Designer Labels At New York Fashion Week, What’s On-Trend in SS12 And The HEM Index

Designer Labels Head to London fashion Week

No sooner are we reluctantly moving to our autumn wardrobes and recalling the designer labels we were wearing last winter, than we see London Fashion Week already upon us proclaiming the virtues of Spring/Summer 2012. This is a semi annual event where the worlds designer labels, famous and not so famous, congregate to showcase their collections for the season six months hence. The travelling circus of designers, buyers, journalists, bloggers, industry insiders and of course celebrities pitch their fashion big top for a week not only in London, but in the worlds other major fashion centres, namely; New York, Paris & Milan.

For those who covet the major designer labels and follow the shifting sands of style and changing trends, The fashion weeks represent an ideal opportunity to keep a close eye on what’s going to be hitting it big when you’re looking to next spring and summer for outfits. While a lot of the household designer labels choose to showcase their haute couture and conceptual designs, as these pieces are out of reach to many of us mere mortals, our objective therefore is to see the trends emerge as themes as a clue as to what the designer labels have in store for us come next spring when the ready to wear collections are launched for general sale.

New York Is Best To For Mainstream Designer Labels

The best barometer of this is New York fashion week where they tend to showcase collections which cater to the home market, for Americans on the whole are a little more conservative in their fashion tastes. New York has a tendency to show a more traditional clean lines type of style, with “less directional” and more “ready to wear” collections (read “commercial fashion”) mainstream designer labels who have a runway during this week typically include Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Marc Jacob. Where as the shows in London, Paris or Milan weeks tend to push the envelope a little more. Some purists may suggest its “safe fashion”, but I argue for the punter who spends their “hard earned” on designer dresses every now and again, its the clearest way for many to make an informed decision about the investments they will make on designer labels next season.

Jason Wu SS12	Philip Lim SS12

Having observed over the past week New York’s output, there seems to be little invention and no major departure from what has gone before, but that’s not such bad news, as in the main, what you’ve been wearing during the past summer is most likely still going to be relevant next year too, and so having to match up old and new pieces in SS12 wardrobe will be the ideal basis of a great, and ever evolving capsule wardrobe.

What Trends To Look For in SS11

What seems to be the big trend this time round is a move towards a more casual, lifestyle look which has been dubbed “Urban Sport” as the name suggests its full of soft tailoring, and strikes an easy balance between both street and office wear. Nowhere was this better illustrated than with Philp Lim and his Kite inspired runway show showing cocktails and shift dress made of flowing parachute silk, the ideal canvas on which to work, the airy loose style was the perfect interpretation of his signature soft tailoring.
Jason Wu, Michelle Obama’s designer label of choice also followed the theme of soft tailoring with a mix of urban sport influences and smart casual clothing as did Marc Jacob, Alexander Wang and Preen.

Preen Block colours, powder shades	Michael Kors SS12 -Afri-luxe

Another big trend is colour…bright bold colours, citrus brights, neon, these were used in block colours, which is a trend that will continue into next season, and the tribal look which will dominate next summer, though yellow seemed to pop up more frequently than any other colour.

As mentioned above, the tribal look is making a reappearance, an alternative label coined by Michael Kor is “Afri-Luxe”, we might refer to it as tribal/safari, but it was a strong showing in his runway show. The Kor designer Label which has been built upon the his home grown market of the U.S. and taken the all American casual sportswear and added luxury and embellishments. Kor has applied acres of Zebra, Python and Leopard skin prints to his swimwear, romper suits, shift and cocktail dresses to create “Serengeti style” (that’s my own label I’ve given the look). Proenza Schouler followed suit with the safari/tribal trend featuring conceptualised giraffe and tiger prints across the collection too, so is a sure fire contender to be hot in 2012.

And So To The HEM index, And What The Hell Is It?

We couldn’t leave a fashion trend review without mentioning the “Hem Index”, for you who don’t know its a theory put forward by economist George Taylor’s back in the 1920′s, when he referred to hemlines lengths changing in line with the economy, as the economy gets weaker, hemline get longer and vice versa. In the midst of what seems like harder economic times and austerity, in the case of New York fashion week and the designer labels who had runways, the results were inconclusive as there was a bevy of asymmetrical and handkerchief hems which will leave economists to draw mixed concisions, though as ever austerity and high end designer labels are uncomfortable bed fellows.

