AisleDash

For those of you who are not familiar with Bridal Market Week, it is a magical time when designers show off their newest creations for the upcoming season, which right now is the Spring 2008 season. New York Bridal Market Week is now over, and it's time for us to sift through the torn tulle and the disheveled chiffon that remains on the runway and determine what brides should be watching for.

• Feel it, feel it! From organza overlays by Christos to beaded tulle sleeves by Badgley Mischka, fabulous fabrics and textures were everywhere. Adding a fabric other than the standard satin gave the dresses a little added detail without taking away from the overall design.
  
• Waisted detail. There are still plenty of A-line, princess seamed dresses to be found, but many designers (such as Lazaro) are showing detail at the waist in the form of a bow or gathering of fabric. It's not just at the natural waist, either --watch for beaded seams at an empire waist and colored ribbons highlighting a dropped waist, too.
  
• Stop! I'm blushing! Designers have realized over the past few years that not everyone looks good in white, and although red dresses are fun, some brides might want something in between. Blush pinks and peaches and other soft hues were shown by the likes of Watters Brides and Alfred Angelo.
  
• Cap it off. Sleeves are not just for the bride with a little upper-arm-wing-action going on anymore -- Vera Wang was just one of many designers showing the arms some love this year. Some were sheer, some were satin, and some were, well, sort of like a sack of flour, but they were certainly there in full force.