SPRING/SUMMER 2024 RETAILER ROUNDUP
AS New York Luxury Bridal Fashion Week came to a close, we asked Retailers to tell us their favorite collections, trends they saw and what new looks they plan on buying for the upcoming Spring Summer 2024 season. -Rachel Leonard
Bella Bianca-Melissa Russell and Natalie Bauer
What were your favorite collections?
We were thrilled with the Galia Lahav collection this season! Not only was IT priced perfectly for the market, it was well rounded and checked off every aesthetic that high end brides are asking for. The Galia team was able to provide their ever-present glam and also deliver un-beaded lace looks for the clean bride still wanting a wow. We feel so fortunate to work with a company who values their retailers as much as their consumers and strives to please both equally. This is a collection that will attract brides who otherwise wouldn’t have sought out the Galia name but will find themselves being a Galia bride!
What trends did you see?
Color and painted fabrics were a trend across many lines this season. We have seen success with this trend for years with Savin London and brides have always been very responsive. Even the most classic brides have been swayed towards this bold look when they see the craftsmanship that goes into these fabrics. More designers are now bringing this element into their collections so it will be fun to see what a daring choice was once become more mainstream.
What new looks do you plan on buying?
Our focus heading into this season was to add detailed styles that were more linear than floral. We are finding that many brides want to stray from the long-lasting clean trend, but don’t necessarily want floral or petal patterns. Within collections like Rivini, Anne Barge, Nicole + Felicia, and more, we were able to add glamorous styles with subtle and unique patterns. More than ever, we are finding brides are very focused on fit and getting the structure that makes them literally feel the value of what they are spending. After a few years of brides asking for a deconstructed feel, they are now circling back to an era of understanding the value in a well-constructed gown. We are pleased to see so many designers responding to this shift and look forward to a great year ahead!
Kleinfeld Bridal-Dorothy Silver
What were your favorite collections?
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE COLLECTiONS WERE Nicole and Felicia, Sareh Nouri, HalfPenny London, Christos Costerellos, AND Cinq LA.
What trends did you see?
We saw lots of gazar fabric, color, soft silhouettes, halters, and basque waists. Many designers also had separate pieces for one dress, like sleeves, overskirts, etc., so it could have multiple looks.
What new looks do you plan on buying?
We plan on buying bias silk slip dresses and soft a-lines. Also, colorful prints and short dresses either to change into or for the night before.
La Jeune Mariee-Lindsay Fork
What were your favorite collections?
My favorite collection was Ines Di Santo. I have told Lori and Ines, seeing this collection is always a breath of fresh air because despite everything being lovely, of course, gowns start to blend together after just 3 appointments. I always feel like coming to Ines is a refresh of elevated classics and on point trendsetting. I also enjoyed Dany Tabet and loved his take on throwing it back to the late 90’s, early 2000’s with some trends and as he said, “getting away from Boho” Lastly, Netta BenShabu did not disappoint. The energy she and her collection are gaining is enjoyable to be a part of.
What trends did you see?
Color is still in full force which is lovely. Patterns and color in bridal lend itself to a more unique wedding which I believe more brides are embracing, especially after COVID and realizing that weddings don’t have to be cookie cutter to be special. Square necklines, sleeves, dramatic veils, and some old trends are definitely in full force. I predict in the fall, we will see some simple, all-over lace sans the beading and glitz coming back. I hear brides asking for it, so we shall see.
What new look do you plan on buying?
I don’t think we are buying anything we don’t already have from a trend perspective. Bridal is so different than RTW in that we definitely hold onto our trends for many seasons before letting them go. I do think what this probably reinforces for many retailers is that if you didn’t already invest in color and print pieces, it’s probably time to start!
Mark Ingram Atelier–Mark Ingram
What were your favorite collections?
My favorite collections this season were Ines di Santo, Mira Zwillinger & Dana Harel. I feel each of these designers truly incorporated newness, working just a bit outside their wheelhouse, and with success. In addition to being supremely beautiful, these collections were artful and at the same time commercial.
What trends did you see?
Big & small, huge & over-scale, bows were everywhere. I did bows of all types on several of my own designs. I feel they offer just the right feminine touch as gowns get cleaner and less ornate.
I also loved the use of color, either as accents or gowns in full color. I have seen colorful prints in past seasons that have hinted at this full-blown trend would finally come to be.
What new looks do you plan on buying?
I will continue to purchase short party dresses. Elie Saab added some very playful ones. I did one in white guipure lace with pink lining that I am quite proud of. I also plan to increase my ball gown assortment from Monique Lhuillier and Ines di Santo who for me remain those masters of that dress category.
Mon Amie-Laurel Mungo
What were your favorite collections?
One of my favorite collections was Nicole & Felicia-they are so fresh, beautiful fabrics. Amazing young women -classic with a twist. Another (new to me) exciting line is Mark Ingram! His attention to the tiny details of design that make all the difference is thrilling. The beautiful clean fabrics are a niche that we have been looking for.
What trends did you see?
The trend I saw in NYC was the use of upscale fabrics (YAHOO) Silk organza -Duchess satin-silk Gazar. Clean is still very important as well as texture.
What new looks do you plan on buying?
Trending new looks for 2024 will be more color- prints and a lot of hues of blue. Also gowns with removable pieces-sleeves, swags, trains and skirts! This enables brides to have several looks without leaving her celebration for a complete change. All told a beautiful selection of gowns this spring
Spina Bride- Giselle Dubois
What were your favorite collections? This year’s market was very inspiring. It was a lot more elevated than in past years. Lee Grebenau, besides launching her embellished party line, also enticed us with her “Sunrise” bridal couture collection where she celebrated both the power of femininity, accentuating a woman's shape with volume in the hips, drop-waist ball gowns, hand draping figuring the body and separate overskirts with exaggerated hip volume. Liz Martinez really blew us away with her “La Dimora”collection where she incorporated laser cut hearts, sexy fairytale looks with bows and cut-outs, fitted off the shoulder silhouettes with elaborate sleeves, drop waist ball gowns, hand draping and a never seen before lattice patterned ball gown. Lihi Hod is the Queen of clean looks, but this season she really turned it up a notch by introducing a drop waist ball gown, elaborate draping, more square necklines, volume on the hips and lots of accessories.
What trends did you see?
Something I saw more prevalent across a lot of designers in market: square necklines, lace, hand draping, drop waist silhouettes, bigger ball gowns.
What new looks do you plan on buying?
Definitely incorporating more square necklines, drop waist silhouettes and more ball gowns into our collection.
