Middle Eastern Designers Reign at New York Bridal Fashion Week

New York Bridal Fashion Week, which took place 22-24 April in the city’s Studio 450, showcased dresses from the most influential bridal designers. The highly anticipated show turned the spotlight on the spring/summer 2018 designs by fashion-forward stalwarts like Marchesa, Mira Zwillinger and Monique Lhuilier. Industry insiders, buyers and media were left marvelling at the wide range of fairytale creations, whether traditional ball gown silhouettes or modern sheaths.

What’s more, the Middle Eastern designers at the Bridal Market, as it’s also known, didn’t let us down while presenting their interpretations of the absolute best in bridal fashion. In fact, Reem Acra was one of the major talking points at the three-day event. She was celebrating 20 years of bridal design with a collection inspired by the iconic jewellers Tiffany & Co. One of the Lebanese designer’s dresses is adorned with diamond drop earrings, dragonfly brooches and butterfly embellishments. Decorated with 165 carats of diamonds and 61.91 carats of gemstones, it reportedly costs $1.61 million.

Rania Hatoum, who is half-Chinese, half-Egyptian, was another Middle Eastern designer at the event who has been taking the bridal business by storm. Hatoum is known for using the finest fabrics, Swarovski crystals and pearls and designing beadwork and embroidery herself before it is hand-stitched. Gemy Maalouf, a Lebanese designer who has grabbed celebrities’ attention, was the third notable Middle Eastern wedding maven at the show. She always adds a dose of originality to her designs that feature modern twists. So although her designs are feminine and romantic, they also meet the unconventional bride’s requirements.