The Coolest Bridal Designers to Know in 2018
You might not be a bride by definition, but if you fancy a nice dress and enjoy daydreaming, you're a bride by imagination—and right now, that's more than enough. Bridal fashion is truly a world of its own, and while there are hundreds of wedding dress designers worth knowing, there are a few in particular that we want to make sure you're keeping top of mind this 2018.
Besides reviewing collections post–bridal fashion week and studying up on editor-curated responses to the designers, seeing which new collections Moda Operandi stocks for its bridal trunk shows is one of our favorite ways to predict the top bridal designers of the year. Perhaps some of the names ahead have been on your radar for years while others might be extremely new to you. Either way, the exquisite bridal designers listed below are the ones we deem worth noting as we press on through 2018. Upcoming wedding or not, everyone loves gawking over pretty gowns, so enjoy yourself.
Danielle Frankel
Danielle Frankel, having just launched her line in 2017, has already proved that inventive yet classic bridal confections are where her talents lie. Her experience (she previously worked at Vera Wang and Marchesa) and expertise shine through the impeccable tailoring and fit of each and every look in her F/W 18 collection.
Samuelle Couture
Samuelle Couture Isaline Dress
Sam Walls Beasley has been designing wedding dresses now for over 15 years. Her pieces incorporate classic English styles from her London upbringing while combining "post-punk contemporary romanticism," making her dresses that much more distinctive. Sam currently lives and works in New York, where she has tailored top-tier gowns for Met Ball attendees like Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Kate Hudson, and Stella McCartney, just to name a few. While Samuelle dresses might not be "new" in the traditional sense of the word, her designs feel fresh for 2018.
Rosie Assoulin
You probably know Rosie from her bubbly ready-to-wear line and standout accessories, but in case you aren't familiar, Rosie Assoulin also designs a line of wedding dresses that are just as structural and whimsical as the rest of her designs. Rosie has studied underneath both Oscar de la Renta and Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, since debuting her first resort collection in 2014 and developing quite the cult following, including in the bridal realm. We can't wait to see what else she comes up with for 2018.
Mira Zwillinger
Mira Zwillinger Mika Dress
Mira Zwillinger was established in 1991 and is now run by the talented mother-daughter duo of Mira and Lihi Zwillinger. Each dress designed contains handmade embroidery, the finest fabrics, and custom beading. The debut of the brand's A/W 18 Over the Rainbow collection proved the bridal designers are here to stay in 2018.
Vera Wang
In her F/W 18 bridal collection, Vera Wang presented wedding dresses that had us feeling like we'd just fallen down the rabbit hole. With strong juxtapositions of structured bodices and free-flowing layers of tulle and lace, the collection was ahead of its time while perfectly connecting to the past. This year, we could use a little of both.
Costarellos Bridal
"The creative process I follow forms a bridge that connects elements from the past, making them relevant to the present as they project ideas for the future," says Christos Costarellos of Costarellos Bridal. Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, he launched the line in Greece in 1998 and opened two ateliers by 2000, but despite the longevity of the line, 2018 shows no sign of tired or traditional silhouettes. Rather, we can easily expect fresh takes on our perception of elegance.
Elizabeth Fillmore
Elizabeth Filmore, after graduating from Parsons School of Design, spent many years working in evening market, from where she was then encouraged to start a bridal collection of her own. Since the launch of her first collection in 1999, Filmore has designed wedding gowns that permeate "a touch of lightness," as she says, and her fall 2018 collection is no different
Alex Perry
In his bridal debut, Alex Perry's collection of wedding gowns is nothing short of opulent glamour. Including full ball gowns, intricate embellishments, and flattering waistlines, these dresses are meant for the contemporary bride with a knack for tradition.
Georges Hobeika
Couture designer Georges Hobeika's gowns are known for their romance and elegance, and his F/W 18/19 collection is no different. Inspired by some of the most magical cities all over the world and assembled by the same artisans that Chanel uses (fun fact), these dresses are grand in every sense of the word.
Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.
She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.
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