Bridal fashion news and inspiration

Walpole launches its 2022 brands of tomorrow including Savin London bridal wear

The industry body for the British luxury sector, Walpole, recently announced the 2022 selection for its Brands of Tomorrow programme that included bespoke bridal and eveningwear range, Savin London. In association with Mishcon de Reya and MoneyCorp, it's a unique mentoring programme that takes up to 12 carefully selected early-stage brands through a year-long programme of workshops and mentoring to help develop their business skills and set them on a path to growth. Participants are mentored by some of the UK's most experienced luxury executives, editors and founders who provide a year of one-to-one coaching; sharing their knowledge and expertise with the chosen brands.

Now in its 15th year, Walpole's flagship development programme continues to support the success and dynamic growth of the British luxury industry through the transference of skill, experience and know-how to ensure continued creative development and growth. It creates mutually beneficial relationships between established and up-and-coming luxury brands and individuals, which not only ensures a pipeline of new brands but keeps driving innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of one of the UK's fastest-growing business sectors. Each new cohort of Brands of Tomorrow also acts as a microcosm of consumer trends in the high-end space, pinpointing emerging consumer needs and behaviours. This year there is a continued move towards sustainability, particularly circularity and a new generation of brands that have purpose-driven commerce at their core. Luxury Promise and Circle of Style are at the forefront of getting pre-owned goods to consumers in a creative and authentic way and Petit Pli and Ocean Bottle are making strides in addressing fashion's land-fill problem and the global issue of ocean plastics respectively.

Rewritten are launching a pop-up shop on 31st March

British bridesmaids brand Rewritten are thrilled to announce the launch of their Shoreditch pop-up shop opening on 31st March 2022. Founded in 2016 by friends and ex-work colleagues Katie Arnott and Frances Cookson, Rewritten Bridesmaids has become one of the UK's leading fashion-forward bridesmaids dress brands, with the flagship store in East London and presence in some of the most highly regarded bridal boutiques across the UK and Worldwide. Rewritten focuses on modern bridesmaids dressing with classic silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. The sell-out satin collection will be available to try on and buy in the Shoreditch pop-up shop, along with the classic crepe collection and the sustainable bridal edit.

British designer Lucy Quartermaine launches Melody collection

Award-winning British designer Lucy Quartermaine has recently launched her new Melody collection inspired by music and rhythm. The stunning selection of silver pieces are perfect for brides and bridesmaids and start from just £50. The collection includes two standout rings, two pairs of stud earrings, one bracelet as well as two classic pendant necklaces and is finished with the showstopping wind chime earrings and large key necklace. Crafted from the finest sterling silver with rhodium overlay to ensure the most exquisite shine, many of the pieces are also peppered with cubic zirconia for some added sparkle.

Etsy releases top wedding trends for 2022

Now that wedding planning is picking up, couples (and their guests) can't wait to get the party started! But when it comes to wedding celebrations in 2022, one thing is for certain, couples are getting hitched in ways that feel true to them, focusing on individuality and embracing everything unconventional. From colourful, destination-themed receptions to bespoke, heirloom-worthy gifts, dresses and accessories, the wedding planning boom is in full bloom. Here, Etsy reveals its top fashion trends...

Grace Loves Lace launch new eco wedding gown for Valentine's Day

Grace Loves Lace has unveiled its newest gown, Peaches Pearl, a signature style that has been reimagined with the brand's 100% recycled, GRS-certified pearl lace in time for Valentine's Day. Sustainably and ethically hand-crafted in Australia using 95.5% recycled materials, Peaches Pearl is the second eco wedding gown from the brand – following the launch of Lumi in 2021 – as they continue to follow through on their commitments to sustainability and onshore manufacturing. Championing a non-mass produced, ethical and Australian- made business model from day one, founder and creative director, Megan Ziems, has always looked for ways the brand can improve its environmental impact. Revolutionising business practices, expanding the GRACE conscious product offering and introducing new and sustainable fabrications is important to Ziems, who invented the 100% recycled lace used in the eco gowns over a two-year period.

VRAI and Style Me Pretty launches bridal capsule collection

Celebrate Valentine's day this year with the VRAI x Style Me Pretty bridal launch. The seven-piece collection features three distinct sustainably created diamond shapes that form an abstract flower. Hand-crafted with recycled 14-carat solid yellow gold, each design celebrates the beauty of nature and a commitment to the future of our planet, with signature Style Me Pretty elements, such as feminine, floral designs with elegant details. All the pieces in the collection are meant to be stacked, fitting perfectly, or worn individually in a way that is uniquely personal and loved for long after one's special day, or as meaningful bridesmaids and mother-in-law gifts.

