Barcelona Bridal Week

Barcelona Bridal Week is one of the highlights of the European fashion calendar, and one of the largest features for the wedding industry in the world. Top designers such a Pronovias, Amanda Wakely, and Christian Lacroix show off their latest collections, while new raw talent has the opportunity to introduce fresh ideas to the world of wedding fashion.

Feminine was the key word for most designers this year, with light fabrics and delicate sillouettes trimmed with lots of girly lace, frills, and flowers. Spanish designers Jesus del Pózo and Rosa Clara were both heard saying that their goal was to compliment the female form and create designs that were elegant and sophisticated.

Many collections showed more than a nod to classicism, with greek and roman style gowns that are sure to set the trend for 2009 brides. This should make most brides happy, as the high waistlines, loose, flowing skirts, and gathered fabric that are the hallmarks of this era are pretty universally flattering.

Of course, it wouldn´t be a truly couture fashion show if all of models appeared polished, elegant and conventional, and if high-fashion high-jinx were somewhat absent from many of the designers’ simple dresses, it was spilling over in abundance when it came to headwear.

Large, wide-brimmed hats were on show, while over-the-top feather fascinators were all the rage, with Victorio and Luchiano offering a spectacular show of models with white painted faces, red lips, and clusters of huge, white feathers branching out from their hair.

De la Cierva y Nicolás even went so far as to incorporate feathers into one of their wedding gowns, with a suprising subtley. Why the model was also carrying a white teddybear, I’m not sure, but that’s one fashion trend I don’t see brides adopting for their trip down the aisle.

Swarovski and Pronovias paired up for a truly sparkling display of gowns (by Manuel Mota) jewellery and accessories, featuring elements from Swarovski’s Crystalized range of embellishments. There are even a pair of shoes encrusted with crytals for a bride who yearns for a Cinderella style shoe.

With all of this, it is no wonder that Barcelona calls itself the City of Brides.

More about Barcelona Bridal Week.

Loving:
Jesus Piero

I love the subtle glow of this ivory silk, and the modesty of the jacket. This style would be great for an older bride.

Hating:
Any and all stripey dresses!

Just for Fun:
No, I wouldn’t wear it down the aisle, but I love the whismsical extravagence of the layers of this dress.

All images barcelonabridalweek