Basque and drop waists stealing the spotlight at New York Luxury Bridal Fashion Week is definitely noteworthy! It seems like the retailers were captivated by the elegance and timeless appeal of these styles. I bet they're envisioning brides-to-be falling in love with these designs. WE ASKEd the retailers about the specific collections that stood out to them and how they plan to incorporate these trends into their inventory. - Rachel Leonard

Wedding Salon of Manhasset - Nancy Aucone

What were your favorite collections this season? 

Ines DI Santo, Monique Lhuillier, and Reem Acra!!! We are in Love!!

What new/favorite trends did you see?

Love seeing the Basque waists, and corseted boned bodices. The entire market was REFRESHING, clean big billowy ballgowns!!! Which is the stores favorite too. WE have a lot of decisions to make.

What new looks will you buy this season?

WE are buying the corseted basque waists in a few different price points. We are also buying BIG Ball gowns in all different Novelty fabrics, and heavier on texture and tulle. Reem Acra had a beautiful, beaded top with HUGE tulle skirt!! Ines Di Santo corseted tops with Bigs skirts we are most excited for. BIG, BIG, BIG is what we are going for.

Spina Bride - Giselle Dubois

What were your favorite collections this season?

That’s a tough one, the designers really brought it this season. All our designers each have a very distinct aesthetic. Lihi Hod was all about 1950's glamour, gorgeous silhouettes in luxe fabrics, while Francesca Miranda was about opulent accents and textures. Liz Martinez's collections were ultra-romantic with ethereal details.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

Loving the return of the peplum and drop waists. We also saw lots of tulle, feathers, bubble hems, and so many amazing party looks.

What new looks will you buy this season?

Classic silhouettes with a modern twist!

Stanley Korshak Bridal - Christina Plumlee

What were your favorite collections this season?

There were many outstanding collections this year. Ines Di Santo's collection stands out because she can create designs that appeal to a large group of brides. Anne Barge and Sareh Nouri's classic collections were both beautiful and speak to our core bride.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

A return to the elegant Basque waste ballgown constructed with beautiful fabrics that have more texture like jacquard and hand painted silks. Slim silhouettes are reminiscent of early French couture with beautiful fabrics, pleats, draping and bows. Maria Elena has designed the perfect hair accessory for the new looks! Mini crowns that are a combination of headband and crown with just enough adornment to be seen and not overwhelm a bride.Gauntlets (fingerless gloves) complement many of the new styles giving an additional touch of elegance. 

What new looks will you buy this season?

Almost every designer presented a Basque waist ballgown this season so I will select a few of those.  Lace has been something brides have been requesting so I will also focus on that. There were Many special pieces that caught my eye this season but I will let my selection be a surprise!

The White Dress by the Shore - Beth Chapman

What were your favorite collections this season? 

I loved Anne Barge, Kelly Faetinini, Mark Ingram, and Lihi Hod

What new/favorite trends did you see?

I love the emphasis on more classic bridal looks!  I am a bit shocked that basque waists are back but love the modern interpretation that many designers have made.

What new looks will you buy this season?

More traditional laces, jacket and cover up options, and long sleeve floral appliqued gowns.

La Jeune Mariee - Lindsay Fork

What were your favorite collections this season?

Always love Ines di Santo.  After seeing a lot of the same, appointment after appointment, there are always refreshing looks in the Ines appointment that you haven’t seen elsewhere.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

Trends were all over the place it felt like with bows and color still be at play but the noticeable thing as a buyer was the shift away from clean everywhere.  

What new looks will you buy this season?

We are excited to get back to all over lace in a fit n flare style that used to be a surefire, classic winner.  This is coming back, and I am here for it!

Bridal Atelier Montclair - Rachel Sweebe

What were your favorite collections this season?

Savin London, Vivienne Westwood, Dana Harel, and Anne Barge.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

Basque waist, dramatic drop waist, mini dresses.

What new looks will you buy this season?

Drop and basque waists & mini dresses.

