White Gallery London is always one of the most hotly anticipated trend-setting events of the international calendar, and this year’s event was full of bridal treasures. Here are 15 of our favourite gowns from the 2018-collection runway shows
Words: Libby Norman
Images: White Gallery London
White Gallery London is one of the bridal events of the year, bringing together international design houses and the very best of UK design talent. These are the gowns that will be setting trends in 2018 and beyond, and the good news for brides-to-be is that designers are offering a huge choice of looks. This means you can pick your style – be it classic or refined.
Diversity was a key theme among collections – a reflection perhaps of the changing nature of weddings. Every 2018 collection at White Gallery London included styles that would hit the right note at a chic city or laid-back beach wedding. The celebration of classic bridal silhouettes is just as strong a fashion story – longer sleeves, higher necklines and A-line or ballgown skirts are being given a contemporary refresh, meaning fabulous designs for grand modern wedding celebrations.
While it was a hard task to pick just 15 gowns with so many heavenly designs in the mix, here’s our pick of looks that caught our eye on the White Gallery London runway.
1. Sassi Holford – regal bride
Sassi Holford’s 2018 collection was full of sumptuous gowns, but this regal gold number radiated glamour. Beautifully cut using exquisite fabric, and with neat fitted sleeves, tailored bodice and full skirt, it stole the White Gallery London show for us by capturing what every bride wants in a gown – pure star quality. sassiholford.com
2. Rembo Styling – summer breeze
Rembo Styling – and sister brand Marylise – always channel the kind of relaxed and boho elegance that is perfect for a laidback beach wedding. While this timeless gown follows a simple line, we just love the texture and the neat bodice. This is also a style that would be easy to dress up or down with a simple wrap or jacket – even one of the luxe knitted cardigans that are part of Rembo Styling’s 2018 collection. rembo-styling.com
3. Raishma – fusion coat
Hot British talent Raishma Islam produces beautiful wedding and occasion gowns and her east-meets-west approach is showcased beautifully in this fabulous embroidered coat. We saw a few neat topcoats at the 2018 White Gallery London catwalk shows, but this one stood out for its fantastic embroidery and cut. An elegant fusion piece, it looks stunning from both front and back. raishma.co.uk
4. Charlotte Balbier – perfect princess
There were plenty of stunning ballgowns in the mix at this year’s White Gallery London, but Charlotte Balbier’s romantic full-skirted number is just what you need to reveal your inner princess. The softly pleated tailored bodice with sweetheart neckline features a subtle botanical print. charlottebalbier.com
5. Brian Chen Bridal – Grecian line
Part of the international line up at this year’s White Gallery London catwalk show, we think Brian Chen is definitely a talent to watch. We were particularly taken with this lovely Grecian style one-shoulder gown. It flowed beautifully and the draping at the back looked stunning. brianchenbridal.com
6. Alan Hannah – jewel edged
Marguerite Hannah – the designer behind Alan Hannah’s fabulous London-designed collections – has a lightness of touch that we always admire. This new collection offers many stunning gowns, but this one stood out as the perfect glamour gown for a destination weddding. The halterneck offers a 1970s vibe with a twist – a lovely jewel collar matched to a jewel belt. We also love the fluid line of the skirt and lush satin fabric. alanhannah.co.uk
7. Claire Pettibone – fine romance
LA designer Claire Pettibone, showcased as part of the White Gallery London international lineup, channels vintage-meets-modern style brilliantly. We love this gown for its flattering plunge neck and back and fine detailing. The sleeves are the star here – fitted to the elbow, transparent and billowing to the cuff and with sweet lace embellishment. clairepettibone.com
8. Anny Lin – fantasy frills
Anny Lin specialises in fantasy gowns and this frothy and decadent number is a real showstopper. Featuring a plunge bodice and slimline skirt topped with a layered tullle overtrain, it’s a bold celebration of the wedding-as-fiesta spirit. annylinbridal.com
9. Dando London – floral finesse
Christine Dando specialises in form-fitting designs with fine lace. This classic slimline gown featured a sweetheart neckline with lovely flower and leaf detail at the shoulders. The flower and leaf motif was repeated in a sweeping v-shape at the rear of the gown – perfect for showing off a tanned and toned back. dandolondonbridals.com
10. Anna Georgina – textured glamour
Kobus Dippenaar’s Anna Georgina label is all about glamour, with lots of gorgeous textures, soft colours and crystal detailing in the mix. We just love the textural play of this gown, with its crystal-spangled longer line bodice, jewelled belt and flowing silk skirt. The silhouette is simple and also very flattering. annageorgina.co.za
11. Sylvia Kopczynska – short take
Who says a bride can’t wear shorts? Warsaw-based designer Sylvia Kopczynska proved that the look works if you do it with style. This glamorous bridal ensemble consisted of a jaunty and beautifully tailored lace high-collar jacket and shorts, topped with a floaty tulle overlayer. This is the ensemble for the bride who wants to stick to tradition down the aisle and then show off those elegant pins on the dance floor. sylwiakopczynska.pl
12. Cherry Williams London – sequin drama
Part of White Gallery London’s British Talents runway line-up, Cherry Williams worked with noted costumier Jane Law (Pirates of the Caribbean, Downton Abbey, et al) and then Halfpenny London before establishing her own atelier. She favours vintage silhouettes using modern fabrics, and this elegant cocktail gown is a classic example. Featuring sequin detailing on a long-sleeved plunge neck bodice with silk marocain split-front skirt, it has more than a hint of old school glamour dressing. cherrywilliamslondon.com
13. Randy Fenoli – mermaid style
Famous for his role on Say Yes To The Dress and for guiding countless brides to the dress of their dreams at Kleinfeld Bridal in NYC, Randy Fenoli has launched his eponymous collection in Europe. As you’d expect, this is all about glamour. His take on the classic mermaid gown (a perennial favourite) shows a lightness of touch we love by combining frothy tulle with an elegant almost corset-cut bodice. randyfenolibridal.com
14. Savin London – lounge classic
Bridal trousers are one of the strongest fashion stories for 2018 on the catwalks of London, New York and Barcelona. To be fair, we’ve been seeing palazzos, pantsuits and crops rising up the charts for a couple of seasons now. While not every bride wants to wear the trousers, Andrey Savin’s glamorous lounge ensemble at White Gallery London might win a few converts. Brilliantly tailored trousers with a sexy lightweight top make this a wonderfully modern-meets-vintage look that reminds us of 1930s Hollywood glamour. savinlondon.com
15. Katya Katya Shehurina – ethereal bride
Katya Katya Shehurina’s lovely 2018 collection was packed full of her hallmark blend of subtle textures and colours to create a vintage-meets-modern design aesthetic. We loved the soft café crème underlay of this ethereal silk and lace gown and the train from the shoulders at the back of the gown is just what you need for flowing gracefully down that aisle. shehurina.com
LOOKING FOR MORE 2018 BRIDAL GOWNS?
See our pick from Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week
