Say Yes to the dress

Not every girl is lucky enough to be able to afford a Rami Al Ali bespoke bridal gown

At the recently concluded Dubai International Film Festival there was one Dubai-based fashion designer who seemed to be a red carpet favourite - and that was Syrian-born Rami Al Ali. Giuliana Rancic, Rosemin Manji and Diala Makki all turned to Al Ali for Dubai's most glamorous event of the year. For over 15 years, his label has been known for couture dresses that are handcrafted with elegance. He recently moved into ready-to-wear, but it is the couture wedding dresses that he will always be most famous for. He shows his couture in Paris and says attention to detail has been the mantra he has followed since he started his own fashion house.

The reason most brides trust Al Ali to design the dress for their special day is that he offers a truly bespoke service - not only is each piece cut and handcrafted for a bride but they get time with the designer who holds every client's hand through the process. Says he, "Each dress we create for our brides is totally one of a kind; you will never find two Rami Al Ali bridal dresses that are the same. I would say on average a dress may take up to around 500 hours to complete and requires a large team of people to carry out each stage of the process. Precision and quality are absolutely vital in the making of these dresses and there is never room for error, particularly with the abundance of crystals, lace, embroidery, and appliqued florals present on each dress." Of course, the most important detail when it comes to a custom-made wedding dress is time, as a made to measure dress is something that cannot be made overnight or even in a week. "We have a few brides that like to plan two years in advance and we have others that plan six months prior to their big day - I do recommend giving yourself enough time to really digest the thought/emotional process of the design: from the original stages of sketches to the final fitting. A wedding dress isn't like purchasing an evening dress - it's a very important dress and a lot of emotion goes into creating such a dress." With most of Rami's clients coming from this region, the designer is a true expert on what works for brides in Dubai - and this season it is all about a colour palette that ranges from off-white to champagne. "I think brides are now looking for something more romantic - opting for the intricate and exquisite detailing that creates the bigger picture." Rami's gowns tend to have a modest feel - but they are still feminine and sensual thanks to the use of delicate beading and light, airy fabrics. Off-shoulder details can add a vintage touch, and Al Ali's trains always make a statement. "I like the Rami Al Ali bride to stand out on her special day and one huge aspect of this is the train. It brings that majestic and fairy-like aspect to the design, allowing the bride to shine on her big day."

Of course it's not just about the gown - while for the bride, her dress is probably the most important concern for her big day, it needs to work with the rest of the wedding. Firstly, it has to fit with the location and the feel of the day. And then the dress needs to work with the rest of the bride's look. Says Al Ali, "It's all about the preparation - ensuring everything is done ahead of time: such as trying out the hair and make-up before the big day so you know exactly what it's going to look like and whether it works with the theme of your wedding. Bring the shoes and jewellery to fittings before committing to wearing them - this ensures you can try them all earlier and see the final look." Which is why Al Ali suggests that every bride does a full dress rehearsal before the wedding. It is also important for brides to be involved in the choice of bridesmaids' dresses. "The big day is about the bride so the bridesmaids' dresses should not overshadow hers - it's very important for the bride to be part of this. Picking a shade will make the process a lot easier - if the colours complement the wedding dress then you are half way there."

Of course, not every girl is lucky enough to be able to afford a Rami Al Ali bespoke bridal gown, but does that mean her dress will not be special? Even if you are picking a dress off the rack, just remember that it needs to be treated as something that is truly unique - and that you may never wear again. Says Al Ali, "The wonderful thing about a wedding dress is that it is very special for that day. Wedding dresses can be passed down to other generations - even if they are altered for their particular needs it is still that wonderful wedding dress that was cherished for that perfect day."

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