The Lela Rose bride is the woman with a huge smile on her face, dancing to big-band music and charming everyone in her radius—all while looking unfailingly elegant. She’s refined but relaxed. She may have planned her wedding to a T, and there might be 200 people there, but she didn’t let herself get too stressed about it. What’s the point? Her hair is likely styled in loose waves or a chignon tied with a ribbon—something that will only look better after a few hours on the dance floor—and she’s wearing a simple, pretty gown, nothing stuffy or overworked. And certainly not a “naked dress.”
Rose calls the look “a relaxed formality.” In a preview, she arranged a handful of gowns (and one bustier-and-pants look) on a rail—all in traditional shades of white—and pointed out the less-traditional details: the matelassé texture of the two-piece set, the matte silk wool on a strapless number (more modern than shiny satin), the subtle blouson of a T-shirt dress. “Our brides are cool and independent,” she said. “They definitely want a gown, but they don’t want to feel like the gown is wearing them. So it never feels too traditional.” That means Rose usually works in two camps: classic gowns with sculptural flourishes—like her favorite, a strapless number tied with an origami-like bow in the front—and softer, more feminine dresses with floral appliqués, a dash of sparkle, or an interesting neckline. “I think something we’re known for is that we don’t just offer strapless dresses,” she pointed out. “Our most popular gowns are the ones that aren’t strapless, which I really enjoy.” Most of her tank or spaghetti-strap styles come with extra interest in the back: a detachable watteau, an oversize bow, or a low, scooped-out back.
As with most of her presentations—bridal, ready-to-wear, or otherwise—Rose staged this one in a special venue: Little Owl the Townhouse, where guests snacked on bite-size cakes and got an up-close view of the dresses. Rose shot the photos on the streets of the West Village too, so you can almost picture her models walking out of the frame and saying “I do” at a nearby garden or rooftop.
