Advice from Reem Acra

Wedding dress designer Reem Acra is known in the fashion industry for her luxurious wedding and evening gowns. Reem includes both classic and modern styles in her dresses by using various fabrics, beads and textures. Her gowns are most commonly appealing to women that want a sophisticated and chic look on their big day. Celebrities such as Star Jones, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez and Marcia Cross all sport Reem’s gowns on and off the Red Carpet.

Reem Acra’s 2009 collection is a unique concept of models dressed in items from a little girl’s toy box. It is supposed to be a fun concept as well as fantasy and dream like. Each model wore an accessory such as a polka dot slip, a Minnie mouse hat or shirt a clown might wear, and combined them with a new gown from Reem’s 2008 collection. Her inspiration for the line was a lot of colors-green, blue and lavender.

“What are the big trends for this year’s spring and summer brides?”

It is a softer look walking down the aisle. It is angelic, lots of chiffon and draping. All very sweet, soft and easy. Also, hats are coming back – I put them in my last show. They go in and out, but if you take it in a fun way, it can be a fun thing to add.

“Moving into next season, what was your inspiration for your 2009 spring/summer bridal collection?”

Color, a lot of color. A lot of blues, greens and lavender – the link for it all was really the color. I have always believed in color. We keep trying to push the envelope, and this is part of my brand. Of course, white is a major part of the collection, but we can inject a few colors here and there.

“How many gowns are in each collection?”

About 30 to 35 pieces per collection.

“You design wedding gowns for many celebs. Who was your favorite celebrity client?”

I loved meeting Jennie Garth and designing her dress. She has a fabulous personality, and she is one of my favorite clients. She came to me wanting something simple, and then we talked and she changed her mind. The dress was a long-sleeved ball gown, very Gothic with embroidered gold on dark ivy. She even changed things in her wedding, like her invitations, around my dress.

“Do clients often change their minds about their gowns once they see your ideas?”

They come to me because I am an expert. I have many brides who say, “Well, I’m looking for this and that.” But within two minutes, I tell them, “Absolutely not, this is what you will wear,” and they will, all of a sudden, get it.

“How do you know better than the bride what the dress should be?”

I pick up the personality of the bride quickly. Then, if necessary, I change what they want into something I enjoy but that also is a benefit to the bride. I am also a very good listener. I listen to the bride, the mother, everyone. Then, taking into consideration all the views, I design something that everyone can be happy with and that is proper for the bride.

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