The Best British Bridalwear Designers To Take Note of in 2023
If an off-the-rack gown is not for you, it’s time to get familiar with the UK’s independent bridalwear designers we predict will shake the sector in 2023...
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The Best British Bridalwear Designers To Take Note of in 2023
If an off-the-rack gown is not for you, it’s time to get familiar with the UK’s independent bridalwear designers we predict will shake the sector in 2023...
DATE 17 October 2022
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INDEPENDENCE DAY
RITA COLSON
With a background in both high fashion and commercial design, this London-based bridalwear visionary creates both bespoke fits and versatile capsule collections with contemporary flair. Light, easy-to-wear modern silhouettes that blur the line between classic bridal and luxe eveningwear are a hallmark of Rita’s design, producing elegant gowns, sharp suits and lust-worthy separates that can be customised to your desires.
From the dreamily diaphanous Aurora top to the super-tailored Carla trouser suit, there’s something for every mood here.
ANDREA HAWKES
An immaculate fit, natural fabrics and making the bride the focal point are the cornerstones of Andrea’s collections, with latest line Amaryllis embodying an ultra-modernist, sculpted vibe. Key design features include contoured corsetry, statement sleeves, structured silken shapes, pockets (because who doesn’t love them?!) and a wholly sustainable, ethical ethos.
Whether the vows take place in the city or on the beach, these deceptively subtle, supremely chic pieces are ideal for girls who want no-fuss sophistication. Consider us obsessed.
KATE FEARNLEY
Details, texture and embellishment: no one does all-dressed-in-white drama quite like Kate. An award-winning bridalwear designer with two decades in the industry under her couturier belt, she delivers epic romance through the medium of tulle, silk, satin and lace. Designed and handmade in her North Yorkshire studio, new collection Awaken’s fashion-forward yet vintage-inspired gowns are created with movement, freedom and comfort in mind – perfect for dancing the night away!
Fringing, 3D floral appliqué and feathery lace, we’re suckers for boho-luxe features and this designer delivers them in abundance.
ELLA KATE
Sustainability is at the heart of the Ella Kate brand, which designs and produces its interchangeable bridalwear editions in a way that allows personalisation and avoids mass production. Based in Derbyshire, the label combines its low carbon footprint with a laid-back, edgy aesthetic divided into two styles – Ella and Kate. The former is all about modern simplicity, from silk crepe separates to full-length silhouettes, while the latter speaks to a wilder soul. Think sequins and sparkle.
Couturier and bridal maven Leigh offers two lines and a bespoke service alongside ranges by Watters, Ellis Bridals and Rembo Styling. The festival-friendly Be by Leigh Hetherington designs have a bohemian feel with hints of 70s’ disco and Victoriana: think crop-top-and-skirt co-ords, fringing and figure-hugging lace, while the Leigh Hetherington collection oozes classical elegance, from A-line tulle ballgowns to 1920s-style column slips.
Handmade accessories? Leigh is on another level when it comes to conjuring up full body bridal styling.
FREDA BENNET
Pooling their respective design and pattern-cutting skills, Dartford-based design duo Christine and Jane - the talents behind Freda Bennet - have created a brand with a balance of contemporary edge and feminine glamour that treads the line between trendy and timeless. Luminous satin and structured lines meet in the latest classic range, while alternative brides should flock to the Urban collection – sequinned tulle separates and pearl-beaded Mikado silk sheath dresses aplenty.
We love how versatile the FB range is. There’s a dress to suit every venue – and woman.
DANIEL CHU STUDIO
New kid on the bridal block Daniel Chu has a penchant for high-octane glamour, which is evident in his 16-piece debut line, Series 1. The Manchester-based designer’s aesthetic is ideal for the bride who likes to push the boundaries, from lacy crop tops paired with a full-length silk skirt to a sleek, fitted long-sleeve dress with illusion cut-outs and a thigh-high slit and pooling train.
Viewing bespoke bridal as an “art form”, you know your gown will be nothing less than a modern masterpiece with Daniel at the helm.
EDEN KESHIA
Combining an environmentally-conscious approach with an artistic, bespoke aesthetic, Eden offers her brides-to-be an extraordinary design experience – celebrating each woman’s individuality through inviting input and opinions along the way, from initial sketches to the real results. With a passion for intricate details, Eden is a master at creating original surface patterns and layered embroideries adorned with glass beads and crystals. Bring on the sparkle, we say…
It’s not just about the dress: Eden will rustle up a complementary veil and lingerie too. What more could an exacting engaged babe ask for?
SAVIN LONDON
Hand-painted creations, sumptuous creations and a signature botanical style like no other. SAVIN swept to fame through the iconic Alika gown, a clean-cut design groundbreaking in its detail and trendsetting in its touch, which has now paved the way for a streak of sublime collections boasting sheer, stratospheric beauty – putting this designer on another pedestal. The latest? A Moment of Light collection. Get to know, now.
Cover star – SAVIN shines bright on this issue’s cover.
Feeling inspired? Our Be Inspired sectionis home to everything you need to plan the perfect wedding, from seasonal floral displays and styling advice to the latest in bridal fashion.
