Whether you’re in the market for a wedding dress or not next year, there is one thing we can all agree upon.
The 2018 bridal collections, as showcased at New York Fashion Week: Bridal, last month, certainly delivered in the fashion stakes.
From coloured fabrics to delicate lace, tiered gowns and removable skirts, there was plenty to lust after – next season’s dresses are both feminine and romantic.
Here, FEMAIL speaks exclusively to some of Australia’s top bridal designers to find out what they see as the biggest trends next year.
New York Fashion Week: The Bridal Edition recently took place and there were plenty of new nuptial trends to lust after (pictured: gowns from Pallas Couture)
Here, FEMAIL speaks exclusively to some of Australia’s top bridal designers to find out what they see as the biggest trends next year
One of the biggest trends reflected on the catwalks in New York this year was delicate lace (pictured); this is very much reflected in some of the designs from Melbourne-based designer Anna Campbell
‘There is a lot of exposed boning and transparency in our gowns, keeping the emphasis on delicacy,’ Joy Morris from Pallas Couture (design pictured) told FEMAIL
‘If the gowns are lined, they are so with a semi-opaque lining. This season, we are staying away from the nude colours. More emphasis is being placed on soft lilac and natural tones,’ Ms Morris continued
Designers highlighted that when it comes to delicate lace, designs are ‘classic wit a modern twist’
Many designers said that lace work next season is ‘very delicate’ – some catwalks also focused on 3D floral appliqué
Pictured here is a design by Suzanne Harward, styled by Tessa Law. The beautiful gown was complemented by Kitte jewellery and a Viktoria Novak headpiece.
DELICATE LACE
While lace for a wedding is somewhat of a mainstay, the design director of Pallas Couture, Joy Morris, told FEMAIL that this season’s iteration of the trend is ‘classic with a modern twist’:
‘There is a lot of exposed boning and transparency in our gowns, keeping the emphasis on delicacy,’ she explained.
‘If the gowns are lined, they are so with a semi-opaque lining. This season, we are staying away from the nude colours. More emphasis is being placed on soft lilac and natural tones.’
The design director continued by saying that ‘lace work next season is very delicate – with the gowns subtly glistening, rather than showing heavy lace work’.
3D floral appliqué is also a big reference for the new season, with the motif spotted on the catwalks at Sachin & Babi and Caroline Herrera.
Elsewhere on the catwalks in New York, there were plenty of options for brides who want to play with the idea of tradition a little – plunging necklines were everywhere, as seen on this Suzanne Harward gown (pictured)
‘Some of the major trends coming through for brides are plunging necklines, top designer, Steven Khalil, told FEMAIL (his design: pictured right)
‘Lots of embellishment and streamlined silhouettes are also big fo the modern bride. Big dramatic removable skirts are also a strong trend right now, too,’ Steven Khalil outlined
PLUNGING NECKLINES
Elsewhere on the catwalks in New York, there were plenty of options for brides who want to play with the idea of tradition a little.
‘Some of the major trends coming through for brides are plunging necklines, top designer, Steven Khalil, told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Lots of embellishment and streamlined silhouettes are also big fo the modern bride. Big dramatic removable skirts are also a strong trend right now, too.’
This last trend is one which is already beloved by countless fashion personalities and It girls on Instagram. Try a sweeping dramatic skirt for your ceremony, before whipping it off and into something smaller for the reception.
You’ll be the belle of the ball.
‘Our brand will subsequently advance in 2018 but putting coloured fabrics at the forefront,’ Suzanne Harward outlined to FEMAIL
COLOURED FABRICS
And the bride wore… white, right? Wrong.
If bridal designers right now are to be believed, more than ever women are pushing the boundaries with their fashion – and opting for something a little bolder.
‘Women are becoming progressively more fashion forward,’ couture designer, Suzanne Harward, told FEMAIL.
‘Our brand will subsequently advance in 2018 but putting coloured fabrics at the forefront,’ she continued.
