While his name, to some, may be unfamiliar, the gowns from designer Peter Langner are unforgettable. For more than 20 years Peter Langner has been a unique presence in the fashion world. His bridal gowns are in short, fantasies come to life. The architecture and vision behind each dress is unlike any other on the market, and it’s no surprise that Peter Langner is one of the most sought-after bridal designers for the bride who wants to look nothing short of spectacular on her big day. We caught up with him recently and took a look at his exclusive collection, now available at Kleinfeld Canada at Hudson’s Bay.
Left: The “Tilda” gown by Peter Langner / Right: The “Arpege” gown by Peter Langner
Today’s Bride: Talk to us about some of the dresses you’ve brought to Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay.
Peter Langner: “I’ve brought some of the couture evening pieces, but for bridal I’ve brought a variety of dresses. One of the biggest trends with our dresses is lightness – many of our dresses are very light and flowing. What makes our dresses different from many other bridal collections out there is the construction. Our dresses are very architectural and the way they are fashioned is unlike many other bridal gowns, so much so that a bride can feel the difference once they have the dress on.”
TB: Do you envision a particular bride when you design each dress, seeing as each gown is so unique, if not then where does your inspiration come from?
PL: “It really comes from the fabrics, the material. When I see a particular fabric or lace I think to myself, “With this we could make…” and the ideas grow from there. I like to create a mini-story for each dress, that’s really important for a runway show, but for me I have to find a reason to make something else, different from the last dress. That’s why each gown is so different from another.”
TB: When is a dress “finished” in your eyes?
PL: “Never (he laughs). I could tell you even now at least 20 different things I would like to change. My creativity doesn’t stop even when a dress is complete. I’m very involved in each dress, not just as a designer but I’m also very passionate about each dress is made. For me, the process behind each dress… it’s an evolution.”
TB: How do you want a bride to feel in one of your gowns?
PL: “First, I think it’s very important to have trust between a sales associate and the bride. Nowadays we don’t trust one another so easily, and it’s very important to trust your bridal consultant to guide you to your perfect dress. That being said, our dresses are very unique so I hope that brides are willing to explore new ideas and keep an open mind when choosing a wedding dress so that they can look their most beautiful on that special day.”
TB: If there was one person you could design a dress exclusively for, who would it be?
PL: “Oh that’s hard to say… I wouldn’t know where to start. I just love Kiera Knightley. Also, Kate Hudson because I think that she’s sharp and edgy. I think a lot of it has to do with personality, and since our dresses have so much personality of their own I’d love to work with someone who wasn’t afraid to take a risk, to try something new.”
TB: In more than 20 years of designing gowns, what is the most important thing you’ve learned about bridal fashion in that time?
PL: “It’s a beautiful job and it’s very positive work, so I’m very fortunate because of that. Most of the customers we’ve worked with over the years have been very appreciative, and that means a lot. I’m proud that while we’re a small bridal house, we’re very well respected. I’m very passionate about what I do, and I love what we’ve been able to create in the last 20+ years.”
TB: If you could sum up your style in three words, what would they be?
PL: “Timeless, elegant, sophisticated. Those might be boring words but I don’t want to be trendy when it comes to a bridal gown. I don’t want to design a dress just to make a sale because it was popular at one time; a bride’s dress is so much more important than that.”
