#NYBW: Pamella Roland Bridal 2015

I’m going to end my NY Bridal week coverage with the glamour of Pamella Roland.  Sprawling, romantic silhouettes and trumpet shaped skirts were the preferred look of this penthouse presentation. 

The designer worked her magic with fabric manipulation and embroidery.  I loved the more fashion forward use mixing irregular large crystals and jewels to encrust necklines and cuffs onto a very delicate lace dress.  This pattern was then interpreted with matte pearl sequins also cut irregularly and encrusted with stones and beads. 

Metallic stud embellishment was a big trend in streetwear.  Pamella Roland reinterpreted that trend into elegant bridal wear by creating spikes of crystal rondelles on top of long bugle beads and clustering different sized pearls to create the studded effect concentrated around the shoulder. 

 The final effect was an edgier nuptial look perfect for brides who prefer to mix street style into their ultra-glam wedding day.

Almost a pre-requisite for showing at NY Bridal week, Pamella Roland too had her Frozen-inspired “Elsa” dress.  There was a beautiful pale blue gown worn by, (surprise surprise) a blonde model with her hair pulled back.  The dress had sheer cap sleeved shoulders and was embroidered with crystal beaded vines that looked like cracked ice.  The pale sequin embroidery also looked like flakes of frost and snow on the body, culminating into long sheer godet panels at the skirt. 

Well there you have it. I didn’t cover a lot of bridal shows this time around, but I think I spotlighted some of the best.  Down the aisle or on the runway, don’t you love see a swirl of tulle?

Photos by Mariana Leung

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#NYBW: Theia Bridal Fall 2015

New York Bridal Week’s biggest trend was Frozen.  While other designers took it from the Disney movie, THEIA’s Don O’Neill took his inspiration literally, as in the frozen tundra of Mongolia.  Why Mongolia?  For Theia’s bridal fall 2015 collection, the designer worked with socially responsible cashmere supplier Naadam, who worked with nomadic tribes in the country to produce a unique gown for the show. 

In a beautiful collaboration of two cultures, the dress was hand knit in Mongolia, but using traditional stitches from Don’s Irish heritage.   The distinct texture of Mongolian lamb was also used as a poncho.  One of the gowns had the colors and pattern of a winter spruce landscape.  Other dresses had crystal and mirrored pailette embroidery that had the effect of glittering snow.  Disney’s “Elsa” could only wish for this wardrobe.  Theia was inspired by the myths and Goddesses of Europe long before the animated movie hit the theaters.

What I like about Don O’Neill’s approach to bridal, is that he thinks outside of the traditional wedding style box and takes more of a high fashion approach.  There was a slim jumpsuit paired with a wrap, a crop top with a ballgown skirt or woven ribbon tweed full length coat as an option.

The gorgeous bouquets also had a frozen flora look to them to accompany the runway looks.  The flowers were created by Fleur de Pascal. 

The models’ beaded hairpieces had the look of dripping icicles, but the dangling charm details have their roots in the garb of Asia's ethnic tribes (check out my Dad’s photo of a girl from the Yi tribe).

Thank you Don and THEIA for another gorgeous show!

 Runway photos by Robert Mitra, Mongolian Nomad and Yi tribal photo by David TW Leung

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