On September 7th, 2024, Dani Simone Singerman, the Design Director and Founder of Dani Simone Couture, a luxury vintage bridal gown fashion label in New England, presented “Love Story” at New York Fashion Week.
Gathering at the Peter Hurley Headshot Photography Studio in New York City, Dani Simone showcased curated pieces from her latest collections ranging from elegant bridal robes to glamorous vintage-inspired wedding gowns.
From start to finish, “Love Story” was a triumphant celebration of women of all shades and sizes. Models ranging from size 2 to 22 floated down the runway styled in Dani Simone’s designs rocking voluptuous afro wigs custom-made by Dani herself.
Dani explains, “Our hair—so often dismissed, straightened, and stripped of its essence—is a masterpiece. With this show, I wanted to reclaim that narrative, especially for 4C hair.”
The result was a beautiful ode to Black hair, with each wig featuring intricate adornments from butterflies to pearls, and delicate flowers.
Fellow Coterie member, Merolyn Rodrigues of HTTS Floral and Event Design, added to the dreamy atmosphere with romantic red rose floral arrangements along the runway. Chrissy Tina Styled Shoots assisted with planning and coordination while Jeff Lamothe Photography and videographer Nick Barta captured all the details.
Ultimately, for Dani, “Love Story embodied a deeply personal journey. One of determination, triumph, and above all else, love.
Dani shares, “Love Story at NYFW was born from a personal journey—a testament to the lessons I’ve learned about self-acceptance and the moments that have brought me here, as a bridal designer. Every detail, from the flowing gowns to the velvet opera gloves, and the bold red roses, was meant to capture the beauty of unexpected love and the delicate romance that keeps it alive.”
Keep scrolling for more insight on “Love Story” from MunaLuchi’s very own Muna Coterie gown designer, Dani Simone Singerman, of Dani Simone Couture.
- Featured Designer: Dani Simone Cotoure
- Event: “Love Story” at New York Fashion Week 2024
- Location: Peter Hurley Headshot Photography Studio, NYC
The Vision: “For years, I’ve wanted to make a statement with Black hair.”
Our hair—so often dismissed, straightened, and stripped of its essence—is a masterpiece. With this show, I wanted to reclaim that narrative, especially for 4C hair.
I stayed up countless nights hand-decorating each wig for my Muses, pouring over Pinterest boards to find the inspiration brides deserve. If you’ve seen those viral pins for natural hair brides—many of those are mine.
In 2020 I decided to get serious about Pinterest and began making hundreds of pins to inspire my brides because I was dissatisfied with the lack of hairstyle ideas for black brides rocking braids, twas, fros, locs, and more. It’s long overdue for natural hair, in all its textures, to be embraced as wedding-day appropriate.
Growing up in New England, the trees always felt like a reflection of us—vibrant, voluminous, full of life. I couldn’t help but infuse that imagery into the hair, decorating each Afro with pearls, flowers, and butterflies to make them bloom on the runway. I can only hope that many will look back at NYFW and realize they can wear their natural hair on their wedding day, proudly.
On the Runway: “We didn’t show our entire 2025 collection, instead, we carefully curated pieces to tell a story.”
The show had two acts: Act 1, “In The Beginning,” celebrated the sweet thrill of new love with fun, flirty designs. We started with the White Pearl Peignoir, symbolizing the purity of a new love story.
Act 2, “The Complexities of Love,” dove deeper, showing the richness and depth of a love that endures. The blush peignoir introduced this act, a gentle nod to the warmth and strength of a lasting romance.
“My goal is to show that beauty knows no size.”
With models ranging from size 2 to 22, we wanted to redefine elegance for every body.
Our final gown, named “Patrice” after my mother’s middle name, symbolized a new chapter for Dani Simone Couture. It’s a love letter to all women—showing that couture is for everybody, a hint of what’s to come in our mid-2025 collection.
Fateful Collaborations: “I’ll be honest, “Love Story” almost didn’t happen.”
The production company we initially signed with fell apart just over a week before the show. For a moment, I seriously considered having my Muses walk the streets of Manhattan, turning it into a social media campaign.
But then, the magic of community happened.
Friends, colleagues, and creatives rallied around me. Merolyn from HTTS Floral, whom I met in a Munaluchi Coterie call I almost missed, created breathtaking floral displays, that went beyond my wildest visions. My entire team, from Boston to Ohio, photographers to makeup artists, all pulled together, making the impossible happen.
Behind the Scenes: “This show was more than fashion—it was personal.”
Back in 2007, I was laid off from my dream job in the New York Fashion District. That day, with tears in my eyes, I promised myself I would never let my talents be discarded again. It was time to create my own bridal brand, and it’s taken grit and grace to keep pushing forward.
“Love Story” was my gift to the younger me, the young mother I was with an 8-month-old daughter at home. And that daughter, now 17, was my backstage manager at NYFW. It was a full circle moment, a reminder to us both that no dream is out of reach.
“Love Story” was about coming home—to myself, to my journey, and to the love I’ve nurtured along the way. And I am forever grateful to everyone who made it possible.
– Dani Simone Singerman of Dani Simone Couture
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Contributing Vendors:
- Designer & Host/Planner: Dani Simone Couture
- Organizer: Chrissy Tina Styled Shoots
- Location: Peter Hurley Headshot Photography Studio
- Hair: By Dani Simone
- Makeup: Jakira Christina
- Florist: Merolyn Rodrigues of HTTS Floral and Event Design
- Photographer: Jeff Lamothe Photography
- Runway Walk Choreography: Pilisa Nicolette Mackey
- Model coaching: Paris Michelle
- Backstage Manager: Nataliya Cicero
- Backstage Assistant: Courtney Michelle
- Videographer: Nick Barta
- Event: @nyfw
- Models: Paris Michelle, Brittany Wilborn, Tricia, Evette, Thatiana Gains, Schnaïca Jean Charles, Zhenia F, Sasha Victoria, Pilisa Nicolette Mackey, @teyahx3, Tay @aetam_erin, @victory_ahhh, Carmella Dean
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