Bridal Market Recap, Part 1

Another fabulous bridal market has come and gone!! We caught up with a few of the Bella's to get some feedback from the front lines of this year's Bridal Market.

What collection are you most excited about? Why?

Kathleen and Erin, Bella Chicago & Franchisors

Love Lane and Joanna August. The new additions really round out both collections and offer beautiful and interesting alternatives to strapless necklines.  We know we are most excited about those two because we wake up every day thinking about how much we want them on our showroom floor NOW!

Love Lane (left), Ceremony by Joanna August (right)

 

Trinh & Cassidy, Bella LA & OC

We're head over heels in love with the new Ceremony by Joanna August collection.  No one does a wrap dress better than her and the new collection is chalk full of gorgeous new silhouettes that will leave any girl giddy to be a bridesmaid. We're also really excited by our exclusive partnership with Love Lane.  It was hard to pick a favorite from the nine new silhouettes they introduced this season and how could anyone complain, the entire collection is priced under $230!

Ceremony by Joanna August

Liza, Bella San Diego

I was most excited about LulaKate!  I love LulaKate and am thrilled about the new Lace and Pearl fabrics.  I think the concept of LulaKate is awesome...being able to mix and match so everyone gets their perfect dress. The new Classic bodies are beautiful and I love the Evening Skirt for the Matte Silk Collection. 

LulaKate Matte Silk Collection

Briana, Bella Minneapolis

Jenny Yoo and Amsale!   Mixing and Matching is still a big trend and their new collections give lots of options for mixing and matching fabrics and patterns. 

 Jenny Yoo (left), Amsale (right)

What upcoming trends are you noticing for bridesmaids? Your predictions for 2014?

e. & k.

Lace.  We've been talking about it as a trend for bridesmaids for quite some time and are still waiting to see this translate down the aisle beyond the bridal gown. If our designers have anything to do with it, they will make lace happen in 2014!  Strong lace pieces from Amsale, Jenny Yoo, LulaKate, Lynn Lugo, Monique Lhuillier, and Watters created quite a presence for this fabrication in New York. Monique Lhuillier's bolero is a personal favorite to use lace a bit differently.

Monique Lhuillier, lace bolero

Elizabeth, Bella Richmond

I have noticed girls getting more adventurous mixing shades, colors, fabrics, and textures. With so many designers introducing patterns, lace, and metallic options brides can be more creative with their color palette. This also leads to maids having more opportunities to pick a dress they will love and be able to (yes, I'm saying it!) wear again!

Jenny Yoo, Metallic lace and tulle

Christy, Bella Raleigh 

I feel like brides in general are trending to take more risks with their bridesmaids.  Instead of the traditional same structured or flowy dress in the same color for each bridesmaid, they are comfortable in doing something different.  From putting their bridesmaids in ivory, to adding a print, and adding/mixing different fabrics like faille, lace, tulle, etc..  Each of our designers came up with so many amazing options for 2014. I am thrilled to bring all the HOTTEST trends to the Triangle area brides!

Amsale lace, silk crinkle chiffon and jersey style

Briana, Bella Minneapolis

Mint, Tulle and Lace!!!  I think it's safe to say every one of our designers has a mint in their pallet now. Amsale and Jenny Yoo both added tulle to their collections.  Jenny Yoo's nabi dress was a huge hit last year and this year it will be done in tulle and lace!  LulaKate and Lynn Lugo added lace to their collections as well.  

Jenny Yoo, Nabi dress in Tulle

 

Whitney, Bella Baltimore

Lace, more mint and illusion and/or keyhole necklines.  Girls are getting more and more experimental in what they introduce into their parties, and I think we'll see more textures and styles as options they give their bridesmaids.  Being able to incorporate the new French Lace with classic styles and fabrics at LulaKate, for example, is such a neat concept.  Mint started trending this year and shows no sign of slowing down, especially with designers like Amsale and Monique Lhuillier introducing their own shades. The illusion and keyhole backs from designers like the gals at JLM Couture are chic yet comfortable.

LulaKate French lace (left), JLM Couture (middle and right)