Wedding Gazette

Renaissance Bride

By Ellenina Gaston

Fashion today plays an important role in bridal design. Vanguard designers are well aware of that trend as well as the demands of their clients to create one-of-a-kind creations that fulfill their wedding fantasies.

Two such women, Carmela Sutera and Basia Zarzycka, are on the cutting edge of bridal couture. Each has a unique approach to modern design, and yet they share one common trait: the influence of the past.

Carmela Sutera's exclusive bridal designs embody all of the qualities of the renowned European fashion houses. She uses exceptional fabrics and trim in combination with quality workmanship and subtle detail to create contemporary styles with traditional elegance. She is well known for her understated design details and embellishments. Pintucking, fine embroidery, lace, satin borders and floral edging define her work. She is especially fond of lace. " Tons of lace," she says, "it's so romantic."

She also has a clear vision of how a bride should look on her wedding day. "If a bride looks beautiful and has a gorgeous dress, the wedding will be a wonderful experience for her." Carmela knows that while some brides go for a sleek, sophisticated look others want to capture the romance of the day in their own way. She designs for those who see their wedding as a fairy tale and who want a dress with an element of fantasy.

Basia Zarzycka, a London designer, takes a different approach to her designs. Her clients include royalty, rock musicians and Hollywood stars. Her designs are as diverse in nature as her clients are. So how do you begin to describe this Renaissance woman and her gowns? Let's begin with her shop.

A portrait of Madame La Pompadour looks down on a breathtaking collection of wedding gowns displayed in an 18th century boudoir. The gowns are swathed in organdy silk tulle and embellished with thousands of minute Venetian beads. Some are adorned with wild floral garlands, delicate laces, and flowing chiffon. This visual riot of color and texture doesn't give your eye a place to rest, for in every corner of her shop there are headdresses and tiaras handcrafted using faceted Austrian crystals, freshwater pearls, and delicate hand tooled silk flowers. Basia makes each one to order and can they be changed to reflect the wishes of the bride. Her priceless collection of antique tiaras is also available to rent. Some date back to Napoleon's time circa 1790.

Both these designers defy definition and freely blend the old with the new in their work. One borrows from the past's simple, delicate use of lace while the other uses bold color, beads and flowers. Each creates wedding dresses that reflect her client's unique vision of beauty. Carmela sums it up best by saying, "It is probably the one moment in a woman's life when she will wear the dress of her most extravagant dreams."