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32 Bridal Designers You've Probably Never Heard Of...Until Now
Introducing: Bridal's New Guard.
Bridal has its mainstays, and you've surely heard their names before. That voluminous textured ball gown with a corseted bodice and a bit of edge is most likely a Vera Wang creation; a silk faille A-line gown adorned with hand-cut appliqués is probably an Oscar de la Renta or Carolina Herrera confection. That dreamy gown with a sweeping train and open back that you saw on Instagram at a jaw-droppingly gorgeous wedding in Italy? Monique Lhuillier. An expertly-cut lace ballgown with fashion-forward details could be any of the above, or from an Haute Couture atelier like Dior or Valentino.
Bridal's recent seasons have proved especially exciting for the bride seeking something unexpected—from a designer she's never heard of. These fresh talents have ushered in a more competitive, dynamic, and diverse bridal fashion scene for those looking to stand out from the Chantilly-clad pack. No matter what your personal style, these new designers (who hail from the U.S. and across the globe) are driving the of-the-moment bridal conversation, offering twists on the traditional staples we've grown accustomed to. Introducing: bridal's new guard.
Danielle Frankel
Danielle Frankel doesn't want 'bridal' to be considered a curse word in the fashion industry. "I'm looking to bring all of the fashion-forward elements of ready-to-wear to the bridal experience, and give women something that I see them looking for, but that they're not finding: simple pieces that are technically beautiful, and investment pieces that you can carry beyond the wedding."
Frankel, a runner-up in the CFDA Fashion Fund (the first time a bridal designer has entered the fund, let alone won one of its prizes) is all about taking the best parts of getting dressed–layering and styling–and applying them to bridal. Her signature pieces like jackets, shirting, belts, jewelry, and unique separates take center stage, and styling looks with them lies at the core of her brand's ethos. Frankel's brand is one that's all about giving women what they want—while still breaking the mold. Her vibe has attracted the likes of celebrity brides as well, like Zoe Kravitz, Erin Foster, Katie Lee, and Julia Garner, to name a few.
Markarian
Think ethereal and ladylike—but not boho. Markarian is for the demi-romantic, the bride who embraces the dreamy quality of party dressing with a metropolitan sensibility.
Think super-femme features, but with a sleek side. The label's bridal range is full of draped slip dresses for the modernist and Victorian-inspired necklines and skirts for the bride who isn't afraid on a fashion-forward riff on frills. This New York-based brand has just come off a year of wins—from dressing the first lady to hosting their first runway show at New York Fashion Week—with options for the cosmopolitan and the avant-garde bride looking to make a statement, without feeling like she's gone over the top. Despite the modernity the brand undoubtedly exudes, expect feminine frills like ruffles, lace, tiers, and pouf sleeves. This label's creative director, Alexandra O'Neill, clearly believes in special touches for special occasions.
Christopher Kane
Winner of the CFDA Fashion Fund and five British Fashion Awards, Christopher Kane (launched by Christopher and his sister, Tammy) came to be following the designer's award-winning Central Saint Martin's MA show and has been challenging fashion ideologies and notions of beauty ever since.
Sensuality, creativity, and wit are just a few of the inspirations you’ll find in Kane's work. His debut bridal range, which launched during the 2020 pandemic pause was innovative and, at times, edgy. This assortment of bridalwear seems to be intended for the wedding weekend and beyond, with midis and minis women are bound to want reason to wear again. Unlike most debut bridal ranges, which start with a small collection of looks, this collection went above and beyond to include on-brand accessories like veils, headpieces, belts, jewelry, and shoes.
Kyheli
This is the kind of label that the style-obsessed only dream of coming across when searching for new fashion kids on the block in the world of weddings and beyond. Founded by Ahmed Alkhyeli, who studied architecture before turning to fashion, Kyheli focuses on eveningwear and made-to-measure pieces that merge femininity with strength, and bold shapes with a delicate romance. The brand's prêt-à-porter is only the beginning, but has countless options for the civil ceremony, rehearsal dinner, after party, and any event in between. The label's haute couture, while not officially dubbed as such by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, is absolutely breathtaking and features endless options for the ceremony.
Whether you're after a look that's soft yet sexy, or a vibe that's ethereal and undeniably dreamy, this label has cuts, technique, embroideries, and details that will surprise and delight the fashion bride who thinks she's seen it all.
Hermione de Paula
Stints at Dior, Galliano, McQueen, and Giles (and a degree from Central Saint Martins) prepared British designer Hermoine de Paula for her foray into bespoke bridal. Her flair for "romantic surrealism" in both her prints and her design motifs results in sheaths and gowns that surprise and delight upon closer inspection.
