THE DRESS. Where do I even start? Well, let me first say that whether you have imagined every aspect of your dress since you were little, or if you are simply waiting for inspiration to hit, you have to check out dresses by The Cotton Bride. Feminine and romantic, The Cotton Bride takes natural fabrics and creates couture dresses that made any bride look absolutely fabulous. Here is a lovely conversation I had with Chris Kole, designer and creative director, of The Cotton Bride. Be sure to feast your eyes on all of the beautiful dresses at the DC CWC Bridal Show!
Brides look into all sorts of styles and materials to find the dress that is perfect for them- So… why cotton??
My original intention was to create a collection of airy, easy-to-wear, comfortable bridal gowns which I felt was missing in the market. As I started researching fabrics, I kept finding all kinds of different cotton fabrics that felt amazing and looked incredible.
By the time I was actually ready to start designing the collection, the vast majority of the fabrics I had chosen were either 100% cotton or cotton blends. Even though the collection includes silk and linen dresses, I thought it was only appropriate to name the collection by its most featured fabric.
How does The Cotton Bride distinguish itself from other couture bridal collections?
On an obvious level, it distinguishes itself through its choice of fabrics, laces and even beadwork. On a less obvious level, most other couture bridal collections are named after the designer him/herself whereas I decided against. It was very important to me that the name itself be part of the collections image.
In a few words, how would you describe the essence of Cotton Bride bridal gowns? Where can our readers find them?
Unassuming, unaffected, natural, down to earth but always very feminine, very fluid and very romantic.
Starting this month, the collection will be available exclusively through the LIC Bridal Studio in New York City. The Studio is part of our design and production facility and it allows us the opportunity to house every gown in the collection under one roof. It also allows us to work directly with the brides themselves and offer them near-wholesale prices.
Indulge our readers- what are a few new styles, fabrics, or silhouettes that you will amaze us with at the DCCWC Bridal Show?
This is the first season we showed gowns which have zip-off skirts that allow the dress to be worn as a long gown or a short cocktail. We also used many new laces that we had not used in prior seasons including a French Strip Cotton lace and a Rosebush Cotton Lace both of which are exquisite.
Zip-off skirts to convert your dress from gown to cocktail style??? Amazing!! I cannot wait to see this! And in case you need another reason to attend the DC Couture Wedding Consortium Event at the Decatur House this Saturday, you might win a gorgeous $2,500 gown by The Cotton Bride!
