Choosing the Perfect Gown: an interview with Brenda Cooper
By Abby Horton

It’s time! You’re finally looking for the perfect wedding gown!

You’re wearing a gorgeous ring and you’re pretty sure of your color scheme, but all of this takes a back seat today. You’re heading out on the most exciting journey of all of your wedding plans – you’re looking for the perfect wedding gown. You want to be timeless, classic and fashionable – and this is all possible, no matter what your body type, says Brenda Cooper, fashion expert for E! Fashion Emergency.

Lovegevity sat down with Brenda to talk about wedding gowns and her involvement in the upcoming Wedding Styles bridal show in San Francisco in September. “Buying a wedding gown is certainly magical. You get a chance to dress in a way you never have before and may never do again,” says Brenda.

You’ve probably bought every wedding magazine you could find and have dog-eared the pages of the dresses you like. Magazines are a great place to check out the trends. “We’re going back to an all-out kind of look, full gowns. With weddings, all shapes (gowns) always avail. I see a return to glamour, drama, very dramatic, (brides) to be enveloped in tulle. We’re still seeing strapless. We’re seeing a lot of beading, embroidery, which does come from the runway.”

But with so many styles to choose from, trends aren’t always what is best for you, says Brenda. “If you go for a trend, and not what’s best for your body, you’re missing an opportunity to be the best (you) can be,” says Brenda. What is the key to buying the perfect gown? According to Brenda it’s the silouhette.

As for organizing body types, Brenda is really a rebel. “The magazine might tell you ball gowns are the way to go … short girls, ball gowns, won’t work. But a bride could shorten the waist … A bride should really get help from someone who knows what they’re doing. Definitely work with someone who has knowledge,” says Brenda. Never toss out your dream dress because you’re afraid it won’t look right on you. “I believe there is a way you can make it work with your body type. People underestimate their ability to make the right choice for their body type.”