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Simon Says
Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys New York and author of the new book Eccentric Glamour, says there are three bridal archetypes. Which best suits your aisle style? Photographs by Robert Diadul
send in the clones Opposite: Veil, $156, by Bride’s Head Revisited. Akoya pearl necklace, $8,295; freshwater pearl bracelet, $675, both by Iridesse. Platinum and diamond engagement ring, $2,500 (without center stone), by Scott Kay. Wig by shevy pro.com. Bouquet of daffodils by Michelle Rago, Ltd.
They have fake tans. Fake hair. They’re often blond and elegantly gowned.
I call them The Stepford Brides. Why? Because they look too, too perfect, and looking too, too perfect
is too, too perfectly boring. ✱ The problem is, you look like everyone else. And when you look like
everyone else, guess what? You cannot possibly look like yourself. ✱ At your wedding, you should strive
to express every ounce of your individuality. Throw in a dash of eccentricity. Be a little quirky. Be the gal
with eccentric glamour! ✱ My theory is that women, as stylistically diverse as they may be, can be
broadly classified into three groups: The Gypsies, The Socialites and The Existentialists. These three
The Gypsy Bride is a hippie, a flower child, a free spirit. In her imagination—and, believe me, she has a really big imagination—the Gypsy bride sees herself running across a windswept hilltop barefoot in a Lacroix dress or a gorgeous confection of vintage shawls, tiered petticoats and dirndl skirts of her own making. Unpretentious and filled with joie de vivre, the Gypsy does not care about the details; she cares about the emotional experience. If her wedding cake fails to materialize, she will simply laugh and uncork another bottle of champagne, making sure to spray it over her guests in the process.
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la BohèMe Opposite, from left: Ivory organza gown with glitter dots, $1,800, by J. Crew. Shawl, $675, by Adrienne Landau. Gold necklace, $100; bangles, $50 for 11, all by Amrita Singh. Bangles, $55 for six, by Tejani. Diamond ring, price upon request, by Bochic. Ivory silk organza pleated bubble dress, price upon request, by St. Pucchi. Vest, $3,900, by J. Mendel. Headpiece, $500, by Albertus Swanepoel for Erin Fetherston. Emerald, ruby, sapphire and pearl earrings, $95; bangles, $175 for eight, all by Tejani. Pearl bracelet, $250, by Amrita Singh. Citrine ring, $9,250, by Bochic. Pillows, $60 and $450, both from ABC Carpet & Home. This page: Champagne point d’esprit lace and satin gown, $998, by Casablanca Bridal. Shawl, $160, by Surevolution. Soutache cord and glass cabochon earrings, $295; necklaces, $525 and $910; bracelet, $540, all by Dori Csengeri. Bangle, $125, by Tejani. Pink tourmaline and diamond ring, $7,300, by Bochic. Sari, $200; “Suzani” sofa, $6,195, both from ABC Carpet & Home.
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The Socialite Bride is a Jackie Kennedy kind of a gal, who feels that God is in the details. No issue is too small for her consideration: From the invites to the finger bowls, the Socialite bride flagellates herself to achieve perfection. Her goal is to have the chicest wedding on earth! Chic! Chic! Chic! âœą When picking her gown, she is channeling Grace Kelly of Monaco circa 1956. Her dress is all about design and fit. There is handiwork. There is beading. There is lace. But the entire look is executed with the utmost restraint. No Gypsy flounces for her! âœą There are fresh camellias hurled nonchalantly on the stone steps; bridesmaids in chartreuse shantung smocks; place cards written in deep violet ink, earlobes adorned with 17th-century baubles. Nothing is tacky. Everything is CHIC!
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My fair lady Opposite, from left: Ivory silk faille gown with detachable overskirt, $5,690, by Oscar de la Renta. Paste earrings and bracelet, prices upon request, both from Melody Rodgers. Platinum and diamond engagement ring with trapeze side diamonds, price upon request, by Cartier. Pearl silk taffeta gown with pintucked bodice, $2,670, by Anne Barge. Bow, $25, by DaCee Designs. Paste and faux pearl brooch, $675; paste earrings, $350, both from Kentshire. Chair, ottoman and table, all from Barbara Barry Realized by Henredon. Rug, $999, from ABC Carpet & Home. This page: Cream peau de soie ball gown with Alenรงon lace appliquรงs, $4,500, by Judd Waddell. Paste earrings, $475; paste necklace, $850, both from Kentshire. Platinum and diamond engagement ring, price upon request, by Cartier.
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reBel with a cause This page, from left: White silk faille trapeze dress, $4,620, by Angel Sanchez. Paste earrings and Lucite bracelet, prices upon request, both from Melody Rodgers. Lucite and crystal bracelet, $1,495, by Abaton Bros. Pumps, $780, by Christian Louboutin. Ivory silk faille coat over tank and mermaid skirt, price upon request, by Vera Wang. Headpiece, $500, by Albertus Swanepoel for Erin Fetherston. Steel bracelet, price upon request, from Melody Rodgers. Diamond ring, $7,900 (without center stone), by MaeVona. Crystal brooches (on form), $68–$128, all by Sequin. Opposite: Ivory silk satin gown with tulle twirls, $5,000, by Suzanne Ermann. Lucite and crystal earrings, $495; bracelets, $1,085 each, all by Abaton Bros. Diamond ring, $12,000, by MaeVona. Perspex clutch, $330, by Lulu Guinness. Mirror ball by Tom Dixon, from Design Within Reach. The Throne chair, $5,150, by Ted Nemeth. For more info, see page 478. Hair by Pete Lennon at Defacto for Redken/Prive. Makeup by WilliamMurphy@opusbeauty .com. Set styling by Sonia Niki.
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The Existentialist Bride spends a great deal of time defying the conventional notions of good taste and embracing vulgarity. Think Vegas wedding chapel in biker drag; think rock-star decadence in a Rococo funeral parlor. Not all Existentialist brides are, thank God, pierced-tongue Goths in slithery Morticia Addams black satin sheaths. Most are of the less extreme, infinitely more digestible, Carrie Bradshaw variety. For example: An existentialist bride loves a vintage 1950s dress. She loves an unexpected location like a Soho loft or an abandoned train station. She is a brave rule-breaker who can teach us all a thing or two about avoiding conventional clichés. She is a fashion visionary. ✱ Every bride does want to ensure that her wedding, whether Existentialist, Gypsy or Socialite, has a few elements of stylish surprise. There is nothing worse than a typical Stepford wedding where all the elements are predictable and pedestrian. It’s up to you to find the level and genre of eccentricity that’s right for you. ■
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