Image Credits – Metro

filed under – designer labels

Five Key Trends In Designer Wear For Summer 2011

There were so many great designer wear looks on the catwalk for summer 2011, but if you want to be right on trend here are some of the key dress styles to keep an eye out for this summer.

Floral dresses

D &G Mimosa print boned dress – My Wardrobe

Floral dresses are always a huge fashion trend in the summer but this year you should look out for larger scale floral prints as seen at Dries Van Noten and Jil Sanders, embellished florals as seen at Caroline Herrera, Erdem and Vera Wang and bright botanicals including the stunningly bright floral dresses at D & G. Also look our for a whole range of different blooms from the traditional rose to pansies, irises and oriental orchids. There are so many different floral dress styles around this summer but if you can’t find one that you love, there are also some  great fruit prints. 

Lace dress

Project D by Dannii and Tabitha black butterfly lace dress – My Wardrobe

The lace dress was already looking to be a huge trend but after the royal wedding we just can’t get it out of our head. From the innocence and simplicity of a white lace dress to the more sexy black lace dress or even a fun neon bright lace dress, you can chose a style to suit your mood. A simple shift dress style in lace is very fashionable now but also really classic piece of designer wear that is likely to last you for season after season.

One shoulder dress

Halston Heritage One Shoulder Mini – My Wardrobe

Always elegant, great for parties and incredibly flattering the one shoulder dress is back on trend again this summer. With its feel of Greek goddess, the one shoulder dress can also work well for the Studio 54 seventies vibe that is such big news this summer. Take your pick of the one shoulder dress from maxi to mini. Halston Heritage played a key role in the current seventies revival and are becoming well known for their one shoulder dress.

White dresses

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania White Wednesday Dress – My Wardrobe

This summers white dress styles are anything but boring. Interesting shapes, appliqued detail and pretty lace all more than make up for the lack of colour. Fresh, clean and cool, white dresses are the perfect designer wear for the hot summer weather and just about any occasion as long as you are not a guest at a wedding. Look for feminine dress styles in floaty and layered fabrics with flared skirts to really capture the romantic look.

Designer maxi dresses

Winter Kate halter maxi dress – My Wardrobe

Back again by popular demand, the designer maxi dress is glamorous and the perfect designer wear for the evening. It is also incredibly flattering and covers up a multitude of sins from a round tummy to saddlebag thighs. Slim line or slim fit designer maxi dresses are particularly on trend this summer and you can take your pick from one colour, patterns and prints and floaty chiffon.

Milan Fashion Week – Seventies Inspired Designer Wear

Bright, bold and rich colours and patterns were all key themes at Milan Fashion week but one of the biggest trends to watch out for is seventies inspired designer wear. We have been seeing quite a strong seventies influence for spring and summer 2011 and if these collections are anything to go by, this trend will be continuing well into the winter. lame and metallics, rich brocades and luxurious fabrics were all big news as were printed chiffons, velvet and flowing designer maxi dresses.  Any thing with a seventies vibe that you buy now will be a great investment and will get plenty of wear. So grab your flares, floppy hats, designer maxi dresses and pussycat bow blouses for a summer of love followed by a winter of glamorous and luxe party designer dresses and designer wear.

Roberto Cavalli

Known for his extravagant and luxurious collections, Roberto Cavalli makes good use of rich colours and prints in his collection. For Autumn Winter 2011 his show featured plenty of glitz and glamour with layers of animal print and snakeskin chiffon, devore print dresses, feather fur jackets and goat hair waist coats. One of the most noticeable features of this show was the use of gold.

Alberta Ferretti

Alberta Ferretti’s collection was perhaps more sixties than seventies but was in keeping with the overall retro vibe of Milan Fashion Week. Some very wearable day dresses in the form of  teal, purple, orange and grey were the order of the day. With the addition of elaborate block heel knee high boots in coloured velvet with brocade detail, there was definitely an air of extravagance about this collection that was a far cry from the neutral colours that dominated the catwalks in AW10. Although Alberta is well known for her designer wear for the evening, this collection proves that she can do day wear just as well.

Gucci

Frida Gianinni managed to effortlessly combine the seventies vibe with a forties silhouette for a collection  that sizzled with sex appeal. There were pussy bow blouses, plenty of coloured fur and draped chiffon. The day dresses combined lady like three quarter length hems with contrasting chunky knee high boots. The colour teal featured heavily but there were also plenty of other rich colours. For the evening extravagant designer maxi dresses in transparent fabrics slit to the thigh to reveal fifties style underwear added yet more glamour to the proceedings.  

