Heritage Designers
Their collections dominate the global bridal catwalks and fashion editorial, seducing brides with future heirloom designs.
Jenny Packham
With flagship stores in London, Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul, Jenny has built a reputation for understated glamour that filters through all her bridal designs. As a long-established red-carpet favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, Jenny is also known for her delicate and intricate embellishment and her hand-sewn applique florals. Her collections feature everything from romantic tulle dresses to classic ballgown silhouettes.
Oscar de la Renta
A favourite fixture on the New York Bridal Fashion Week calendar, the latest Spring 2022 collection is a typically tight edit of standout shapes including an ivory silk-taffeta gown with a billowing bubble hi-low hemline; a tailored mermaid silhouette with off the shoulder balloon sleeves and a rose-petal embroidered gown with a dramatic twenty-layer tulle skirt – a dress that has over one thousand hours of work in it.
https://www.oscardelarenta.com/
Carolina Herrera
Just seven classic gowns – the majority of them strapless – define a reserved Spring 2022 collection, one that is inspired by the simple magic of loved ones reuniting. This season will appeal to traditional brides looking for elegant silhouettes with refined detailing including pearl and glass beading and rose and paisley lace.
https://www.carolinaherrera.com/uk/en/
Vera Wang
Spearheaded by a woman who has always classed herself as a fashion designer who creates bridal dresses, not a bridal designer first, Vera Wang’s previous collections have always delivered something unexpected: bold shots of colour, deconstructed silhouettes and enough impact to keep the A-list clientele interested. For Fall 2021 that meant high waisted shorts, open-back blazers and a mini-dress made of hand knotted glass pearls. No one could confidently predict what the new collection would bring this October, following a licensing deal with Pronovias, but now we know volume and texture are key. Free-falling skirts, visible corsetry and micro pleating feature with oversized bows, sash belts, detachable cape sleeves and overblown corsages – all the hallmarks Wang fans will love.
Phillipa Lepley
Adored by British and European society brides, Chelsea-based Phillipa is known for her incredible attention to detail, bespoke embroidery and for her insistence on using only the very finest fabrics – silks are all handmade near Italy’s Lake Como while laces are handmade in France. Because of the bespoke nature of her work – which now accounts for around fifty percent of all commissions – dresses can take up to two years to complete and may involve up to fifteen experts in the atelier. There are eighty dresses to choose from in her boutique for those wanting a more economical and swifter approach.
Pronovias
Known for its annual runway shows where thousands of fashion press, industry commentators and VIP clients descend on Barcelona to witness the typically glamorous unveiling of a new collection, the choice from this Spanish label is vast. It now dresses brides in more than 105 countries through 123 stores and from its Pronovias Atelier, Pronovias and Pronovias Privee collections – all designed to appeal to different budgets and styles.
Vivienne Westwood
Choose from the made-to-order or couture experience and expect iconic catwalk silhouettes from both. Brides opting for the former are encouraged to help build their own Westwood look with a selection of detachable sleeves, different capes and corsets. As you might expect from this environmentally conscious fashion house, each piece is made in England with some sustainable fabrics including an ivory Peace silk and a viscose as a vegan alternative to silk. Couture brides can expect exposed lace corsetry, high slits, ruffled mini dresses, archival lace and voluminous skirts.
https://www.viviennewestwood.com/en/
Mira Zwillinger
Mira and Lihi, the mother and daughter team from one of the leading couture houses in Tel Aviv, never fail to produce something both original and breathtakingly beautiful. They are bold in their choice of detailing, fabrics and modern textures, producing collections that are dominated by the sheer sparkle and a fairy tale quality, never over-engineered but with an effortless appeal. Dresses in their collections will easily take you from rehearsal dinner to wedding day and the after party.
Bridal-loving labels & locations
Already known for their ready-to-wear fashion credentials, now brides-to-be are falling for their stylish charms.
Molly Goddard
From the fashion editors’ favourite – and the designer who dressed Killing Eve’s Villanelle in that frothy hot pink tulle dress – comes a capsule edit of twelve dresses in the current bridal collection, a new foray for 2021. Known for her use of clashing colours, bold patterns and oversized silhouettes, she has translated her design DNA well into the wedding wardrobe. Expect voluminous silk taffeta dresses, hand smocking and layered frills.
