The name of Alfred Angelo is the most recognized brand of bridal apparel around the globe. For nearly 75 yearsAlfred Angelo has been dressing brides and the members of their wedding party in our elegant and affordable gowns.

A world’s leading maker of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses, yet retaining the personal touch of a family owned company.

Founded in the 1930’s by Alfred Angelo Piccione and his wife, Edythe Piccione, today thecompany is owned by their son and daughter, Vincent and Michele Piccione. Together they dedicate their business, technological and creative talents to ensure that Alfred Angelo continues to provide beautiful bridal and formal wear of the finest quality at affordable prices.

With corporate offices in the United States in both the Philadelphia and South Florida regions, and sales and manufacturing facilities around the world, brides and their attendants can find Alfred Angelo gowns in thousands of retail stores throughout not only North America, but on every other continent as well. 

Alfred Angelo's Bridal Collection exemplifies the qualities for which Alfred Angelo is known. It features a broad range of silhouettes, in beautiful fabrics, embellished with exquisite embroideries, beading and laces.

Most of the styles are offered in both white and ivory and several are available in delicate colours or with colour accents.

When the time comes to select gowns for bridesmaids, turn to Alfred Angelo as well. Most of our bridesmaid styles are offered in 55 colours and a wide range of fabrics. For maximum flexibility, Bridesmaid Separates collection features tops in varied silhouettes that can be paired with any of our skirts. Each piece can be ordered in the proper size to ensure a perfect fit.  For the youngest members of the wedding party, there are many adorable options in our collection for flowergirls.

 

Timeless elegance, sophistication and most especially attention to detail are Alvina Valenta’s main principles behind the collections they design.

Stunning styles including short bubble hem gowns, 50s style prom gowns, elegant chiffon draped halter necks and classic fishtail make the 2008 collection versatile, exciting and so much more desirable than your average strapless gown.

Whether it is for bridesmaids, dinner function or that extra special anniversary occasion, a gown by Alvina Valenta cannot fail to suit.

 

Alvina Valenta gowns are known for their timeless elegance, sophistication and most especially their attention to detail. All of the dresses are finished by hand, as well as the beading and their signature hand rolled roses. Every hem is finished with lace right down to the petticoat hem!

Alvina Valenta gowns are made of the finest silks, satin shantung, and satin organza to name a few.

One of the collection's most successful silhouettes has been their full circular tulle skirt. Whether it is finished with a lace hem or without, with a beaded tank bodice, or a simple unadorned silk satin one, these dresses exude a festive, fun yet elegant feel.

The Alvina Valenta bride should be the main focus of the wedding, and the dress should only enhance her beauty.

 

The name of Alfred Angelo is the most recognized brand of bridal apparel around the globe. For nearly 75 yearsAlfred Angelo has been dressing brides and the members of their wedding party in our elegant and affordable gowns.

A world’s leading maker of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses, yet retaining the personal touch of a family owned company.

Founded in the 1930’s by Alfred Angelo Piccione and his wife, Edythe Piccione, today thecompany is owned by their son and daughter, Vincent and Michele Piccione. Together they dedicate their business, technological and creative talents to ensure that Alfred Angelo continues to provide beautiful bridal and formal wear of the finest quality at affordable prices.

With corporate offices in the United States in both the Philadelphia and South Florida regions, and sales and manufacturing facilities around the world, brides and their attendants can find Alfred Angelo gowns in thousands of retail stores throughout not only North America, but on every other continent as well. 

Alfred Angelo's Bridal Collection exemplifies the qualities for which Alfred Angelo is known. It features a broad range of silhouettes, in beautiful fabrics, embellished with exquisite embroideries, beading and laces.

Most of the styles are offered in both white and ivory and several are available in delicate colours or with colour accents.

When the time comes to select gowns for bridesmaids, turn to Alfred Angelo as well. Most of our bridesmaid styles are offered in 55 colours and a wide range of fabrics. For maximum flexibility, Bridesmaid Separates collection features tops in varied silhouettes that can be paired with any of our skirts. Each piece can be ordered in the proper size to ensure a perfect fit.  For the youngest members of the wedding party, there are many adorable options in our collection for flowergirls.

 

In 1990, inspired by a new vision where fashion and bridal meet, Vera Wang opened a bridal salon at the esteemed Carlyle Hotel on New York City’s Madison Avenue.

