Anne Barge Bridal Fall 2015

When it comes to classic bridal silhouettes, Anne Barge is right up there in the bridal pantheon alongside Dennis Basso, Oleg Cassini, Anna Maier, and Alfred Angelo. This season Anne Barge did not veer too far away from what is working for the brand; which is a good choice.

A master at finding ways to keep classic silhouettes fresh and interesting, this season Barge infused her fall 2015 collection with the current trends of sheer illusions, cutouts, beaded and sequined midriff embellishments, and detachable skirts. Though Barge stayed true to her brand’s penchant for traditional bridal gowns, for fall 2015 the brand embraced interesting fabrications—Kalika linen, dupioni, and satin stripe organza—that elevated the collection to a dissertation on where traditional bridal gowns are heading.

Though this outing was mostly a bridal compendium on traditional silhouettes—mermaid, fit-to-flare, ball gowns, A-line and sheath gowns—, Barge did experiment with some modern trends. Her detachable train was a departure from bridal looks we have seen in past collections, as well as her venture into masculine/feminine perspectives seen in a strapless gown with charmeuse lapels, jeweled buttons, a belt and deep pockets.

Standouts in the collection were Barge’s mini dress of dupioni and Alencon lace with bateau neckline and deep V-back, separate overskirt of dupioni accented b Alencon lace bodering front opening, tailored stapless gown of satin stripe organza with band at neckline an self belt accented with rhinestone buckle, and strapless trumpet gown of Kalika with notched neckline accented by Alencon lane and empire pleated band of charmeuse.

—William S. Gooch