the “it” gown of the moment. Rather, she yearns to look radiant, but most of all, like herself, on her wedding day in a dress she truly had a say in. Mignonette will not simply hand over a beautiful creation; Kpoene’ and her staff proudly include the bride along the creative journey. “We want to educate consumers about where their money goes when we are making a gown,” Kpoene’ notes. For the Mignonette team, this means taking the bride fabric shopping, discussing the merits of various styles and showcasing each step of the manufacturing process, with time for questions and alterations to the design. “From the second that we sit down to talk about the gown to the minute I stitch the wedding date into her dress (In blue! It’s something we do for every bride.), the process is all about
the bride and turning her dreams for a wonderful day into a reality,” Kpoene’ divulges. It’s her hope that her patrons will not be left thinking, “Ah, I got married in this,” and instead, singing, “I looked great!” While no two gowns are alike, the Mignonette aesthetic tends to favor a classic, timeless style. This lends itself to designs that are soft, draped and romantic, with a heavy emphasis on fitted waists and full or modified A-line skirts. Kpoene’ only utilizes silk or eco-friendly fabrics, such as bamboo and tencel, in her masterpieces. This contributes to the boutique’s affordable luxury, but also enhances the versatility of their offerings. Forgiving straps, higher backs (allowing you to wear a bra), short trains, and flexible boning in the corset are just a few of the ways Kpoene’ caters to her brides. “The last thing a bride should be worried about on her big day is how to stop her dress from pinching,” Kpoene’ says. “My bride wants to dance at her wedding and she can’t do that if she’s struggling to breathe!”
Necklines
Bateau/Boat Neck:
Sweetheart:
Scoop:
One Shoulder:
This elongated, squarish and at times off-the-shoulder style was popularized by Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn in the 1950’s and 60’s, and gives you an instant old Hollywood appeal.
Currently the most popular style in bridal, it is characterized by a neckline that resembles the top portion of a heart, often featured on strapless gowns.
This neckline forms a “U”-shape from shoulder to shoulder and flatters without showing too much cleavage. (Similar to a “V”neckline, as well).
This more contemporary style exudes classic elegance by drawing the attention upward.
Feature Flatterer: Small busts and longer necks
Feature Flatterer: Any and all
Feature Flatterer: Larger busts
Feature Flatterer: Collar bone and a variety of busts Bridal Guide | 57