Bridal Market Recap Day 2, Part 1

Bridal Market Recap Day 2

The Knot Couture Show Set up

Hi everyone! I'm back with my recap of day 2 of  Bridal Market. I hope you've seen Day 1 and also checked out my Top 5 Wedding Dresses from Modern Trousseau.

Day 2 of Bridal Market, was by far my busiest day.  I had appointments every hour starting at 8:30 am. While many events are held right at the Couture Show venue, (the Hilton Midtown) or New York International Week venue ( Pier 92/94) many of the private runway shows are held in hotels all over the city.  This means as soon as one show ends, I'll need to quickly walk or hop in a cab to the next venue. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the shows don't run exactly on time and everyone is trying to make this same mad dash,  so the show only starts when the major attendees from all the bridal magazines and media outlets are checked in and are in their seats. As soon as I got to the Hilton, I needed to get to my appointment at Watters, but it didn't stop me from snapping a few photos of exhibitors I wanted to see later!

I started my day at Watters, which is always a favorite of mine to see. Not only is everyone at Watters extremely welcoming and upbeat, but the dresses are always gorgeous. It's a great way to start the day! On the my way to my seat,  I see a name tag for Kunbi from Aisle Perfect!   I've been so focused on the dresses, that I've forgotten about this added delight of attending this show -- it's a chance to meet some of the people I consider my friends and virtual co-workers!  Kunbi and I have exchanged emails and guest posts, but this is going to be my first chance to meet her in person! I was sitting right near where everyone is checking in, so I was able to spin around in my seat and say hi the minute she arrived! She absolutely radiates happiness and kindness. It made my day to meet her!

This beautiful bohemian style from the D.I.D Collection was the first to hit the runway at Watters. Heidi style 53103 Ivory feminine and delicate lace, sleeves and key hole back.

There are little quirks and surprises of attending these shows that I get a kick out of and love noting for some reason, so I'll share them with you now, in the event that you're also fascinated! :). First of all, there's usually a treat of some sort at your seat. At a minimum you'll get the run-of-show line sheet, but at Watters, there's also a cake pop. (Score!)

The logistics of seating and getting photographs also intrigue me. There's a photo pit or bay at one end of the runway, where about 10 -20 photographers have to set up all their equipment and cram into a what looks like a 10 foot by 5 foot space.  You'll hear the photographers say (with varying levels of severity), "Please uncross your legs!" several times as they're doing test shots, and sometimes in the middle of the show.  It sounds a little  forward, and may run counter to any usual sense you might have of good decorum, but it just means that if you are in the front row and have your leg out an crossed over the knee, it's going to dangle into the shot and ruin the look of the images that go on to be published everywhere.  They only have the model's one trip down the aisle to get the shot and so everything has to be perfect. To be a good attendee, you have to tuck your legs, bags, and coat beneath your instead. Considering you're sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in your seats, and already trying not to move, it becomes a little bit of a isometric workout.

There's also the attire. Last year, I dressed up a little more and made the rookie mistake of wearing heels. Many still do this, and look fantastic and not at all miserable, so I need to conduct a private interview with them all to see how they make it through the day and have full use of their feet. This year, I wore pants and my most comfortable flats because I remembered how my feet stung and how my dress limited my stride a little as I was trying to quickly walk around.  Now, as attendees file in wearing lovely dresses I'm slightly suffering the other end of the spectrum of attire discomfort -- feeling slightly frumpy --  especially since the suddenly warm temps threw my usual work attire into the realm of things I can't stand to even think about wearing.  I have a hang-up  that Dress for the Wedding should be represented by a dress-wearing kind of editor, so I'm already regretting the pants! I feel slightly better about my choice when I realize many other members of the media have opted for comfort too.

The other runway show quirk is that you also will unintentionally photobomb the images of whomever happens to be sitting across from you as they snap images of the dresses and models with their phones. You can't help but be captured, and so even an unintentional blink or errant frown can end up on Instagram -  fun times!

My own self-conscious musings subside as soon the show starts for Watters Fall 2014 presentation with the D.I.D line - Watters collection for the non-traditional bride. The styles range from bohemian to effortless elegance, capturing the essence of a free-spirited bride. The show went on to show bridesmaids, Wtoo, and Watters. All were wonderful. Here are some highlights - full features to follow!

Love this little lace caplet! { Alice style 53110 Ivory, lace, strapless, dropped waist with beaded lace capel et Lotti style 53214}

The back of the first D.I.D gown. Remember how I said backs ( or lack thereof ) might be in this season? They are!

Another amazing back. The detail just floats over the skin with the help of an amazingly sheer illusion netting.  This dress is called Tiana 

Would you dare to wear it? This fun lace romper from Encore with bows up the back made everyone smile!

This is a stunning dress for your bridesmaids, with illusion netting and handcrafted embellishment. This Watters  gown would definitely make your 'maids feel special, but with this kind of ornamentation it could easily be a alternative to a wedding dress in my book.

Side cutouts are also a new favorite trend - more to come soon! The sheer lace makes this a little more demure, structured and wearable, and this detail wraps around to create a deep back. This dress is called Cora.

Another fantastic illusion netting with buttons. Love this look! Leandra by Watters

Viv has a delicate, but plunging neckline ( seeing more of this!) and a back to rave about. See it below!

After the Watters show I had the chance to talk to Kunbi and her friend a little more. So fun! Then I had an hour before the next show, so I wanted to quickly walk around at the Couture Show and meet a few new designers.  I stopped briefly at Untamed Petals, then happily come across Madeleine Fig.  Oh. My. Goodness! These dresses! The weight, the details! I learned that she has a few pieces of her collection at BHLDN, and I can see why. Her designs perfectly embody that romantic, embellished one-of-a-kind vintage style. The quality and seaming on the dresses is perfect - even down to the lining that just skims the skin.  Did I mention she's also a nice person? This designer is going to definitely be a full feature on Dress for the Wedding soon!

Madeleine Fig's impressive collection of loveliness!

An amazing gown from Madeleine Fig.

I quickly met the Solemates folks, who are behind my favorite little heel protectors that keep your stilettos from sinking into the ground. Genius!  Then, I happened upon Samantha Sleeper. Another gem. She was wearing the prettiest silk shirtwaist dress, and had a beautiful booth with lovely gowns and textures.  Her business cards were made out of fabric scraps, and she gave me a pretty gold pencil, and told me she also created the great floral archway. This is why I love coming to these things -- to meet great talents like this!  People who simply cannot stop being creative forces in everything they do! Her dresses are just as brilliant. Some have soft ribbons of fabric, like her CoCo gown, and others are made out of lace cut and reworked to make dimensional details. She also creates modernly constructed demi dresses that are the modern take on classic styles of the 1950s.  She's another designer that I instantly admire, and collection that I will definitely be showing here on DFTW!

A line of loveliness at Samantha Sleeper

Samantha Sleeper -  for the bride wanting something a little different and very beautiful!

I made a quick stop at Betsey Johnson where I see some very familiar shoes. ( I'm pretty obsessed with the Something Blue Collection) then it was time to get in a cab and go to the Meatpacking district for the Ines Di Santo runway show.  See you soon for those details! First, I want to show you my full coverage of my picks for Watters. I'm off to get that post together as soon as I can!