Spring is supposedly just around the corner, but judging by the big freeze in Paris (not to mention the incredible snow storm that dropped on the South of France this week), it still seems a long way off. But rather than moan and groan about the arctic chill that’s spread across France, why don’t we instead imagine ourselves chic and toasty, wrapped in layers of silk, satin and snugly (faux, s’il vous plait) fur- all ready for a late-winter wedding in Paris?
tulle and french lace top, tulle scarf skirt, high-collared taffeta jacket, by cymbeline. gloves and scarf, georges morand.
silk and lace dress with tulle mini-cape, manon pascual. leather and fur muff, georges morand.
mikado de soie and lace tulle dress, by stéphane saunier. white jacket, milady. gloves, georges morand.
pleated organza silk hooded blouse and moroccan crepe de soie pants, c.a. docquin. jacquard de soie corset, estelle cloann for c.a. docquin
all photos © olivia frémineau for oui magazine
Hot off les presses- Metal Flaque, the Parisian wedding dress and evening wear “Concept Store” which opened last year in the 1st arrondissement, is hosting a Jenny Packham Trunk show from February 5th - 13th. For your chance for an up-close-and-personal peek at the Jenny Packham 2010 collection, or to schedule an appointment to try on a selection of other fabulous wedding gowns in Paris, be sure to sign up soon at www.metalflaque.fr.
jenny packham trunk show, metal flaque, paris
One interesting thing that I’ve noticed in the past 5 years of working in the wedding industry in Paris, is that French brides tend to go for a much sexier look than the average American bride. Sure, the au courant American bridal silhouette is slim and sophisticated, but I think there are still a great number of American brides who want to look like young, virginal princesses on their wedding day. French brides, on the other hand, seem to want to be provocative, desirable WOMEN on theirs. Take the current Parisian wedding fashion trend that’s getting a bit of attention: The Lolita look. Short wedding dresses have been the rage for the past few years here in Paris, but the Lolita bridal look is more about HOW you wear the short dress: with killer pumps, a smoky eye, pouty, cherry-stained lips and beaucoup d’attitude.
Frankly, I’m still on the fence about this trend- my tax return might say I’m Parisian, but I’m still an American girl at heart- and quite possibly an old fogey one at that! While personally, I prefer a more sophisticated wedding look over a big frou-frou princess gown, I sort of feel that sensuality should be left until after the ceremony. What do you think? Has Le Look Lolita crossed a line from sophistication into something… more? Do you think this trend would go down well in Anytown, USA?
max chaoul
david purves
manon pascual
suzanne ermann
nelly rosso
all photos ©fabrice mabillot for mariages magazine
