The quintessential moment of the wedding dream with the bride gliding down the isle in a white traditional wedding gown is imprinted on many female minds.  But for the newlywed woman after that moment has passed the question often becomes “can I dance in this dress?”   South African designer, Adele Wechsler understands the double dilemma of design and economic restrictions.  “Most women can’t afford to do two dresses for their wedding,” she said from her design studio in Canada in a recent interview with iFashion Network.  “They want the long gown, but they also want to change their look later on in a seamless way.”

Inspired to create a solution to that fashion situation Wechsler also wanted to address the ecological alternative of using sustainable materials and incorporating the concept of recycling into her designs.  She successful combined her two desires and evolved her eco-couture collection called Chrysalis.  The line features dresses that covert from traditional wedding gowns to cocktail dresses for the reception. Chrysalis was the perfect name for the collection since it defines the process of a caterpillar emerging from its cocoon to become a beautiful free floating butterfly.  Brides can truly spread their wings at their receptions without the restrictions of a heavy and cumbersome gown.

“Many brides want to use their dress again and are disappointed that it’s a one-time deal,” Wechsler said.  “I’m a practical person.  I wanted to create a dress that would be able to transform and provide an opportunity to have the experience of wearing a traditional gown.”  She ingeniously created a long skirt to fit under a cocktail length dress.  “It had to look like one piece,” she explained.  “I didn’t want to use zippers or Velcro.  I wanted a seamless transition.”

She has accomplished her design mission and accommodates her commitment to the environment by using certified organic silk, which is one of the most sustainable materials due to the clever work of silk worms.  She also uses hemp, vegetable dyed silk, remnant fabrics, and fair trade labor.  “I consciously incorporate the scraps of lace, silk, and organza into my designs,” she said.  

Wechsler, who began her bridal line in 1991, says her design concept is deeply rooted in the African philosophy of the Ubuntu people -- the idea that no man is an island.  “Through fashion we are all able to dream and live our dream, to express our realities, to share our experience with others,” she said. The intricate bead beading on her gowns is done by Zulu artisans from her South African home. This way, she says, “the bride who cares about the world in which she lives can indulge in this extravagance and still be giving back.  If we all try and help others we can all be better off at the end of the day.”   The Chrysalis Collection is a great way to save the environment, and save some green with two dresses for the price of one.

Photographs courtesy of www.adelewechsler.com