The White Gallery designer runway shows at London Bridal Week offered rich pickings from leading UK and international designers, giving a taster of what brides will be wearing in seasons to come. Here are 16 wedding gowns we loved from the runway shows
London Bridal Week White Gallery images:
Luca Latrofa
London Bridal Week – a new bridal ‘super show’ for the capital – brought together leading designers and retailers. It was our chance to get the first glimpse of forthcoming collections from leading UK and international bridal designers at associated White Gallery runway shows. With two days of glorious bridal gowns under the runway spotlight at ExCel, there was a look to match every bride.
While variety was the order of the day, we spotted some strong trends emerging through the collections. Texture remains the strongest fashion story for the season to come, with stunning luxe fabrics, often with unusual graphic or bubbled effects. Colour is still firmly in the mix, with burnished, rose golds and softer metallics favoured by designers, alongside feminine blush and florals.
We cheered the bold return of short gowns and predict that body-skimming and frothy skirts are going to be even bigger news in seasons to come – perhaps a natural progression from the hi-lo hemlines that have been a feature for the past couple of seasons. Frivolous ruffles and tiers are also big news, appearing in capes, in skirts and even along the length of wedding gowns. And we just love the elegant and structured higher necks featuring in either sporty or refined period-style looks. These are perfect for anyone who doesn’t see themselves in one of the new-season plunge or strappy gowns.
With so many glamorous dresses in the mix, it was tough to narrow down, but here are 16 looks we think give a foretaste of what brides will be wearing in the seasons to come.
1. It’s a wrap – Savin London
Savin London’s sophisticated wrap-front gown over basque-style body has a hint of 1930s loungewear with its soft shirt collar and diaphanous sleeves. But the emphasis here is on a soft reveal (in a London Bridal Week/White Gallery runway collection full of gloriously sexy gowns). We love the strong linear effect of the fabric and the sprinkling of feathers. This is a bold and confident gown that would be wonderful for a destination wedding. savinlondon.com
2. Short and sweet – Ivory & Co
London Bridal Week’s White Gallery Shows hint at the return of tea length and shorter gowns. We spotted chic leg-revealing numbers in several collections, but this Ivory & Co design stood out. With a full ballerina skirt, it has a gorgeous bubbled texture to the tailored bodice. The texture on the matching caplet adds extra glamour to a design with a distinctly 1950s flavour. ivoryandcobridal.co.uk
3. Biker meets ballerina – Sassi Holford
We’re huge fans of jackets – adding an edgy and casual twist to wedding-day traditions. Sassi Holford is a master of the perfectly cut occasion jacket (see her mother-of-the-bride/red carpet collections for proof). Here, she shows the impact of a biker-style design when you blend it with a full and romantic ballerina-style skirt. The jacket is a thing of beauty, made of a rich textured silk zibeline and neatly cut with stand-up collar, double lapel and zip pockets – perfect for after-parties, honeymoon and beyond. sassiholford.com
4. Beautiful beading – Anny Lin
Anny Lin’s gorgeous fairytale gowns always have a distinctive signature, and this new-season design is no exception. It has both beautiful detailing in its bead and flower appliqué and a slick line. With a halter neck, it features an unusual ribbon effect detail to emphasise the waist. This was one of several gowns we spotted at the shows featuring a deep cutaway back with crossover straps – adding a sporty swimsuit edge that would be perfect for the destination bride. annylinbridal.com
5. Modern mermaid – Valentina Sposi
Swiss Italian label Valentina Sposi gave us a mermaid wedding dress with a sexy modern twist. With deep plunge bodice (more glamour swimsuit lines), it features a bow at the waist and unusual almost peplum effect below. The slim skirt then becomes a frothy confection with distinct mermaid train. valentinasposi.com
6. Ballroom classic – Charlotte Balbier