Angelo Marani

Yet another seventies inspired collection of designer wear was Angelo Marani. This time featuring flared legs, maxi lengths, wide brimmed hats, lots of fur, belted waistcoats and platform shoes. It was a festival of hippy chick designer wear with scarves, texture and carpeted handbags and bright jewellery. There was also plenty of checked fabrics and high waists.

You can get an early start on these trends with clever use of designer wear from previous seasons. Not only will you look amazingly on trend but you will also save yourself some money in the process.

Metallic Brocade Jacket by Balmain

Roksanda Ilincic Silk Lame Maxi Skirt

Erdem Carissa Print Silk Satin Blouse

Dolce and Gabbana Silk Pussy Bow Blouse

Harrods – A Famous Place To Buy Your Designer Dresses

Everyone has heard of the world famous Harrods, no? Not only is it a great place to buy designer dresses but also just about every luxurious item that you can think of from Laduree Macaroons to the latest perfumes and accessories. Visitors to London flock to Harrods to see what is on offer and see the shop that is the most famous place in the world to buy designer dresses. The department  store is located on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge and  plays host to a raft of celebrities and foreign visitors, it was most famously owned by business man Mohammed Al Fayed. It is the second biggest department store in the UK second only to Selfridges on Oxford street, just think about all of those amazing designer dresses that you could fit into that space!

For those who don’t get to visit Harrods quite as often as they would like or have never been there before, we have great news. You can now shop Harrods and all of its amazing designer dresses from the comfort of your own home. Harrods have their own retail website selling a wide range of  women’s wear including everything from day dresses to designer cocktail dresses plus accessories and beauty products.

Harrods stocks some of the worlds most celebrated designers, if you are looking for an amazing celebrity dress then it is definitely the place to find it. For a really special occasion Harrods also has some of the most exclusive evening gowns in the UK.

Here is a taster of just a few of the beautiful designer dresses that Harrods has to offer:

The Herve Leger Bandage Dress

The bandage dress by Herve Leger is the celebrity dress of the moment. Worn by everyone from Kate Winslet to Cheryl Cole, it is a very body con style with an amazing ability to flatter and streamline. Take your pick from of a variety of styles and colours of these  figure sculpting designer cocktail dresses. Wear with vertiginous heels for maximum impact.

Issa Dresses – Kate Middleton’s Favourite

Top marks to the buyers at Harrods for securing some of the hottest designers of the moment. Issa is one of Kate Middleton’s favourite labels and with the royal wedding just a few months away, is great for those looking to celebrate the big day with new designer cocktail dresses. The most recent Issa collection features vivid colours in softly draping chiffons and bohemian prints. This leopard print dress is a perfect example of how sophisticated and versatile Issa clothes are.

Halston Heritage – an Iconic Label

In the seventies the most sought after celebrity dresses were by the iconic brand Halston. Worn by Jackie Kennedy, Bianca Jagger and Angelica Houston Halston designs were the height of fashion. Now you can buy Halston Heritage from Harrods. The newer version of the ready to wear label that is proving to be immensely popular second time around as well. Recently the one shoulder draped cocktail dresses have been a big hit but we love this crystal embellished dress.

Going Out On The Town In Hot Pink Dresses

Despite whatever trends are out there at the moment, or predicted to be out there this coming season, one things for sure, when we get a chance us girls just love to wear Pink. This is a point not lost on our friends at Designer clothing store Van Mildert as they have recognised too when it comes to pinks, candy’s and corals that its an urge we can’t resist and the inner “Girly” just has to break free.

With the summer moving progressively nearer they’ve put together a collection of stunningly beautiful hot pink dresses that will become evermore popular over the coming months as the warmer weather draws ever closer and the big occasions of the summer start to encroach. So if you’ve got a big summer occasion to look forward to such as a birthday celebration, a wedding guest or a once in a life time holiday coming up well here’s your excuse to get hold of a belter of a designer dress.

However, its not lost on us that these designer dresses are not just a dress to wear for one occasion only, these hot pink designer dresses are investment pieces that need to work with different looks to get the most from them, to be worn time and time again regardless of the season. As and investment in your wardrobe, you should just as easily consider it in the warmth of a summer evening than in the cooler spring night or for a Christmas party for that matter, it all boils down to how you accessorise.

