Couture Week SS26 casts the bride as fantasy figure. At Chanel, she walks through a dream-world in a neat suit of shaved pearls; at Valentino, she is a goddess of excess landed on earth in showgirl form; at Dior, she is youthful and buoyant, decorated with flowers.
Some looks are explicitly bridal, such as Elie Saab’s embellished finale look; others reinterpret bridal language to a fresh end, as with the textural New Look-inflected designs at Ashi Studio. Elsewhere in Paris, designers offer a pick-and-mix approach: Armani Privé brings fluid lines and elegant tailoring, Aelis favours sheer fabrics and draping, and Rami Ali plays with fringe and big skirts.
While the six-figure sums and thousand-hour craftsmanship might keep the dresses themselves out of reach for most brides, there is nevertheless boundless inspiration to be found in our picks from the Couture Week SS26 runway.
Christian Dior
Aelis
Armani Privé
Ronald van der Kemp
Chanel
Valentino
Ashi Studio
Rami Ali
Elie Saab
Antonio Grimaldi
