Dear Bride-to-Be:
The
appealingly British Downton Abbey
series has brought us some beautiful 1920s-inspired wedding dresses over the
years! In season three, Lady Mary’s gossamer layers of ivory silk and vintage
lace, delicately beaded, in a column-shaped design worn when she married
Matthew Crawley; and Lady Edith’s slipper satin and silk chiffon asymmetrical
confection with a Watteau-like back for her “almost wedding”—both gowns custom-made
from old and new materials by costume designer Caroline McCall.
In
season five, Lady Rose’s fabulous sweep of a vintage gown in silk tulle with
dainty gold sequins and a circular train was only glimpsed for a moment on
screen, but worth a relook! (The show’s costume designer at that time, Anna Mary Scott Robbins, found the original, perfectly-preserved
gown at an antique fair.)
Then
in the romantic final season six, Mary remarries in an ivory two-piece suit—made
of a crisp silk and bamboo fabric—with a knife-pleated skirt and lovely hand-worked
original trim shaped into a sharp-V design. (Plus a fetching, brimmed hat with
real 'preserved' butterflies on the vintage baling as the designer gives a nod to the bride’s
new beginnings!)
And,
of course, the sweet finale with Edith becoming a Marchioness—and happy! Costume
designer Anna Robbins created a graceful, custom wedding dress with lovely layers
of antique Brussels lace—ankle length with a small swish of a train and lots of lacy veiling. (Did you
notice that Edith wore a diamond tiara for the wedding ceremony and a vintage
pearl-beaded headdress with a jaunty tassel for the reception?)
Perhaps
these 1920s fashions have such appeal to us now because this was the era of the
budding “modern woman”—smart and sassy, romantic and bold.
Love. Listen. Let go.
…with love from Cornelia
ps: A few seats remaining for my "Tea & Flowers & Costumes" fete at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina in April....come hear more 1920s design inspirations of those Downton bridal costumes!
ps: A few seats remaining for my "Tea & Flowers & Costumes" fete at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina in April....come hear more 1920s design inspirations of those Downton bridal costumes!
Truly amazing bridal inspirations. All brides in these photos are looking awesome. I loves those golden wedding outfits. Pretty soon I will tie the knot at one of wedding venues NYC. Thinking to attend couple of bridal events for inspirations.
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