(Image Credit: Christopher Macsurak)
You may have noticed that couture runway shows often show a bridal gown as the finale look. The model is typically in a sweeping white gown with an eccentric veil. She might even be followed by a flower girl and a couple of bridesmaids. It may seem like a random coincidence, but there is tradition behind this practice, a tradition that has provided us with some of the most creative, avant-garde garments in fashion history.
So how did the tradition of the couture bride come about? According to an interview with Parsons professor Beth Dincuff on Fashionista, the history of the “couture bride” is mixed in with the origin of the white bridal gown itself and dates back to the nineteenth century.
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The History of the couture bride
In 1840 Queen Victoria married Prince Albert wearing a white lace gown. This wasn’t the norm at the time, with women just simply wearing their best dresses to get married.
Then in 1868 Charles Frederick Worth started his couture business. He dressed all the important society ladies at the time, who had to wear white gowns with trains to be presented at court. This was because white was considered a sign of wealth and status due to its difficulty to keep clean. Worth, who is credited as the father of haute couture, later dressed Consuelo Vanderbilt in a cream dress for her wedding to the Duke of Marlborough.
In the 1940s and ’50s, designers such as Balmain and Lanvin closed their collections with “a presentation of a bride’s dress” a representation of the whimsicality and fantasy of fashion. By the end of the 20th century, the inclusion of a finale wedding dress became tradition. Once Galliano and McQueen (who was the couturier at Givenchy) hit the scene, the couture bridal lines started to blur a bit. With designers presenting really extravagant gowns and making every couture look a statement piece, rather than just the finale look.
The couture bride today
Today, about a third of couturiers show a bridal look during their haute couture shows as there is still an important relationship between couture and bridal. Couture is the niche, expensive arm of the fashion industry, so it makes sense to include a wedding gown as part of the collection. It is after all a garment that many women would consider their most expensive and valuable.
Chanel is one of the most well-known couture brands and has a long history of showing elaborate finale looks. For decades Karl Lagerfeld hired “it girl” models such as Claudia Schiffer, Kendall Jenner, and Cara Delevingne to close his shows as the bride. The brides have worn everything from mini dresses to pantsuits and over-the-top, enchanting ball gowns.
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Even though many designers no longer feature a bride in their couture shows, this is one tradition that isn’t going anywhere. As long as there are women getting married, there will be the desire to wear something unique and elaborate on the big day.