Weddings tend to be formulaic. Vows. Champagne. Dancing. But, recently, one crucial element is becoming harder to predict: the dress. Instead of choosing traditional white, many brides are opting for something with a bit more of an impact. The anti-trad bridal dress is on the rise. Searches on Pinterest are up 240% for “unique wedding dresses”, while blush pink wedding dresses are up 60% and black 50%.
On Wednesday, the fashion designer Ashish Gupta, whose dazzling sequined pieces are loved by fans including Beyoncé and Rihanna, launched his first bridal range. Instead of trad white gowns, you’ll find a sheer trapeze-shaped dress adorned with delicate hand-embroidered organza flowers in yellow and lilac that look as if they have been plucked from Martha Stewart’s cutting garden, and a halterneck mini-dress smothered in multicoloured glass bead fringing, inspired by Holi, the Hindu festival of colour. Even the customary veil has been reimagined. Ashish’s “confetti” version features shimmering, multicoloured sequins and beads.
