The Plaza Hotel, in New York’s midtown, served as an elegant setting for many of the most well-known bridal designers who presented their latest collections for weddings happening in spring ’24. A lavish display of orchids greet you as you enter the lobby which is a precursor for the soon to be seen bridal looks. First stop on the calendar, the Israeli designer Mira Zwillinger whose works with floral appliques on multi layers of tulle resulting in the most delicately sensual bridal dresses.
Brides are looking for dresses that transform and that is what designers are giving them— whether it’s removable puff sleeves or a modesty overlay for the ceremony, options are the name of the game. Zwillinger plays with transparency and strategically places appliqués to cover and reveal the women’s skin. It’s called the naked look, pervading the bridal market as well as the red carpet for some time.
Rami Al Ali is a Dubai based bridal and evening wear designer and has make his foray into New York for several seasons. He uses feathers and ruffles to accent silhouettes and also chose the Plaza Hotel as the backdrop for his collection. He creates his collection with French laces, sumptuous silks, tulle organza, and handcrafted Swarovski crystal embroideries but he incorporates the embellishments sparingly for a balanced simplicity.
Ines Di Santo’s floor sweeping ball gowns have become her trademark but she also peppers in short dresses and other commercially viable styles which her ladies will surely order. But for pure spectacle, her huge ball gowns take the cake. The gowns seem to float across the floor of her usual show spot in Union Square For sheer showmanship— her gowns can’t be beat. Another signature are her whisper pink and baby blue tulle spun showstoppers.
It’s hard to determine the ingredients that make for an elegant bridal collection but Mark Ingram has that secret recipe all locked up. There is something indescribably beautiful about his perfectly executed dresses with just the right measure of detailing and embellishment. Mr. Ingram is a New York Bridal treasure with a jewel box of a shop located in Midtown. He was born and raised in Harlem and is a tried and true New Yorker.
For Bridal Week he presented his collection at The Plaza Hotel. His inspirations are the golden ladies of Hollywood—Katherine Hepburn, Lena Horn, and Grace Kelly to name a few. Soft color accents were added to bows and sashes and he also uses sheer illusion in interesting ways.
