TADASHI SHOJI ~ Bridal Spring 2019
With ivory white and pink pastels, an eclectic mix of shawl tops, lace jumpsuits, removable skirts, and his signature floral appliqués, US-based Japanese designer Tadashi Shoji once again wows with fresh works for his Bridal Spring 2019 Collection.
In this collection, the celebrated designer has come up with an entire ensemble of bridal clothing. With more than a few bridal gowns to honeymoon nightwear, Shoji’s pieces are a full suite that dresses the bride from the rehearsal dinner, the reception, and even up to the recovery brunch.
Aside from the traditional white-toned gowns, an entire set of flutter-sleeve dresses and bodycon style suits complete the package. You can also notice the recurrence of paillette textures in most of the pieces, a thematic touch that we expect from the designer who has made a name for himself for his evening wear and intimate apparel.
This off-the-shoulder dress’ straight silhouette exudes elegance. The fitted bodice flows smoothly across the frame, but the hanging sleeves and the tasteful, petal-like hemline bookend the unobstructed straight line.
The pastel pink on this piece pops with its revealing floral prints and neckline. The high waist is also an interesting choice as it elongates the lower body and emphasizes the contrast between the top and the skirt. Perfect for a playful transition from the ceremony to the reception or the after-party.
This white suit exudes elegance but also opens up into a more casual territory. The 3-D floral patterns barely cover the V-slit that leads to the navel, suggesting Shoji’s seductive intent.
The V-slit neckline theme occurs consistently across this collection, this time in a dignified white dress. The minimal design crops the curves and emphasizes the most important angles, particularly that of the waist, the shoulders, and the stylishly exposed frontal slit.
This daring yet light-hearted pastel lace suit speaks for itself. Here we have the designer flexing his flair with effortless allure. The suit is almost blatantly studded with floral patterns from head to toe, but the kittenish pink hue and the lace belt eases the message – almost like a gift wrap.
Shoji has become known for designing dresses for all ages, ethnicities, and figures. His trademark figure-flattering techniques, which includes ruching, draping, and pintucks have been praised for giving more options to women looking for clothes for special occasions. While Shoji’s red carpet style has appealed to those with a skinner frame, his work has also resonated among women who want to accentuate their positives, including plus size women. His recent New York Fashion Week Show, which featured plus size models, is proof of this.
There are in fact a number of ways for plus size women to improve their confidence when wearing dresses, especially for special occasions such as weddings. These include using flattering shapewear, as Shoji is known for, and minimizing unnecessary curves. Woman Within shows how women can look and feel elegant in shapewear through a collection of different styles and cuts like torsolette and shaping shorts. With the plus size movement still getting media attention, we anticipate Shoji’s newest collection to cater to a wide variety of women.
For similar pieces that shares Tadashi Shoji’s floral obsession, check out Perfect Wedding’s post Zuhair Murad’s Bridal Collection 2018.