Accesorising is the key to any look to maintain the longevity of any wardrobe classic or capsule piece, so think not just about the dress but how to adapt the look just by adding a little garment here and there. So for example the D&G by Dolce and Gabbana Womens Stretch Satin Fuchsia Pink Dress is a classic sleeveless mini shift dress that could be worn equally well in the summer for example, if you can match with a pair of killer laboutins or Jimmy Choos, perhaps with a shawl to keep the chill off your shoulders. Alternatively in the cooler weather of spring or winter as Katie shows here in the photo, match with a D&G quilted leather jacket, Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Womens Temptation Black Shoes and a pair of black opaque tights to set the glam biker girl look off perfectly.

If you would like to see more from the Van Mildert Collections click the button below:

BFC Vogue Award Guarantees Lots More Christopher Kane Designer Cocktail Dresses

If you love designer cocktail dresses by Christopher Kane, then the news that he has just won the British Fashion Council/ Vogue Designer Fashion Fund will be music to your ears.

The BFC / Vogue Award is now in its second year and was established to give a boost to British design talent in a similar way to Anna Wintour’s very successful CFDA / Vogue Fashion has done in the US. Christopher Kane will not only recieve  £200,000 but also access to industry mentors to help grow his business and develop his design talent further.

Christopher Kane  has already made a name for himself as an innovative young designer with his creative collections featuring some of the most desirable cocktail dresses in the UK. After graduating from Central St Martin’s college in 2006, he was invited by Donnatello Versace to work for her labels diffusion line Versus. He also already has a good following of celebrities including Kate Moss and Chloe Sevigny who love his unusual and beautiful designer cocktail dresses.

Christopher Kane won the award against some other big up and coming names in UK fashion including Johnathan Saunders, Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto and Richard Nicoll. It was his business plan and presentation to the judges panels which was chaired by Alexandra Shulman, Editor in Chief of British Vogue  that secured the prize for him.

He plans to use the funds to implement his strategic vision for the company which includes broadening the collections without sacrificing his love of details and embellishments. We can definitely look forward to lots more beautiful Christopher Kane designer cocktail dresses and perhaps even some beaded cocktail dresses. Kane believes that it is good to move out of your comfort zone each season to allow you to learn new things and challenge your senses. This is perhaps why each one of his collections is so unique and different but always causes a stir at the catwalk shows. His Autumn collection will be shown at London Fashion Week on February 21st and we can’t wait!

His current Spring 2011 features lady like styles with a twist. Neon bright, perforated leather pieces give the effect of lace but a very different look to the traditional lace styles that have been popular over the last year or two. His Galaxy print silk dresses have also proved incredibly popular. From previous collections there has also been the crazy stripes formed by overlapping strips of silk and gingham dresses with bra like contouring.

This Crazy Stripe Silk dress is an excellent example of Christopher creative and experimental way with embellishment and fabrics. If you are looking for a cocktail dresses in the UK, it would be a great pick and is available at 65% off its original price on The Outnet. 

Current collection or not, Christopher Kane’s designer cocktail dresses will always make a big statement and are a great investment. This mesh stam silk dress with a boned corset and peplum waist is a really flattering and versatile black cocktail dress that you will wear and wear. It is 60% less than the original price at the Outnet.

Michelle Obama Loves Red Evening Gowns By UK Designers

The fact that Michelle Obama loves evening gowns by UK designers is significant not just because she is something of  a style icon but also because she is America’s first lady. Her wardrobe is not just filled with a selection of dresses for a night out or occasional party like most of us, she has a selection of elaborate formal evening gowns for official state occasions and visits. Her clothing choices reflect not just her own personal taste but her role as an ambassador for the US.

Michelle has an elegant and sophisticated style as would be expected from this much scrutinised lady who is regularly photographed and pictured on television. She is often described as the ‘first lady of style’  and has championed a number of American designers. She has her pick of beautiful clothes from any of the international fashion designers which is why we are so pleased that she has recently chosen from some of the most beautiful of formal evening gowns by UK label Alexander McQueen.

When she accompanied her husband Barrack Obama to greet Hu Jintao, his Chinese counterpart on a state visit to the US, she wore not one but two dresses by UK designers. For the day time she wore an embroidered navy dress on designer Roksanda Ilinic. In the evening she changed into the most beautiful of formal red evening dresses, a modified version of a piece from the Alexander McQueen resort 2011 collection for an elaborate state dinner at the presidents official residence. The beautiful red evening gown featured a black feather like print. It was stunning and the perfect choice for such an occasion.

