‘REBEL ’ BRIDES

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31335, 4 April 1967, Page 2

‘REBEL ’ BRIDES

Tradition Scorned

- Is the bride of 1967 still a romantic who dreams of wearing on her wedding day a traditional white gown and filmy tulle veil falling from a coronet of pearls or circlet of orange blossom? ask Edith Teague, fashion editor of the London magazine, “Flair.”

Or is she a fashion rebel, who wants her dress to be in the mood of the moment—a vibrant colour instead of white or cream, worn with a bow or even a beret, on her short, geometric hairstyle? She may be either. But if she seeks the advice of London bridal gown designer, Louis Young, she is the bride who prefers to hire her wedding dress and accessories instead of buying them. Most fashion shows that are held in London predict the line and look for wearing three months ahead, at the beginning of each fashion season. In other countries, with different seasons, the London designs may present the fashion picture for six months or more in advance. But when Louis Young puts on one of his trend-setting shows the clothes are for here and now, for brides to wear anywhere in the world. In Spotlight For 1967, Louis Young puts the romantics and the rebels both in the fashion spotlight Certainly they are both distinctive categories. The difficulty lies in deciding where one ends and the other begins. For example, a low-waisted gown in white crepe, with a V-neck outlined in gold ribbon lace for the bride, and a dress in crepe with the gold lace used for a shoulder cape for her bridesmaid, has the currently fashionable 1930 s look which this year's girl regards as rebel rather than romantic wear. But her mother, who married in the 30s, may have very nostalgic memories of styles like these. Seersucker and smocking have made a terrific fashion comeback in the last few months and they are used as fabric and trimming for the bride and her attendant, too. But smocking could not be more traditional—great-great

grandmother made it high fashion a century ago. The kaftan of Africa and the Middle East, currently enjoying a great success for evening wear In Britain, is adapted as a short wedding dress in the Louis Young range. Certainly, this is an unconventional idea in the Western world, but just a new way with a very traditional style in many other countries. The choice of bridal colours is what really separates the

romantics from the rebels. True romantics love fresh white, delicate cream and fragile pastels; rebels are turning to silver—lurex for a dress with balaclava headdress, brocaded ottoman for a wide-collared coat to go over it —or even such extremes as navy voile narrowly striped in red, white, yellow and blue. To carry through this last theme the bridesmaid wears a plain navy voile dress and a matching bow in her hair. This year's traditional bride is choosing ribbon lace, crystal nylon, crepe, chiffon and crisp organdie, and capes look like being a very romantic extra at many weddings. ■Die Louis Young collection has a white organdie dress with a flowered organdie cape, a cape-dress in shell-patterned white cotton lace over pink silk and a gently-flared dress in moire taffeta with beaded neckline and waist-length cape. The girl who wants to be a romantic or a rebel—perhaps a little of both—on her wedding day may hire her gown by applying for it about three months in advance of her wedding date. It is necessary to give full measurements, plus shoe size, and some description of the kind of dress required. A sketch of the gown which comes nearest to the bride’s requirements will be dispatched from London for approval, and the dress, headdress, veil and shoes sent by sea mall unless airmail is requested.