Mantilla Veils

6 April 2009 6,283 views One Comment

My cousin, the fashion designer, has spring break and as a birthday present for me, I’ve asked if he could make a veil for me. I’ve had a lot of difficulty trying to find a veil to match my dress. Pronovias at Bond Street, where I bought my dress, called to say they had the matching veil. When I arrived, they explained that the veil showed up on the database but they could not locate it in the shop. I have seen some other lace outlined veils but none seemed to be good enough.

I also happen to find a photo of another bride who wore this dress to her wedding. proving the point further than a longer veil is more suited to this gorgeous dress:

My fiance’s friend recently mentioned that they made a veil for a friend of hers because they realise how ridiculously over priced a piece of netting costs. She said that my cousin would definately be able to make one for me as he has both the design eye and has made clothes before. Im very hopeful but since I want a lace one, I know it can be quite complicated. My cousin said that the lace veils are particularly difficult because you would have to hand stitch them on the netting.

Whilst searching for images to show him for our shopping trip on wednesday – we’re going to a shop that sells veil materials in Soho- I stumbled upon these interesting facts about the mantilla veil:

The mantilla veil is popular amongst women in Spain and Latin America. The lightweight ornamental mantilla came into use in the warmer regions of Spain towards the end of the sixteenth century, and ones made of lace became popular with women in the 17th and 18th centuries being depicted most notably in the portraits of Diego Velazquz and Goya. In the nineteenth century, Queen Isabel II actively encouraged its use. The practice diminished after her death, and by 1900 the use of the mantilla became largely limited to special ceremonies, such as bullfights, holy week and Weddings.

So Im thinking a long veil like this combine with the lace edging. I dont know if Im even using the correct fashion words. Oh well, fingers crossed that my veil will come true.