Bridal Fashion Week gave us so much food for thought - or rather, dresses to fall madly in love with - that we're still digesting and absorbing all that the collections had to offer. While some designers wowed us and others gave us a nice break from tradition, such as the parade of romantic bright colours we have seen, others gave us exactly what was needed. As one would expect, Oscar de la Renta delivered nothing but classic dresses and clean, impressive silhouettes – nothing but the best from the best. This feat of design in his 2016 collection came as an even more impressive factor, given that this was Peter Copping’s first solo debut collection as the head of the brand.
Peter Copping, the newly appointed creative director handpicked by Oscar de la Renta himself, debuted this bridal collection to an audience high on anticipation. Everyone was watching and waiting to see what style the director would unveil, would he debut an entirely new signature style or would he try and emulate the late designer, and would he be successful? As he stated so himself, it was a conscious decision to create a collection that was at its core, versatile. The designer wanted to create a line of wedding gowns that had something, which spoke to every different kind of bride that’s out there – and with an impressive 26 piece gown collection, we're sure he didn't miss the mark. He was able to creatively embody Oscar de la Renta’s signature style and also incorporate new, reinvented traditions to create a truly adaptable and honouring collection.
Some of these newly overhauled traditions included all different manner of necklines and silhouettes that were on show, from illusion and halter necks to mid length flowing skirts and slim-fitted draping gowns. Some of our particular favourite new style designs featured on the dresses included his high necklines, and the classic use of rose tulle decoration around the neck and hem.
Another adaptable design was his use of sheer lace as an encasing and demure material. The layering of light, almost transparent lace meant that these dresses kept in line with the current trend of sheer, incandescent wedding gowns that we've seen among the other runways at Bridal Fashion Week. The use of such delicate lace, both draping down an entire slim dress and as a skirt that extends beyond the knee and across the sleeves, meant it was both modern and chic. The movement of the fabric and the refreshing design allowed for the designer to put an edge of modernity onto an otherwise classic, regal material.
Along with intricate lace and detailed, delicate necklines, Oscar de la Renta also debuted another style feature that we instantly fell in love with – capped sleeves. Always an ever present feature in most bridal lines, this time the designer took what was an almost overused design piece and made it into a timeless classic – exactly what Oscar de la Renta gowns are known for. With bright embellishment and perfect symmetry, the capped sleeves added just the right amount of sparkle to an elegant frame. Likewise, we also loved the illusion sleeves that had light floral embroidery scattered along them, and the off shoulder sleeves on those shorter dresses, which draped elegantly with appliqued rose buds. The simple prettiness that they lent to the wedding dress made the brides appear elegant and poised with the faintest hint of romance.
However, as much as we were stunned with these refreshing and versatile styles, neither did the collection disappoint when it came to supplying what we already know and love the Oscar de la Renta design house for – those gorgeous, flowing ball gowns. With layers of tulle and even better yet, feathers, this 2016 collection boasted some of the best ball gowns in the world of bridal. Most were accompanied with delicate and dainty corsets, one of which had a raspberry silk ribbon waist around a thick, layered lace bodice that erupted into a trumpet skirt of tulle. Another organza gown that we could not keep our eyes off was the flowing layered tulle skirt, which draped from the hips in a cascade of ruffled, light fabric. This larger than life skirt was paired with a newly structured, plunging corset, which then arched dramatically close to the collar bone. It was a gown full of drama and emphasis, a masterpiece fit for the most glamourous bride.
If there's one thing we were truly inspired by from the 2016 collection, it was the fact that Peter Copping payed homage to the style and grace of the late Oscar de la Renta, while giving each individual bride a little of their own dream realised in at least one gown among the collection. It was a show-stopping, crowd-pleasing collection, and no matter what your personal bridal tastes may be - you will be sure to find at least one dress to fall in love with among the 2016 spring line.
- Roisin Curran
Image Credits: Spring 2016 wedding gown collection via Oscar de la Renta