Following the sad death of Lee (Alexander) McQueen last year, the label has continued with Sarah Burton, who was at Alexander McQueens side for the past 16 years taking the helm. Whilst it is clear that no one could ever take Alexander McQueen’s place, Sarah has certainly risen to the challenge of taking the label into a new stage of its life. She has proven her ability with not only this dress but countless other formal evening gowns. She has managed to keep the signature style of the label but with a softer edge.

If you have an important event or occasion this year, why not follow Michelle Obama’s lead by choosing from some of these beautiful red designer dresses.

Valentino Pleated Red Evening Gown - this beautiful silk dress is in Valentino’s signature red has a flattering v neck and pleated bodice and wrap style waist.

Red Strapless by Bottega Veneta - for a slightly less formal occasion, this simple but very stylish red designer dress has  a concealed boned bodice.

Anoushka G Chiffon Wrap over Grecian Dress - another beautiful choice of formal evening gown this beautiful dress makes full use of draping with folds of extravagant silk chiffon.

Notte By Marchesa One Shoulder Organza Dress – this stunning red cocktail dress with dramatic ruffles is the perfect way to stand out from the crowd at a party.

5 Style Resolutions For 2011

A great investment piece -silk satin shift dress by Dolce and Gabbana

A wardrobe staple – Ozzy cotton dress by Isabel Marant

A piece of British fashion history -  Vivienne Westwood Anglomania teal samurai friday dress

With Christmas offering the chance get dressed up in your favourite designer party dresses, new year is a great time to reflect on your style and think about style resolutions for the year ahead. Being super stylish is all about wearing clothes that suit your body shape, lifestyle, budget and personality. You should be comfortable and confident in your choice of outfit and you will look and feel great. Here are 5 style resolution that will help you make the most of your wardrobe.

1. Instead of buying lots of impulse buys save up for one beautiful designer dress   – not only will this help you to build a stylish wardrobe that will last for many years, it will also be so much more satisfying to buy something that you have saved up for. Key investment pieces include a shift dress by Dolce & Gabbana  or a corset dress by Vivienne Westwood. Why not invest in a classic little black dress by your favourite designer, this is sure to get plenty of wear and compliments. Isabel Marant does some very stylish day dresses and separates.

2. Audit your wardrobe - before you buy anything new have a look at what you have already got and what you need more of. Make sure that you fill the gaps and not just buy more of what you have already got. There is no point in buying more evening wear if you already have lots but rarely go out in the evening, look for beautiful day dresses instead.

3. Add some personality to your outfits -your outfits should be personal to you and should reflect your personality. If you are feminine with  a bright and bubbly personality, why not try swapping your jeans for some floral dresses. You can also add accessories to transform a simple piece like a shift dress into a unique outfit. Styling your own outfits can be so much fun so why not give it a go?

4. Shop for your body shape – you should always wear the types of clothes that you love, but if you stick to those that enhance your body shape  you will always look and feel great. There are plenty of books and magazines that give advice on which styles of clothes suit which body shapes, you can try some out and see which you like. Once you have found the key styles that work best for you, you can still have some fun using colour, texture and pattern.

5. Compare your options - there are so many different choices of stylish dresses that you should spend a little time researching the options before buying. You can compare price, quality, colours and styles to find the designer dresses that really suit you. Impulse buying might give you a rush of excitement in the short term, but in the long term it won’t really benefit your wardrobe. You may also save yourself some money when you discover amazingly stylish dresses at great prices. The Outnet is usually is a good starting point for discounted designer clothes.

Why BCBG Dresses Are The Latest Must Have

Ask any fashionista in the know and they will tell you that one of the latest must have pieces of clothing are BCBG dresses. Dresses by the American label are literally flying off the rails at the moment with BCBG evening dresses being a big hit with celebrities for the red carpet. If you don’t already recognise the name BCBG it is the label  of much loved  Azria who has also been the designer for Herve Leger  since 2007. There has been a massive following of his cult designer dresses in the UK and around the globe. Celebrities including Kate Winslet, Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole and Sarah Michelle Gellar are all fans of the super body con bandage dress which hugs and sculpts the body to perfection. The BCBG dress is a stand alone piece which makes a huge style statement and requires little or nothing in the way of accessories.

