say yes to the dress!
February 24, 2011 6:28 PM Subscribe
Where can I find a unique, non-fussy, non-traditional wedding dress in Los Angeles?
I've been trying for a while to find a wedding dress in Los Angeles, but everything I'm finding is, well, really boring. Or ugly. I'd like to find something maybe by a local designer, or just a more independent shop than the big corporate wedding brands.
Regarding the dress, things I like: texture, interesting and quality materials, straps! Things I don't like: beading, heavy satin, princess type looks.
In my dream world, I would get that red Alexander McQueen dress Michelle Obama wore to the Chinese state dinner-thing made into a wedding dress. The dress in question, for reference
Are there shops I should try? Particular designer to look for? Are there designers who will work with me to make a dress? I'm also open to dresses that are not explicitly "wedding dresses."
For added difficulty, I don't want to break the bank on this - consider $2k an absolute, unbreakable upper limit. Less is better. I feel like with this budget, this is such a long shot, but I thought I'd try, at least.
I've been trying for a while to find a wedding dress in Los Angeles, but everything I'm finding is, well, really boring. Or ugly. I'd like to find something maybe by a local designer, or just a more independent shop than the big corporate wedding brands.
Regarding the dress, things I like: texture, interesting and quality materials, straps! Things I don't like: beading, heavy satin, princess type looks.
In my dream world, I would get that red Alexander McQueen dress Michelle Obama wore to the Chinese state dinner-thing made into a wedding dress. The dress in question, for reference
Are there shops I should try? Particular designer to look for? Are there designers who will work with me to make a dress? I'm also open to dresses that are not explicitly "wedding dresses."
For added difficulty, I don't want to break the bank on this - consider $2k an absolute, unbreakable upper limit. Less is better. I feel like with this budget, this is such a long shot, but I thought I'd try, at least.
Esty Alchemy is no longer taking requests as of February 5, 2011. You can, however, contact specific sellers to see if they do custom work.
posted by cooker girl at 6:56 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by cooker girl at 6:56 PM on February 24, 2011
Is Burbank too far? I love a lot of the looks at Unique Vintage.
posted by limeonaire at 7:19 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 7:19 PM on February 24, 2011
Have you tried the regular non-wedding departments at the biggies like Saks, Neiman Marcus, Barneys, etc? You won't get the McQueen dress for $2000 but they always stock formal gowns and sometimes you can find an absolute treasure on the sale rack.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:30 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:30 PM on February 24, 2011
Note: Dolly Couture will do custom designs (wedding or otherwise), their standard wedding dresses run from $400-600, and they're located in Tarzana and the showroom is open by appointment.
(Next fall my mom is getting married in the Edmonton, sans bow. If I ever get married I'm going for the Marin County.)
posted by elsietheeel at 7:53 PM on February 24, 2011
(Next fall my mom is getting married in the Edmonton, sans bow. If I ever get married I'm going for the Marin County.)
posted by elsietheeel at 7:53 PM on February 24, 2011
Best answer: Not sure if these are too simple, but for lots of silk shantung dresses with straps, try Aria? They have a showroom in Pasadena.
posted by synchronia at 9:15 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by synchronia at 9:15 PM on February 24, 2011
BHLDN is Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie's new bridal line, and while some of their dresses are frou frou, they've got a couple sleek, textural stunners. I particularly like this one, from there you can click back to the main page of all of them. Free returns if you don't like them!
posted by alygator at 9:33 PM on February 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by alygator at 9:33 PM on February 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Ooh, I like the Aria suggestion. They are very simple, but simple is good too, and maybe I should just run with that idea with my price range.
posted by annie o at 10:50 AM on February 25, 2011
posted by annie o at 10:50 AM on February 25, 2011
Ohhh thank you for the link to Aria! Mom just let me change the bridesmaids dresses from some icky thing at David's Bridal to this one.
posted by elsietheeel at 2:40 PM on February 25, 2011
posted by elsietheeel at 2:40 PM on February 25, 2011
Response by poster: To update for any future readers - found a very nice dress at the Beverly Hills Bloomindales - apparently looking during prom season is a good idea, and BH has a larger dress department than other Bloomies in the area. I am also trying on the JCrew dresses at JCrew-The Grove, which look nice, but be forewarned that you have to make an appt about a month in advance.
posted by annie o at 9:08 AM on April 3, 2011
posted by annie o at 9:08 AM on April 3, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Ideefixe at 6:40 PM on February 24, 2011