6 Wedding Dress Designers to Watch
By Libby MacCarthy
You may not have heard of all of them yet, but with impressive resumes, big talent and crazy pretty dress, it won’t be long before these fashion-forward designers roll off your tongue. From new talent to buzz-worthy labels, here’s our list of designers you won’t want to miss.
Who: Christos Costarellos
An already established ready-to-wear designer, Athens, Greece, based Christos Costarellos just launched his debut collection of beyond-gorgeous wedding gowns. His dresses show off fine tailoring, intricate finishing details and couture techniques that have become the signature of his fashion house.
Why You’ll Love Him:
Costarellos’s dreamy designs have a distinctly modern take on romance. His dresses incorporate both whimsical lace patterns from the Aegean islands and the minimalist look of Ancient Greek dresses. His gowns feel fresh, while still embracing the beauty of the past.
Related: 27 Colorful Wedding Dresses
Who: Samantha Sleeper
An alumna of Parsons the New School for Design, Samantha Sleeper has made a name for herself creating beautiful, detail-oriented pieces for women looking for designs that reflect their unique sensibilities.
Why You’ll Love Her:
Using luxe, eco-conscious materials and couture techniques, she creates pieces that are romantic and ladylike with an edgy, bohemian twist. In her debut collection, she plays with color, classic silhouettes, airy fabrics and lace to create dresses that are effortless, elegant and truly unique.
Related: Wedding Dress Shopping Countdown
Who: Katie Fong
With a degree from FIT and experience with some of the industry’s top designers like Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang and Stella McCartney, it’s no wonder Katie Fong is on our list of designers to watch. Since launching her debut collection in January 2013, Fong has been known for her use of fine fabrics, skillful couture technique and timeless designs.
Why You’ll Love Her:
The Katie Fong collection is all about balancing drama with timeless elegance. Her classic feminine silhouettes are reminiscent of couture house collections from the 1950s and feel flirty and playful with fitted waists, shorter hemlines and gorgeous embroidery.
Who: Della Giovanna
Michelle Della Giovanna launched her own collection of edgy, fashion-forward wedding dresses for Fall 2014, bringing an alternative design sensibility to the bridal market. The innovative label caters to modern brides who want a statement-making gown that reflects their contemporary sense of style.
Why You’ll Love Her:
Della Giovanna reimagines the traditional wedding gown by incorporating the latest runway trends into every design. White leather, metal studs and python skin bring a contemporary edge to her dresses. And she designs a range of corseted tops and skirts that can be mixed and matched for a truly unique look.
Who: A La Robe
Auckland, New Zealand, based designer Elizabeth Soljak, the creative genius behind A La Robe, has gradually been making her way onto the bridal scene since 2004. After leaving New Zealand’s iconic fashion house Zambesi, she launched her own label of ready-to-wear clothing. Constant requests for white versions of her designs have led to a full-blown collection of unique wedding dresses.
Why You’ll Love Her:
Lightweight fabrics and sheer layers are key elements to the A La Robe bridal collection. Vintage-inspired bias-cut slip dresses in pure silk and cotton fabrics are hand finished with lace trim and layered with ethereal organza or tulle wrap skirts. The results: dresses that have an airy, feminine look that’s a bit bohemian, a little sexy and super pretty.
Who: Luke Aaron
Luke Aaron began his career in fashion working with award-winning Broadway costume designers in New York City. Now based in Boston, Luke has developed his own label that has a theatrical flair, yet is still soft and feminine.
Why You’ll Love Him:
Aaron infuses new life into timeless, feminine silhouettes with bold prints, embroidery and color. He creates fashion-forward pieces in silk organza and chiffon fabrics that strike the perfect balance between contemporary style and old-world glamour.
More from The Knot:
10 New Wedding Dress Trends for 2015
11 Must-Read Gown Shopping Tips
10 Things to Do After You’ve Purchased Your Wedding Dress
11 Ways to Save on Your Wedding Dress
