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Virginal or strapless? How New York says Yes to the dress | Virginal or strapless? How New York says Yes to the dress |
(2 days later) | |
By Reggie Nadelson New York | By Reggie Nadelson New York |
Everyone wants to look good on their wedding day and fulfilling the dreams and fantasies of the wealthier soon-to-be-marrieds of New York is very big business. | Everyone wants to look good on their wedding day and fulfilling the dreams and fantasies of the wealthier soon-to-be-marrieds of New York is very big business. |
As soon as I get to 20th Street in Manhattan, I see them. The brides-to-be, all heading for Kleinfeld, the great wedding dress superstore. | As soon as I get to 20th Street in Manhattan, I see them. The brides-to-be, all heading for Kleinfeld, the great wedding dress superstore. |
Inside the vast emporium - all plush carpets and chandeliers, sofas and mirrors - the consultants greet the women and show them to dressing rooms with their names on the door (you must make an appointment in advance). | Inside the vast emporium - all plush carpets and chandeliers, sofas and mirrors - the consultants greet the women and show them to dressing rooms with their names on the door (you must make an appointment in advance). |
And then they begin the process of offering up the fantasy to all the Courtneys and Ashleys, the Kates and Samanthas. | And then they begin the process of offering up the fantasy to all the Courtneys and Ashleys, the Kates and Samanthas. |
Weddings are, of course, a multi-billion-dollar business in America and for most brides, the dress is the thing. | Weddings are, of course, a multi-billion-dollar business in America and for most brides, the dress is the thing. |
Kleinfeld has 1,500 different dresses. | Kleinfeld has 1,500 different dresses. |
Silk and satin, lace, tulle and chiffon. Beaded bodices and bustiers that lace up in the back. | Silk and satin, lace, tulle and chiffon. Beaded bodices and bustiers that lace up in the back. |
The brides-to-be are soon as high on these astonishing, delicious confections, as children in a candy store. | The brides-to-be are soon as high on these astonishing, delicious confections, as children in a candy store. |
The average price for a dress is around $6,000 (£4,000), though there are dresses for less - and dresses for much, much more. | The average price for a dress is around $6,000 (£4,000), though there are dresses for less - and dresses for much, much more. |
At least one Nigerian princess was in recently and spent $32,000 (£20,000) and that is before you add the veil, the headpiece, the shoes, the jewels - also available at Kleinfeld. | At least one Nigerian princess was in recently and spent $32,000 (£20,000) and that is before you add the veil, the headpiece, the shoes, the jewels - also available at Kleinfeld. |
As is the second dress - some brides like a different gown for their reception. | As is the second dress - some brides like a different gown for their reception. |
'Dream' dress | 'Dream' dress |
In one of the dressing rooms, Brittany - who has come for her first fitting - admires her strapless, ivory, fish-tail wedding dress and smiles. | In one of the dressing rooms, Brittany - who has come for her first fitting - admires her strapless, ivory, fish-tail wedding dress and smiles. |
"I love this dress because it reminds me of the ocean and I'm getting married in Hawaii," she says. | "I love this dress because it reminds me of the ocean and I'm getting married in Hawaii," she says. |
Her consultant will stay with her bride-to-be through the whole process, even giving her a home phone number for emergencies, when the shop is closed. | Her consultant will stay with her bride-to-be through the whole process, even giving her a home phone number for emergencies, when the shop is closed. |
"We want everyone to find exactly the dress they dream of," says Mara Urshel who, with her husband Ronnie Rothstein, owns Kleinfeld. | "We want everyone to find exactly the dress they dream of," says Mara Urshel who, with her husband Ronnie Rothstein, owns Kleinfeld. |
"We make sure everyone is perfectly fitted," adds Urshel, who shows me the room where the chosen gowns are hung from the ceiling on a dry-cleaner's rack that runs a whole city block. | "We make sure everyone is perfectly fitted," adds Urshel, who shows me the room where the chosen gowns are hung from the ceiling on a dry-cleaner's rack that runs a whole city block. |
