Muna Takes NY Bridal Fashion Week 2015: Day 3

Gardenia, couture, and Peter Pan like inspiration seemed to be the theme of NYBFW day three. Tinker Bell’s wand had made its rounds as we saw a range of embellished gowns, woodsy inspiration, and fanciful capes taking the place of the traditional veil. It was a day of wonder and couture heaven.

Our first stop was the Maggie Sottero runway show. Preluding the show with a nature-filled campaign video of the new collection, it was the perfect introduction to what we would see on the runway. Camera phones flashed in a haste to capture the Aracella ball gown. Complete with a beaded bodice and layered tulle skirt, it was as if it were made for the fay. What followed was a stunning a-line gown with a floral appliquéd cape, an ode to the heroism of stunning bridal design and a trend we would catch throughout the day. The Sottero and Midgley collection was also incorporated in the show. Composed of a beautiful–almost 70s inspired–embroidered gown with soft fluted sleeves, a ruffled skirt gown with a beaded bodice, and a thin strap fitted look with a sheer bottom, the collection exuded romance and lots of fantasy.

Our next stop was to the dramatic Yumi Katsura show. Appropriately titled “The Golden Harvest” it was Geisha meets bridal couture. Color coated the first half of the runway show. Opening with a crouching tiger vibe of ferocity and elegance, the first look was a red kimono like gown with sweeping train. A voluminous floral ball gown stole the show with its folded neckline and full skirt. Violet ruffles and reinvented ombre took the place of the traditional white gowns we’ve been trained to love. Models were styled in rich gold jewelry designs and Japanese interpretive hair accessories. Elbow length gloves paired with princess inspired gowns took Yumi in the ready-to-wear direction. We saw the merging of her Japanese foundation and today’s bride. Necklines folded like the art of origami, giving structure and originality to what could have been a lackluster design.
We then made our way to the London Hotel where we stopped by Sarah Janks for a private showing of her latest collection. Celestially dubbed “All the Stars,” the collection was a mixture of glamour and constellation. Inspired by the phrase “I love you more than all the stars in the sky”–a phrase she affectionately expressed to her children–the signature looks embodied elegance, femininity, and soft luxury. The forward thinking designer introduced separates in the collection, a trend no one would touch in years past. Capes and 1940s appeal could be seen throughout. Channeling the astrological star signs of Cancer, Gemini, and Taurus, the collection was truly unique and magnificent. We trotted a few floors down to Emmy London for a peek at the “Cancello” collection. Italian for “gate,” the collection celebrated geometric repetition. Soft blue pumps and Shakespearean felt embellishments added a twinkle to everyone’s toes.

Midtown housed the Antonio Gual “Land of Make Believe” fall 2016 collection. Against an ornate backdrop we watched as dress after dress presented itself. From classic Grace Kelly silhouettes to couture high neck lace gowns, the collection was exactly how we would have imagined a bride’s land of make believe to be styled. Corseted bodices were Va-Va-Voom while elbow length lace gloves became the elegant juxtaposition of it all, a more delicate approach to the accessorizing we saw at Yumi. Simply beautiful.

Further downtown we paid a visit to our very talented Coterie members, Elisha Caplan and Jaclyn Jordan, who were showing at the Couture show. Caplan unveiled her new accessories collection with blush veils, embellished overlays, and beaded belts. While Jaclyn showed us how to get the most of your wedding dress with overskirts in charcoal and blush tones, more intricately beaded capes and head pieces.

We also made our way to Justin Alexander’s booth where it was bridal bliss. Featuring the Sweetheart, Sincerity, and Justin Alexander Signature collections we were completely caught up in his web of awe-inspiring bridal designs. The back of the dresses were just as, if not more, jaw-dropping than the front of the gowns. Beading took an almost metamorphic evolution as butterflies and spider webs could be easily seen in the detailing. The exquisitely designed gowns were the perfect finishing touch to a day filled with magic we’ve only seen wands produce.

Today embodied the essence of the fairytales all brides choose to write on their big day. Motivated by glitz, glamour, and a twinkle only the stars have shown there was no shortage of imagination. The takeaway, capes are giving an alternative to the traditional veil, gloves are the new bracelets, and all brides should dare to shine in heavily beaded gowns.