Although the event was billed as a presentation, what we walked into was a seated fashion show that was repeated on the hour. From the start, the messaging was clear – silhouettes with clean lines and modern cuts that were beautifully constructed, just as the designer’s social media promised. In short, the chic and minimalist aesthetic prevailed. Ms. Yoo’s NYC pristine White showroom was the perfect venue in which to show her latest collection. The seating was arranged in a square formation giving those in the audience unobstructed views of the gowns and providing several spots to be able to snap pictures and shoot video.
Something else that impressed us at Jenny Yoo was how well the gowns fit each model. In bridal, it’s a given that a bride will have at minimum one fitting with some as many as four to achieve a perfect fit. Unfortunately, due to the prohibitively expensive cost of producing samples, many bridal designers make do with only one set of size 8 or 10 samples which are used for press and sales appointments necessitating clamps to make them fit properly on the size 2 models at press and buyer appointments. At Jenny Woo however, every dress shown was exactingly tailored to fit the model who wore it.
It’s worth mentioning that the bridesmaid designs shared the spotlight with the bridal gowns. In fact, Ms. Yoo started her career in 2002 designing bridesmaid dresses before she debuted her bridal designs 4 years later. She is known for factoring in size inclusivity in both of her collections. It was especially well executed in the bridesmaid dresses, from the high neck Pewter – Green silk satin with a deep side slit to strapless models with a snug bodice in retro floral prints. Her size inclusive bridal designs ranged from a Soft White strapless covered in shimmering pearls that resembled early morning dew drops to a fitted strapless with tiny buttons running all along the back of the dress.
For the size 2-8 brides, there was the requisite princess ball gown that every bridal house includes. Ms. Yoo’s was interpreted in a matte finish with an understated lace overlay and matching floral embellishments on the hem of the cathedral veil. Another notable option was a matte halter gown worn with a veil tucked underneath a Brown gaucho hat for brides getting married on a ranch.
For those who favor a sleek urban look, there was a slinky long sleeve gown with a side slit reminiscent of Tom Ford in his Gucci nineties glory days. Dressier options were off the shoulder gowns, one form fitting in lace and another with a ballgown skirt as well as a short pouf skirt version that hit just above the knee. Jenny Yoo gets two thumbs up for making good on her promise to give prospective brides and their bridesmaids garments that “focus on unexpected details, cut, proportion, and (the) workmanship (necessary) to ensure the most feminine and flattering fit”.
-Vivian Kelly ( @thefashionhistorian )
Visit the Jenny Yoo Bridal website: www.jennyyoo.com
