Anne Barge Bridal Spring 2017

If you are looking for beautiful, traditional bridal designs, Anne Barge immediately comes to mind. However, if you have been following the brand for the past few seasons, Anne Barge has expanded her brand beyond traditional bridal fare. True, you will find the traditional bridal silhouettes—fit-to-flare, mermaid, princess ball gown, and even high-low gowns—still Barge understands that creating beautiful gowns with flourishes of lace, tulle and detailed embroidery is not enough.

For spring 2017, Barge was inspired by the awakening of spring gardens, still covered in frost, with dewy petals peeking through the early morning frost. This dewy freshness was made evident in cascading pearls and ice-like sparkling crystals that referenced the dawn of an early spring morning, not quite ripe, nascent and blushingly beautiful.

Barge has forged an entire career out of making beautiful bridal gowns in the traditional mode. That brand DNA is still in place. Still, for spring 2017 Barge is projecting her brand toward a more youthful bride. This projection is made obvious in some of the high-low looks and in the cascading pearls down the back of the gowns and over the shoulders.

Barge’s reference of an awakening spring gardens takes a nod to the freshness and perhaps, unspoiled nature of youth. And where in previous outings Barge’s bridal collection had more of an appeal to a more traditional, conservative bridal consumer, for spring 2017 Barge’s design aesthetic is more appealing to a wider bridal demographic.

Standouts in the collection are Barge’s modified mermaid gown with sheer, deep V-neck bodice with Alencon lace appliques and lattice-inspired embroidery, cocktail length Chantilly dress with beaded Alencon lace overlay with tulle overskirt, stretch crepe column gown with bateau neckline with illusion back, and strapless high-low gown of silk Mikado with beaded lace appliques and pockets.

—William S. Gooch