Bridal trend: Ballgown drama

Bridal trend: Ballgown drama
Dramatic ballgown shapes are stealing the limelight in the season to come. Gown by Galia Lahav

This season designers have gone big with their ballgown shapes, creating super-glamorous styles that are perfect for taking you from ceremony to the grandest party

The ballgown shape is a perennial favourite for brides, but for the new season it is bigger, bolder and often dramatic. With frothy or full skirts, features such as bows and gorgeous embellishment, this is the perfect look for the bride who wants standout glamour all the way from aisle to after party. Our eight great picks include designs for everything from formal ball to destination or high-summer celebration.

1. Sassi Holford – Light touch

Bridal trend: Ballgown drama
Sassi Holford’s Angelica gown is a contemporary take on the ballgown style with abstract-pattern hand-appliquéd bodice

Angelica is a gorgeous contemporary ballgown style from the new En Amour collection. With a light ballgown skirt in soft tulle, it has an abstract-pattern hand-appliquéd bodice. A low back with illusion-panel straps makes this perfect for a summer party. sassiholford.com

2. Elbeth Gillis – Bold bow

With bold bow and cutaway sides, this elegant Vivian gown is by Elbeth Gillis

From the new Desire collection by leading South African designer Elbeth Gillis, Vivian is an elegant structured ballgown with flattering wide neckline and split-side effect bodice. We love the slouch pockets and wide belt with oversized bow detail at the back of the gown. London stockist is Angelica Bridal. elbethgillis.com

3. Carolina Herrera – Top tiers

Bridal trend: Ballgown drama
Lillian is a lovely tiered full gown by New York designer Carolina Herrera

Lillian is a glamorous party dress from New York designer Carolina Herrera. With a fitted bodice, curved at the neckline to put focus on the shoulders, it has a full tulle skirt falling in frothy tiers. UK exclusive stockist is The Wedding Club’s Knightsbridge store. thewedding-club.co.uk

4. Cymbeline – Full glamour

Bridal trend: Ballgown drama
Cymbeline’s full strapless gown features a frothy skirt with silk stripes

Irlande, from French bridal house Cymbeline, is a classic strapless gown with full and frothy tulle ballgown skirt with silk stripes. The close-fitting silk bodice has stripes at the neckline and a cummerbund-effect detail to define the waist. cymbeline.com

5. Lyn Ashworth – Black tie

Bridal trend: Ballgown drama
Lyn Ashworth’s romantic Duchy ballgown has a black velvet tie at the waist

This classic strapless Duchy ballgown is designed and made in Staffordshire by Sarah Barrett and the team at Lyn Ashworth. Featuring a sweetheart neckline, boned bodice and full skirt with train, it is accessorised here with a simple black belt. Stockists include BOA Boutique in Richmond, London. boa-boutique.co.uk

6. Zuhair Murad – Flower queen

Bridal trend: Ballgown drama
Zuhair Murad’s fairytale gown features lotus-flower embellishment

This fabulous full gown from the new Zuhair Murad collection is dressed with beautiful silk and crystal embroidered lotus flowers. The bodice features a sweetheart neckline with lace illusion panel and the full skirt has a detachable overskirt. UK-exclusive stockist is The Wedding Club. thewedding-club.co.uk

7. Jesús Peiró – Smooth line

Bridal trend: Ballgown drama
Jesús Peiró’s soft take on a ballgown has a low back and wrap-effect skirt t

A smooth take on the ballgown shape, this design from the Cala collection would be perfect for a summer ball. In Mikado taffeta, it combines a neat high neckline and low back with thin crossover straps. The full wraparound skirt with discreet front split has a train and slouch pockets. jesuspeiro.com

8. Galia Lahav – Fairy story

Bridal trend: Ballgown drama
Galia Lahav’s gown has a bustier bodice and dramatic ruffled skirt

With a finely tailored bustier bodice embellished with flowers, this fairytale gown from the Making a Scene couture collection features a dramatic ruffled and layered tulle skirt. UK stockists of Galia Lahav include Browns Bride. galialahav.com


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