Love Couture - Sandy Leone

What were your favorite collections this season?

Pnina Tornai, Kim Kassas, and Zuhair Murad were our favs.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

Basque waist, of course! 

What new looks will you buy this season?

We will add gown ensembles with coordinating boleros, gloves, and detachable trains.

Nicole Bridal & Formal shoppe - Maria McDevitt

What were your favorite collections this season?

Richard Quinn, Rita Vinieris, Julie Vino, Claire Pettibone and Andrea Sedici.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

I love the continuation of the Basque waist trend as well as the overly romantic feminine details used in application techniques. I also loved how some designers are journeying in the vintage silhouettes of 50’s and 60’s with their skirts and bodices. These are flattering on many body types. Additionally, I’m over the moon about Claire’s 2025 collection. Her use of color and gold in an airy organza is so dreamy and right on trend for the Versailles style renaissance we are seeing in bridal. 

What new looks will you buy this season?

I’m always buying from Rita Vinieris because I absolutely adore their line and love to sell it! Additionally, we are interested in trying Richard Quinn as well as new styles from Yellow by Sahar. Julie Vino also had some beautiful new pieces we think will be strong in both of our locations. 

Bridals By Lori - Lori Allen

What were your favorite collections this season?

Lazaro, Rivini, Pnina and Eve of Milady.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

NEW TRENDS - It was seriously like every designer got together and decided - Let’s design basque waist gowns and let’s do some darling short pieces for rehearsal/reception. These are two defining styles of 2025 and they were everywhere! 

What new looks will you buy this season? 

New looks - I am definitely picking up some basque waist gowns, I also loved the short pieces for reception!  I am also selecting some more fashion forward pieces from Nicole and Felicia and other designers.  The combination of all of this is a win win!  My staff gets excited with new and different pieces and this excitement flows through to our brides!

Bridal Beginning - Pamela Olivo

What were your favorite collections this season?

Tom Sebastien, Nicole & Felicia, Hera Couture, Rivini, Steven Khalil, Yumi Katsura, Lazaro was fabulous! 

What new/favorite trends did you see?

Dropped waists, corset bodices, elevated clean looks, less all over beading, back to traditional laces, 

What new looks will you buy this season? 

I will cover each look, but limit my buy.  

Ultimate Bride - Diane Kotlarz

What were your favorite collections this season?   

This season we loved that each of our designers showcased fresh and curated looks on their signature styles. Ines Di Santo’s debut of curvy styles was a favorite for us! Alex Perry’s new collection after several seasons was a prime highlight for us as well!

What new/favorite trends did you see?

The return of the basque and dropped waists was very prominent during fashion week with several modern Victorian looks. Mixtures of fabrics and separates were also trending. Vintage inspired looks were present in many collections along with second and third looks for today’s modern day bride. 

What new looks will you buy this season? 

We will invest, as always, in our designers signature and iconic looks. Mira Zwillinger’s new grand ball silhouette, Monique Lhuillier’s feminine lace and bows, Berta’s dramatic accessories and lighter hues. Elie Saab’s luxurious, modern beaded and glam looks. Mark Ingram’s modern vintage styles and Peter Langner’s famous structured fabrics and silhouettes will all be a part of our buy. We are thrilled to include Ines Di Santo’s curvy looks to our collection along with her avant-garde styles. Alex Perry’s newest bridal collection will be a must for us as well.

Mark Ingram atelier - Mark Ingram

What were your favorite collections this season?

My favorite collections seen at April Bridal Fashion week were Dana Harel, Mira Zwillinger, Lela Rose, Vera Wang, Ines di Santo, Elizabeth Fillmore, Viktor & Rolf, Giambattista Valli, and of course my own Mark Ingram Bride! 

What new/favorite trends did you see?

I have fallen in love once again with the elongated waistlines and Basque waists, especially with full ball ball gown skirts. I also love all the florals, especially the ones at Stephane Rolland, Vera Wang, Ines di Santo, Mira Zwillinger  and the hand rolled camelias at Viktor & Rolf. Finally...Duchesse satin is back, and it looks sumptuous and new!

