Frida Kahlo, Virginia Woolf and Beyonce have inspired this wedding dress collection
Frida Kahlo is one of several empowered, strong women to have inspired Grace Love Lace's latest wedding dress collection. The non-conformist artist - who is currently the subject of a long-awaited exhibition at the V&A - has influenced the brand's creative director, Megan Ziems, in creating the Icon range.
Virginia Woolf, Beyoncé and Coco Chanel were also among those to have inspired the 11 bridal gowns. They might be very different women from different eras, but it is their rebellious, pioneering spirit that runs as the collection's common thread.
"The collection celebrates individuality, and I was so inspired by women who have a strong sense of self," Ziems told us. "Our muse has always been a passionate, confident woman in mind and someone who dances to the beat of her own drum. The way these women express and expressed themselves through the arts, their messages and thoughts on liberation inspired me.
CourtesyCoco gown, £2,540, Grace Loves Lace
"They all created at different moments in history, yet rendered the ideologies of their time as obsolete," she added." For this range, we really dialled into the kind of anti-establishment undertones of our icons. It was Virginia Wolf who said "There is no denying the wild horse in us." Why would we hold that back?"
In a practical sense, this manifested itself in terms of the structure of the gowns - while Ziems played with exotic arm bands and playful tiered skirts that recall some of Kahlo's favoured looks, there is none of the confinement of traditional wedding gowns that can be uncomfortable for the bride.
"We refuse to hold women back with restrictive, rigid elements like boning, corseting and heavy fabrics," said Ziems. "To dance is to live - it’s the lifeblood that runs through our veins, every bride should be able to move freely without sacrificing style for comfort."
CourtesyMarloe dress, £2,300, Grace Loves Lace
CourtesyMenha dress, £2,300, Grace Loves Lace
The Australian label has become a go-to for brides looking for non-traditional, bohemian gowns with a romantic appeal. In 2016, its flattering Hollie dress was named the most pinned bridal look ever.
"My goal is to always create gowns that make women feel confident," asserts Ziems. "Beyoncé said, 'The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence.' You have to feel comfortable in your own skin, especially on your wedding day when you just want to be in the moment and letting your hair down."
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