It wasn’t very long ago when the bride who wore an off-white or an ivory coloured gown was considered a radical. And around the time we got accustomed to these shades, Reese Witherspoon decided to walk down the aisle in a beautiful Monique Lhuillier blush-coloured gown that made her look phenomenal and she kick-started a trend many a bride are warming up to.
Expressing her take on the trend, designer Sanchita Ajjampur states: “A sophisticated, decorative approach in seashell pink on a clean minimal silhouette defines the occasion wear. It highlights the delicacy, enchantment, charm, femininity and elegance of the modern bride. The blush nuance is not strident, grating or exaggerated at all.”
There are those who are looking to break monotony and what better way to do it than with the wedding gown? “My cousin who tied the knot in Australia last December chose to wear a blush coloured gown and earned rave reviews,” says Teesha John, who works in the retail sector.
Considering not many have experimented with this look yet, education about the trend is vital. In terms of the kind of fabric that is best suited to flesh out the trend gracefully, Sanchita says: “The material should be very soft, woolly, flowing and light weight to emphasise the naturalness, refinement, gentleness and the fragility of the colour.”
While diamonds, Swarovski crystals or a string of pearls are what brides opt for to wear with white, off-white or ivory coloured gowns, chances of going wrong with accessorising a blush coloured dress are rather high.
The right accessories
Sanchita advises: “Ornate detailing and structural compositions are indicative of 21st Century Romance; Swarovski and rhinestones, vintage looking, handmade jewellery that is unique with a touch of simplicity, are some choices. Choose the accessories that match the dress. If the dress is with a corset, opt for a thin necklace with a big stone for a sophisticated and mystic look, chandelier earrings, a thin bracelet, and a ring with a sparkling stone, preferably the stones should be in lighter colours. Now you could also think evening embellishments and practical meets glamorous.”
Despite Witherspoon’s gown receiving acclamation from the critics, as a trend, the blush coloured gown has received mixed reactions from designers as well as from brides.
Having specialised in wedding gowns in New York, designer Michelle Salins says: “Despite working on 500 gowns recently, it’s difficult to accept the blush colour. I think the traditional beauty, elegance and purity of the bride is best with white and off-white coming a close second. But as designers, we do sometimes have to go with the trends and especially after Witherspoon sported blush wedding gown; it has almost become an approved statement for the young modern bride.”
“I did consider a blush coloured gown for my wedding but decided against it the minute my friends teased me that I’d look like candy floss!” quips Teresa Roy, an engineer who got married last month.
Some brides who have considered wearing a blush gown on D-Day have steered clear finally for fear of being mistaken for a bridesmaid. While the blush wedding gown trend has found many a fan following abroad, according to Michelle, “Indian brides are still a little sceptical about taking the blush route. Although I must say there have been discussions about the trend when they come to see me, I’m happy they finally opt for white or off-white/ivory. The Indian wedding ghaghras, however, have been sported in blush shades recently and they do look elegant.”
It is an accepted truth in the world of fashion that the blush coloured wedding gown, as popular as it gets, cannot really supplant the pristine white gown. And the cynics believe ‘if it ain't broke, don't fix it’!
