Today we are joined by Bridal Coach, Joanna Southwell who shares all the tea on bridal trends seen at the recent White Gallery.
“This year was an all-new, White Gallery London. With a new format, location and designer mix I had high expectations for the biggest designer bridal buying event in the UK. Set at The Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, London the event acted as a showcase for bridal wear in 2024. Both UK and international wedding dress designers exhibited to reveal their new designs to bridal shops from all over Europe.”
“This is THE event for wedding dress retailers to attend to see designer’s collections for the coming year. Shops research, network and most importantly buy for their businesses. The samples you, as brides, try on each time you enter a bridal store, are chosen with care by the boutique team. They do a lot of research to make sure they provide you with the very best in bridal wear so you can find your perfect wedding dress. This year, White Gallery London had promised to provide more choice, more emerging talent and more modern bridal wear. So, did it live up to expectations and what trends did I find when I visited?”
What were the biggest trends seen across the 2024 collections?
Alternative bridal fabrics
“It was so exciting to see that this year saw an expansion in the fabrics designers were using for their wedding dresses. Gone are every dress in chiffon, lace and crepe, 2024 opened the doors for so many other options. Two of my favourites came from Eden Keshia Bridal who had a corset made in a leather alternative made from pineapple. It is matte and has a quality similar to paper. She also had a show-stopping editorial crocheted dress. Perfect for the high fashion couture-loving bride. Ever Bridal was one of the many designers who bought taffeta back with their Luca dress (photo included). Once a traditional wedding dress fabric (hello Princess Diana) it is one of my personal favourites, but lost favour a few years ago. It is lightwear, has a beautiful sheen and has a lived in texture.”
Metal Work
“Another big bridal trend for the coming year is metal work on wedding dresses and separates. Embellished straps, metal beading, mirror details and metal detail on capes and jackets. Accessories also leaned heavily into silver and gold as opposed to pearl and muted stones we have seen recently. One of Maison Suzu’s dresses featured endless rows of exquisitely embroidered metal beads and Carta Branca’s Pigalle dress had a high neck of mail chain style beading with matching gloves. “
Muted Colour Palette
“One repeated theme that surprised me at this year’s White Gallery London was the lack of colour. Creams, ivory and optic white swept the halls with very little patterns or colour blocking to be seen. Josephine Scott still had her beautiful coloured floral dress and Eliza Jane Howell did not disappoint us with her beading options in champagne, gold and black but there was very little else. The focus was much more on texture and embellishment than print or colour.”
Texture
“Texture was absolutely everywhere in this year’s new bridal collections. From pleating to beading, 3D embellishment to heavy lace, it was all there. Pleating is featured on bodices, skirts and dresses and in all fabrics. From soft ruching to structured silhouettes there was a type of pleating for any bride. Three dimensional flowers were seen on jackets and mini dresses and layered lace was punctuated by panels of sheer tulle. Designers were extremely clever by adding movement through texture with swinging rows of beading and loops of fabric. Lace edging added detail and interest to minimal dresses and feathers softening structured gowns. All tastes were catered for and I was HERE for it. A huge success.”
Biggest Overarching Theme: Sustainability and Rewearing
“By far the biggest overarching theme of the bridal collections was sustainability. It was a huge factor for many designers whether through their production, fabric choices or the ability to wear the garments again. The bridal wear this year has aligned with fashion more than in previous years which makes items such as shoes, accessories and separates wearable past the wedding day.”
“A beautiful cream coat not only looks incredible as a bridal look but can be enjoyed again for years to come. Fashion focused bridal jewellery and shoes adds an edge to a completed wedding day outfit but also blends well with a bride’s wardrobe going forward. Short dresses are easier to rewear in their entirety than their long counterparts and can be worn as formal wear later. The rewearing movement not only makes sense as a sustainable fashion choice but also economically. Spending money on wedding items that can be worn time and again makes perfect sense and feels less indulgent.”
“This year’s designers have shown a passion for ethical and sustainable fabrics. Eco friendly powerhouses such as Rolling in Roses and Indiebride London continue to create thoughtful and fully traceable bridalwear with extension information about each garment and its sustainable impact. Shikoba Bride launched their new in-house label, Shikoba Wild at White Gallery London. The new collection is made of eco fabrics and sewn in the UK, making it a great option for the eco-conscious bride.”
“In conclusion, I found White Gallery London to be both exciting and inspiring. There were styles and collections for every taste and so many new names for us all to obsess over. There is so much to look forward to as a bride to be. With all the beautiful options available and more attention to sustainability, it really is the perfect time to be shopping for your dream bridal look.”
Enjoy!
Joanna x
Follow Joanna: https://www.instagram.com/joanna_southwell/
https://www.joannasouthwell.com/
