With Bridal Market just around the corner, designers are busily putting the final touches on their newest collections and finalizing their runway shows. As one of the co-owners of the Group 868 showroom I was able to get a sneak peek at what is coming out from the designers we represent. This is the time when the anticipation and expectation is high. What new creations will our designers come up with this season? Will there be better and more fascinating gowns than last time? I can assuredly answer yes to all.
Anne Bowen is an American designer who has been designing for 15 years. Her looks are sexy and glamorous, red carpet worthy. She is known for her beautiful unique beading using semi-precious stones and crystals. While designing her bridal collection this season, Anne was inspired by nature particularly sea animals that mate for life. Water is a recurring theme so the fabrics are light and sheer with water inspired details. She uses an abundance of crystals and pearls to convey the feeling of waves and foam. There are mermaid, fit and flair, and a-line shapes with dramatic trains. Though the gowns may appear light there is plenty of structure in the beautifully beaded corset tops and in the construction of the gowns. These gowns are perfect for your very own red carpet wedding.
Francesca Miranda is our premier South American designer. Her light frothy creations give just the right amount of romance with an insouciant twist. This season is no different. Novelty lace from Europe, sheer organza, and light chiffons are the forefront of this collection with her finishing touch of adding sparkle to the gowns in a subtle way. Her gowns are subtly layered with lace or hand printed chiffons underneath to give depth to the final result. The gowns then get a final dusting of stardust (beading). The shapes are sexy and romantic at the same time with fit and flair shapes, plunging necklines, and interesting backs. She even has one gown that is actually a beautiful lace body suit with a fabulous fit and flair skirt. This is a collection that will inspire the romance of a wedding.
Rembo Styling is a bridal company based in Belgium. They are debuting their collection for the first time in the U.S. this season. The beautiful European made gowns have gorgeous house designed vintage inspired Belgian lace on chiffons and organza fabrics. This collection is perfect for the “boho chic” girl who is getting married on a farm in the country but at the same time can entice the city loft bride. The shapes are soft and airy with a slight vintage feel to them. A must see collection that will have wide appeal.
Halo and Co. is our glamour girl accessory line. All the pieces are handmade in the U.K. of Swarovski crystals and pearls trimmed in lace and tulle. This season the collection has a 1940’s/ 1950’s vintage feel with chunky stones in floral and circular motifs. There is everything from combs, sidebands, headbands and ribbon bands to matching handbags and earrings. This season they brought in more double combs that are connected with crystals to give a bride the option of using the combs to create a unique hairdo. A bride never can have enough bling.
Susan Spring for the Wedding Dresser is our soft accessories line by a local Brooklyn designer. She does everything from cute little shrugs to caplets. This season Susan stepped it up on her jackets. There are English net shrugs, lace tops, organdy over blouses, and fur caplets trimmed with beading. She also has beautiful novelty gloves and mitts in lace and English net trimmed in beading, something that is not readily available. This may be the next accessory trend. These are the perfect little add-ons to complete a bride’s outfit and bring it up a notch. Absolutely luxurious and very glam!
There are lots of exciting trends in gowns to look forward to in the stores this fall and plenty of interesting accessories coming out that a bride can use to put her own stamp to what her look will be on her wedding day.
By Mindy Woon
Mindy Woon is an owner of The Sample Room NY and Group 868.