Queen Victoria wrote in her diary on the occasion of her marriage day to Prince Albert Queen Victoria in her journal on the day of her wedding to Prince Albert.
Breakfast was a good choice, and I fell asleep at half-past. 9. Before that, Mama came to me, bringing some orange blossoms … I had my hair done and the wreath of orange flowers placed over my hair … Then I dressed in a white satin gown and a long flail of Honiton lace, the re-creation of an old style. My jewelry was my Turkish diamond earrings and necklace, as well as my beloved Albert’s stunning sapphire brooch.
Her gown, with its delicately glowing satin and thick silk lace, was to be the model for a number of decades and possibly decades of future brides. The combination of a sculpted bodice and full skirt, accented by sparkling jewelry, a floral veil, and a headband, was intended to entice first the elite, then gradually, a wider section of the population to think of white as a wedding gown.
The Victoria dress dress became the ideal wedding dress. It was a change from wearing what you consider to be your most stylish and trendy “Sunday Best” outfit to securing a dress that was exclusive for the day. Also, wedding dresses began to be out of fashion.
While there are fashion trends in a specific fashion, many aspects remain the same. This particular outfit is increasingly being portrayed and promoted as unique and extraordinary, far outside the realms of the normal.
The new V&A exhibition Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 has just opened. It is amazing to see so many gowns together and spanning three centuries; what’s interesting is the way that modern fashion less influenced dresses in the 1930s. They began to develop their style of romanticism. Although they all have a date and are a part of the current fashions, There is a feeling in the more recent dresses that they hark back to the glamorous versions of ball gowns or evening dresses from earlier eras.
Like their 2012 show, Ballgowns British Glamour since 1950, The V&A’s most recent exhibit relies on their collections to highlight a kind of attire that could appear outdated.
This is despite its place in the imagination of many and especially, with regard to wedding gowns, its importance in the lives of many women. The fact that wedding dresses have become such a crucial element of the custom and ritual of marriage is an indication of good marketing by the wedding industry and the ideas of romance, fantasy, and a perfected feminine look that go with its bare layers.
The broad historical period portrayed by the current exhibit allows visitors to comprehend how this particular tradition gained traction and significance. The effects of wider economic, social, and cultural occasions are also highlighted. The dress highlights the importance of the dress for individuals as well as the significance of it being a part of their lives and also the stories handed down to the next generation.
At the beginning of the process of preparing for the exhibition, curator Edwina Ehrman advised viewers to submit photos of their weddings with their families. This provided a fascinating look at the way styles have evolved throughout the years and also how weddings were photographed. The exhibition then traveled across the globe, attracting large crowds before returning to London.
The Museum was first able to acquire a wedding gown in 1900, though it was from a groom, not the bride. It was an early 17th-century dress and was believed to have been worn by the late Sir Thomas Isham for his 1681 wedding. It was, in fact, part of a collection of clothing that was gathered as excellent examples of the fashion-forward style of the era instead of due to its association with weddings. In the years since, a variety of pieces have been sold and donated.
The show focuses on more extravagant examples, from elegant 18th-century gowns to Victorian gowns adorned with satin lace. There are also gowns from top designers, including Vivienne Westwood, whose historically-influenced designs make her a popular wedding dress for brides. Her work is showcased by the vibrant, deep purple gown lent by Dita Von Teese. This gown she wore to her wedding in 2005 with Marilyn Manson.
This dress is a great representation of the luxurious designs of the 19th century, which many brides love. They are reminiscent of the styles of previous designers that are also featured here, like Charles Frederick Worth. The class also hints at the glamour that is associated with celebrity weddings and the extensive press coverage that helps to promote wedding fashions even more.
If you walk across the Fashion Gallery and up the steps to the mezzanine area, where more modern examples are showcased, you get a feeling of how important and even sacred this fashion is. However, whether it’s an improvement for style, romance, soul, or the wedding industry is a different matter.
