One of the world’s top high-end designers wants to make sure that tying the knot doesn’t empty your wallet.
New York fashion legend
Zac Posen has created a line of bridal wear, Truly Zac Posen, that features seven stunning wedding dresses ranging from $850 to $1,350.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Christina Hendricks in a memorable Posen dress at the Emmys in 2010.
These are not knockoffs but originals, featuring all the trademarks of
Posen gowns at four times the price: corsets, body-conscious silhouettes
and expert draping.
“Truly Zac Posen is my love note to a bride on her most beautiful day,”
says the designer, who is selling the exclusive line at David’s Bridal.
Typical Posen gowns, worn by celebrities such as Lena Dunham and Uma
Thurman and society swans like Muffie Potter Aston, will set you back
more than $3,000.
That’s a lot to spend on a dress you’ll wear once — even if a woman has been dreaming of the “perfect” wedding since she was 8.
“Many brides feel that if they have a low budget, they can’t afford
anything that is fashion-forward, creative or, most importantly,
high-quality,” says New York bridal stylist Jackie Avrumson. “So
bringing a runway name (like Posen) to an accessible market allows all
brides to feel like they can achieve a dream look.”
Posen’s designs have always celebrated a woman’s curves. In a typical
red-carpet moment for Posen, “Mad Men” actress Christina Hendricks
noticeably filled out one of his tulle dresses at the Emmy Awards in
2010. Fans watching Hendricks could see that couture dresses were
accessible for all sizes — including more buxom shapes as opposed to
rail-thin runway models.
The new collection “was born with the idea of offering bridal gowns and
social-occasion dresses in an extended array of sizes.” The dresses are
available from sizes 0 to 26.
Yes, size 26. One of the world’s most darling couturiers has created a
line for budget fashionistas who not only don’t get invited to fashion
shows but couldn’t fit in a front-row seat.
Iconic wedding gown designer Vera Wang was one of the first runway
designers to introduce a lower-priced line of wedding dresses, and her
White by Vera Wang collection — priced similarly to Truly Zac Posen — is
one of the most popular choices for David’s Bridal clients.
This isn’t the first time Posen has designed for women who can’t afford a personal shopper at Bergdorf’s.
His Z Spoke line, featuring slip-on dresses made more frequently with
polyester than silk, typically run between $300 and $500. His Zac bags
are becoming just as popular as fellow New York designer Marc Jacobs’
Marc by Marc accessories, ubiquitous among office-going city gals.
But creating a wedding gown for the masses is an entirely new venture for Posen.
“I had been waiting on the right opportunity to design bridal for a
larger audience,” says Posen, who had been approached by big-box
retailers to create an affordable line of gowns.
Posen went with David’s Bridal because of its “unparalleled knowledge
of the market” — but the 60-year-old company heaped the praise right
back on Posen.
“His new collection speaks to the beauty, grace and glamour that each
woman deserves,” says Brian Beitler, a David’s Bridal vice president.
“Our consumers have been anxiously awaiting ... his standout designs.”
Standout designs, true, but buying a $1,000 Truly Zac Posen gown at
David’s Bridal isn’t the same as ordering a custom $10,000 Monique
Lhuillier couture wedding dress.
For one thing, pricey gowns are never bought off the rack.
“When you buy a couture wedding dress, they’re fitted for you,” says
Julie Sabatino, owner of the Stylish Bride, a high-end New York wedding
consultant. “You have amazing, handmade laces that are not
mass-produced, very high-quality. Those dresses are made to order.”
Off-the-rack also doesn’t get you perfectly matching veils and
last-minute additions of crystal beading on the neckline — but then,
isn’t the attention supposed to be on the bride, not her accessories?
The Truly Zac Posen collection will be available at David’s Bridal
on Thursday. 751 Sixth Ave., at 25th St., (646) 827-4050;
www.davidsbridal.com.
Joe Tabacca
P.J. Sylvester, director of
visual merchandising for David's Bridal in Manhattan, and Stacey
Rywelski, store manager, prepare several of Zac Posen's new wedding
dresses.
Joe Tabacca
A Zac Posen wedding dress at David's Bridal.