When shopping this line, expect loads of intricate embroidery inspired by any and all things natural—from the ocean floor to English gardens. Brides can take the as is, or work with the house on customizations to each and every element of the gown, from the cut of the silhouette, to the placement of the embroidery, to even more personal touches, like weaving sentimental sayings, motifs, and more into the fabric. From a wreath of pastel blossoms framing a keyhole back to a sentimental line of poetry, or even your wedding date threaded into your waistline or cuff, this designer puts sentimentality, personalization, and quality above all else.
Odylyne The Ceremony
Designer Stephanie White's Los Angeles home-base and fashion background come together in Odylyne The Ceremony, a bridal collection that's equal parts Californian cool and desert dreamer—with a hint of Victoriana sprinkled in between.
With an indie affinity for fabrics that are outside the bridal box, like laces with celestial motifs, White draws from poetic and folkloric inspirations like theater, art, literature, history, and music to create romantic silhouettes complete with super long trains, statement sleeves, cool capes, and more.
Cucculelli Shaheen
Husband-and-wife team Anthony Cucculelli and Anna Rose Shaheen met while they were designing at Diane Von Furstenburg in 2005, and then took their talents to Italy, where they designed for Roberto Cavalli and Pucci.
The design duo then returned to New York City to create a made-to-measure eveningwear and bridal range that feels equal parts cosmopolitan and globally-influenced. More often than not, bridal is more about appliqués, lace, and floral motifs—but this range is more about beading and clean lines, with a subtle dose of glamour and sophistication. If you're after super-luxe embroidery, sleek shapes, and personalized details (like including your names, wedding date, star signs, and more into the beadwork of your look), this is the brand for you.
Costarellos
Athens native Christos Costarellos merges the ease of the Mediterranean with the attention to detail of a Parisian house and the sophistication of an English label. Often utilizing multiple laces to create one single silhouette, this designer is never looking for the easy way out when it comes to designing for his beloved polished bohemian bride. The best part? His bridal designs often take notes from his romantic, effortless, and Victorian-inspired ready-to-wear collections—so fashion-forward details like high-necklines, statement sleeves, and illusion paneling are always on offer.
From hand-cut, fluttery appliqués to softly frayed hems, this is the brand for brides who are torn between going barefoot on the beach or airing on the side of something more refined. Expect loads of laissez-faire with elements of polish at a price point that feels aspirational without breaking the bank.
Dana Harel
Imagine everything you love about wedding gowns—gossamer tulles, delicate laces, innovative silhouettes, delicate beading—all on offer in one collection, with a level of cohesion that's become a rarity in bridal.
With even the top labels aiming to design something for every bride, Dana Harel is doing just that—but with a sophistication and attention to detail that's all her own. In her most recent collections, Harel is doing what their Israeli counterparts aren't always nailing: romance–without being overwhelmingly sexy.
Valentine Avoh
Brussels-based designer Valentine Avoh began her career working in the ateliers of Alexander McQueen and Alexis Mabille—but it was a commission to design a wedding gown in 2009 that had an indelible impact. Avoh launched her namesake label in 2017, inspired by the charm, glamour, and effortlessness of Old Hollywood icons.
Avoh's commitment to quality begins with the fabric, and the designer sources only the best textiles from Italy, France, and her native Belgium to construct her bespoke creations. With one collection under her belt, this is a name worth watching in the world of bridal—especially for brides looking for refinement and polish, without the pomp and circumstance of a voluminous ballgown.
Lein
Downtown NYC-based designer Meredith Stoecklein is all about keeping things simple, easy-to-wear, and versatile. Her collections are consistent in their ease, always taking notes from the designer's childhood memories, travels, and inspiring women in her world. Her latest season was all about options for customization, allowing brides to make the range their own in ways far beyond styling.
One common thread—ease—continuously comes to mind when looking at Lein's dresses, separates, and gowns. From statement necklines to chic minis, each look speaks to a different, down-to-Earth bride and celebration. Like some other key names on this list, LEIN isn't intended to speak only to the aisle. Stoecklein's goal is to have her brides in her pieces long after the big day.
ASHI Studio
The Middle East has long been known as an epicenter of glamour, and Beirut-based Ashi Studio caters to the region's most opulent.
With a keen eye for innovative, architectural silhouettes and intricate embroideries, this label has been praised for their bespoke bridal by those in the know–but it hasn't yet received the love it should stateside. With a rise in the brand's celebrity fanbase—SJP, Zendaya, Lady Gaga, and Whitney Port have all worn the brand—and a capsule of bridal gowns available out of their Beirut-based studio, we're hoping more and more American brides (with a flair for the dramatic and a penchant for the innovative) take note.
Self-Portrait
Han Chong, hailing from London’s Central Saint Martins by way of Malaysia, is the designer behind the contemporary label Self-Portrait. Best known for a popular array of day dresses, cocktail options, and go-to ready-to-wear, this label has a new bridal-specific edit aimed at outfitting the bride as well as her 'maids and guests.
