This fascinating look at nearly two centuries of bridal fashion, presents fifty of history's most famous dresses, revealing why and how they continue to inspire brides and designers today. Lavishly illustrated spreads lay bare the anatomy of each show-stopping ensemble: silhouette, fabrics, construction techniques, embellishments, and even hidden details. From the white wedding dress worn by Queen Victoria in 1840 to couture creations by Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Vera Wang, and Vivienne Westwood, 'The Wedding Dress' examines the features of each and every design in chronological sequence. Find out why Queen Victoria draped herself in white lace, how Paul Poiret's knee-length dress ushered in the era of the flapper bride, why Wallis Simpson wore blue on her wedding day, and how Elsa Schiaparelli reinvented the veil. Also included are dresses worn by some of the world's most stylish women - Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn - as well as contemporary fashion icons such as Gwen Stefani, Dita Von Teese, and Kate Moss. Vivid photographs, detailed diagrams, and biographies of the dresses' designers make this an indispensable resource for brides, designers, stylists, wedding planners, or anyone interested in the extraordinary world of bridal couture. AUTHOR: Eleanor Thompson served as curator of dress at the Brighton Museum in England and has been an exhibition consultant for the Fashion and Textile Museum, London. She has lectured on fashion at the University of Brighton, the London College of Fashion, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. 170 illustrations