Happy Anniversary, Alta Moda Bridal!
A lot can change in 10 years: Goodbye Britney, hello T-Swift! Ciao wide-legs, buongiorno skinny jeans! Adios acrylic, hola shellac! Au revoir smooth skin, bonjour wrinkles...but we digress.
Last week, local boutique and arbiters of big-day style Alta Moda Bridal celebrated their 10-year anniversary. We caught up with owner Hilary Anderson and asked her to reflect on what's changed in wedding fashion one decade and hundreds (thousands?) of brides and gowns later.
What's the biggest difference in bridal fashion and/or the wedding industry in the past 10 years?
"The biggest difference in bridal fashion now, versus a decade ago, is the wide knowledge of new brands and independent international designers. We love the ability to connect with brands that appeal to an ever-changing bride."
How many designers did you carry when you first opened and how many do you offer now?
"Presently, we carry 14 designers. We started with about 6 or 7."
How has the advent of social media and platforms like Pinterest and Instagram changed the wedding and bridal industries over the last decade?
"Pinterest has changed how brides gain inspiration to keep their events fresh. And it's been fun to see how Instagram has connected brides to other real weddings and to cool, new international brands." [Editor's Note: Follow Alta Moda Bridal at @altamodabridal]
Who was one of your favorite or most popular bridal designers 10 years ago and who is it now?
"When we started our most popular designer was likely Justina McCaffrey. Now our most popular designer is Berta, based out of Tel Aviv. The staff are presently loving so many of our new lines like Rue De Seine, Anna Campbell, and our perpetual love Monique Lhuillier."
What was the most popular bridal trend or dress style at your shop 10 years ago and what is it now?
"Pick-ups were here, there, and everywhere! Currently, the soft, ethereal, and boho looks are winning hearts."
Is there a trend or dress style that is completely obsolete from a decade ago?
"Pick-ups are an obsolete trend. Oh, how times change!"
Any big changes in fabrics, fit, or colors over the past decade?
"Some of the notable changes in bridal are the softer, deconstructed fit of gowns (like those by Rue De Seine and Claire Pettibone), sweeping long lines (a la Berta), and a real focus on the bride simply wearing what she loves."
Let's talk accessories: what was popular 10 years ago vs now? Were veils more or less popular 10 years ago?
"When we started, elbow-length, two (even three!) layer veils were the hot item. Now, as flower crowns are at the height of popularity, we're seeing a return to long veils and freshened-up, classic looks."
Where do you see AMB and bridal fasion headed in the next 10 years?
"In a decade we'd love to see local boutiques remain as important to brides as they are now. At the same time, we see worldwide brands becoming even more accessible, keeping with the uniqueness and individuality brides will likely still crave."
Happy Anniversary Hilary, Justin, and the #AMBgirls!
Cheers to another decade of style, grace, and weddings.