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Markarian bridal was put on the national stage in November, when first granddaughter Naomi Biden wore a custom after-party dress to her White House wedding. The ladylike looks have made the brand a favorite for classic gowns and chic bridesmaid ensembles. With the SS24 collection, founder Alexandra O’Neill utilized silk faille, floral organza, embroidered and pearl beaded laces, and silk-cottons with daisy embellishments. Markarian also collaborated with milliner Gigi Burris for a range of modern headpieces, like a blusher veil in blue and yellow and a blue crystal encrusted voilette veil. “We are loving classic 1960’s cuts in buttery ivories inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s wedding,” says O’Neill. “Our brides are gravitating towards more ready-to-wear style and fashion -forward pieces but still in classic silhouettes.” Keane names Markarian as one of the brands using bows in fun ways. “Bows add a charming and romantic touch, giving a timeless addition to the bridal look,” she says.
The buzzy lifestyle brand tweaked its much-loved Nap Dress for bridal with new fabrics and embellishments. The Ribbon Ellie Nap Dress comes in white lace and tulle and features bow straps, while a sheer black tulle version elevates the Nap Dress for a more formal guest look. Other options include an eyelet skirt and top set ideal for a honeymoon look and a lace duster destined for getting-ready pics.
Seeming to anticipated its devoted fanbase’s every need, SKIMS released a bridal collection that includes trousseau-perfect favorites like lingerie, shapewear, and sleepwear. It also offers new classics like a crystal-trimmed minidress, a blue cropped silk camisole and cargo pants combo for bridesmaids, and a lace-trimmed mesh cardigan.
Designer Sarah Staudinger’s 2022 nuptials inspired her brand’s foray into all aspects of wedding wear. Launched in March, the collection features relatively affordable bride, bridesmaids, and guest options for any wedding related events. Gowns skew sleek and unadorned and include chic columns, two-piece sets, and low backed halter necks that evoke Staudinger’s own minimalist wedding dress. “Our customers have been wearing a lot of our dresses to wedding parties, so it was a natural evolution to develop a collection of dresses specifically for these occasions,” says Staudinger. “In designing this collection, I really saw an opportunity with our customers and their desire for something fresh and new with real value for both brides and their guests.” Keane appreciates Staud pairing oversized blazers with more feminine dress silhouettes. “This fusion creates a chic and contemporary bridal ensemble, offering a unique and sophisticated look for modern brides,” she says.
The print-loving British brand always viewed bridal as part of its oeuvre, but waited to launch the actual collection, which includes looks for the registry office, reception, bridal party, and mother of the bride, until the timing was right. “We actually launched bridal during the pandemic, and I think you can see in our collections that our pieces are really catered to a variety of weddings and brides, from smaller scale registry office weddings to second looks for the dance floor,” says RIXO co-founder Henrietta Rix. Its just-released fourth collection focuses more on traditional ceremony looks, “but essentially, we wanted a collection that offered pieces for every bride.”
Features Editor
Adrienne Gaffney is the features editor at ELLE and previously worked at WSJ Magazine and Vanity Fair.
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