The bridal fashion scene is never without its mainstay of core designers and most of us probably know a few of their names. But in recent seasons, the industry seems to have become something different.
Nowadays, the rules that encompass wedding fashion – and what it means to be “bridal” – are evolving. Brides-to-be are no longer instinctively following the Chantilly lace-clad pack; instead, they are rethinking, even ditching traditional concepts of Westernized wedding attire. They gravitate toward looks that are unique and will express their individuality because for them, the primary influential factor is how a wedding ensemble will make them feel.
Bridal’s current seasons have shown to be especially exciting for the bride who seeks to enhance her own personal style. Unlike her predecessors, she actually prefers to embrace unexpected twists on conventional silhouettes, lots of variety and dresses that lend themselves to wear again. And it’s no surprise a Black woman-owned fashion label is single-handedly transposing the entire industry to guarantee these clients are accommodated.
Introducing: bridal’s new guard, Hanifa.
Her first-ever bridal collection, presented on October 15th at the opulent Salamander Resort and Spa, a 5-star, Black-woman-owned estate in Middleburg, Virginia, Hanifa’s founder and lead designer Anifa Mvuemba describes the dreamy new line as “a little bit of everything.” Perhaps it is because she has clearly understood the assignment of how today’s brides aren’t just shopping for a wedding dress; they are also in the market for a complete, personalized wedding wardrobe experience.
From intricately customized gowns fashioned with dramatically sweeping hemlines and party looks finished with tuxedo accents and precision-pleated hoop skirts to mini-dresses with boas and lingerie-inspired details, each piece was more exquisitely tailored than the next. The collection even considered the extra events an actual union — outfits for the bachelorette trips, bridal showers and the afterparty were individually featured “moments,” all donned by stunning runway models in every size, color and shape — a testament to how Mvuemba herself is as thoughtful as her designs.
“When you think of couture, when you see those beautiful shows, it’s hard to kind of see yourself in those pieces because it’s almost like you don’t have access to it,” the self-taught designer explains to Fashionista. “When brides see these gowns come down the runway, I want them to see themselves in them.”
As for the finishing touches, the award-winning visionary left no stone unturned. While some garments were impeccably crafted with sparkling embellishment, others showed off commanding shoulder details and painstakingly detailed layering of tulle and bold bow appliqués. Some pieces even featured stunning, feather-trimmed organza detailing and “snatched waist” bodices and corsets, a nod to the Hanifa signature ethos that made the brand famous.
In 2011, the Congolese-born, D.M.V.-raised Mvuemba launched the eponymous brand (in Arabic, Anifa is pronounced Hanifa), a curve-inclusive, high-quality, ready-to-wear apparel label designed with Black women in mind. In 2020, when the pandemic forced the cancellation of most scheduled fashion events around the world, Mvuemba released Hanifa’s first Pink Label Congo collection (an ode to her home country), using a revolutionary 3-D virtual runway show with 3-D models on Instagram Live. The groundbreaking livestream didn’t just showcase the brand’s distinctive silhouettes. It just about broke the internet and amassed a cult following (Michelle Obama, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Zendaya and Beyoncé have joined a long, growing list of fans). But most notably, it raised and propelled fashion standards both nationally and internationally, marking a new entry into how fashion and technology can intersect.
In keeping with the D.M.V. ‘s effervescent wedding culture, Mvuemba produced the bridal runway show along with a wedding planner. She also used the presentation to highlight fellow Black female entrepreneurs, collaborating with Mielle Organics for hair, Fashion Fair for makeup and McBride Sisters for wine.
Pricing for the bridal collection is scheduled to be released in the coming week and orders will open on Oct. 27. Mvuemba has even hinted at opening freestanding bridal boutiques, bespoke design services and stocking her pieces at established wedding shops.
Can’t wait!
