In the 1990s fashion became increasingly diverse. There was a new breed of designers coming to the fore led by Issey Miyake pleats, which were almost stolen from the 1900's designer Fortuny - but made with hi-tech fabrics and structural shapes, a complete lack of concern with revealing body shape. Then, on the other hand, we had a growing number of designers dealing in bias cut slinky dresses that skimmed the body. This type of styling had the biggest influence on wedding dress design.
Mariano Fortuny Dress
Issey Miyake Dress
The most famous wedding dress of this era is the style changer of all time, the fabulous Carolyn Bessette on her marriage to John Kennedy Jr. This dress designed by Narciso Rodriguez has probably had more influence on bridal design than any other in my 35 years as a designer. Even now 20 years later it is still relevant. See the sketches of the final draft.
Carolyn Bessette and John Kennedy Jr.
Sketches of Carolyn’s Wedding Dress
The world recession of the early 90's played a big part in this diversity of changing styles, daywear became simpler, hem lines dropped and the onset of Athleisure wear became acceptable day wear. New fabrics came on the scene such as stretchy lycra and sportswear fabrics for everyday use. Hair styles changed dramatically, gone was the big hair of the 80's and early nineties and in came much sleeker styles think of the "Jennifer " cut so named after Jennifer Aniston.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt
This translated into bridalwear, gone were the stiffer silks and In came soft silk satins and crepe. Styling was much simpler and all the lace and beading embellishments took a backseat. This is evident in our archive photos, the fuller dresses are of a cleaner line, scooped and V necks were popular, as we get closer to 2000 the dresses got even simpler and more body conscious. Hair and Makeup was worn more naturally paired with simpler veils flowing from the back.
A Sharon Hoey wedding dress of the time.
Our Real Brides 1995-2000