Ballgowns remain a key feature of just about every designer collection, and Charlotte Balbier gave us several standout designs. This frothy number caught our eye for cleverly combining a soft and flattering draped bodice with a luscious flower-bedecked skirt. The overlayer is a particular feature, gathered at the sides to form a handkerchief point to the front and soft train effect behind. We love the fairytale floral appliqué. charlottebalbier.com
7. Pure gold – Alan Hannah
Gold is the colour for 2019 collections and London Bridal Fashion Week’s White Gallery shows positively glittered with metallic glamour. This amazing Kira gown opened the Alan Hannah Love Supreme runway show and collection designer Marguerite Hannah has described part of her inspiration as the effect created by golden autumn leaves. Featuring a refined high neck and beautiful embroidered panel, the gown’s burnished gold fabric makes a stunning alternative to whites and ivories. alanhannah.co.uk
8. Gilded reveal – Catriona Garforth
This Catriona Garforth wedding dress caught our eye for its clever cut and use of detail. From the front the sleeveless gown looks deceptively simple, until you notice the flattering wide panel at the waist and subtle pleating for a skirt that flows beautifully. The delicate jewel-lace embellishment defining the shoulders and waist extends right round to the back of the gown – a luscious gilded-effect reveal as you walk up the aisle. catrionagarforth.com
9. Fifties chic – Morilee
New York designer Madeline Gardner for Morilee always offers an effortlessly elegant take on wedding-day dressing and this relaxed ballgown shape shown at London Bridal Week is a prime example of her signature. With more than a touch of 1950s glamour in the structured bodice, neat bow waist and slouch pockets, it’s a super-flattering shape and with lovely fabric to keep the look light and very contemporary. morilee.co.uk
10. Ruffles all the way – Brian Chen
This divinely decadent dress from Brian Chen features a strapless-effect bodice with dramatic ruffles along one side of the gown. Continuing the underwear as outerwear trend we’ve seen over the past couple of seasons, it combines form-fitting lace and lavish silk. We love the scattered flower petals effect of the appliqué. brianchenbridal.com
11. Texture story – Alan Hannah
This Alan Hannah gown stands out for its timeless romantic qualities and wonderful combination of luxe materials. The high-necked blouse-effect bodice has rich gold texturing. A gold sash defines the waist and the chiffon skirt is soft and flowing. It’s a classic example of the trend for more ‘covered up’ bridal dressing, a refined and elegant take on wedding-day style. alanhannah.co.uk
12. Star quality – Eliza Jane Howell
Eliza Jane Howell is known for gowns featuring amazing beading and appliqué, but this star-studded number made a splash on the London Bridal Week White Gallery runway. We love the soft and flattering shape, with v-neck and belt to define the waist. From the back, the dress looks spectacular, with translucent panelling showing off the stars and beading to dramatic effect. elizajanehowell.com
13. Wedding tiers – Hazaar of London
With a high-necked bodice cut away to define the shoulders, this satin backless gown features a frivolous chiffon tiered overskirt, adding up to the perfect look for a high-summer or destination wedding. It’s created by the talented London design duo behind Hazaar of London. hazaaroflondon.com
14. Think pink – Savin London
Blush shades and florals remain strong stories and this wildly romantic gown from Savin London is a classic example. In a soft shade of pink, with luxe oversized flowers in pink to lilac shades, it’s incredibly feminine and wearable. We also love the flattering soft plunge neck and oversized chiffon bows at the shoulders. savinlondon.com
15. Rose-tinted glamour – Morilee
Another colourful wedding dress that stole the White Gallery runway show at London Bridal Week is Morilee’s glorious rose-gold embellished ballgown. The gown is worn here with a fabulous floor-length cape-cum-train in the same translucent gold-flecked fabric that features as the gown’s top layer. morilee.co.uk
16. Lace dressing – Sassi Holford
We are crazy about the exquisite laces used in Sassi Holford’s collections and, while this is a material that generally adds a romantic touch, here it’s used to up the ante on a sophisticated slimline gown. We love the high neck and elegant split-front skirt – the perfect way to say ‘I do’ in style. sassiholford.com
MORE BRIDAL TRENDS?
Check out our pick of 8 key runway trends in bridal for 2018
