With peak summer wedding season upon us, many brands that may at first read as non-bridal are putting their own twist on what occasion wear should look like. Skip the princess gowns and the chiffon tulle; experimental silhouettes and artfully detailed pieces feel far more exciting these days. If this sounds like your style, you’re in luck: between non-conventional wedding dresses from the likes of Wiederhoeft and Colleen Allen and It-girl accessories from Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha (and, of course, plenty of fancy separates to dress up in in the lead-up to the big day), there’s no shortage of cool-girl bridal brands reimagining tradition.
Choose a statement-making, genderless two-piece set by Tanner Fletcher or commit to a whimsical look from Batsheva’s first-ever bridal collection. There are no parameters for what a bridal gown should look like; after taking stock of the plethora of options available, you may just find that you don’t actually want to shop from a wedding designer at all.
Ahead, 20 fashion girl-approved designers to get to know as you plan your special day.
Colleen Allen
Courtesy of Colleen Allen
Colleen Allen is one of the most exciting young designers in New York. After debuting a custom wedding dress for a Vogue bride last summer, she’s chosen to integrate more bridal-inspired pieces into her collections. Her references may be rooted in the past, but her designs feel modern and can be worn with ease. She incorporates small details and expert tailoring into all of her work that even your most discerning bridesmaid will love; like the effortless draping of the silk-duchesse coat, the perfect layer for a winter city wedding.
