Anne Barge brings timeless sophistication to the bridal world.
Anne Barge is a Peach State native, UGA graduate and a renowned bridal dress designer. She’s been featured on hit shows and news programs such as TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” and NBC’s “Today Show.” She’s designed for a number of Buckhead’s elite, including Kandis Wood, the daughter of longtime 11Alive News anchor Brenda Wood; wedding planning guru and owner of Toast Events Lindsay Pitt; and M-squared PR firm CEO Marsha Middleton. Her Spring 2018 collection debuts in April and is sure to delight the stylish and sophisticated Buckhead bride.
Barge’s elegant bridal gowns adorn the mannequins of Buckhead Bridals by Guffey’s, located on the ground floor of Tower Place in Buckhead. Guffey’s stocks more than 100 signature dresses from her collection year-round that can’t be found anywhere else in Atlanta.
“I knew Don and Neil Guffey before our collaboration and have been friends with them many years,” Barge says. “I travel a good bit so it’s really been great for me to know that they’re able to represent the line like we want it to be represented. When they need me to make a personal appearance or come work with a bride, I’m able to do that for them when I’m in Atlanta.”
Barge has called Atlanta home since 1970 and, throughout the years, has lived in neighborhoods from Buckhead to Midtown. She now resides in Druid Hills.
She finds inspiration for her pieces from sophisticated women around the world such as Grace Kelly and designs for the bride who shares the same refined essence.
“The Anne Barge bride is definitely the modern-day Audrey Hepburn or Kate Middleton. She’s classic, timeless and fashionable,” Barge says.
While her bride might not be the trendy type, Barge pays close attention to what her clients want in gowns through trunk shows that allow her to see how brides react to certain fashion elements. She also looks for ways to include the classic design fundamentals that have made her dresses so sought-after. One of her top trends in the coming year is “bringing back the classic look” of long sleeves, intricate lace patterns and unique fabrics such as tulle, mikado and organza. “There will still be a lot of light and airy fabrics,” Barge says of upcoming bridal trends. “Not white so much, but pastels that read just like an ivory that are layered to produce different color effects. We’re seeing a big trend towards longer sleeves and more variety of necklines such as V-neck, bateau, off the shoulder and scoop. There’s certainly less mermaid shaped and more A-line to ball gown shape. There will be some slim skirts that are more trumpet shaped than mermaid.”
During her downtime in Atlanta, Barge enjoys some of Buckhead’s finest restaurants.
“One of my favorites is Antica Posta,” she says. “I also love Le Bilboquet in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. It’s a lot of fun to have a ladies’ lunch over there. I love Anis, another French restaurant that is just wonderful. But Houston’s is my all-time favorite. I have been their most ardent customer since the day they opened.”
Since starting the Anne Barge label in 1999, she’s designed several thousand gowns. Barge has proven that stylish trends may come and go, but a classic bridal look never goes out of style.
STORY: Ashley Barnett