ALDO Shoes launch Valentine's Day collection of shoes and bags

Whether it's Valentine's or Galentine's Day, get ready to give the look of love with the new ALDO Shoes Valentine's Day Collection. From fun nights out with the gals or romantic evenings in for two, find everything your wardrobe needs with this limited-edition collection. Individually designed, this range includes six individual pieces, from sexy stilettos to statement shoulder bags and a highlight is this Cupida style, a pair of slingback heels crafted with a heart-shaped heel and sleek ombre finish.

Ethical jewellery brand Lebrusan Studio reveals new Freedom collection

Ethical jewellery brand Lebrusan Studio has revealed its fabulous new Freedom collection of combinable gender-neutral commitment rings. Available in a variety of band widths, shapes, details and colours, the Freedom collection is made up of components that customers can mix and match.

The collection's flagship piece is a flat band set with a technicolour row of fancy Sri Lankan sapphires; the jeweller's sparkling take on artist Gilbert Baker's iconic rainbow flag. These sustainable pieces are cast in 100% recycled yellow or white gold, set with traceable and conflict-free diamonds and sapphires and created in the UK by skilled and specialist craftspeople.

One dress, multiple looks from the new RULABELLE collection

The RULABELLE multiway collection for bridesmaids has added special edition styles and a new Ethereal Tulle collection to its range, with each versatile dress being able to be worn in more than 20 different ways. The collection allows the wearer to express their individuality, personality and unique sense of style, no matter their shape or silhouette. RULABELLE is named after Irish founder Ruth Larkin and her young daughter Annabelle, RU-LA-BELLE. Ruth tells us, "The flexibility of this collection lets every woman showcase her own identity, creating a look to perfectly suit her shape and personality. It came from years immersed in the international bridal market and identifying an opportunity to design and offer retailers a collection to meet all bridesmaids and party wear needs."

Elbeth Gillis has launched her new collection, Curve

South African wedding dress designer Elbeth Gillis has launched her stunning new bridal dress collection called Curve. It's her first capsule collection of 2022 and includes five dresses ranging from simple structures with crisp, clean lines to romantic, lavish lace. The collection also features statement sleeves, creaseless collars, beautiful bows and overskirts and have been designed to flatter women's curves and accentuate the bride's natural beauty. They are lovingly named Charlotte, Merida, Jessica, Poppy and Vivian.

Grace Loves Lace has unveiled its first eco wedding gown

Grace Loves Lace has unveiled its first eco wedding gown called Lumi (£2,200) constructed from 96% recycled materials, ethically handcrafted in the brand's Australian studio. From the lace and tulle to the decorative covered buttons and eyelash trim, each part is a conscious choice for the planet. Founder and creative director, Megan Ziems, tells us, "We were inspired to take materials that would have been otherwise discarded and use modern technology to create a beautiful wedding gown that holds so much meaning."

Vera Wang Bride and Pronovias Group join forces with new collection

Vera Wang Bride and Pronovias Group have joined forces to launch their first collection, Vera Wang Bride. The 60 dresses blend artisanal details with luxury textures using premium fabrics and hand-crafted finishes on exaggerated volumes and new silhouettes. Vera Wang says, "I intended to make sure that certain Vera Wang design codes were identifiable in Vera Wang Bride." She continues, "Through my designs, I want to express respect – respect for the design process. Respect for quality. Respect for imagination and individuality. But most of all respect for women."

ALDO Shoes UK celebrates Disney Cinderella collaboration

Ahead of the most magical time of the year, ALDO Shoes has collaborated with Disney to release a limited-edition shoes and accessories collection. This Disney X ALDO collection inspires brides with its decadent designs and embellished finishes. This collection has been thoughtfully crafted to ensure customers are made to feel effortlessly elegant. Just because the clock strikes twelve, doesn't mean the fairy tale has to come to an end! This collection of seven pieces has been crafted with a vision of bridging the nostalgia of the brave and beloved princesses and the daring trends of today's world to connect timelessness and modern fashion.

Bombas launches sock collection in UK partnering with homeless charity St Mungos

Cult US sock brand with a mission to help those in need, Bombas, has launched in the UK. Bombas was originally founded because socks are the top most requested item at homeless shelters in the US. Through the brands One Item Purchased = One Item Donated model, they have donated more than 50 million items to those in need, at risk and experiencing homelessness. Give the gift of giving this Christmas with Bombas and for every item purchased, Bombas donate an item to leading UK homelessness charity, St Mungos so you can do good, whilst looking and feeling good this season.