NY Bridal Fashion Week once again blessed us with digital and in-person presentations for Spring 2023, which featured voluminous and sleek gowns, delicate tea-length dresses from Sachin and Babi, suiting, and interchangeable separates.
The collections were deeply emotive nods to bygone eras of fashion history, art movements, and the natural world all while infusing design-forward techniques, such as 3D detailing. For 2023, the designers collectively seemed to have unifying themes of wonder, progressive modernity, transparency, and theatrical opulence. Detachable trains were also au courant.
Ultimately, the bride of the future wants to feel like she has stepped into a fantasy of her choosing. Leaving the throes of the pandemic behind and slipping into a gown created specifically for her, every bride deserves that “all eyes on her” moment.
Scroll down through the gallery below to see more of NY Bridal Fashion Week’s iconic gowns!
Inspirations from a bygone era…
Ines Di Santo’s trains were tufts of cotton candy-colored cumulus clouds and Eli Saab’s designs drew from Pre-Raphaelite art. Anne Barge’s detachable trains were an ode to Audrey Hepburn’s, Sabrina, while Morilee Madeline Gardner’s collection was inspired by the Regency era. With so many nods to the past, it remains to be seen whether or not designers have been binge-watching HBO’s hit drama series: The Gilded Age.
Sleeves…
Victorian and Edwardian sleeves resonate collectively in many of their designs along with literature and the theater being major influences. From ginormous bishop and mutton sleeves to the drama of Houghton and Katherine Polk’s use of opera length gloves in her S2 size-inclusive presentation, it felt like the Instagram generation’s version of Great Expectations character, Miss Havisham. Similarly, Savannah Miller’s “Spellbound” collection was inspired by Emily Bronte’s poem of the same name. And shows like Amsale also oozed modern opulence.
Modern opulence…
Overall, the concept of modern opulence is now seen in the uniqueness of a design, rather than by its price tag. The way a garment makes one feel (instead of the designer’s label) is also far more important. However, designers like Marchesa recognize voluminous gowns still seem to be a girl’s best friend for many 21st century brides. Sareh Nouri’s billowing regal silhouettes similarly show such sensibilities.
3D elements…
Inspiration from nature, like 3D branches and dandelion details, stood out in gowns from Enaura and Mira Zwillinger. Themes of wonder and fantasy also graced the runway. Francesca Miranda’s bride took the prize for most fantastical by resembling a sea maiden!
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