Photo: Courtesy of Esme Vie Press Office
Esme Vie is the latest ready-to-wear designer to enter the bridal world. The label's dresses are perfect for a fashion-forward bride who wants a wedding day look that is classic and elegant with a hint of minimalism. Also, the brand offers dreamy bridesmaid dress options made of luxe fabrics and timeless yet innovative shapes. We sat down with designer Julia Voitenko to talk about her vision, the brand's September 2013 launch, and why brides should consider walking down the aisle wearing one of her creations.
1. Your bridal style should be timeless; not trendy.
"In a time when fashion is so trend-focused, Esme Vie follows its own vision, the tenet of clothes as 'Beauty to Wear.' We embrace classical traditions of clothing design, and draw constant inspiration from the fashion of the 1950s and 1960s, which we infuse with a modern touch of 1990s minimalism to create our seasonless collections," Voitenko explains. "The concentration on essentials and clean-cut lines reflects the simplicity and femininity of the brand, while infusing eye-catching details set us apart."
2. Esme Vie's clothes can be worn for a lifetime — not just for the big day. (Read: Your bridesmaids will thank you.)
"We're focused on using the most exquisite fabrics and artisanal work for every piece in the collection," Voitenko says. "The Winter 2015 collection focuses on shapes from classic column skirts and full-volume gore skirts to blouses in different cuts and timeless wrap jackets and coats. The fabrics are similar to the fabrics used by Cristobal Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent in the mid-twentieth century including Italian double-faced satin and gabardine, lana vergine, baby llama, and mink."
Photo: Courtesy of Esme Vie Press Office
3. Are peonies your dream wedding flowers? The latest designs are inspired by the bloom.
"The new collection's color palette is inspired by the peony, with tones from burgundy and Persian red to lighter shades of rose, nude, and white. And the classic shapes are inspired by fashion icons like Jacqueline Kennedy, the designs of Cristobal Balenciaga, and Dior's 'New Look,'" Voitenko notes.
4. The new collection includes styles that were specifically imagined for brides.
"This collection is focused on long dresses and skirts paired with tops and jackets, with the idea in mind that a woman might wear one of these looks on one of the most special days in her life," Voitenko explains. "I love the idea of a modern bride, who has a vision of her wedding dress being timelessly beautiful, [yet] contemporary and minimal."
5. Esme Vie will have a small, brand new collection available for upcoming bridal season.
"We've adapted specific dresses for bridal wear or special occasions. A capsule pre-collection will debut for the new bridal season starting in May 2014 at Harrods London and other select premium retailers."