The brainchild of Parsons grad and Vera Wang veteran Mark Brower, VINEYARD was launched by Priscilla of Boston in 2006 with Brower at the helm.
“I feel bridal fashion is moving towards a softer and more relaxed look,” says Mark Brower who has included the use of lighter fabrics and surprising details like the pockets in a shirtdress gown or a jeweled belt to add a little sparkle and define the waist as part of Vineyard’s DNA.
Inspired by the designer’s travels, Vineyard evokes an international sophistication as seen in the sleek and modern silhouettes that range from a fun and flirty short satin dress to a silk organza ball gown to long and lean columns.
The Vineyard Collection, designed by Mark Brower, is quite simply the most enchanting line of wedding gowns that has hit the runway in years. Designed for the modern bride, Brower combines meticulous attention to detail with a flair for the whimsical and dramatic to create a line of wedding gowns that dazzles with intricate beadwork and flowing lines.
Brower is a graduate of Parson School of Design, and has worked with both Vera Wang and Finesse Embroideries. His pedigree shows in the Vineyard Collection, which features playful touches like jeweled belts and pockets, a la Vera Wang's whimsical sense of design for the modern bride. The pieces in the Vineyard Collection include bridal gowns, party dresses and formal wear and bridesmaid gowns. They range in style from sophisticated punk, (yes, the two work beautifully together in the Drew wedding dress) to the elegant simplicity of the Tasha wedding gown, a sleek silk charmeuse gown with a very sophisticated flounced V back that becomes a soft train.
The Drew wedding dress and the Tasha wedding gown are only two highlights from the Vineyard collection, which features several dozen pieces in all. Other highlights from the collection include:
Vineyard Collection Bridal Gowns
Kelsey from the Vineyard Collection - This deceptively simple silk and chiffon wedding gown is reminiscent of Greek goddesses. It features a softly draped bodice and back framing a V-neck front and a deep V-back that shows off your sexy back. The A-line style is flattering to most figures and the flowing layers of chiffon and silk accent every move with their graceful flow. The lovely, simple style is set off by a beaded belt at the waist, a surprisingly deft accent that one seldom sees in traditional wedding gowns.
Drew from the Vineyard Collection - As mentioned above, the Drew marries punk and sophistication in a wedding gown that's the ideal choice for a sassy bride who still gives a nod to tradition. The silk taffeta dress features a vertically seamed strapless bodice with corset styling, and a bouffant tea-length skirt with a net petticoat peeking from beneath the taffeta skirt. This look is very chic, very punk princess and totally modern.
Blythe from the Vineyard Collection - For the dramatic bride with a modern flair, the Blythe wedding gown features a drop waist satin bodice and a tiered net skirt accented with wide satin banded hems. The hourglass seaming of the drop-waist bodice ensures a smooth, sleek fit that hugs every curve without clinging.
Jules from the Vineyard Collection - A daringly different look for the modern bride, the Jules wedding gown features casual shirtwaist styling in a full length flare-to-fit ball gown, a trend that fits Brower's liking for reinterpreting modern classics with a twist, very Vera Wang. The wrap front styling and oversized off-center bow at the waist combine with the standup collar to create a distinctive and sophisticated profile.
Gwen from the Vineyard Collection - Delightfully sophisticated and sleek, the Gwen wedding gown plays with the asymmetrical look. The fitted satin gown flows smoothly from a slightly slanted bodice that's held up by a single slim shoulder strap. The crystal beading at the bodice adds sparkle and interest, calling attention to the unique styling. The slim lines flow into a soft train, giving the gown an entirely different profile from the back.
Bridesmaid Dresses from the Vineyard Collection - One of the loveliest features of the Vineyard Bridal Party dresses is that they really truly are dresses that your bridal attendants will wear again. Many of the bridesmaid dresses are designed to complement bridal designs from the collection, but they all stand alone beautifully as party and event dresses.
What do you choose for your bridesmaids if you've opted for the sophisticated punk princess look? Vineyard Style 1509 is the ideal choice. The knee-length skirt is taffeta over a net skirt that plays peek-a-boo while you walk, and the vertical ruching of the bodice is the ideal complement to the Drew's vertical seaming. It's a surprisingly sophisticated baby-doll dress that's available in eight different colors.
The Vineyard Collection has been widely featured in bridal magazines. Look for more designs from the Vineyard Collection in Modern Bride, Bride and New Jersey Bride, or you can find the collection online.