The initials BCBG are from the French phrase  ’Bon chic, bon genre’ meaning ‘Good style, good attitude’. Whilst the designer Max Azria is French (born in Tunisia), his label has an American spirit about it which is cleverly combined with a European sophistication. The brand just goes from strength to strength with everyone wanting to have  BGBC Max Azria dresses. But what is it that is so special about the designer and the brand and why are BCBG dresses the latest must have?

The beauty of these dresses is that they are both practical and incredibly stylish, just what the modern women needs from her hard working wardrobe. The BCBG evening dresses combine opulence and luxury and most importantly are incredibly flattering. Of course, it always helps when a brand has a celebrity following, but the desirability of Max Azria goes well beyond the fact that he designs so many celebrity dresses. He has designed couture dresses for some of the biggest celebrity names to wear on the catwalk including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Catherine Zeta Jones.  Angela Jolie, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone and Alicia Keys have all also worn BGBG dresses for major events.

BCBG dresses are a real investment purchase, the sort of clothing that will always look amazingly stylish and will never go out of fashion. They are incredibly chic and yet unlike the dresses designed for Herve Leger, they are not just celebrity dresses, they are a price that normal women can afford. They are also fun and interesting to look at with ruffles and bandage styles being key features.

You can buy this Herve Leger foil dressat Selfridges for a mere snip at £1415. It is very much the signature style of the designer.

Or  you could opt for this BCBG MAXAZRIA tunic which is a real bargain in the My Wardrobe sale at only £59. Wear it every day with leggings or save it for the summer to slip over your bikini at the beach.

Bruce Oldfield To Design Kate’s Royal Wedding Dress?

There has been so much speculation over the past few weeks as to who will be designing the future Queen’s wedding dress for the Royal Wedding of the decade. So far there have been a number of names bandied around including Issa, one of Kate’s favourite designers, Philippa Lepley and Amanda Wakely. Whilst no official announcement has yet been made, there has been ‘talk’ that Bruce Oldfield is going to be the chosen designer. Kate Middleton is likely to follow in the foot steps of many of the royals who wear very stylish but modest wedding dresses.

It would definitely make sense that Kate chooses a designer who has an extensive track record of creating beautiful dresses for celebrity a lists and royals. He also dressed Princess Diana on a number of occasions. No one is saying anything on the choice of Royal wedding dress but there has been a rush of bets being placed on the designer Bruce Oldfield so much so that on Wednesday bookmakers Paddy Powers closed their books on the designer choice due the large number of bets being placed on Bruce.

Bruce Oldfield’s career in Fashion Design has spanned 37 years and during that time he has made a name for himself particularly with his couture evening wear. Despite having a difficult start in life as a Barnado’s boy, he showed a passion for designing at an early age when he used to make clothes for his sisters dolls. When he graduated from Central St Martins in 1973 to critical acclaim he was spotted by Henri Bendel and later returned to London with his first show. He later started to make couture clothes for individual clients (including the Princess of Wales) and launched his ready to wear collection which has included some beautiful white dresses.

Bruce was awarded an OBE in 1990 for his services to the fashion industry and continues to dress British and international royalty, European Aristocracy and celebrities including Sienna Miller, Catherine Zeta Jones, Charlotte Rampling, Jerry Hall and Joan Collins to name but a few. He was even involved in the redesign of the McDonalds uniform in 2008!

In the past Bruce has been vocal on his views on British Fashion including the lack of support given to designers, the mass market for clothes and the vulgar style way that the young dress. He has also criticised amongst other Victoria Beckham and dished out advice including ‘wear less make up’, avoid ridiculously oversized bags  and how not to over accessorise. It therefore seems highly likely that if Bruce Oldfield does design the royal wedding dress that it will be a simple and very stylish affair. His dresses aim to flatter and are structured to give that little extra help. He also designs modest wedding dresses fit for a princess for his own collection of stylish and modern wedding dresses.

For any brides who will be sharing the same wedding anniversary or getting married next year like Kate and William, here are some designer white dresses which would make stunning modern wedding dresses.

Valentino – Strapless Silk Georgette Flower Gown

This dress has a simple but elegant shape and a flattering empire line. We love the intricate floral embellishment which will look great for a spring wedding.

Thurley – Cornelli Silk Georgette Gown

This dress by an Australian based designer has a romantic look. It has beautiful detail and subtle draping on the skirt.

Calvin Klein – Folded Silk Blend Dress

This dress is made from a luxurious white wool and silk blend and has ultra modern sculptural folds for a modern bride.

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