When The Wedding Expo’s Jayne Muller announced she was getting married, it was the perfect excuse for our fashion team to go shopping. We asked four of our leading wedding dress designers to turn Jayne into a glamorous bride for a day as she tried to decide what type of glamour she was looking for.

This article was taken from Wedding Inspirations magazine September/spring 2010

Guy Granger - Wedding Emporium

With 22 years of experience in the wedding industry and having joined forces with the Wedding Emporium in 1995, Guy Granger has become something of a household name to brides across South Africa. His style is understated and elegant, contemporary yet traditional. With his incredible attention to detail, Guy creates unique and sought-after wedding gowns.

Why he chose this dress for Jayne:

“My obsession is fabric, fit and finish and, of course, giving the bride exactly what she wants. I like my dresses to take on the personality of whoever is wearing them and I think this dress really does that for Jayne. The ivory colour looks great with her skin tone, and the bodice emphasises her small waist. Jayne looks spectacular! Glamour doesn’t need to be fussy or over-the-top. It can be simple, soft and feminine, and this is definitely more in tune with Jayne’s personal style.”

How did the dress make Jayne feel:

“I love the look and feel of the silk bodice, especially because it gives me added height while at the same time it’s comfortable to wear. The simplicity of the detail is what makes the dress so elegant and being the bush baby that I am, it was great to feel glamorous but still look natural.”

Guy no longer designs wedding dresses for but continues to coordinate beautiful functions for Wedding Emporium. Contact Guy: guy@wedding-emporium.co.za, www.wedding-emporium.co.za 082 417 0234

 

André Croucamp

Although he’s more than capable of creating fairytale beautiful white wedding gowns, André Croucamp has developed something of a name for his dramatic coloured wedding dresses. One of Johannesburg’s most enduring bridal gown designers, he also creates memorable cocktail and evening wear. Look out for his new studio in Bryanston which will be opening before the end of the year.

Why he chose this dress for Jayne:

“Jayne told me she was a sporty, casual kind of girl. She’s got lovely shoulders and great boobs, so I went for an empire line that would be comfortable and suit the venue and wedding that she described to me. Coloured dresses are more glamorous if you want your wedding to be a real occasion. Not everyone can carry it off with confidence but it does say that you are comortable in your skin.”

What Jayne loved about the dress:

“I never thought a coloured dress would be so beautiful – I really loved this. And the soft, flowing design is so comfortable – I could quite happily spend my wedding day in a dress like this. André’s design made me realise that you don’t have to wear one of those stiff and tight creations to feel like a princess.”

Contact André: croucamp@global.co.za Tel 083 775 9073

 

Kristin Masters – Garnish Couture

Kristin first started Garnish as a ready-to-wear fashion label but soon loyal clients who loved her unique use of colour and texture were pleading with her to design their wedding gowns. After that there was no turning back as she discovered her true passion.

Why she chose this dress for Jayne:

“How the bride feels when wearing the dress is one of the most important factors and when Jayne tried on this gown for the first time, she positively beamed. The colour is perfect for her because the oyster undertone softens the white, giving the dress that antique feel and at the same time accentuating Jayne’s fresh, youthful look. The lengthened bodice and the soft tulle skirt give her added height and make her appear as if she is floating.”

What Jayne loved about the dress:

“Kristin’s dress is so exquisite that it somehow feels like an extension of me. The flowers and the lace bodice really reflect my love of nature and the outdoors, yet at the same time the glittering tulle skirt adds a contrasting look that makes me feel beautiful and feminine. I was comfortable and relaxed and loved everything about the dress.”

Contact Kristin: kristin@garnishcouture.co.za, 082 684 1630

Eve Levinsohn – Eve’s Bridalwear

Having always been captivated by glitzy and glamorous evening wear, creating wedding gowns soon became Eve’s first love. All that is bling, is definitely her trademark and her gowns reflect that. She has always loved glamorous evening wear so bridalwear was a natural progression and combining bling, beading and crystals have become an integral part of that process.

Why she chose this dress for Jayne:

“I love this dress on Jayne because of the triangular cut. This is a great style for her because it compliments and enhances her best features. The ruching, coupled with beaded detail on the bodice, gives the dress a textured and fun look, perfect for Jayne who on her wedding day wants to be comfortable and glamorous, dancing up a storm with her family and friends.”

What Jayne loved about the dress:

“The dress has a beautiful and sophisticated look about it and the symmetrical v-neck contributes to this. It’s the kind of gown that one would imagine seeing at a royal wedding. The detail is so intricate and exquisite, you can’t help but admire it.”

Contact Eve: Illovo Square Shopping Centre, info@evebridalwear.co.za, www.evesbridalwear.co.za 011 268 5599