Danielle Frankel’s atelier is a quiet and serene reprieve when you step off the New York City streets. It’s a welcoming atmosphere for brides-to-be admirers looking for a wedding dress that is as interesting as it is well-made. Often recognized for her whimsical but architectural approach to bridal design, Frankel’s work has matured of late—a natural progression for any designer nearly a decade in. This season, she asked herself how she could push develop her ideas further, likening the collection to a “rebirth.” (The brand also wiped its social media, confirming this sentiment.)
Maturity can be felt in the collection’s attention to details. One backless mini dress was composed entirely of woven and fringed ribbons handmade from layered lace, hand-frayed organza, and horsehair whose natural rigidity added bounce and structure to the silhouette. It could be an elevated choice for a courthouse bride who’s planning martinis with friends in Tribeca after. Horsehair lent clever structure to other pieces, as well, including a hand-dyed red gown reminiscent of dried rose petals that Frankel would love to see on a red carpet.
The woman gravitating towards a ’90s-meets-Victorian era high collared peplum jacket and column skirt may not be the same as the one opting for a wide-hipped sculptural piece whose pleated scallops were inspired by the master dressmaker Mariano Fortuny. What they likely share is confidence in their own discerning tastes. “They can be friends,” Frankel said.
