Monday, March 3, 2014

Zac Posen creates affordable wedding dresses


 NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: (L-R) Naomi Campbell, designer Zac Posen, and Coco Rocha walk the runway at the Zac Posen Spring 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center on September 9, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Designer Zac Posen, flanked by Naomi Campbell (left) and Coco Rocha, at a New York Fashion Week show.

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.
Christina Hendricks in a memorable Posen dress at the Emmys in 2010.

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.
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

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.

A Zac Posen wedding dress at David's Bridal.

Joe Tabacca

A Zac Posen wedding dress at David's Bridal.

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