An exclusive look at the world’s most preeminent bridal fashion event of the year.

Cue the ooohs and ahhs, New York Bridal Fashion Week SS27 was a jaw-dropping showcase of transition gowns, detailed gloves, flowing jacquard, and dramatic veils that evoke a sense of a bygone era.

It’s no surprise that dropped waist and Basque gowns are still seen across designers this season, but we’re also seeing intricate draping, Victorian and Renaissance influence in the sleeves, softer fabrics with delicate pleating, and a little blast from the past with voluminous veils.

Our contributing writer, Kayla Graves of Foxtails Photography, has outlined some of her personal favorites below.

OUMA: Softness with Intention

We kicked off the week with OUMA by its namesake founder/Artistic Director, Ou Ma, a Beijing-born, Vancouver-based designer known for bringing her Chinese heritage to the forefront of her designs with a modern, New York influence. There is a quiet confidence in what OUMA creates: gowns that move with the bride rather than commanding her.

Kayla’s personal favorite piece was the Ember, which transitions from a full ballgown to a high-low variation, making it the perfect reception look for a bride who wants more than one moment. The layers of organza fall so gently — effortless and dramatic all at once. Perfectly designed for movement, perfectly designed for the party.

The modern bride would appreciate Angelus, a textured chiffon bodice paired with a sleek, fitted skirt — chic without trying too hard. Lumi also transitions beautifully, moving from a fuller gown to a tight mini that feels equal parts bridal and nightlife-ready.

What made OUMA special was the quality of its fabrics and the unique designs that cater to movement and a confident softness. These gowns are for brides who want to feel like themselves — just the most radiant version of themselves.

Berta

Berta came in strong with a series of stunning gowns and accessories. The Spring collection showcased many fitted, lace gowns, but what caught our eye was a jacquard gown, a fabric that made its comeback but took a backseat during the minimalist bridal trend, and it adds a wonderful softness among stronger textures, which a lot of designers have been utilizing for their runway shows.

Another standout was a satin dropwaist gown —an eye-catching, paired with matching satin gloves and a cathedral veil with satin trim, making it attractive in a most elegant way.  The kind of look that photographs as beautifully in the ceremony as it does three hours into the reception.

The veils were some of the most stunning we have seen this season. A few were shorter and fuller, with a nostalgic nod to the 1960s that felt genuinely fresh.

And then there were the gloves. These truly stole the show. From short, lace gloves to arm-length satin, it was chic and such a must-have for the fashion-forward bride. Gloves feel like an accessory that skipped a generation and is now coming back to prove something.

Dramatic Sleeves and Embellished Skirts

While we saw stunning sleeves at Berta, I spied a few others around Milla Nova, Dana Harel, and more. Proving that the obsession with the Victorian-era flair is for today’s bride.  

Berta showcased a dainty yet iconic bell sleeve in one of their gowns, and Dana Harel made a statement in her Marielle gown. Among these sleeves, you’ll find movement, intentionality, and a sense that the sleeve is part of the story.

Alongside the Basque gowns, we saw some stunning flair around the hips. Alon Livine and Alexandra Grecco had some gorgeous examples. The piping on the bodice is such a gorgeous detail, giving it a more modern flair.

Drop Waist Gowns: A Trend Across All Designers

Odylyne, The Ceremony, Berta, Ines De Santo, Sarah Seven, and Alon Livne were just a few who showcased stunning drop-waist gowns. With some of the most stunning looks of the Spring season. These designers are each designing something different, from the fabrics to the pleating.

Design as an Art Form

There are some gowns that just stand out. Alon Livne & Flora are two of the bridal houses that certainly did. Alon Livne’s pieces focused on the craftsmanship of stunning bodices, but Flora, in all its delicate beauty, showed restraint by combining ethereal and sculptural qualities. The kind of gown that seems almost too beautiful to be real until you see it move.

Alon Livne brought a different energy — still romantic, but with a stronger architectural focus. His designs feel modern, bridging bridal tradition with editorial fashion.

The Accessories Story: Gloves, Veils & What I’m Still Dreaming About

If this season made one thing clear, it’s that accessories are no longer a finishing touch but a statement for each gown, making their look even more unique.

Veils have never gone out of style globally; they serve as undeniable statement pieces,e and we can appreciate the stunning beauty of a lace veil. Although we couldn’t conceal our excitement when we saw the voluminous veils.

But what tugged at my heart was remembering my aunt’s veil from the early 90s! We’ve had so many stunning but simple cathedral-style veils for so long that seeing the shorter or layered veils was a surprise.

One of our scene-stealing favorites is a full-length veil: a delicate, ruffled chiffon cathedral veil and a simple tulle veil with embroidered florals along the edge. Romantic and refined, yet able to add character to a simple gown or complement a more artistic look.

And the gloves. Let’s be clear, gloves will never go out of style. I truly have no clue why we don’t wear them as much, but I once had a bride pull on her grandmother’s heirloom gloves at a wedding, such a fun but meaningful detail. If you don’t have a pair of heirloom gloves, Berta has you covered

The only accessories we saw more of were capes and hats, but shawls, scarves, and headpieces were making appearances everywhere.