Known and adored for his cocktail frocks (aren’t you attending a wedding this spring?) Max Azria says, “There is not one universal evening dress that everyone can wear perfectly. So we give a range of choice because there is a range of women.” From the gown guru himself, here are his pro tips for our most pressing party dress problems:
I have very long legs; do you have any suggestions on the type of dress I should look for?
Most styles will work on a woman with longer legs – they are much more of a blessing than a curse.
If I have a big chest, what do you recommend I look for in a dress to best suit my figure?
With a fuller bust, you want to define your waist; we have some great colour blocked dresses that add dimension to the body, and keep your bust from overpowering your body. (Check out a BCBG example in today’s Sweet Find!)
I feel that my ankles are thicker than I'd like them to be. What do you recommend I wear for evening wear?
A great pair of heels will help to give your legs some length. Also, it’s good to avoid ankle straps – especially thick ones – sometimes they can cut the legs in an unflattering place, and make them look stockier than they really are.
I have a flat chest and narrow hips. What kind of dress would make me look shapelier?
A V-neckline, or a dress with embellishment at the bust line will flatter your upper half, and really defining the waist will help give the illusion of a more shapely, and well proportioned silhouette.
I have a pear-shaped body (small chest, wide hips). Is there a dress that would balance out my figure?
A baby doll silhouette is a great option for your body – the lines will highlight your assets, and a little bit of ease through the bottom will help you hide wider set hips. The most important thing is to wear what you feel comfortable in – nothing flatters a figure better than confidence and a smile.
Max Azria, Designer and CEO of BCBGMAXAZRIA Group, owns more than 22 brands (and counting!), with shops in 27 countries. The latest collections for fall 2009 are online at www.bcbgmaxazriagroup.com where you can also check out his wife Lubov’s intimate backstage blog.