A dress the situation

IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT. There you are huffing and puffing your way through the buttons and hooks in changing-room hell and then suddenly you’re wearing the dress of your dreams. Every bride-to-be goes through this – regardless of size or stature – and eventually sees what she wants to see in the mirror.

MIRROR MIRROR is the name of one of the finest bridal dress shops in London and within are gowns by some of the most creative minds in the bridal world.

After 28 years in business, owners Maria Yiannikaris and Jane Nicolls know where to find those minds and they travel extensively each year and every season to find unique and flattering designs to delight their clients.

The owners are also designers offering a custom couture collection as well as the fine tuning of gowns from other designers during the fitting process at their onsite studio and workroom within their Islington-based shop.

Like so many bridal specialists Maria and Jane had their heads turned by the talent of Israeli designers, among them Tel Aviv’s Nurit Hen who pioneered the sexy bold alternative bridal look with emphasis on cut, quality and a flattering fit and Mirror Mirror have launched the Nurit Hen Haute Couture collection which ranges from classic boned bodices to soft unstructured boho styling.

The enthusiasm for Israeli bridal wear continues at Morgan Davies with both their award-winning boutiques in Hertfordshire and Islington showcasing the work of Alon Livne and Inbal Dror.

Acquiring his own sewing machine at 14 set Livne on a fashion path that took him to Roberto Cavalli and Alexander Mcqueen before winning Israel’s Project Runway and dressing Lady Gaga. Now in New York Livne’s bespoke bridal gowns are a work of hand-sewn art.

Brides worthy of a red carpet are Inbal Dror’s speciality as she merges fantasy with sophistication in timeless dresses and the team at Morgan Davies recognise individuality as they guide clients to their perfect dress as well as bespoke accessories, tiaras, veils and jewellery.

But before fixing on accessories prospective brides should also see the romantic gowns by Gali Karten who trained at Christian Dior before opening her business in 2010.

As she puts it, her gowns are for women looking for “a fashionable wedding dress rather than disguised enlightenment.” Gali wore vintage on her big day and it is that feel merged with modern lines that can be seen at Angelica Bridal in Camden Passage where there is a trunkshow from Nov 8-11.

For Mira Zwillinger who sells at Browns Bride, the bridal gown is about her team of ten skilled seamstresses – ensuring a perfect fit. This, along with the creative vision of her daughter Lihi and the finest embroidery and luxurious fabrics are what makes the gowns so special and weightless.

Thanks to lots of structure inside of the garments creating support and beautiful lines, the heavily embellished dresses feel as though they weigh nothing which is a result. A mother and daughter fashion collaboration will also enchant brides and as Miri wisely notes:

“A bride should know when it’s her wedding gown. When you put on a dress you should feel perfect in it and that it brings out your personal character. Then you’ve found your dress.”

mirrormirroruk.com
020 7713 9022

morgandaviesbridal.co.uk
0207 253 3007 / 01462 432889

angelikabridal.comListen to this week’s episode of the Jewish Views podcast!