Self Portrait
With dresses starting from as little as £270 and all for under £1,000, this is, says the brand, ‘what bridal should look like now.’ It has all the nods to styles the modern bride will love, everything from mini to maxi, white cotton broderie, decorative bows, modern tailoring, crochet and knits and more romantic tiers. A collection that will sail easily through the wedding day and on into your forever wardrobe.
https://www.self-portrait-studio.com/
Mytheresa
The luxury fashion e-tailer has a wedding edit punctuated with well-known bridal brands including Monique Lhuillier, Costarellos (worn by Carrie Johnson), Jennifer Behr, Elie Saab and Marchesa sitting alongside high-end fashion brands so you can easily shop your look from different collections – including accessories and shoes. A great place to direct your wedding guests too.
https://www.mytheresa.com/en-gb/women.html
Little L
An e-commerce site that delivers a tight edit of modern bridal pieces that have a life way beyond your wedding day. Head here for something chic but not overtly traditional that would work at a registry office, on the dancefloor, on honeymoon and for the cool women in your life who are following you up the aisle. Or, as the founders Lily and Lizzie put it, ‘a modern twist on timeless styles . . . an alternative to one wear only.’ Expect a focus on independent and international designers and styles that won’t be seen at every wedding you attend this season.
https://www.littlelfashion.com/
Erdem White Collection
New this year, Erdem’s first ready-to-wear bridal collection means all the looks are off the peg with no fittings required. Described as more ‘casual’ by the designer, the dresses are more likely to suit a bride hosting an outdoor or civil ceremony, but they remain true to his design aesthetic. A shirtdress was inspired by the Victorian gowns from his Spring 2019 show and a long-sleeved cotton mini dress is the same shape as an orchid brocade dress from fall 2015.
https://erdem.com/posts/white-collection
Emilia Wickstead Bridal
Known as a champion of ‘soft power dressing’ (Michelle Obama, Olivia Coleman and the Duchess of Cambridge have all worn her designs) you can find an easy entry point to this bridal collection by choosing between a six-piece ready-to-wear edit (think structural shapes, strong modern necklines and minimal embellishment); a made-to-order service where you can have a little more design input or a bespoke gown made just for you from original design sketch to the finished gown.
TheOutnet
The global go-to destination for previous-season luxury discount shopping – expect up to 70% off over 350 different designer fashion labels – for every occasion and including a massive selection perfect for your wedding day. A dedicated bridal section will excite you with inclusions from Stella McCartney, Balmain, Roland Mouret, Zimmerman and as of 21st September this year, a capsule collection of thirteen styles from Jenny Packham from £1,170 to £2,040.
www.theoutnet.com
The no-purchase or re-purchase approach
Rent it or buy it pre-loved then add your own chapter to its fashion story.
The Loop
The brainchild of Grace Richmond and Abi Gadsby who are on a mission to help you build a ‘timeless wardrobe that boasts wearability, durability and circularity to be in line with the sustainability’. The pre-loved collection is designed to be more in tune with brides looking to rewrite traditional thinking with wedding outfits that are both practical and reusable. The result is a curated and very exciting edit of labels including Saint Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino and Miu Miu.
The Collectibles
‘A world of circular fashion’ where you can buy vintage and pre-owned pieces or rent them directly from the founders’ wardrobes, depending on your budget and fashion philosophy. There is also a personal shopping team who will help source items if you have something very specific or popular in mind. The site is currently showcasing a Stella McCartney multi-layered fringe midi dress from the designer’s 2013 resort collection to buy for £570 – a comparative bargain considering average wedding dress costs.
https://www.the-collectibles.com/
Hurr Collective
Join as a lender or a renter, the process is clearly mapped on the website to make it as quick and efficient as possible. There is a dedicated section for bridal rentals with a cool mix of wedding, high end high street and designer labels including Charlie Brear, Ganni, Mother of Pearl, TH&TH, Zimmerman, The Vampire’s Wife and Jimmy Choo.