Retailers, editors and peers quickly noted the impact of her innovative bridal collections and encouraged Vera Wang to extend her design sensibility to ready-to-wear and bridesmaids collections. Eighteen years later, Vera Wang is no longer an emerging brand. Vera Wang's new product introductions reflect her vision to create a lifestyle that goes beyond core bridal, maids and ready-to-wear and into publishing, fragrance, beauty, accessories and home.

Vera Wang collections are positioned at the highest end of the luxury market. Driven by artistic, modern and luxurious design and style, couture-like quality and a high level of customer service, Vera Wang’s collections hold impeccable customer appeal.

Vera Wang collaborates with leading global partners, directly employs more than 200 people and manufacturers the majority of its bridal collection in company-owned workrooms in the United States.

 

The following biography contains information on Fashion Designer Carolina Herrera.

BIOGRAPHY
"I love the idea of elegance and intricacy, but whether it is in a piece of clothing or a fragrance, the intricacy must appear as simplicity," says Fashion Designer Carolina Herrera of the esthetic sense that has driven her during her 17 years as a fashion designer. "I think that standard has served me well; women seem to love my clothes. I am extremely grateful for the success that they have given me."

Spoken without a stitch of ego, the statement reveals a great deal about Carolina Herrera. Her entirely straightforward approach toward her business--which Herrera founded 17 years ago after being prompted by fashion legend Diana Vreeland and her great friend, the late Count Rudi Crespi--is perfectly balanced by her entirely impassioned feelings about her late parents; her husband Reinaldo Herrera; her four daughters, Mercedes, Ana Luisa, Carolina Adriana and Patricia; the family house in Venezuela, La Vega, built in 1590, and of course, her dogs, Gaston and Floyd.

Along with the newly launched 212 Men, the counterpart of 212 Carolina Herrera for women and the sixth of her fragrances eleven years, she oversees an international design firm that encompasses her signature fashion collection, a bridal collection, fragrances, color cosmetics and accessories. Sales extend around the world (U.S., South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East). "I started doing this because I loved fashion," she says. "But I had no idea what it would become. I can only say that I am very lucky my mother instilled such discipline and structure in my life!"

Herrera, born in Caracas, Venezuela, descends from a long line of Venezuelan landowners and statesman. The designer is animated in her affection for her parents, Guillemmo and Maria Cristina Pacanins, admitting that she is "spoiled as far as men's looks are concerned" because her father was so dashing. She refers with love to her mother's "cultivated aura." "She was very strict, but not in a loud way," Herrera adds. "There was a time and place for everything. I have carried that with me all my life."

That noble sensibility, combined with a slightly wicked charm, enabled Herrrera to make the transition from her halcyon days as a chic and renowned beauty on the international scene--where she spent days with royals and nights with the Warhol crowd--to a designer with such talent and business acumen that she could not be ignored.
After receiving a positive reaction to a fashion collection she created in 1980 as "a test," she moved with her family to New York from Caracas in 1981 and formed Carolina Herrera, Ltd. Her exquisitely detailed, expertly crafted creations were immediately in demand by specialty stores, and chic, sophisticated women the world-over turned to Herrera's label for the type of impeccable suits, dresses and gowns she instinctively knew how to design--the legacy of having grown up in a world where women wore only couture.

Herrera herself had attended her first couture show, that of Cristobal Balenciaga, at the age of 13 with her grandmother.

In 1988 Herrera expanded her business with the launch of her first fragrance, Carolina Herrera, a heady and romantic blend of the tuberose and jasmine essences she had always worn. A men's fragrance, Carolina Herrera for Men, bowed in 1991. In 1994, Herrera debuted her third scent--the floral Flore. Aqua Flore, its lighter counterpart, debuted in 1996.

In a business climate that says "continue to do or die," Herrera thrives. The best specialty stores sell her fashion and fragrances worldwide and her first flagship retail store is scheduled to open in Spring 2000 in New York. A line of signature color cosmetics debuted earlier this year in Spain, the Middle East and most recently in England. Herrera's enormously successful accessories collection, one of the fastest growing divisions in the company, features beautifully detailed, cut-velvet and silk block print scarves, and a line of handbags as chic as a faux croc shoulder bag and as playful as a mini velvet box.

