“Who Wore It Best” used to only concern celebrity stylists, but as weddings become social media fodder rivaling the tabloids, brides are more keen than ever to avoid similar comparisons.
Toronto-based bridal designer Jaclyn Whyte has taken their concern to heart, quitting the bi-seasonal calendar and replacing what would be her fall collection with “The Exhibition,” a line of eight one-of-a-kind gowns.
Whyte said the idea for “The Exhibition” came after her atelier staff noticed a “sharp rise” in brides inquiring about the quantity of a certain style being produced. Some bridezillas took it a step further, requesting she stop production on their gown completely until after their wedding date.
Of course, Whyte has offered custom services since founding her brand in 2011, but “crafting a gown from scratch can carry a higher price point,” she explained, “and many brides find it challenging to visualize a final piece from a sketch alone.”
According to her, “The Exhibition” bridges that gap. “Brides can step into a fully realized gown, personalize it with subtle modifications, and secure a singular piece of couture at a far more accessible investment.” That’s if you consider $15,000 as a baseline “accessible.”
For Whyte, “The Exhibition” name reflects not only the artisanal quality of each design, but also how they will be presented, like “curating a gallery” every year, she said.
Following press and buyer appointments at The Plaza on Wednesday, the inaugural gowns will embark on a national trunk show tour that starts right across the street at Bergdorf Goodman. It will then head west to The Wedding Shoppe in Philadelphia with a stopover at NWLA in Los Angeles before reaching the finish line in Dallas at Stanley Korshak.
But, as Whyte warned, it’s probably best to get a head start at Bergdorf’s because “the moment a piece is chosen, it’s officially marked as ‘acquired’ and retired forever.”
As for what those “pieces” actually look like, Whyte refused to give too much away other than the fact that her favorite kinds of lace (Alençon, Chantilly and corded macramé) will be laid on thick.
Her reason for being so tight-lipped? It might spoil the excitement — and what’s the point of having a one-off wedding dress if it’s already been splashed across WWD?