New York Fashion Bridal Week 2023 Trend Recap

New York Fashion Bridal Week 2023 Trend Recap

New York Fashion Bridal Week earlier this month featured some exciting new developments in bridal attire. As bridal fashion gets more and more modern, accessorizing becomes a more important way to add hints of tradition for balancing the old and the new. Here, we will take a look at some of our favorite trends from the recent runways and how jewelry can play an integral role in perfecting the looks.

Color – Beyond Basic White

 

One of the more surprising trends appearing on the Bridal Fashion Week runways was a shift beyond traditional white or pale pinks to include more color.  We spoke with Shelley Brown, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor at The Knot, and she agrees that color is gaining importance for bridal gowns… “If there’s one big takeaway from this Bridal Fashion Week, it’s that bridal designers are taking risks again. After a few seasons of all-white collections, wedding dresses in vibrant colors appeared in several collections. Pastel shades like soft blue and blush are obviously wedding-worthy choices, while bold floral prints and metallics are perfect for more daring brides.”

Black is also increasingly popular as an alternate bridal hue. So much so that the New York Times asked “Is this the rise of the Goth bride?”  All-black gowns made appearances at Arava Polak, Madeline, and Amsale. Reem Acra and Sophie et Voila wrapped white gowns in a black tulle wrap and bolero respectively. Black also appeared in striking bows or gloves with white gowns at Honor and Scorcesa. These dramatic looks allow great freedom in accessorizing – perfect with standard all-white diamonds or with black gems like spinel and ceramics. The contemporary bride is not limited to traditional bridal jewelry.

Colorful veils and gowns also appeared in several new collections such as Nadia Manjarrez who added sunset hues to traditional white gowns or veils, while Monique Lhullier featured floral prints, and Badgley Mischka added touches of light blue in a large bow on the bodice or a swath of blue at the neckline.  Pale blue and teal hues also made an appearance at New The Atelier and Madline, as well as Amsale who also featured misty gray and ivory frocks.  Accessorizing these gowns allows for creativity, as well.  Such colorful wedding dresses or accents allow jewelry to go beyond the traditional diamond and pearl set.  Consider earrings, high necklaces or bracelets with similar colored gemstones that complement the accent colors in the gown. For example, blue sapphires or Paraiba tourmalines for the blue and teal shades or fancy yellow or pink diamonds for the sunset hues and floral prints.

Statement Earrings

Another prominent trend seen at various shows across many designer collections was statement earrings.  According to Brides.com, “several Fall 2023 collections featured both drop and chandelier-style earrings that elevated gowns and added a pop of sparkle to the designer’s looks.” With so much focus on the gown itself, several couture designers left the neckline empty and opted instead to feature statement earrings. Chandelier and fringe styles added movement and elegance at Justin Alexander and Jenny Yoo, while sizable drop earrings enhanced the gowns at Claire Pettibone and Francesca Miranda. With shorter hairstyles, the look tends to be wider and bolder, while with longer hair styles, the earrings get longer and have more movement to catch the light and sparkle as the bride walks down the aisle.

“Choosing an earring for the wedding day is fun,” says Giuseppe Picchiotti. “I recommend that my customers try on various styles after having selected the gown and discussed their preferred hairdo with the stylist. The best thing about buying new earrings for a wedding is that they can be worn forever after as a loving memento of that special day!”

PICCHIOTTI offers a wide variety of chandelier earrings. Chandelier styles often make the perfect adornment for the bride on her wedding day, the diamonds adding a touch of sparkle while not competing with the spectacular dress. These types of earrings can also add a hint of color to liven up an all-white ensemble and allow the bride to express herself. Choose chandelier earrings with your favorite color (emeralds for green lovers, for example) or that match your eyes (such as sapphires for blue eyes).  As mentioned above, gemstones can also bring the contemporary trend of color to your bridal ensemble if you prefer the classic white wedding gown.

Bows

In recent years, bows have played a significant part in bridal fashion. The Fall 2023 season included bow accents in a wide variety of bridal gowns. Designers like Arava Polak and Ines Di Santo placed large bows in the back, just where the bodice meets the skirt, a sort of extra feminine peplum. Amsale and Honor placed their bows in the front as integral to the gown’s design.  Scorcesa and Badgley Mischka added colorful bow accents, using the bow itself to add a modern pop of color to the otherwise white dress.

The PICCHIOTTI Fiocco collection is a lovely way to add bejeweled bows to any bridal ensemble, either those that features bows or ones that do not. The diamond riviere necklace is trending again, and PICCHIOTTI’s offers a removable bow enhancer.  Wear the bow on the necklace for the wedding day and later you can choose to wear the bow as a brooch or to don only the short diamond necklace when your ensemble calls for simplicity. Diamond bow earrings can also add a touch of sparkle and a way for brides to incorporate the trend if their dress does not have bows.

Redefining the Role of Jewelry

Another delightful trend at New York Bridal Fashion Week was jewelry itself – incorporated into the design of the gowns or being worn in modern ways. Claire Pettibone created a red carpet worthy backlace with a detachable gold vermeil three-strand necklace with colored gemstone pendants above her embroidered A-line dress. The look was delicate and feminine, plucked out of a fairytale romance.  Mark Ingram also bejeweled a beautiful white gown with pearl chain straps and a strand that hung across the shoulder blades just below the hairline.  Ines Di Santo strung pearls throughout her showstopping chandelier-inspired beaded cocktail dress. Yolan Cris and Grace Loves Lace incorporated iridescent beads to make it look like the gowns themselves were dripping in diamonds. According to Brides.com, “Not only do these dresses make for a striking bridal moment, but it also allows brides to embrace more accessories on their big day.”

Justin Alexander gets our vote for the most fabulous use of jewelry! He featured a red colored gemstone necklace with his corseted, all-white, mermaid silhouette. The look reads modern and powerful, only slightly defying tradition but in a fun and contemporary way. We believe PICCHIOTTI’s Fit for a Queen necklace would be beautiful with a bridal gown, especially for an emerald lover – just another way for the bride to express her individuality.

Other fun trends from NYFBW include fingerless gloves (great for the engagement ring and wedding band), baroque pearl drop earrings, mermaid silhouettes, lingerie inspired looks, and bridal trousers or coats. As more consumers are requesting multiple looks for the rehearsal dinner, the wedding day, and the reception or after party, couture designers are adding greater versatility and innovation to the traditional wedding gown. Detachable sleeves were seen in several collections, and the bridal mini dress has become a viable option for the contemporary bride, with some designer lines like Monique Lhullier and Amsale offering hi-low looks with traditional long trains behind the mini hemline.

Whatever style best reflects your unique personality or the statement you choose to make at your ceremony, wear it with pride and pair it with jewelry that you can cherish forever and continue to wear.  As Giuseppe says, “There is little in life more satisfying to a jeweler than to bedeck a bride in exquisite gems for her wedding, knowing that the jewelry will endure for many years to come as a precious memento of the love she expressed on that special day.”

 

Feature image at top – clockwise from upper right – Model wearing PICCHIOTTI Xpandable™ Bridal diamond bracelet and rings, PICCHIOTTI two row Xpandable Emerald Cut Lover bracelet, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable™ Emerald Cut Lover Rings, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable Bridal Ring with graduated round diamonds, PICCHIOTTI Diamond Drop earrings, Model wearing PICCHIOTTI Bridal Collection jewelry 

 

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