With real life shows (oh hi, FROW) and an abundance of romance on the runways, the AW21 couture season didn’t pull any punches when it came to show-stopping gowns or knife-sharp tailoring. Brides who have endured the anguish of serial postponements or stalled planning over the past 18 months can take comfort in the knowledge that the world’s greatest designers are championing a bold new era in matrimonial dress, destined to inspire an exultant return to IRL wedding celebrations.
What to want now? Tough call. We’d place our bets on a worldwide sweep of ornately regal Bridgerton-esque dresses, were it not also for Balenciaga’s imposingly modernist tact (ideal for any bride wary of covert social media coverage) or the sheer drama of Schiaparelli’s deliciously voluminous proportions. Giambattista Valli, true to form, delivered blockbuster frou capable of charming those who always swear they’re minimalists at heart, while over at Fendi, Kim Jones crafted a line-up of modern classics—think subtle asymmetry and sinuous cuts. Crucially, AW21 couture is also shaping up to be a vintage year for superlative tailored looks, with luxuriously trim suiting challenging the dominance of sweeping gowns.
From sumptuous adornment to abbreviated hemlines, this is your rundown of the best wedding looks to grace the AW21 couture runways.
1. Volume
2. The new simplicity
3. Texture and trimmings
4. Tailoring
5. Modern classics
6. Abbreviated hemlines
7. Sheer
