Theia Bridal Spring 2015

For spring 2015 Theia creative director Don O’Neill was inspired by the ancient Irish legend of the Tuatha de Danaann. “I am from a little seaside village in Ireland and we have a legend of the ruin of an ancient church that lies beneath the waters of the bay of my seaside home. Ancient folklore believes that fairy folk would come up from that submerged church and come onshore in a moonlight procession. For this collection, I imagined by fairy goddesses coming to life and coming through that portal and how they would look today if they came on shore,” explains O’Neill.

In this outing O’Neill realized this fairy inspiration in shimmery silver and white gowns in a variety of silhouettes and fabrications. “The influences were both Celtic and ocean inspired. The final gown was to look wet as though having just emerged from the water and to represent the moonlight shimmery beams. Several other gowns were embroidered with rivulets of pearls and silvery beads running down the dress with dimensions of paillettes and petals held down by pearls encrusted over the dress to conjure up images of a sea goddess. There were also lots of Celtic spirals and scrolls in the overcoats. And of course the head pieces were very Celtic inspired,” details O’Neill

Every bridal season O’Neill attempts to push the proverbial bridal envelope toward designs that re-imagine what a wedding gown can be. And for spring 2015, O’Neill’s bride transcends traditional bridal fare by embracing a more fashion-forward themed approach to nuptial attire.

All this is evidenced in gowns that are attracting a wider bridal demographic to O’Neill’s creations. From those brides who want a more traditional gown with just a hint of innovative detailing to those young brides who are thinking out of the box and want that very special showstopper gown that conjures up images of incandescent elegance while still demonstrating the future direction of bridal design.

“I added a crop top paired with a lame ball skirt because that speaks to a younger consumer. A lot of brides are young and young brides often want to look sexy. So, this season I incorporated a crop top that shows only a sliver of belly, keeping the look appropriate but still sexy. You absolutely know she is in a bridal gown, but she is still young and cool.”

Standouts in the collection were O’Neill’s micro cup sequin and glass beaded halter gown with silk organza beaded scroll overcoat, silver floral jacquard crop to with tulle over lame ball skirt, illusion lace gown with embroidered tulle overskirt with crystal belt, and mirror sequin, and glass beaded gown with scrolling sequin overcoat.

—William S. Gooch