The bridal collection, which is available to shop online, is not all about the brand's signature graphic Guipure laces, embroideries, and embellishments. Instead, a modern mix of delicate pleats, pearl trims, and modest necklines round out the assortment. Think of this label for your civil ceremony, rehearsal dinner, or the aisle itself—especially if you're after a fashion-forward that's easily shoppable.
Chana Marelus
Chana Marelus, based in Israel's Bnei Brak, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community just outside of Tel Aviv, answered the call of her conservative clientele: those with a religious need to cover their chests, arms, midriffs, legs, and more–with the style and taste- level of the Paris runways. In Marelus' bridal and evening ranges, sleeves and high necklines are a given. So are intricate beadwork, long trains, and impressive texture plays.
Marelus started her career designing high-necked, long-sleeved gowns for her community, but her brand has now transformed into a global one. Her latest collections introduced sheer paneling and new necklines for brides worldwide seeking coverage without a conservative look and feel.
Steven Khalil
Praised for his classic yet glamorous sensibility, Steven Khalil’s bridal and eveningwear collections are romantic yet fashion-forward, not to mention completely customizable.
From voluminous ball gowns to heavily embellished sheaths, each wedding dress from this label is as luxe as the next. Take note: These designs are not for the wallflower, the bohemian, or the minimalist.
Halfpenny London
Designer Kate Halfpenny channeled her years styling and designing custom pieces for the red carpet when launching her London-based bridal range, which is focused on designing for real women, regardless of size, and weaves together vintage inspiration with an effortless sense of British cool.
With celebrity credits that include Kate Moss and Erin O'Connor, Halfpenny London is designed to be styled by and for each individual bride, allowing them to mix and match separates and layer pieces until they've found their best look.
Nevenka
This is a line that speaks to the cool bride—and the bohemienne. Melbourne based designer Rosemary Masic launched Nevenka in 2006, with the goal of creating a label heavily influenced by her Eastern European heritage.
Named after the designer's mother, the collection is identified by its feminine motifs, downtown edge, and use of high quality craftsmanship and fabrications. While much of this label's ready-to-wear can work for brides, the brand sources fabrics from Croatia, Italy, France, Turkey, and Balkan countries exclusively for its bridal range and offers a bespoke package for those seeking to get the look for their walk down the aisle.
Suzanne Harward
Australian designer Suzanne Harward has been creating bridal looks in Melbourne since 1975, but recently landed on American soil with stockists in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis, New York, and Dallas. The label's collections offer something for every bride—but with a current point of view, merging trend-driven ideas with a keen understanding of a modern bridal clientele. Expect a combination of clean lines, forward-thinking details, and at times, touches of a neo-Victorian vibe. Whats more? Expect to make a selection from a wide range of shapes; this label's collections are well-rounded, with any and every silhouette on offer.
Cortana
If you've hit your local bridal salons and department stores and find that most gowns are far too stuffy, stiff, or overwrought for your taste, trust us: Cortana gets you. Fine fabrics are this Barcelona-based brand's forte, spinning multi-ply charmeuse, chiffon, and silk tulle into slim sheaths and fuller skirts that feel low-key yet luxe.
Delicate touches—like a frayed edge or a wider weave silk—feel special when done the Cortana way, and design details that amplify comfort (like ballgowns that are actually separates in disguise) are hidden throughout the brand's range.
Benchellal
This new design house hails from The Netherlands and speaks to modernists and fashion-lovers who have a flare for the avant garde. Mixing old and new, art and architecture, Benchellal is on our radar as one to watch in bridal—and in fashion across the board.
While they've yet to announce a formal bridal range, their sculptural and playful DNA has them on our radar for brides willing to take a risk on a new name with a not-so-bridal aesthetic—that still feels spot on for the aisle.
Carrie Goldberg is meltsflow.com’s Weddings & Travel Director. She oversees the site’s BAZAAR Bride channel, travel & dining content, and styles fashion and bridal editorials for BAZAAR.com. When she’s not traveling, she spends her free time in her hometown–New York City–where there is no shortage of new places to shop, eat, drink, see and explore.
Heather Hall is a weddings, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor. Her career in weddings began at The Knot, where she worked as a bridal fashion editor. She then worked as a PR Manager at Amsale, a bridal design house, before starting her own events and digital marketing business. She has been featured on Today.com, MSN.com, Yahoo.com, Racked.com, Huffington Post, Verily Magazine, and Style Me Pretty. Heather loves music, travel, and practicing yoga. In her spare time she's typically researching the next fun workout class to try, or finding a new concert to attend. Her latest goal: become a DJ.
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