ElleNelle Bridal "Becoming" Collection Debuts at New York Bridal Fashion Week 2024

At New York Bridal Fashion Week (NYBFW) 2024, MunaCoterie dress designer Leah Langley-McClean of ElleNelle Bridal, unveiled her latest couture gown collection, “Becoming,” at The Fringe Collective.

The biannual event allows top bridal designers to present their latest collections to media and buyers in intimate settings at private “markets.” The showcase focuses on building connections rather than runway shows. It’s an opportunity for designers who value sustainability, inclusivity, diversity, and impeccable style to collaborate and share their vision with the world.

Leah joined fellow fashion designers at the fringe collective in supporting inclusivity, empowering plus-size brides to feel celebrated and confident on their big day.⁠

To support her latest collection, the MunaLuchi team (Associate Editor Linda Wallentine and Marketing and Sales Associate Barbara Montedori) traveled to The James Nomad NY Hotel to capture behind-the-scenes content during Leah’s exclusive Sex and the City-themed styled shoot.

Photographed by Joshua Dwain with videography by Hitched Weddings and assistance by Mike Okafor Films, ElleNelle’s latest “Becoming” collection exudes demure glamour with mindful details, elegantly subtle embellishments, and veils that are the perfect amount of sultry sophistication.

Models Roseline Conteh and Jasmine Mughal showcased ElleNelle Bridal’s latest gowns with expert bridal styling by Gani Shittu of House of Simiraj, romantic makeup looks by Felicia Graham and Naomi Wiggins of the Felicia Graham Beauty Team, with luxe hairstyling created by Glamour By Shaniqua Inc.

Roseline Conteh wearing “Preiss” by ElleNelle Bridal

Inspired by the transformative journey of her brides, Leah aimed to create dresses that reflect their personal evolution as they step into marriage.

“Becoming was a way for me to bring my brides’ stories to life,” she shared. “They were in a state of evolution, transcending into something better, and I wanted to make sure they could reflect on becoming a wife in these dresses.”

Jasmine Mughal wearing “Aurora” ElleNelle Bridal

For Leah, this collection was also deeply personal, symbolizing her growth as a designer and marking a new era of ElleNelle couture.

“It was also me ‘becoming’ and stepping into, transitioning, into something different,” Leah explained. “In my case, leveling up. Doing something bigger and better than I’ve ever done before.”

ElleNelle Bridal stands out for its unique blend of what Leah calls “elevated simplicity,” combining texture and opulence in a more subtle way.

Jasmine Mughal wearing “Swan” by ElleNelle Bridal

Leah’s commitment to size inclusivity is central to her brand, which was first inspired by her experience as a bride unable to find the right dress to reflect her style. “I wanted to make sure I was there for other women experiencing the same thing,” Leah emphasized.

With a focus on representation, construction, and fashion-forward designs for all body types, today ElleNelle Bridal ensures every bride is the star of their own love story.

Keep scrolling to see more photos from this exclusive styled shoot at NYBFW and for insight from designer Leah Langley-McClean of ElleNelle Bridal.

**ElleNelle Bridal’s “Becoming” collection will officially launch online on Friday 10/25! View the collection and more here.**

ElleNelle Bridal at NYBFW 2024 | Videography by Hitched Weddings

Location: The James Nomad NY Hotel
Event: The Fringe Collective Marketplace at NYBFW
Designer: Leah Langley-McClean of Ellenelle Bridal

What makes ElleNelle different?

So many different things! One, it’s just the way I design. I feel like I have a unique perspective. I like to bring texture into classic styles. I’m always doing something opulent but very simple at the same time.

I describe my style as “elevated simplicity.”

My way of doing ‘glam’ or ‘glitz’ is not gonna look like the stereotypical glam and glitz that you may think of. You may think of bling and all of that but I like to do it in a more simple and more demure way.

I’m also a size-inclusive designer.

My story started off with me being a bride myself looking for a wedding dress that was very fashion-forward, and that represented me because I’ve always been a fashionable girl. Always. So I could not be me if I didn’t come with the right wedding dress. I couldn’t find anything that represented me well and I decided to make my own wedding dress and be the hero of my own story.

After that, I wanted to make sure I was there for other women who were experiencing the same things.

I am always going to be size-inclusive. I’m always going to make sure that brides of all size ranges are represented, and not just talking about it but also showing it in our marketing. I want to make sure we are a reflection of our ethos. So what is important to us is reflected in our marketing.

We are big on construction.

Whether you’re getting our couture line or our signature line with our accessible, luxury dresses, it doesn’t matter. You’re still going to have a well-constructed garment. We take pride in our work and that will always show in our gowns.

Roseline Conteh wearing “Ciara” by ElleNelle Bridal

What’s next for ElleNelle Bridal?

I’m just taking this in right now. I have been non-stop with our flagship store opening and then immediately after preparing for Fashion Week. So I am going to get this line out there. I’m excited to do trunk shows and also be picked up in different bridal stores.

But other than that, we’re gonna be in Nashville. It’s a great place for brides to be, whether you’re celebrating your bachelorette party but also if you want to come shop for your wedding dress! We have our luxurious gowns that you can choose from at our very first flagship store.