The Dress

"I was obsessed with that final runway moment when the bride would come out at the end of every fashion show. YSL, Lacroix, Mugler, CHANEL, Versace — they knew how to create a magic moment. That’s where my love of bridal started," says Rime Arodaky. Capturing that spirit, this 'Queen' gown is made from crepe de chine and has a flowing tulle cape embroidered with blooms. The Rime Arodaky Queen gown is a sleeveless crepe dress with high collar, bare shoulder, and train.

The dress was purchased as a French size 40 (US 6/8) -- see the alteration notes below. Overall, the back of the dress is completely open with a halter front, so it is fairly forgiving size wise and can match your body type. Dry cleaned the day after the wedding, which was held indoors. Happy to throw in a pearl veil that complimented the look.

Alterations

The alterations I had done are as follows:
1) Reduced the height of the collar - it is normally about 2.5 inches and I had it altered to be about 1 inch, so just the bottom 3 buttons from the stock photo. I felt this gave it a more modern look.
2) Added a translucent snap at the base of the neck to help keep the collar on "straight". The bottom button holder is a little stretched out but a tailor could probably replace that easily for you- and my tailor added the snap precisely for this reason.
3) Fitted the hip - FR40 (the size I purchased) has a hip of 38.6 inches and I had it brought in to fit my 37.5 hips. I could easily sit down to eat or squat to pick something up.
4) Adjusted length of dress - I am normally 5 ft 9.5 inches, and I wore about 1 inch heels, so the dress is overall perfect for about 5 foot 11 inches.
5) Bustle added, american bustle style (3 loops, all coming in at a single button)
6) Wristlet sash added under the dress train to secure to your wrist when you're walking around for photos pre-ceremony