When, in 1840, Queen Victoria of England wore a Honiton lace-trimmed white gown on her wedding day to Prince Albert, she kickstarted a trend that would last centuries. The lace in her dress symbolized both wealth and purity, an appealing combination for brides who hoped for prosperous unions. Silks and velvets in shades of red, pink, blue, brown, and even black were popular choices for wedding wardrobes in centuries past, but Queen Victoria's trendy gown made white lace became synonymous with the perfect bride in Western culture.

While those connotations may have long since lost their relevance, contemporary designers have been embracing lace more than ever recently, filling collections in New York Bridal Fashion Week with beautiful gowns crafted in the delicate, classic material.

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