It’s that time of year when New York welcomes bridal designers from all over the globe to show the latest in wedding confections. The April showers or more like the April deluge didn’t stop buyers and press who happily bounced into studio spaces and hotels from the grey outside world. Inside there was a party atmosphere that contrasted the outdoors as was with The St Regis Hotel ballroom with its gilded moldings and massive crystal chandlers for the Idan Cohen’s comeback collection. Ines Di Santo changed up her usual spot to a more formal fashion show format at the Lavan Midtown, where models were flanked against a video screen twinkling with violet flowers. The Plaza Hotel was the home base for many designers like Jaclyn Whyte, Mira Zwirllinger and accessory collections like Bella Rosa bags.
Designers need to address an array of weddings from small and casual to lavish and over the top. Brides have a variety of events they need to dress for with parties pre and post the big day requiring a special look. Because of this, the trends seen during the 3-day stint run the gamut. Still, there were some prevailing and ever-evolving trends like corsetry, strategically placed detailing for a nude look, short dresses, convertible dresses, pastels and black accents, and 3D florals.
Ines Di Santo
Ms. Di Santo is an icon in the bridal world and does a ball gown like no one else. The Lavan Midtown was large enough to handle the voluminous gowns that she sent down the runway. This season marked a change in venue and presentation as she opted for a digital screen which gave an atmospheric aura to the show instead of smaller spaces where she presented in the past. Besides the ball gowns were some slinky column dresses and as usual her beautiful icy blue pastels were a part of the runway. But new to the collection was a grouping of black beauties—gowns with a distinct dark vibe in blacks and navy blues.
Jaclyn Whyte
The Toronto-based mother-daughter duo introduced a beautiful 14-piece collection at the Plaza Hotel. She excels at stunning lacework and a modern aesthetic. Many of her dresses transform like a long sheath gown with removable peplum or a lace romper with an overcoat. Black velvet accents were used as an exclamation to the looks.
Idan Cohen
Many of the dresses sent through the rooms of the St. Regis ballroom had a distinct 1970s lingerie vibe with strong corsetry, poofy shoulder-baring sleeves with a bedroom boudoir feel. He opened with a dress that revealed rhinestone-encrusted sheer tights that mesmerized the audience with each step of the model’s long stride.
Alejandra Alonso Rojas
This was Ms. Alonso Rojas’s foray into bridal which she calls Blank Canvas. She kept the looks very contemporary—which is what she knows best. The dresses were a roster of her greatest hits like bias cut dresses, crocheted and tie-dye fabrics with some trend-driven looks like a revealing lace jumpsuit and strapless pouf-mini dress.
Viktor and Rolf Marriage
The Dutch duo’s marriage collection was shown at a low-key presentation at a showroom which was well suited for viewing the dresses up close and personal. They do some of the best 3D florals and whimsical messaging on some of the dresses plus a lot of beautiful backs and bows, bows, bows.
Nordeen
Flowy chiffon was the message received from this collection. Nordeen inspiration is the fluidity and movement of the sea—churning waves. She expresses this with flowy drapey silhouettes many with chiffon trains.
Pronovias
The Barcelona-based iconic bridal company is celebrating its 60th anniversary with its Atelier Pronovias collection which will be revealed later in the month in Barcelona. In March they celebrated with a dinner and preview of their impeccably designed and crafted gowns. It’s as if the dresses were sculpted out of a pristine white stone.
