Article Collaborators : Designs By Melanie Ford
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Collaborators Designs By Melanie Ford
The term vintage is a fickle one. As well as assuming different meanings in relation to fashion,cars, and the theme of a wedding, the word can also be confused with other era descriptors such as retro and antique, says Lorraine Foster, owner of The Vintage Clothing Shop.
“For something to be considered vintage it has to be 25 years old or older and it has to have a certain quality of craftsmanship,” explains Lorraine. “‘Antique’ is 100 years or older and ‘retro’ falls between vintage and second-hand — which can also be recycled. Basically, something that is vintage is the cream that rises to the top from all the eras.” For brides considering a vintage-themed wedding, there are many different ways to interpret it — from wearing genuine vintage fashion and accessories to simply creating a vintage-style look and feel at the wedding.
If you’re hunting for a genuine vintage gown, Lorraine warns that finding the perfect garment can be difficult. “Most gowns are custom-made for someone else and even though alterations are possible, it’s good to fi nd a gown that fits you fairly well to begin with,” she says. Finding an authentic vintage wedding gown in photo-ready condition can be a challenge, so Lorraine recommends brides keep an open mind and look instead for a “gown to get married in”, such as a vintage ball gown or cocktail dress. Vintage-inspired bridal designer Melanie Ford, of Designs by Melanie Ford, suggests brides with a love of vintage don’t need to have a real vintage gown at all. “With so many designers this season offering gowns that are heavily inspired by vintage styles, it makes it easy for brides to buy a new gown with the vintage look they’re after,” she claims.
Melanie says key styling elements that make a gown look vintage include offwhite or ivory-coloured fabrics, V-neck designs, sleeves and straps, lace-covered backs, waisted skirts, and sashes. “And the gown should always be fi nished off with buttons,” she says. The Sydney- and Newcastle-based designer also adds that vintage styling elements can be extended to the entire wedding.
“Styling all areas of the wedding the right way can help add to the vintage feel you are looking for, as long as you ensure you keep all the styling within the same era,” she says. “There are many other areas of a wedding where you can use vintage styling, such as genuine vintage cars, getting the right venue, hair, invitations, and genuine vintage decorations for your venue such as vases or candelabras. “When it comes to a wedding and feeling beautifully perfect, feminine, and styled as a woman, the past has it all,” says Melanie.
Vintage-inspired designers
DESIGNS BY MELANIE FORD
Newcastle and Queens Park, Sydney
www.designsbymelanieford.com.au
DIANE LEWIS BRIDAL COUTURE
155 Norton Street, Leichhardt
facebook.com/Diane.Lewis.Couture
KAREN WILLIS HOLMES COUTURE
13 Glenmore Road, Paddington
www.karenwillisholmes.com.au
JOHANNA JOHNSON
89 Glenmore Road, Paddington
store.johannajohnson.com
TESSAREL HOUSE
59 William Street, Paddington
www.tessarellahouse.com.au
Jewellery and accessories
HARLEQUIN MARKET
94A Oxford Street, Paddington
www.harlequinmarket.com
KALMAR ANTIQUES
Shop 45, Level 1 Queen Victoria
Building, George Street, Sydney
www.kalmarantiques.com.au
STEPHANIE BROWNE
176 New South Head Road, Edgecliff
stephaniebrowne.com.au
The genuine article
THE VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOP
Shop 7, 80 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
www.thevintageclothingshop.com
SYDNEY ANTIQUE CENTRE
531 South Dowling Street, Surry Hills
www.sydantcent.com.au
BECKY SHARP’S VANITY MARKET
www.vanityfairmarkets.com
Words: Mamta Bhatt
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