With all the speculation starting to froth up over what Kate Middleton will be wearing for her wedding to Prince William, at least we know that her bridesmaids probably won't be wearing Vera Wang for the royal event. Vera Wang announced that the label will stop production of its bridesmaid collection to focus solely on its recently-inked partnership with David's Bridal.
Vera Wang's main bridesmaid collection, which retailed between $180-$330 and catered to a high-end clientele through the designer's specialty stores, seems to have been eclipsed by the prospect of the more affordable David's White by Vera Wang collection—priced between $150-$200—as demand for the premium duds declined in recent seasons.
Wang deserves the credit for creating today's chic, accessible bridal and bridesmaid market, based on less formal and more wearable styles. It's become a boom as everyone from J. Crew to Cynthia Rowley—even Urban Outfitters—has entered the lucrative race. The demand, however has subsequently shifted to a lower-priced target.
And while the book is closing on high-end bridesmaid dresses, Wang seems no worse for the wear. Though something tells us Middleton's bridesmaids won't be finding their gowns at David's Bridal, there's still Vera Wang's main bridal collection for the princess-to-be.
