Summer Feels – Xpose July 2019

After my unbelievable trip to New York Bridal Fashion week, there were some key themes and influences that told out for me.

One of which was the Middle Eastern style gowns which we can see from designers such as Berta, Reem Acra, Elie Saab and Zuhair Murat.

There are 2 key distinct styles, body on show figure hugging or big & bold.

I took some time out in June to film 5 looks showcasing how an Irish bride can find some of these looks closer to home. All dresses were sourced from Alice May Bridal in Kilternan.

First up…..Figure Hugging

This Anna Georgina gown embodies so much of what we are seeing across social media at the moment. We have a tight fitting crochet top with nude underlay. The show string straps open up the shoulders nicely and the skirt is a simple a-line which hugs the hips nicely.

Second Up….body on show

I adore this 2 piece from Catherine Deane. I actually tried it on myself and it’s so flattering plus you get multiple wears out of the top after you wedding. The top is layered with pearls and has a halter top underneath but the pearls continue to give a cap sleeve. The skirt is satin and high waisted but you could opt for different skirt looks.

Both filmed at the Station House Hotel in Kilmessan.

Next we move to Bective Abbey which is right on the doorstep of The Station House Hotel. The castle dates back to the 15th century and it has a lot of the original features such as window arches and stairs. The dramatic backdrop was perfect for the next wave of gowns.

The next 3 gowns are opulent, big and bold.

First up is this floral Savin London gown. The top is very simple. It’s plain with a v cut but tailored in the right place. The skirt is the main talking point and it’s 3D floral embossed with layers of tulle. This adds depth to the skirt and ideal for someone who doesn’t want a huge amount of fuss but wants the big skirt feel. A bow is perfectly placed at the waist so that defines nicely. All Savin big skirts have a signature split at the front which means you can walk with ease.

Next up is another Savin London look only this time we bring floral to another level with beautiful pastel colours. I’m seeing so many try and bring more colour to their bridal looks and this gown allows a break from the norm but still retains the important bridal features. This top has a v neck line but cap sleeves. The top can be changed to suit your preference. The free flowing skirt is adorned with pastel floral appliqué and subtle beads. Again, the signature Savin slit at the front.

Our final dress is from the Savin London collection again. This is a real statement piece and a style that we see prominently in the Middle East. The key feature here is how the light brings this dress to life. Shoe string straps at the top mean that it opens up the neck line to balance the volume of material at the bottom. The glitter detail is applied in V shapes through the dress. This channels the sparkles to give a really intense glow.

All of the accessories are by Azzure and also available from Alice May Bridal.

Hair was styled by Rebecca Finegan and she kept the looks light and natural. Make up was by Nadine Fox and this is a dewy look with a slightly dark eye for definition.

Model is Lucy Slevin from Catwalk Models