In early September, Bridal Times had the opportunity to visit the UK’s largest bridal trade show, an impressive maze of halls filled with visitors, manufactures and designers within the bridal industry.
The Harrogate Bridal Show is widely acknowledged as the biggest and most important industry buying event on the bridal calendar, showcasing 350 + collections, a mix of long-established brands and new, independent designers, offering retailers a vast choice of silhouettes, fabrics and price points. All aspects were covered, from suits and dresses to shoes and accessories, as well as childrenswear, evening and prom attire and bridal lingerie.
We can imagine it’s hard for retailers to not get overwhelmed with so much to choose from and look at!
But a good stop at the champagne bar is a great way to take a break, regroup and have a look at the show guide for the next exhibitor stop or fashion show.
Fashion Shows
The new season’s collections were brought to life with the fashion shows held in the beautiful Royal Hall Theatre. The Bridal Preview showcased brands such as Mark Lesley featuring their ultra feminine and sexy collection, Casablanca, and their brand new Spring 2019 collection, the 7 brand new collections from Victoria Kay, the diversity bridal looks from Ladybird, Pia Michi, Rachel Allan, Veromia, just to name a few.
House of Mooshki
Veromia
Lusan Mandongus
The Designer Preview was just as impressive presenting fun styles of House of Mooschki, the glamourus Lusan Mandongus, beautiful styles Nicole Milano, the brand new label of Paul Zeini, the elegant Diane Legrand Collection, Hana Divine Eliza & Ethan and Anna Romysh Haute Couture.
The DOM Bridals Team, Best Prom Collection of the Year: Ellie Wilde for Mon Cheri
Bridal Buyer Awards
Known as the “Oscars of the Bridal Industry”, the Bridal Buyer Awards brought the industry together to celebrate bridal successes. Almost 600 esteemed guests attended the event, hosted by Anna Morris, the comedian behind the viral web blog series, Georgina the Bride.
Winners were announced for Bridalwear Retailer of the Year in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales as well as best new retailer of the year, long standing retailer, customer service, best website, best men’s formalwear Retailer, Best In-Store Design, Student Designer of the Year from University of Brighton.
And of course the following winners have our international interest such as:
Best Bridalwear Manufacturer
Enzoani
Best Bridesmaid Manufacturer
Motee Maids
Best Prom Collection of the Year
Ellie Wilde
Best Plus-Size Collection
Justin Alexander
Best Mother of the Bride Collection of the Year
Veni Infantino for Ronald Joyce
Best Headdress Collection of the Year
Miranda Templeton
Supplier Customer Service of the Year
Catherine Parry
Wedding Dress of the Year
Essense of Australia – Style 2322
British Bridalwear Designer of the Year
Sassi Holford
The Harrogate once again proved itself to be an essential part of the industry both for the designers showing their latest collections and for the retailers sourcing them.
There is still so much to cover so we’ll be following up with the latest trends and an impressions video shortly!
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