Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week offered rich treasures as well as a preview of what brides will be wearing in 2018. Here are 15 showstopping designer gowns from the catwalk that made us go ‘Wow!’
Words: Libby Norman
Images: Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week
Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week is always a treat for trend watchers, bringing together leading global designers as well as the cream of the Iberian crop. This year, we were spoiled for choice and noticed a distinct shift in bridal styles. Key trends include dramatic sleeves, focus on the shoulders, exquisite lace and a more refined and demure approach to wedding-day dressing. This last trend in particular is one to watch, since even designers renowned for their bodycon approach are offering designs with a focus on cut and detailing to show off form not flesh.
The other key trend is the triumphant celebration of the perennial full-skirted gown. Most top designers have a few ballroom classics in their collection, but this year, they had star billing in many shows.
While we could easily pick 50 gowns from the assembled beauties, here are 15 showstoppers that made us go ‘Wow!’.
1. Pronovias – a fringe on top
The Pronovias show is always an event, but ‘Wish’ fulfilled every bride’s dream. While we loved this collection for its impeccable cut and materials, we were bowled over by the fabulous fringes. Used as a shimmering embellishment and as an alternative to illusion panelling, especially on arms and backs, they added both movement and standout glamour. pronovias.com
2. Marco & Maria – pure gold
The super-talented duo from Tenerife always offer gorgeous gossamer-light gowns with subtle colouring and exquisite detail. But this gown shone out for its delicate soft gold hue and romantic full-skirted shape. Perfect for bride who wants to star in her own fairytale. marcoymaria.com
3. YolanCris – slimline star
Renowned for their contemporary take on wedding attire, YolanCris (Barcelona sisters Yolanda and Cristina) delivered a beautiful collection. We loved the cut and full sleeves of this high-necked slimline gown, which also offered a hint of reveal at the shoulder and subtle cut-out detailing in the skirt. This was also a gown that looked just as stunning from the back as from the front. yolancris.com
4. Angel Sanchez – thinking pink
Venezuelan-born and New York-based designer Angel Sanchez trained in architecture and offers peerless cut and wonderful fluid detailing. We just loved this soft pink strapless gown – romantic but with wonderful fluidity in the folds of the skirt. This was another gown that looked simply exquisite from the back. angelsanchez.com
5. Marylise & Rembo Styling – divine simplicity
There was something so graceful about this gown topped with a luxurious knitted layer. While Marylise & Rembo Styling always do boho brilliantly, this divine combination had a purity and restraint that felt completely timeless – perfect for the bride who wants the kind of easy elegance that will never date. rembo-styling.com
6. Jesús Peiró – cocktail diva
If you’re looking for a cocktail-style number then we think this Jesús Peiró number is about as good as it gets. Form-fitting and with more than a touch of 1930s Hollywood (think Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story), it packed a sexy punch with its discreet split bodice with cummerbund-effect at the waist. The best was saved until last – a fabulous sparkling back panel and covered buttons extending to lower back. jesuspeiro.com
7. Demetrios – heart to heart
Demetrios took romance to new heights with a glorious ballroom confection in fine tulle. The crowning point of this strapless number was a glittering (and witty) heart motif utilising the sweetheart neckline and with a point extending to the waist. demetriosbride.com
8. Cymbeline – summer loving
A lovely summer wedding piece, demonstrating that simple can steal the show, this understated design by French bridal house Cymbeline comprised a slip with exquisite lace detailing at shoulders and bodice. A beautiful open lace panel midway down the skirt created further interest. cymbeline.com
9. St. Patrick Studio – bow belle
A new launch at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, St. Patrick Studio is a brand from the Pronovias stable and this lovely launch collection included many standout pieces. We particularly loved this gown with a 1950s flavour in its neat bow and full skirt. But this was a very contemporary and casual take on the deb look, with a longer-line embellished bodice and slouchy pockets. sanpatrick.com
10. Raimon Bundó – flutterby
We simply love any new twist on the train and veil traditions – especially for destination or tropical weddings where you want glamour without weight. Raimon Bundó featured a lavish tulle overtop-cum-stole, angled artfully over a simple slip with bootlace straps. We loved the fluidity of this design, transforming a classic plain gown into a scene-stealer – dramatic, flattering and so easy to pack. raimonbundo.com
11. Morilee by Madeline Gardner – blush bride
This classic strapless ballgown style caught our eye for its gorgeous soft colouring – a blush, almost café crème, hue to the tulle skirt providing a rich twist on bridal colours. We also loved the luscious jewelled bodice with sweetheart plunge. morilee.com
12. Cabotine – full flow
Dramatic sleeves are big news on the bridal catwalk, but Cabotine gave us an almost mediaeval twist with this stunning design with sleeves-cum-train sweeping the floor. There was more than a nod to the epic fashions from Game of Thrones, although the cutaway translucent panel beginning well above the knee ensured a gown with bold contemporary credentials. Brides looking to wear their hair down should check out the styling of the Cabotine show – especially those dramatic curtain fringes which put us in mind of Hollywood femme fatale Veronica Lake. cabotine.co.uk
13. Sophie et Voilà – city chic
Sofía Arribas is another architect turned designer – and it shows in her stunning collection of alternative bridalwear. This gorgeous number was our standout short gown from Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week (and we were pleased to see a few more few leg-revealing options this year). With an almost 1920s flavour in the lines, it would be the perfect gown for a chic city bride who wants a shorter length without compromising on elegance. sophieetvoila.com
14. Galia Lahav – ruffle up
Galia Lahav’s extraordinary use of laces is always something to behold, but this gown nailed some of bridal’s hottest trends – we loved that neat Edwardian high collar, long fitted sleeves and the lovely ruffles beginning under the waist and creating a full-skirted train effect over a slimline skirt. galialahav.com
15. Rosa Clará – lace revival
Rosa Clará always creates beautifully cut and feminine gowns, but this year’s show at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week raised the bar with a collection characterised by its ethereal shapes, fine details and exquisite lace. It was hard to single out one gown, but this off-the-shoulder creation summed up a collection that ticked every box for elegant and romantic style. rosaclara.es
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