Lights, music, and wow … 34 bridal collections in motion. The Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week (BBFW) catwalk will shine again under the spotlight, becoming the great international showcase for trends, design, and creativity in quality bridal fashion. over 850 dresses for bridal, groom, party and ceremony by renowned brands, new talents and haute couture firms will be showcased on the stage. The audience will include buyers, distributors, retailers, influencers, and international media, but also fashionists and brides-to-be from all over the world who will be able to follow the fashion shows via streaming.
On April 19th, Jesús Peiró will open the fashion shows in Hall 1 of the Fira Barcelona’s Montjuïc venue with his 2024 bridal collection, inspired by the haute couture fashion exhibitions of Paris in the last century. It will be followed by the Basque brand Sophie et Voilà with its elegant and contemporary minimalist designs that are presented like rain, natural, vital, and clean, and which will share the catwalk with the Vietnamese firm Joli Poli, which debuts with its “Blossom’24” proposal with draping and 3D floral structures on mikado, fabric and tulle that create exquisite folds and textures.
Isabel Sanchís from Valencia will present a strong, seductive and powerful collection for many types of women, while Yolancris will arrive with “Attitude” with a free, daring and and more relaxed anti-bride trend for women who want to highlight their silhouette. Then, the design team of Malaysian couture brand The Atelier, led by Jimmy Choo, will recreate the spirituality of nature in the romantic bridal collection “Thy Love”.
BBFW scoops
The finishing touch to the first day will be the Barcelona Bridal Night hosting the world exclusive of the first bridal collection by the Lebanese firm ELIE SAAB, special protagonist in this edition. Under the name “A sense of wonder”, the prominent fashion house presents evanescent dresses that transcend the magnificence of the ephemeral. The collection with incredible textures and ethereal fabrics invokes a sense of awe through visions of a floating world inspired by the blooming kingdoms of Japanese Katsushika Hokusai.
On April 20th, Canada’s Ines di Santo will make her BBFW debut in the Mies Van der Rohe Pavilion with an exclusive show of her collection “Symphony No. 54 in full bloom”, a springtime take on vibrant hand-painted floral details, dimensional beading, and fabric manipulation techniques.
Back at the Montjuïc venue, the Polish firm Agnieszka Swiatly will present a bold and very feminine collection, with increasingly handcrafted dresses and 3D floral ornaments. The Galician Lorena Formoso will debut “Opulence” with artisanal techniques, hand embroidery and exquisite fabrics that go beyond convention.
For their part, Ukrainian brands Wona Concept & Eva Lendel will take to the catwalk with creations brimming with art, glamour, beauty and joy. In turn, Nicole Milano, the Italian Pronovias brand, will dazzle with contemporary details, plunging lines and spectacular embroidered backs. At the following fashion show, the Belgians Marylise & Rembo Styling and Carta Branca will shine with sustainable fabrics and dresses inspired by nature that comes to life.
In the afternoon of the second day, France’s Cymbeline will present a unique collection of pure lines inspired by the Olympic flame of Paris 2024. After her, Marco & Maria will present their collection “The Language of the Invisible”, full of white, soft, and powdery tones, contrasted with the outline of flower patterns in black and lighter motifs that include silver. Rosa Clará will close the day with a collection featuring sophisticated fabrics, handmade lace, and micro beading on designs of pure lines and versatile models that include crop tops, skirts and other combinable garments, feather boas and pearl necklaces, inspired by the golden 20s.
Men’s bridal fashion
On the third day of the BBFW catwalk, the men’s bridal fashion collections of Ramon Sanjurjo and Carlo Pignateli will be presented. The former, with “Bohemian”, flees from stereotypes and opts for double-breasted suits, wide lapels, and wide trousers in a vivid palette of colours. The latter, with “Journey into the sunset”, proposes haute couture with lines that caress the body in a game of transparencies and elegance.
In between these shows, the Bulgarian brand Julia Kontogruni will take the stage with a collection inspired by Naples with refined designs, precision stitching and pleats; and the Italian Demetrios, which combines modernity with timeless elements to create striking silhouettes with details in embroidery, beading and lace.
The most anticipated show of the third day will be Atelier Pronovias Haute Couture’s “Seasons of Light” collection, inspired by a journey through the four seasons and the changes in nature. The Spanish brand delves into new fabrics and techniques and remains faithful to the white purity, flower of life, sensual transparencies, and warm light.
New talents
The third and fourth days will start with the fashion shows of emerging talents who are bursting into bridal fashion with ground-breaking proposals that embrace new styles. Poesie Sposa with “Persepolis” will present a collection rich in floral elements; Andrea Lalanza with “Alicia” bets on fantasy garments with volumes in lantern sleeves or more relaxed and classic lines, with a predominance of blue tones in capes, overskirts, veils and other accessories. Meanwhile, the Italian More with “Legacy” will pay homage to femininity, with a predominance of the floral theme, using macramé, fine Chantilly lace, crossed necklines and silhouettes with large volumes. And the Italian designer Camilla Elena Signore. With “Helena” she brings a different vision to the bridal world with creations that intercept trends and respond to the needs of the new generations.
For its part, Studio Serravalle with “Aurora Borealis” will propose a collection immersed in dynamic patterns and bright lights. Lorena Panea will transport us to the origins of existence with “Genesis”, a collection of fluid, dreamlike and romantic outfits, with elements linked to the symbolism of life, water, and nature. At the same time, Mireia Balaguer‘s collection will take us back to Ancient Greece and Rome in a luminous, pure, balanced, and romantic description of life.
Completing the fourth and final day of the catwalk will be the fashion shows of Modeca with three collections for lovers of quality embellishments and high-end details that show the elegance and sophistication of Dutch design; the proposals of Madeline with an elevated and modern approach to bridal fashion with a wide range of shapes, soft fabrics and details made with paint and the spectacularism of the Turkish firm Madam Burcu with princess or straight cut dresses with pleats decorated with embroidery.
Design from the Canary Islands
Three firms from the Canary Islands will be in charge of closing the BBFW23 catwalk. Ogadenia Couture will be revisiting fashion patterns that made history between the 1920s and 1950s to adapt them to today’s demands. With sensual designs and a commitment to ingenious openwork, the collection allows you to mix and match garments to create personalised outfits. Pedro Palmas will present his ‘Neige’ collection inspired by the snow with silk and polyester satins, mikados and crepes, giving wedding dresses a new and fresh air. Finally, Lucas Balboa will travel to “Delphos” with his haute couture proposals for brides and grooms that unite in an explosion of colour, art, culture, and tradition.
Barcelona, April 2023
Check out Designers Collections Dossier here
Fashion Shows Schedule 2023 here
