Sometimes a bridal gown is all that is needed to look spectacular on your wedding day—why guild the lily? Such is the case with Naomi Watts at her NYC courthouse nuptials to actor Billy Crudup that she announced with an Instagram post captioned—”hitched”. She wore a floral lace Oscar De La Renta without veils, headpieces, gloves, or any accessories except for some dainty jewelry. Her hair was styled in loose natural waves, for the impromptu ceremony.
Funny enough, Naomi’s brother is a well-known fashion photographer, Ben Watts, who I worked with early in my career. Our first shoot collaboration was for The New York Times Magazine. He pitched shooting a wedding shoot based on his own City Hall nuptials. I loved the idea and we went with it— reliving his own special day with young models cast to represent a diverse couple and I dressed the bride in a simple short white dress and the groom in a casual suit. We boarded the subway just as Ben had done in real life—turned a few straphanger’s heads by shooting in the cars of the #4 train and emerged at City Hall. We used the same grand staircase with gothic columns of the city building—just like his sister Naomi recently did.
When I saw Ms Watts in her stunning gown shot on the steps of the courthouse I couldn’t help but recall this story. It was the first of many fashion shoot collaborations I had with Naomi’s brother Ben whose photographs are full of authenticity and verve.
https://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/p/oscar-de-la-renta-water-lily-guipure-lace-maxi-dress-prod179150188
