At the very young, yet inspiring age of 25, Hayley Paige impressively released her very own namesake bridal wear collection as head designer of JLM Couture. Having been ambitious from a very young age, Californian-born Hayley Paige began interning at Elle Magazine while still at college, and then worked her way into the European fashion scene and then back to America working for names like Melissa Sweet Bridal and Jill Stewart. She likes to focus on creating a charmingly aesthetic gown that creates a balance between playful bohemia and sophistication. This desire to create such carefully structured gowns is a clear priority in her Spring 2015 collection, where she creates dramatic skirts and very intricate necklines and bodices.
This season, Hayley Paige has used all manner of fabrics and frills to ensure that she sends each and every bride down the alter looking stunning. A distinct style statement she continued to use for these dresses was her tulle trumpet skirts. Always a fan of the mermaid dress design, we love how she managed to enhance and flatter the female form with these trumpet skirts. The use of the material has meant that these tight-fitting gowns then erupt out at the knee to create an illusion of grandeur and sensual shapes. Both dramatic in their flair and romantic in their shape.
Along with these trumpet skirts, she has also used flowing A-line gowns to highlight the waist and make the bodices appear more petite. While this style of skirt always lends a lovely romantic air to a gown, it also perfectly cinched the waist and allows for the eye to fall and admire any detail the bodice might have. Hayley Paige took full advantage of this style feature in order to draw full attention to the detail and design on the upper half of the gown. More often than not, these bodices included glitter sequins and draping necklines, creating a perfect contrast between the light skirts and the powerful bodice.
Particularly with the strapless gowns that had these flowing tulle or trumpet skirts, she attached to the top half a leather studded harness. This is a rarity to see in such designer dresses. More often than not, the bride will want all the attention fully on her gown and in some cases, she might consider using an overcoat or throw as an accessory style piece later in the day.
In this instance however, Hayley Paige has incorporated a statement piece to attach to the dress, in the form of a removable leather harness. A style feature on a few of the gowns, this studded piece adds a dimension of edge and intensity to this light and simple gown. Fully studded and with intricate, layered straps, this detailed accessory piece is just the right length and level of complexity to create a perfect statement for the bride who wants to add a baroque accessory to her make her gown more elaborate and ornate.
Always a bit of a game changer when this material is introduced, she also fashioned an entire gowns bodice out of leather. This was a perfect example of her skill in taking a romantic gown and giving it a modern, dramatic edge. The faux leather bodice has cut-out eyelet detail along the full neckline and front, giving the typically unrelenting material a delicate edge. She also incorporated cashmere into one of her dresses, to make a wedding dress that is both soft in its appearance yet with a very radical design. The soft cashmere fabric was set in a shoulder strap slim fitted gown, with African-inspired beading running down its full length. The design and pattern of the sequined beads gave the soft cashmere just the right amount of edge to make the dress both romantic and whimsical yet intense and dramatic.
Looking at these romantic statement shapes in her collection, these gowns are a celebration of glamour, romance and grandeur – the perfect encompassing symbolism of a wedding that every bride wants reflected in her gown. No matter what shape, style or particular skirt it is that you are looking for, if you know you want to stand out in a gown with both romantic tones and eye-catching designs, then Hayley Paige will not fail you in this collection.
- Roisin Curran