality without bulk.

Note the white sandals (so often a tacky choice, made chic here by their heft yet delicacy). I also loved the white toeless buckled boot worn at the same show (at right).

For more incredible photos from the Givenchy show, all courtesy style.com, see the left hand column of CoutureCarrie!



This floor-length 3.1 Phillip Lim Waterfall Gown, much touted for its brilliant eco-friendly construction, is the ultimate in Grecian-inspired chic.



Fanciful, albeit questionably wearable, this Francesco Scognamiglio blouse puts white chiffon on display in an overt, costume-y way. I am eagerly anticipating more fanciful designs from this Italian newcomer.


For a more economical take on the white trend, try this embroidered shift dress with keyhole back, available at Forever 21 for around twenty dollars. White on!


Nathan Jenden’s Lilith peplum short sleeve jacket provides a bit of expert tailoring. And you can sport it without looking like a cater-waiter (which is a risk one always runs when donning a white jacket). Photo at right from net-a-porter.com.