La Vie en Rose by Cherie D. Image courtesy of Cherie D

For practically every damsel, whether she is from Sydney or Cape Town, the word ‘wedding’ can only really mean one thing–the perfect dress. Forget the flowers, the guests and the groom (yes, he too is temporarily assigned to the sidelines); when it comes to wedding preparations, everything revolves around the dress.

But why do things like everyone else when you could walk down the aisle in a dress that can be worn for years to come? Chic Today has handpicked a selection of out-of-the-ordinary gowns that will turn quite a few heads in church–as well as on the street, once you decide to pull it out of your wardrobe and give it a whole new perspective.

In the Brazilian fashion circuit, Gloria Coelho’s creations are renowned for their revolutionary silhouettes and non-traditional fabrics. Having completed her fashion studies at Paris’ Studio Berçot in the late 70’s, she returned to her native São Paulo and opened her atelier, creating garments that have become one of Brazil’s most successful labels. A glorious cream layered gown from her S/S 2009 collection has a shimmering golden base dress which, after the big day, can be worn on its own for a night out on the town. The gown comes both in knee as well as floor-length versions.

Another stunning creation is by the Mumbai-based label, Cherie D, created by Sherina Dalamal. A graduate of London’s Central Saint Martins, Sherina has worked with the likes of Alexander McQueen and Nicole Farhi, experiences which are reflected in her threads characterized by the details and diverse silhouettes. The delicately draped knee-length dress is taken from her latest La Vie en Rose collection and features layered chiffon rosettes clustered with pearls and stones. Paired with a veil, this would make a stunning wedding dress, whilst worn with a pair of coral patent Miu Miu pumps and a casual white cotton Roland Mouret coat, this ensemble would be perfect for summer soirées by the pool.

For something edged with a dash of history, The Frock’s silk charmeuse gown from the mid-20’s is elegant enough for a wedding yet so versatile that it could be worn for a dinner or a night at the theatre. With its elegant drape and beaded details, the dress perfectly captures the art deco style of fashion and is a true treasure from a period past.