Of her latest endeavor, Herrera credits her daughter, Carolina Adriana, as muse and collaborator. The 212 Men fragrance line is sensual, transparent and woody in nature, contrived of citrus and essence leaves, sandalwood, amber notes and white musks. It is a reflection of the charming cosmopolitan man-about-town, forever savvy and debonair, and every woman's ideal.

"With my clothing and fragrances," says Herrera, "I believe that it is best to be realistic, but to always mix a bit of fantasy with reality. It's the same with life, really."

 

 

Who is Vera Wang?

After sixteen years at Vogue as Senior Fashion Director, followed by a gig at Ralph Lauren as a design director, Vera Wang was frustrated to find no fashion in the bridal industry. All she could find were traditional dresses that lacked sophistication. So she did what any reasonable woman with a rolodex full of high-powered fashion insiders would do; she designed her own bridal line. 

Vera Wang opened a luxury salon in 1990, showcasing her new bridal collection. But the elegance, detailing, and freshness of her line quickly won her kudos from the world at large, and a wedding dress superstar was born. In 1994, a simple white skating dress with illusion sleeves worn by Nancy Kerrigan made her a household name. (A life-long athlete who has competed in international skating competitions, Vera Wang continues to design costumes for Olympic skaters such as Michelle Kwan.)

Vera Wang was raised by Chinese-American affluent parents in New York, attending the prestigious prep-school Chapin, followed by Sarah Lawrence College and the Sorbonne. Her mother was the prime influence on her design style, and regularly took her to Paris to see the fashion shows. 

Today, Vera Wang is perhaps the best known wedding dress designer in the business. She has expanded her brand to include fragrance, jewelry, eyewear, shoes, and a home collection with Wedgewood, all touched by her luxurious and sophisticated style. She continues to live in New York City with her husband, Arthur Becker, and their two daughters.

What Celebrities Have Worn Vera Wang Wedding Dresses?

Most notably, Jennifer Lopez wore Vera Wang's off-the shoulder ruffled lace dress for her surprise marriage to Marc Anthony in June 2004. But she is far from the only bride to wear Vera Wang. From Jessica Simpson's meringue wedding dress to Sharon Stone's pale-pink chiffon wedding dress, this designer is continuously the choice of celebrities. Other celebrities wearing Vera Wang on their wedding day include Uma Thurman, Mariah Carey, Holly Hunter, and Karenna Gore.

What is a Vera Wang Wedding Dress Like?

In the tradition of Paris couture, she uses rich fabrics, luxurious details such as hand beading, and the best craftsmanship. Vera Wang Wedding Dresses skirt the fine line of applying modern touches to traditional styles, avoiding both harsh modern looks and syrupy old-fashioned sweetness. As her design empire has grown, the range has also grown. Today, a bride can find everything from sweet bows to unusual tulle-backed dresses, and even dresses with wide gold lamé bands along the bottom. She tells brides that they can be sensual, and in fact, this may be where she's had the most influence on the wedding industry. Whether traditional ball-gowns or dramatic mermaid-train dresses, her wedding dresses celebrate the body.

How Much Does a Vera Wang Wedding Dress Cost?

Vera Wang's Luxe Collection starts at $6,000, with some dresses costing as much as $12,000 or more. However, most of her dresses range from $2000 to $7000. While certainly expensive, it's within the range that many non-celebrity middle-class brides spend on their dresses. If this is still out-of-your budget, look at Vera Wang bisque-colored bridesmaid dresses which start at $200 and run under $1000. Other brides look for her famous sample sales in New York, where one-of-a-kind samples and stock overruns have as much as a 75% discount.  

The following biography contains information on Fashion Designer Oscar de la Renta. 

BIOGRAPHY

Oscar de la Renta left his native Dominican Republic at 18 years of age to study painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. While living in Spain, he became interested in the world of design and began sketching for leading Spanish fashion houses, which soon led to an apprenticeship with SpainÕs most renowned couturier, Cristobal Balenciaga.

Later, Oscar de la Renta left Spain to join Antonio Castillo as a couture assistant at the house of Lanvin in Paris.  

In 1963, Oscar de la Renta came to New York to design the couture collection for Elizabeth Arden.

In 1965, Mr. de la Renta began his signature ready-to-wear label.  

The Oscar de la Renta label is comprised of the Signature ready-to-wear collection and Pink Label. To complement these designs, the Fall 2001 runway show marked the debut of Oscar de la Renta Accessories; bags, belts, jewelry, scarves and shoes. 

