Kate Middleton Wedding Gown Replica

Take a minute to watch the video above. It's certainly an incredible feat for the design staff to have re-created Kate Middleton's wedding gown a mere 48 hours after the world first viewed it. As a professional in the bridal industry, I have to admit, I'm a bit baffled. I understand the idea behind emulating celebrity styles, but an exact replica of a wedding gown? I think it's going too far.

Everything you choose to wear should be selected because of YOUR personal style and taste. Yes, Kate Middleton is a snappy dresser and yes, we all want to wear Alexander McQueen if we can, but we should want to wear something because it is appealing on a personal level not because the future Queen of England wore it. If I choose to emulate a celebrity's style, it is not because of who that celebrity is, it's because I like the look. I'm not saying that all the brides who choose to wear a replica version of Kate Middleton's dress are doing it to be like a princess for a day. I do believe there are other women out there who want to wear a lace bodice/satin skirt gown because it is what they love the most and what will ultimately make them feel the best on their wedding day. However, I also feel there is a bit of a craze over everything the Duchess of Cambridge dons these days. I love her style as much as the next person, but that's exactly what it is- HER style. Perhaps there are elements of her style that you may want to incorporate into your outfits, but to completely replicate her dresses- the engagement announcement dress, the engagement photo dress, and especially the bridal gown- seems to be abandoning your own personal style in favor of hers.

I've mentioned before that it's a good idea to select a style icon- someone whose fashion choices you can emulate to help improve your own wardrobe selections. I still stand behind this advice because the goal is not to replicate a celebrity style. The goal is to find your own unique look- to incorporate ideas you see in others in a way that is flattering to your body and that suits your unique lifestyle. Emulate, don't replicate.

What are your thoughts on this subject? Leave a comment and tell me what you think!

Wedding Fantasy

Do you ever watch that show on TLC "Say Yes to the Dress" about the NYC bridal shop Kleinfeld's? I absolutely LOVE it. I think that wedding dress shopping has got to be so surreal. There is no other single garment that has as much impact on our lives as a wedding dress. As little girls, we grow up dreaming of what ours will look like. Why am I posting about wedding gowns? I have no idea- I think maybe subconsciously I'm trying to make sure I have a girl post to counteract the last one about menswear. Anyway, I love the Pnina Tornai line they always have on "Say Yes." It's the ultimate in fantasy wedding dresses. Pnina truly designs the most spectacular, ethereal, feminine wedding dresses I've ever seen. Some of my favorites:

I don't necessarily love these because I'd wear them- I'm more in love with them simply for their sheer beauty and artistry. I love how much detail Pnina incorporates into each dress- making each one truly special. When the time comes for me to shop for my wedding dress, I think a Pnina might be a little too much design for me, but it's fun to imagine how it would feel to wear one of her dresses, don't you think?