Here Comes The Bride @ New York Bridal Fashion Week
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
Earlier in April, New York City opened its doors to an exquisite sort of Fashion Week. ‘New York Bridal Fashion Week’ was a couture collaboration of style showcasing designs for that one special day when it is all about the beauty and happiness of a special lady who wants to look her absolute best. The event took place from April 11th through April 14th, 2019.
Some of the most gorgeous gowns and unique bridal attire gave us a glimpse into a season of exuberance, Spring/Summer 2020. These were far from traditional bridal collections. Seen on the runway were visions of emblazoned shades of reds and blues along with a new take on empowerment. The ‘power suit’ could be shorts or long pants paired with structured blazers, one especially beautiful adorned with laser-cut petals. Designers Ines Di Santo and Reem Acra perfected this look.
The Meghan Markle vision remains extremely popular, even a year later, simple yet over the top sophisticated. Bridal designer, Theia, took us into a goddess’ world of sequins and embroidery. A magical bride took to the runway in a strapless gown hand embroidered with pearls and poly chrome sequins cinched at the waist with a silk organza bow. The amount of detail put into the Luciana V-neck gown was significant. It was covered in Grecian inspired bugle beads. This was made for the woman whose inner soul channels a goddess of love.
For the bride who chooses to wear blush and pink tones, colors that stand for freshness, purity, love, good health and good life, popular designer Vera Wang debuted some of those most fashionable looks. A plunging neckline accompanied by layers of tulle touching the ground became the answer to wedding dreams. Vera always knows how to appeal to the heart.
Dramatic sleeves, boho brides and a gown for all body types was embraced confidently by the Watters Collection, a collection inspired by “great lengths of time and distances one travels for love.”
Each bride enjoys her own unique style. While some make their day about remaining minimal in their choice of gown, others bask in the glory of intricate beading, floral appliqués and dazzling jewels fitted to their figures. Granting that wish were designers Berta, Phuong My and Reem Acra. Daring to take heights to a greater high, the newest addition to a portion of the gowns shown were slits of all lengths from just slightly exposing some skin to all the way up the leg.
For every bride there is a groom who needs to look just as stylish as his significant other. New York Bridal Fashion Week answered the calling with custom-tailored pieces brought to the runway by Reem Acra who collaborated on a collection with menswear designer, Joseph Abboud. This was far from the traditional look but fed off the classic suit, taking it one step further for the modernized man.
New York Bridal Fashion Week was a masterpiece of beauty brought together by a set of intuitive creators inspired in their own special way, each collection giving off its own air of enchantment. Reem Acra’s ‘Thank You Collection’ was inspired by a message to God that she had written in her Bible at the age of 17 in 1979, “Thank you God you have given me more than beauty, you have given me the power to make beauty. Thank you.” Phuong My launched her very first bridal collection. She designed this collection for the bride getting married but longing to “find her own place and remain truthful to herself.” She also envisions her bride to be a warrior. With the debut of this collection, Vera Wang counts 59 bridal collections in total . With each collection that Vera undertakes, her expertise is perfected. She felt that reinvention was top priority with this collection. “Its really a collection based on a certain freedom but to get that freedom takes incredible technique.”
This Bridal fashion week held an even deeper meaning for Margo LaFontaine, designing the ‘Amsale x You’ collection as a tribute to the legacy of the head of the brand, Amsale Aberra who passed away in April of 2018.
Ines Di Santo preferred the world of fairytales and whimsical settings for her sublime setting. She was inspired by Ophelia, stars, clouds and romanticism, but also experimented in using bold colors. Brides always want to feel a bit of their childish traits while still looking chic.
The happiest day on earth is made even more unimaginable by slipping into the most ethereal outfit to say “I DO” to the man of your dreams. New York Bridal Fashion Week became part of making that dream come true this past April in the perfect setting, New York City.
