The Bite Magazine - Summer 2019 - Issue 25

bite fashion W hen Sir Richard Branson requested the expertise of legendary bridal designer Anne Barge Clegg for the opening of Virgin Bride in 1996, he knew he had made the right decision. Her years of experience in the wedding industry was a huge asset to this new concept that comprises of the largest bridal emporium in Europe that sold around 1,000 bridal dresses as well as 4,000 bridesmaids dresses a year. Talking to and working with Anne is a huge pleasure as I experienced during those golden years at Virgin Bride. It was while spending many weekends sitting next to her mother, who was a concert pianist, as a child at wedding cer- emonies and special occasions that enchanted Anne, and led her to become a designer. She described watching “the bride coming down the aisle to the wedding march, smelling the sweet floral air and the whole experience” as a fairytale. One in which she would later make brides’ dreams come true on their own wedding days when wearing one of her amazing designs. The aspiring designer went on to study for a degree in cos- tume design at Syracuse University and completed her art degree at The University of Georgia. She worked at several bridal stores including Priscilla of Boston before opening her first store, Anne Barge for Brides in Atlanta, Georgia. After 13 years, Anne sold her bridal salon to Kleinfeld before an- swering Sir Richard Branson’s call and taking her creativity overseas to Virgin Bride in London. Back in Atlanta, Anne launched her eponymous label in 1999, embodying all of the southern charm and grace of the legend herself. The brand is renowned for combining timeless sil- houettes with modern details and using the most refined fab- rics, embellishments, and embroidery, creating beautiful and elegant gowns, separates and accessories. Apart from making brides’ special days a reality, she has dressed the likes of Taraji P. Henson, Leah Pips, Johanna Braddy, and Amirah Vann. Described as singular in their attention to intricately em- bellished styling using French laces, Italian silk fabrics and delicately hand-beaded embroideries, Anne Barge couture gowns have been featured internationally in top publications including Vogue, Martha Stewart Wedding, Brides, The New York Times, Town & Country, Grace Ormonde, WWD, New York Magazine, and many more. Their collections have also been walked at numerous bridal fashion shows. Whether it is the Cumberland, a strapless fitted sheath gown of re-embroidered Baroque lace in silk white/nude; Jasper, a corseted bodice of rose and bud embroidered appliqués ac- cented with vine embroidery trickling onto a stretch crepe column skirt; the Hollywood-inspired Cordelle, an off-the- shoulder ball-gown of stretch crepe with a criss-cross back bodice; or Lupita, a V-neckline full A-line gown featuring a subtle floral motif printed on gazar with beaded appliquéd embroidery for extra sparkle in a larger size, there is a gown to suit every bride-to-be. The Black Label eveningwear collection consists of styles such as Uma which has a sweetheart portrait necklace draped bodice with elbow-length sleeves and a mermaid skirt of me-