Top Claire Pettibone. Above Junko Yoshioka.

The wedding season is gearing up in America as summer progresses. This year is one of the biggest wedding years in Hollywood. As Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s engagement spread across the globe, influencing the wedding market, another movie star, Matthew McConaughey, and Camila Alves recently tied the knot. Drew Barrymore’s wedding, of course grabbed the world’s attention, and the political community contributed some bridal buzz as the daughter of US Vice-President Joe Biden got married to a Philadelphia surgeon in Delaware.
   Recently, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg surprised the world by changing his relationship status from ‘Single’ to ‘Married’, and uploaded his wedding photos on to his Facebook profile, for which he received congratulations from users who “liked” them. Zuckerberg’s wife, Priscilla Chan, wore this season’s most trendy style of wedding gown, yet she kept it simple, chic, and exquisite at the same time.
   Chan was introduced with her wedding gown called Sky Between the Branches, from Los Angeles-based designer Claire Pettibone’s latest collection. The gown features one of the most spotted trends for this season, illusion necklines. A sheer and delicate embroidered lace veil creates a beautiful neckline and emphasizes the collarbone. The floral lace covers from neckline to toe showcases the beautiful classic flow to this gown.
   ‘We are seeing lots of lace, and touches of colour. A vintage, bohemian feeling perfect for summer outdoor weddings,’ says Pettibone.
   Wedding design powerhouses, Monique Lhuillier and Carolina Herrera, have also tapped in to this trend for their gowns in their spring 2012 collections.
   Another hit trend for this season is two-tiered skirts. Many designers focus on creating skirts with two distinct parts: the top part creates an effect of a skinny waistline and camouflages wider hips, while the bottom part emphasizes long legs to bring out the overall silhouette.
   Junko Yoshioka, a red-carpet dress designer, took this trendy silhouette into her signature style for spring 2013. This Japanese designer, who has styled numerous Hollywood celebrities, including Jessica Alba, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Katherine Heigl to name a few, has been in the spotlight. She also brings in blush-shade dresses as another trend in wedding gowns.
   Other trends for this season include horsehair trim and lace sleeves.—Yuka Murai, YM Biz & Media