From regal Elizabethan-style ruffs, to lace detailing and flamboyant scarves, new neck lines are a key feature of 2017 bridal collections
Brides will be getting it in the neck in 2017 – in a good way – if the catwalk fashion trends at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week are anything to go by. New neck lines are a key feature of many designer collections. We saw everything from ruffs and lace comforters to flowing scarves, with lots of elegant high neck lines in the mix too.
At Cymbeline‘s catwalk show, there was a glamorous Elizabethan-style ruff used to enhance a wide-necked sleeveless gown. Another gown in the collection featured plain straps and a beautiful cap-sleeved coat, with scalloped lace detail framing the neck. From the back this looked particularly elegant, cut out to reveal most of the back. This design clearly requires a chic up-do – as shown on the catwalk – to reveal the high collar.
Galia Lahav, meanwhile, showed a fantastic gown with illusion panelling at the front that was edged with a super-fine crystal trim. From a distance, this resembled a fine diamond necklace and the trim was also repeated on the sleeves to create an off-the-shoulder effect.
Another gown in her collection featured a dramatic plunge neck, enhanced by a high collar. There was more than a touch of female superhero glamour in the whole sexy ensemble – especially as the outfit was nipped in at the waist with a super-skinny bejewelled belt.
At Jesus Peiro, neckline details were much in evidence. This created a demure and 1950s-elegant twist to an array of beatifully cut pure-white gowns. Chokers were seen worn in a variety of ways – including a lovely daisy design with ribbon-tie back and a white textured collar-style choker worn high on the neck.
One standout gown in the Jesus Peiro collection at Barcelona featured an embellishment of pale pink flowers on a transparent bodice to create a high-neck effect over a strapless ballgown. This was a welcome pop of colour in the collection – the ballgown repeated the pink motif in a random pattern on the flower-decorated skirt.
YolanCris featured a full-length cape on the catwalk. From the front this had a high lace collar fastening at the neck, while from the back the cape fell in folds to create a dramatic full-length train effect. This look would be ideal for the bride who wants to float down the aisle but doesn’t do traditional veils.
Skinny scarves were another key feature of the YolanCris collection – made of silk and wrapped around the neck in multiple ways. We love the addition of a relaxed fashion accessory that could be worn anywhere. It’s an approach that is typical of the Barcelona sisters who always create fashionable gowns with more than a nod to 1970s boho glamour.
Marco & Maria – the brilliant design duo from the sunny island of Tenerife – showcased a whole battery of creative necklines. Like Cymbeline, there was a ruff in their collection (this time in a super-flattering frothy cappucino shade). We were also taken by the wonderful ribbon and tulle pussy bow worn over a sheer-bodiced gown.
We also enjoyed the array of gossamer-light high necks in the Marco & Maria collection – usually transparent and always framing neck and shoulders to create an almost fairy-wing effect. This is a look that adds just enough flattering coverage, while still showing off neck and shoulders.
One of our favourite looks from Marco & Maria was a metallic comforter with leaf-effect edges. Worn over a simple mocha gown with Grecian bodice and silver tracery pattern on the skirt, it added a regal quality to the whole ensemble. Marco & Maria’s whole collection was inspired by the female characters in Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s classic historical novel about Sicilian high society The Leopard. We thought it was the last word in fairytale elegance.
We think these new neck lines will translate brilliantly from catwalk to real weddings – not only because focusing on the neck and shoulder area flatters nearly all brides, but also because it is a great way to highlight a lovely up-do. The signs are that London designers are exploring similar ideas. There’s an elegant high-collar lace gown in the gorgeous 2017 collection of Katya Katya Shehurina, while Temperley London has given us an almost Edwardian wedding dress with the glamorous Rowena.
