New York Bridal Fashion Week (NYBFW), despite its grand name, captivated editors, buyers, and stylists over just three days, from October 14th to 16th. This condensed event was a whirlwind of the latest innovations from bridal designers.
The week kicked off early with exciting presentations. Watters, for instance, unveiled a rebrand of its WTOO bridal line, now known as Locket by Watters. Meanwhile, red-carpet favorite Nicole + Felicia hosted their inaugural bridal runway show, adding a touch of celebrity glamour.
NYBFW also welcomed fresh talent, with emerging designers like Floure and Hilá making their first appearances.
Established names made triumphant returns, generating considerable excitement. Monique Lhuillier staged her first formal fashion show in seven years, while Hayley Paige debuted her first complete collection, which notably featured a seven-piece ‘after-party’ dress edit, marking her return after a five-year hiatus from the bridal world.
Sibling brands WONÁ Concept and Eva Lendel joined forces for their first formal joint runway show at NYBFW, presenting their latest collections together.
Esteemed brands celebrated significant anniversaries: Claire Pettibone marked two decades in bridal design by showcasing highlights from her past collections, while Jane Hill commemorated 35 years with elegant reinterpretations of 1990s bridal fashion.
Collaborations also shone brightly. Ready-to-wear designer One/Of launched its bridal range with jeweler Sophie Bille Brahe, and Nadia Manjarrez partnered with fine jewelry brand FAÏA for a unique necklace edition.
Beauty partnerships were also notable, with Monique Lhuillier teaming up with Lancôme and Sareh Nouri with Bonjil for their respective presentations.
Innovation extended to the shopping experience: Les Aimants unveiled a new try-at-home service at their SoHo store, enhancing their personalized fit concept.
Special collections added to the excitement: Ines Di Santo designed a five-gown capsule inspired by the upcoming film “Wicked: For Good.” And in a dazzling display of luxury, Galia Lahav and jeweler Leibish presented a spectacular $1 million wedding dress, complete with a detachable 30-carat natural ruby brooch.
“Today’s brides are more informed and have clearer desires, and the industry is successfully adapting to meet those expectations,” observed Nadean Richards, CEO of One Fine Day Bridal Market, during a hosted panel discussion.
Now, let’s dive into some of the week’s most captivating highlights:
Cropped Blazers
This season championed versatile looks designed for wear beyond the wedding day, alongside separates that enable brides to effortlessly transform their style. The undeniable star of the runway was the cropped blazer, a stylish nod to the power dressing of the 1980s.
Kaviar Gauche’s collection featured an oversized cropped blazer cinched with a wide belt, perfectly paired with elegant flowing trousers. Alexandra Grecco showcased a chic cropped tuxedo jacket in silk crepe, layered over a delicate French Chantilly lace bra top, matched with sophisticated wide-leg palazzo pants. Not to be outdone, Costarellos unveiled a striking cropped, cutaway blazer worn over a sheer, exquisitely beaded lace gown.
Lace Tops
The enduring charm of long-sleeved lace tops continued its reign this season, proving their incredible versatility. These elegant additions can provide modest coverage for the ceremony when paired with a strapless or sleeveless gown, then be removed to reveal a more daring look for the after-party.
At Monique Lhuillier, a chic cropped, mock neck lace top was styled over a sleeveless, scoop neck gown, creating a beautiful layered effect. Nadia Manjarrez Bridal’s collection showcased a stunning corded lace-and-tulle gown, gracefully complemented by a sleeveless corded-lace bolero. Meanwhile, Locket by Watters presented a sophisticated boat neck lace top worn beneath a strapless, modified A-line dress.
A Wink to Marie Antoinette
The past was a strong influence, particularly the extravagant 18th century. Rococo-inspired elements such as crinoline-lined skirts, abundant layers of tulle and lace, and intricate embellishments playfully echoed Marie Antoinette’s iconic aesthetic.
Jaclyn Whyte captivated with a lace-trimmed satin ball gown, featuring a crinoline-lined skirt and exquisite pearl brooch-like accents. Galia Lahav presented a remarkable four-piece ensemble, boasting a 3D-lace jacket, a playful flounced tulle peplum, and a graceful lace high-low skirt layered over a mermaid gown. Floure’s collection included a stunning two-piece dress, artfully crafted with a structured bustier, a detachable rosette, and a dramatically elegant basque-waist skirt.
Plenty of Pleats
Pleats made a significant statement, flowing in cascades that imbued both slim and full-silhouetted gowns with captivating dimension and rich texture across multiple collections.
Floure showcased a strapless gown featuring delicate all-over micro pleats, paired with a sleek pencil skirt and a dramatic detachable overskirt. Enaura embraced a more theatrical interpretation, presenting a sweetheart A-line gown with breathtaking sculptural draping and voluminous folds. Meanwhile, OUMA launched a six-piece capsule collection that included a sophisticated modified A-line dress, defined by a sculpted basque waist and a voluminous pleated skirt adorned with stylish pickups.
Tiered Skirts
Designers embraced tiered, flouncy skirts to create more playful and romantic dress silhouettes this season.
Ines Di Santo presented an exquisite empire waist dress, featuring a delicate lace bodice and a modified A-line skirt crafted from a cloud of tumbling tulle. At Sareh Nouri, a stunning hand-painted, three-tiered ball gown offered transformative versatility with a detachable underskirt that ingeniously converted it into a chic minidress. Rivini by Rita Vinieris showcased an organza ball gown adorned with intricate 3D floral details, gracefully layered with ethereal peplums.
Tulip & Pencil Skirts
The timeless allure of figure-flattering and versatile tulip and pencil skirt silhouettes, reminiscent of 1950s fashion, was a prominent trend this season.
Markarian’s latest collection featured a breathtaking strapless, lace-embroidered raw silk dress, distinguished by a peaked neckline and a sophisticated midi-length pencil skirt. Nicole + Felicia showcased a romantic strapless lace dress, enhanced by a dreamy tulle-overlay tulip skirt with a charming bubble hem. Finally, Kyha unveiled a luxurious duchess satin strapless gown, culminating in a stunning flower-inspired, floor-length skirt.