Haute Couture Saw Elaborate Bridal Gowns, but Celebrities are Opting for Something Simpler
Haute Couture season just ended with its iconic parade of gorgeous and exquisite wedding gowns for brides who dream of extravagant weddings. As always, many Houses’ Couture shows produced only the best bridal designs to be presented at the end of their shows — designs so elaborate with its price tag as a painful reminder of the cost of premium fashion.
This season saw fashion Houses like Dior, Fendi, and Chanel strut their one-of-a-kind, sophisticated dresses down the runway, with the sole purpose to stand out amongst a crowd. Chanel even took it one step further by having muse Margaret Qualley take her time walking down the ‘aisle’ and throwing her bouquet into the crowd after. The truth is that Couture brides represent exclusivity as not everyone can afford the additional details and painstaking effort it takes to create such designs.
So why is it that “big” celebrities of today — who are often the target of Couture designs in the first place — are opting for simpler gowns? Perhaps it’s the intimacy that pandemic weddings provide, with many couples downsizing the props needed for their special day. Although it is often expected of celebrities to partake in big wedding culture — much like Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ grand 2018 wedding — 2021 brides welcome the alternative.
After nearly six years together, ska icon Gwen Stefani and resident judge of ‘The Voice’ Blake Shelton tied the knot earlier this month at a private chapel on their Oklahoma estate. Unlike fancy Couture gowns, Stefani stuck to her alternative roots by choosing a relatively simple Vera Wang gown built with a structured bustier, tulle skirt, long train, and accessorised with a sheer veil.
On May 17, pop star Ariana Grande and realtor Dalton Gomez wed at Grande’s Montecito, California home with less than 20 people in attendance. Grande also turned to designer Vera Wang to select her bridal gown — a classy, silk empire waist gown with a plunging back and long slit down its side, accessorised with a short veil with a sweet bow on top.
Lastly, we have English singer-songwriter Lily Allen and ‘Black Widow’ actor David Harbour, who married at a wedding chapel in Las Vegas officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator. Allen chose a short and chic ‘60s inspired off-the-shoulder wedding dress by Dior and paired it with black platforms and a simple two-tiered veil.
