For the love of vintage

You only need to scour markets, department stores or your best friend’s closet to see vintage is in. Whether it’s the real thing or fashion inspired by years gone by, vintage clothing and accessories are a talking point and are being worn as a badge of honour. And wedding gowns are no different.

Inspired vintage
Lisa Merton from Sydney’s Culture Shock says she is influenced by the 20s, 30s, 50s and 60s when designing her gowns.
“Vintage is really glamorous and a bit of fun too,’’ Lisa says. “I do two main looks – multicultural and vintage – it shows women they don’t have to be the princess bride if they don’t want to be but can be funky and retro cool.
For Melbourne designer Angela Marcuccio the 30s, 40s and 50s are a big inspiration for her collections.
“The fabrics that are available at the moment lend themselves to an art deco or vintage feel,” she says.
Even at her own wedding five years ago, Angela was a picture of classic beauty in a gown that was a variation of her mother’s 1965 wedding gown – a bodice with lace detail and a full A-line skirt with layers of fine tulle.
Sydney-based designer Karen Willis Holmes is another vintage devotee.
“The celebrities of old were so glamorous and the 40s were such a feminine era.
“And it’s the fashion techniques like hand-crafted drapery and hand stitching that are so special and can only be created with time, they really are stunning works of art.”

Figure it out
One of the best things about vintage inspired gowns is it suits women of all shapes.
 “Back then it was about women with curves like Marilyn Monroe,” says Lisa. “So it’s easy for anyone to look great.”
Karen says vintage inspired gowns that are structured using corsets are fabulous for women to show-off their curves. “I am inspired by corsets from the 16th to the 19th century and they suit so many different shapes,” Karen says.
“Some girls are scared to show off their figures, but finding a style that suits you and accentuates the waist and curves in a beautiful way is a good thing.’’
Lisa particularly loves the fitted bodices and full knee-length skirts that are reminiscent of the 50s, and the slim line and bias cut satin fitted over the hips style of the 20s and 30s. “And I love sheer lace cap sleeves from that period which are great for covering up arms if needed, and broadens the shoulders and makes your waist look smaller.’’
Beautiful fabric is crucial to keeping in with the vintage theme, Angela says. “Lace, appliqué, beading, and silk shawls give a gown a vintage feel,’’ she says.

Accessories and hair
Lisa says brides-to-be should feel free to have a little fun when accessorising their vintage gown. She suggests feather boas and a “groovy pair of shoes” like kitten heels. And if you are steering away from the traditional veil, Lisa says pretty beaded headbands and fascinators are good options.
“You don’t have to be accurate from a historic point of view, just look at a period of time and make it modern for you,” she says.
“Stars like Dita Von Teese could have easily just stepped off the cover of a 50s fashion magazine; she is
so sexy and modern at the same time.’’
Angela suggests wearing no necklace to draw all eyes to your gown but she does love large “dangly” earrings and matching bracelets and fascinators. “And what’s nice at the moment is wearing a brooch somewhere on your gown,” she says.

The real thing
But if only a real vintage gown will do, then why not start hunting? Markets and op-shops are a good place to start or head to American Rag in Melbourne where they import vintage wedding gowns from the 1940s to 1980s from America.
American Rag spokeswoman Libby Pinkham says vintage wedding gowns are rare, so whenever they find one in good condition they buy it. The Southgate store has about three gowns at any time and they hold more at their warehouse. But it’s a good idea to keep checking, as new gowns constantly come in and are snapped up quickly by brides looking for a slice of the past.
“I think it’s the romantic notion of owning a garment made in a past era and not just wearing a copy,” Libby says.
“Brides like the idea of wearing something beautiful from another time that holds a story. The fabrics like satin, lace and tulle are so beautiful and are often hand-made. “We have even had brides from interstate coming down to look at the dresses.”

Image credits:
Top image: Gown by Angela Marcuccio, photo by Maurice Cifuentes
Bottom image: Gown by Mariana Hardwick, photo by Andrew Raszveski
Homepage image: Gown by Gwendolynne, photo courtesy of the designer.