Current gowns on offer include lilac, pastel blue and pinkish hues – perfect for the millennial woman who wants something a little different.
For the more risque brides, there are countless options to flash the flesh a little – bare skin was also a trend, seen at Grace Loves Lace (pictured)
Grace Loves Lace told FEMAIL that 2018 will be the year of skin in bridal trends
Sheer fabrics, embroideries and trims are also huge – with more open backs and legs
SKIN
For the more risque of brides out there, there is plenty to whet your appetite in the new season.
Just ask Megan Ziems, the designer behind Grace Loves Lace and the creator of the ‘world’s most pinned wedding dress’.
‘The standout trend next season will be skin!,’ she told FEMAIL. ‘2018 will be the year of celebrating the woman, not the bride – and this resonates so strongly with us.’
The leading designer continued by saying she is ‘anticipating seeing more open backs and more leg. A lot of sheer fabrics, embroideries and trims will be key along with tonnes of movement; a woman needs to be able to move, dance and let her hair down on her wedding day!’.
Pictured is a design from Pallas Couture
Open back designs are also one of the biggest looks on the catwalk
‘In the 2018 collections, we are seeing lots of sexy, fitted bridal silhouettes,’ Melbourne-based designer, Anna Campbell, told FEMAIL
Some of the dresses are figure-flattering, with relaxed hemlines (pictured)
OPEN BACK
It is a truth universally acknowledged that while some women are all about showcasing their cleavage – and so therefore favour a plunging neckline – others are all about a perfectly-sculpted back.
Thankfully, this is a trend that was very much reflected on the catwalks in New York for 2018.
‘In the 2018 collections, we are seeing lots of sexy, fitted bridal silhouettes,’ Melbourne-based designer, Anna Campbell, told FEMAIL.
‘Many of them are created from beautiful sheer laces and figure-flattering silk crepes. I especially love this look where the dress is a little more relaxed, without too much structure, and a low, open back becomes the focus with unique hand-embellished details – perfect for evening cocktail celebrations!,’ she concluded.
For many, there is nothing more sexy than a huge centre-front split in a skirt – which showcases just the right amount of flesh while still remaining demure
This look was also reflected hugely on the catwalks this season, as spied everywhere from Moira Hughes and Grace Loves Lace (pictured) to Suzanne Harward
Founder and style director of beautiful bridal concierge, Love Find Co, Sophie Westley, also said bell sleeves are making a comeback in a demure way (pictured)
CENTRE-FRONT SPLITS AND BELL SLEEVES
For many, there is nothing more sexy than a huge centre-front split in a skirt – which showcases just the right amount of flesh while still remaining demure.
This look was also reflected hugely on the catwalks this season, as spied everywhere from Moira Hughes to Suzanne Harward.
Founder and style director of beautiful bridal concierge, Love Find Co, Sophie Westley, agrees with this, saying:
‘As high necklines and long sleeves increase in popularity, designers have needed to incorporate alluring elements into their designs, and centre-front splits are all the rage – proving that showing a bit of leg is always the ultimate accessory.’
Ms Westley also said bell sleeves are making a bit of a comeback this season:
‘Not 60s psychedelic bell sleeves, but ones crafted from delicate lace,’ she said. ‘When paired with a simple gown silhouette, these are a beautiful take on the bohemian trend which took off in 2015.’
Looking to add some fun to your wedding gown? Look no further than bows and capes, which are being increasingly incorporated into designs (pictured)
BOWS AND CAPES
Looking to add a little fun to your wedding gown? This season, it’s all about bows and capes.
‘Bows are not a new thing on the bridal scene,’ Sophie Westley said.
‘In the past, most commonly they’ve been seen on ribboned belts and sashes tied at the waist of a wedding gown, but now they are being incorporated into the design of the gown.’
Ms Westley added that capes are really making waves in the bridal world right now, too. She particularly favours capes which are attached to the shoulders of the gown and extend into the train.