Syrian-born, Dubai-based bridal designer Rami Al Ali dazzled during NY Bridal Week with a tight collection of sophisticated gowns perfect for the confident cosmopolitan bride. The 18-piece collection, Allure de Fleurs, plays with the use of botanical detail to entrance both the bride and spouse and all in attendance at what promises to be a spectacular wedding.
The drapes, folds and intricate patterns woven into each design highlight a perfect blend of traditional and modernity, setting the stage for a bride of distinction and originality. The dresses are embellished with crystals, pearls, sequins, beads and even feathers bringing a magical quality to a bride’s special day.
Mark Ingram Atelier set the bar high this season paying homage to his mother, his original style muse, along with the magic and majesty of yesteryear. The designer keeps photos in his Smartphone of his parents’ 1955 wedding. He describes his mother’s bridal look: “She wore a squared ‘Sabrina’ neckline, sleeveless gown in heavy white silk brocade with full mid-calf skirt supported by hard crinoline. Her look was completed by a matching brocade pillbox hat with a feather, and white opera gloves.” That timeless reminiscence combined with the designer’s infatuation with the styles of the European court of the 1800s deliver what is truly a magical season for 2025.
In his Portrait of a Lady Collection, Ingram highlights a drop waist that creates an elongated silhouette, a high collar that dramatizes the face, billowing skirts of lace, tulle, faille, duchesse satin and silk mikado, black accessories including a sleek satin belt and knitted bolero that add city chic to otherwise dreamy dresses. The gowns easily convert into stunning reception looks that keep their drama but lose the statement train in a number of clever ways. The absolute showstopper for the bride who wants to change into something more comfortable or perhaps to wear to a more casual ceremony is the pantsuit ensemble complete with a glorious cape.
And don’t forget the silhouettes from behind. Ingram’s brides deliver mesmerizing back drama with layers of train in varying shapes, including a surprising square train that frames the ultimate unforgettable image that guests see as the happy couple exchange vows.
Amsale’s 2025 collection, The Art of Living, features dreamy, sensual designs. Head designer Michael Cho says, “This season there is a focus on flora and the female form through the lens of French Romanticism.”
The details are spectacular, from hand-sewn florets on a voluminous train to the inner corset construction featured in every dress that eliminates the need for an undergarment and highlights the bride’s attributes. The accessories that complement this 11-piece collection stand out: silk chiffon fingerless gloves, removable tulle arm ties and a clever lace topper that allows for a majestic and modest ceremony look, followed by a sensual reveal for the reception.
Harriette Cole is the author of Jumping the Broom: The African American Wedding Planner and Vows. Cole has worked in the space of style and presentation for more than 3 decades, helping people learn how to leap into their greatness and fulfill their potential.
