Since the Anne Barge Co. was founded in January 1999, designer Anne Barge has created some of the most timeless and elegant bridal gowns imaginable, thus becoming a staple in the bridal fashion world. Brides everywhere know that Anne Barge is the go-to wedding gown designer for that unique and one-of-a-kind fairytale look. We caught up with her recently and took a look at her exclusive collection, now available at Kleinfeld Canada at Hudson’s Bay.
Left: The “Betrothed” gown by Anne Barge / Right: The “Promise” gown by Anne Barge
Today’s Bride: Talk to us about the collection you’ve brought to Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay.
Anne Barge: “We’ve brought the latest from our Blue Willow, Anne Barge Couture and Black Label collections. The Black Label is more Old Hollywood Glamour with lots of beading and flowing fabrics; the Anne Barge Couture is a collection with a lot of lace detailing, and finally the Blue Willow collection is very architectural, with simple fabrics and clean lines.”
TB: When designing a dress – for any of these collections – where does your inspiration come from?
AB: “My inspiration comes from a lot of Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly…those dresses I remember seeing when I was a child. My favourite period is the best part of the 1950’s. I loved dresses with the natural waist and full skirts; it was a very romantic time when women dressed very lady-like in a classic and timeless way. I’m also inspired by more historic periods even as early as the 1900’s. The jewellery in particular from say that Titanic era definitely influences the beading that we use. But whether it’s from the 1950’s or even as early as the late 1800’s there’s definitely an old soul that wants to incorporate that style in a modern look.”
TB: What advice do you have for brides shopping for their dream dress?
AB: “I would say limit the amount of people you bring with you, so that you can concentrate on finding that perfect dress for you. It’d be better to bring your “many admirers” once you’ve decided on a dress because it can be hard to focus on what you want when you’re distracted by what others want to see you in.”
TB: What are some of the bridal trends you hope to see in 2015?
AB: “Well our look is always going to be a timeless and classic one, but I’m definitely seeing throughout the market an emphasis on low, beautiful backs. With that said dresses with a low back usually require a higher neckline (to keep the dress up) so we’re also seeing more bateau and on-the-shoulder styles. We’re still seeing a lot of the fit-n-flare silhouettes, but there’s always a place for a ball gown. Another trend for 2015 is fabrics – I think we’re going to see lighter fabrics instead of the heavier fabrics like satin or taffeta.”
TB: How do you want brides to feel in your gowns?
AB: “I want them to feel as beautiful as they imagined they would look on their wedding day. I think it’s a dream come true when you put the right dress on, and I want my brides to feel the most special on a day they’ve been dreaming about the whole lives.”
TB: If you could sum up your style in 3 words, what would they be?
AB: “Classic, timeless and elegant.”