The world of Oscar de la Renta also includes a high end sportswear collection (OSCAR by Oscar de la Renta), cosmetic cases, eyewear, furs, jewelry, lingerie, scarves, sleepwear, and swimwear.

 For men, Mr. de la Renta licenses products, including hosiery, sportcoats, suits, and trousers. In South and Central America and Mexico there is a Sportswear line for men and boys and OSCAR JEANS, for men and women.  

Mr. de la Renta has also ventured into the home with both furniture and home fragrance collections, jewelry, eyewear, lingerie, luggage, swimwear, fragrance, and furs. Other collections made by the company are sold under the OSCAR by Oscar de la Renta and Pink Label brands (the latter licensed to Kellwood). 

2002 marks the debut of Intrusion, the latest Oscar de la Renta fragrance for women. Oscar de la Renta launched his first perfume, Oscar, in 1977. Today, Oscar is a bestseller in over 70 countries and winner of the 1991 Fragrance Foundation Perennial Success Award. In 1980, he created a fragrance for men, Pour Lui. 

 In 1995, Oscar de la Renta was the recipient of the Living Legend Award from the American Society of Perfumes. In the fall of 1999, Oscar de la Renta introduced Oscar for Men.

 Oscar de la Renta's talents receive continual international recognition. Among many other honors, Oscar de la Renta received the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Womenswear Designer of the Year Award in 2000. In February 1990, he was honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award. 

 From 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988, Oscar de la Renta served as President of the CFDA. He is also a two-time winner of the Coty American Fashion Critic's Award and was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1973.

With his spring 1993 collection for the house of Pierre Balmain, Oscar de la Renta became the first American to design for a French couture house and has been awarded the French Legion dÕHonneur as a Commandeur. 

From 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988, Oscar de la Renta served as President of the CFDA. He is also a two-time winner of the Coty American Fashion Criticos Award and was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1973.

With his spring 1993 collection for the house of Pierre Balmain, Oscar de la Renta became the first American to design for a French couture house and has been awarded the French Legion d'Honneur as a Commandeur.  

The Dominican Republic has also honored its best known native son as one of its most distinguished citizens with the order al M�rito de Juan Pablo Duarte and the order of Crist—bal Col—n. In 1996, Mr. de la Renta received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hispanic Heritage Society and in 2000 he marched down Fifth Avenue as Grand Marshall of New York City's Hispanic Day Parade.

Also in 2000, Mr. de la Renta received the Gold Medal of Bellas Artes from the King of Spain.  

Oscar de la Renta has also helped build a much needed school and day-care center in the Dominican Republic for 1,200 children.Oscar de la Renta is a tireless patron of the arts. He serves as a board member of The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and Channel Thirteen/WNET. He is also on the boards of important cultural institutions such as New Yorkers for Children, the Americas Society, and the Spanish Institute. 

Oscar de la Renta sells its products in upscale department stores and specialty stores worldwide. Apparel is produced in the US. Dominican Republic-born designer and owner Oscar de la Renta and partner Ben Shaw (now deceased) founded the company in 1966.

 

Ethiopian-born designer Amsale Aberra first considered creating bridal attire when she was hunting for her own wedding dress in 1985. Frustrated by the lack of classic, timeless gowns, she designed her own, and in 1986 she launched her own label, designing custom wedding dresses from her garment-district loft. Brooklyn bridal retailer Kleinfield saw an ad she ran in Modern Bride and bought her entire collection, and Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman followed suit. She opened a Madison Avenue flagship in 2001. With the motto “forever modern,” the label’s gowns are known for their classic elegance and understated adornment, like handcrafted beading or a blue sash at the waist. The dresses average around $5,000, but Aberra also creates made-to-order gowns starting at $25,000. The Amsale Design Group includes the Christos line for traditional brides; the Amsale line for a simpler, sophisticated look; the elaborate Kenneth Pool collection; and Amsale Evening, a line of eveningwear for bridesmaids and red-carpet events. The label has more than 35 full-time employees, and the gowns are manufactured in New York and contract factories in Bangkok. Amsale dresses have been well represented in television and film: Sandra Oh’s character wore a $6,600 mermaid style on Grey’s Anatomy, Julia Roberts wore an Amsale gown in the movie Runaway Bride, and Katherine Heigl modeled several of the designs in the movie 27 Dresses.