There’s something empowering about wearing a wedding dress named after a confident female icon, be it Amal (Clooney), (Angelina) Jolie, or Karlie (Kloss). It suggests that, to the bride, a wedding isn’t just about flowers, the right color palette, or picking a cake; instead, it’s about embracing both femininity and strength—and knowing what you want. For her Spring 2019 collection, Anne Barge creative director Shawne Jacobs was inspired by strong women who embody the brand’s natural sense of style. “Some dresses were definitely designed with their namesake in mind,” she said. See: the Michelle, a full-skirted ball gown inspired by former First Lady Michelle Obama’s dresses, and the Iman, a fit-and-flare gown with a demi-corseted Chantilly lace bodice, which one could easily picture on the statuesque model.
While Anne Barge dresses typically exude a bit of southern charm, here she focused more on a timeless yet contemporary look, often with additional layering pieces. A trumpet gown was transformed with a detachable tulle overskirt, for instance, and a sweetheart A-line dress looked even more demure with a removable tulle caplet. Another sleek sheath looked anything but basic with a floral-embroidered cape, which might be too pretty to take off after the ceremony. And for the bride who wants classic lace without looking too traditional, the off-the-shoulder Loren gown was as alluring and elegant as the Italian actress it’s named after.