What new looks will you buy this season?

I’ll be buying lots of floral accents, satins and elongated torso gowns with voluminous skirts. The Ball gown is back! Also fill ins of gowns with a Haute Couture vibe to spice up my assortment.

Kleinfeld Bridal - Shelia Sciocchetti

What were your favorite collections this season?

Nicole + Felicia, Sen Studio, Lazaro, Jaclyn Whyte, Reem Acra, Nardos, and Pnina Tornai.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

Modern Corsetry, basque and drop waists with more volume at the hips, peplums, rich textured fabrics and fully beaded styles, dramatic capes, bridal minis, cat eye necklines.

What new looks will you buy this season?

All of the above!

Kingsley James Couture Bridal - Dawn Silva

What were your favorite collections this season?

Galia Lahav never disappoints! Loved their collection for both Galia Couture and Gala. Kim Kassas was very unique and exciting, Pnina Tornai, Rivini and Nicole and Felicia.

What new/favorite trends did you see?

Basque Waist, Soft Peplum, Laser Cut Fabrics, High Neck, Party Dresses, Draped/Balloon Sleeves, Feathers.

What new looks will you buy this season?

Everything! lol....No but in all seriousness the high neck/halter silhouette is something we have been getting asked for a lot. Basque Waist is something that is here to stay so we will be bringing more variety in that aspect. Always room for more party dresses.

Bella Bianca Bridal Couture - Melissa Russell

What were your favorite collections this season?
This season, more than any previous season in recent memory, it is impossible to pick a favorite because the designers truly outdid themselves. The collections were so strong across the board that it has made choosing what to buy almost impossible. Some that we found most noteworthy were Sareh Nouri with her nod to chic New York fashion, Rivini's perfect blend of timeless with a hint of edge, Lihi Hod's effortless architectural beauty, and Pnina Tornai's endless parade of over 50 new gowns, each more stunning than the last!
 
What new/favorite trends did you see?
Though the obvious trend this season was Basque waists, that was not our favorite. We were delighted to see the return of peplums! They came in all forms: Amsale's chic and tailored Banks, Idan Cohen's beaded Belle, Galia's contemporary Bold, and last (but never least) Vera Wang with a frothy lace corset & tulle two-piece featuring a detachable lace peplum. Each of the peplum gowns we saw were so different from each other, but all encompassed this classic element that has dipped in an out of bridal over the years, which we personally are happy to see return! 

We are intrigued by the importance placed on minis this season as well! With the second look trend building steam across the country, it will be interesting to see how brides react to so many mini options offered by bridal designers rather than searching the mass market online. As retailers, we have long been saying that there are too many dress options out there for brides with two collections coming each year. One of our faves, Arava Polak, heard their retailers and answered with the genius plan to show only mini/second look options at one market per year and we are HERE FOR IT! They were fun and flirty and sure to be a hit. Nicole + Felicia also continues to have such a strong mini game that keeps our phones ringing with brides seeking these sweet yet sassy looks for rehearsal, reception, and more. 
 
What new looks will you buy this season?

We are excited to dive into some more unique details this season with the help of bridal fashion becoming a little less expected. Gowns like Finesse by Galia Lahav which is a two-piece allowing the bride to style the corset with a mini or fabulous trousers for the reception or long after the wedding. Also gowns like Thorne by Savin, giving permission to brides who want a bold look for their day. We loved seeing Sohil make the Basque trend his own in gowns like Maeve with that signature Enaura beaded embroidery. Not forgetting the timeless bride, Anne Barge's gown Audubon elevates the importance of a well-placed elongated bodice for the perfect mix of fashion and flattering. Eve of Milady is tiptoeing us back into pick-ups, which only she can do so well. Finally, we could not be happier to see the collection from Lazaro this season and will be dreaming about the Leona gown with all its hand sewn floral luster until she arrives in store this fall!