All-white full-skirted gowns with lace sleeves, fitted waists and sweetheart or bateau necklines remain traditional choices for bridal attire, but 1997 designers are offering other options:
Chanel: This year's haute couture bride will wear a strapless silvery lace gown with matching head-dress, leggings and shoes.Vera Wang: In the past she was big on ball gowns with tulle skirts, but this year Wang's got her bride slithering down the aisle in a clingy matte jersey gown with plunging V-neck and cowl back, plus an illusion panel, looking more like a torch singer than innocent bride. FYI: She designed the wedding gowns worn by Chynna Phillips and Mariah Carey.
Yves Saint Laurent: For all those brides who don't want to wear their slips down the aisle like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, YSL has a hip-hiding alternative. His bridal gowns have scoop necklines (to show off choker necklaces), long sleeves and full skirts, sometimes in pastel florals. Instead of a traditional veil, his bride wears a hat.
Heidi Weisel: Nontraditional combinations of fabric are what you'll find this year, from ballerina-influenced gowns with stretchy silk bodices that look like leotards paired with a sheer, gauzy skirt, to drop-waist styles trimmed with sheared mink. Her clients include Elizabeth Hurley and Brooke Shields.
Giorgio Armani: This Italian designer is famous for minimalist designs, so it's no surprise that his bridal gowns are equally understated. A standout in his latest collection is a halter-necked gown with a lace bodice and a long, flowing chiffon skirt that drops straight to the ground.
Badgley Mischka: Their bridal dresses look like gorgeous white evening gowns that cling to curves and sparkle with crystal beads and pearls. P.S.: Paula Abdul's blush-colored lace-covered wedding gown was by this design duo.
Ungaro: His bride wore a colorful gown with a lace bodice and long sleeves sprinkled with small bouquets of red and purple flowers on the skirt.
Christian Lacroix: As usual, Lacroix likes costumy gowns that are a far cry from shy. His newest gown is billowy, low cut and topped with a huge pancakelike hat covered with the bridal veil.
Versace: He picked up on the one-shouldered, one-sleeve trend but used it on a ball gown instead of a sheath.