Down here are scores of seamstresses, beaders, pressers, the kind of craftspeople you might once have seen at a couture house. | Down here are scores of seamstresses, beaders, pressers, the kind of craftspeople you might once have seen at a couture house. |
Well-known designers, those just starting, all flock to Urshel, who was once a top buyer at Saks. They know that to be shown at Kleinfeld is essential in the wedding-dress business. | Well-known designers, those just starting, all flock to Urshel, who was once a top buyer at Saks. They know that to be shown at Kleinfeld is essential in the wedding-dress business. |
Kleinfeld was a Brooklyn landmark from 1940 until seven years ago, when Urshel and Rothstein moved it to Manhattan and transformed it into the palace it is. | Kleinfeld was a Brooklyn landmark from 1940 until seven years ago, when Urshel and Rothstein moved it to Manhattan and transformed it into the palace it is. |
And to Kleinfeld they come - white, black, Asian women come from all over the country. As well as from Europe, China and Brazil. | And to Kleinfeld they come - white, black, Asian women come from all over the country. As well as from Europe, China and Brazil. |
With same-sex marriage legal in New York, Kleinfeld can outfit two brides for the same wedding, and does. | With same-sex marriage legal in New York, Kleinfeld can outfit two brides for the same wedding, and does. |
It can retro-fit a dress for an Orthodox Jewish bride, who must be covered up. | It can retro-fit a dress for an Orthodox Jewish bride, who must be covered up. |
Anything is possible. | Anything is possible. |
'More bling' | 'More bling' |
In a central atrium, lined with mirrors, dotted with raised platforms, brides model their dresses for their families. | In a central atrium, lined with mirrors, dotted with raised platforms, brides model their dresses for their families. |
At Kleinfeld, even the guys get a look-in with a men's boutique, all antique prints and vintage furniture. | At Kleinfeld, even the guys get a look-in with a men's boutique, all antique prints and vintage furniture. |
"Tone-on-tone tuxedos are very chic," says Frank, who runs the department, showing me handsome wedding suits in various shades. | "Tone-on-tone tuxedos are very chic," says Frank, who runs the department, showing me handsome wedding suits in various shades. |
After watching the brides-to-be, one thing is clear - they do not want to look virginal. | After watching the brides-to-be, one thing is clear - they do not want to look virginal. |
They want fashion. Most want strapless. | They want fashion. Most want strapless. |
They also know the lingo. "Ballgown?" says one bride-to-be. "Or fish-tail? Poofy skirt? Or fit-and-flare?" She ponders the choices. | They also know the lingo. "Ballgown?" says one bride-to-be. "Or fish-tail? Poofy skirt? Or fit-and-flare?" She ponders the choices. |
"I want more bling," she says, for clearly each girl is a movie star on her own red carpet. | "I want more bling," she says, for clearly each girl is a movie star on her own red carpet. |
Most of the brides arrive with ideas already dancing in their heads, often because they have seen Say Yes To The Dress, the reality show featuring Kleinfeld. | Most of the brides arrive with ideas already dancing in their heads, often because they have seen Say Yes To The Dress, the reality show featuring Kleinfeld. |
Suspense is high on the show: Will Niche get her way or give in to her mother who wants a sedate wedding dress? Will Rosanna's grandmother, a couture seamstress, approve? | Suspense is high on the show: Will Niche get her way or give in to her mother who wants a sedate wedding dress? Will Rosanna's grandmother, a couture seamstress, approve? |
"Che pensa, Nonna?" Rosanna asks. Grandma examines the dress. | |
"Bellissima!" she exclaims. | "Bellissima!" she exclaims. |
How to listen to From Our Own Correspondent: | How to listen to From Our Own Correspondent: |
BBC Radio 4: A 30-minute programme on Saturdays, 11:30 GMT. | BBC Radio 4: A 30-minute programme on Saturdays, 11:30 GMT. |
Second 30-minute programme on Thursdays, 11:00 GMT (some weeks only). | Second 30-minute programme on Thursdays, 11:00 GMT (some weeks only). |
Listen online or download the podcast | Listen online or download the podcast |
BBC World Service: | BBC World Service: |
Hear daily 10-minute editions Monday to Friday, repeated through the day, also available to listen online. | Hear daily 10-minute editions Monday to Friday, repeated through the day, also available to listen online. |
Read more or explore the archive at the programme website. | Read more or explore the archive at the programme website. |
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