5 Key Bridal Trends from Couture Fashion Week Paris

After a momentary hiatus, in-person fashion shows are back – and what better way to reignite the magic of the runway than Haute Couture Fashion Week?

Hailed as the most prestigious of dates on the fashion schedule, Haute Couture Paris is the crème de la crème of occasionwear dressing, reserved for fashion’s most skillful ateliers and wealthiest clientele. 

And while for many of us, Couture prices may be out of reach, they can provide a wealth of inspiration for the fashion-conscious bride looking to make an impact on the big day. The Story Of rounds up the key bridal trends spotted on the runway throughout the A/W 21/22 season.

Ruffles, frills, florals and feathers were all on the cards at Couture this season, with designers flexing exquisite detailing via textured finishes and all-out embroidery. Chanel’s three-tier embroidery extravaganza hit all the right notes, complete with intricate lazer-cut petals and clustered pearl embroidery.

(Images from top to bottom: Fendi, Ronald-Van-Der-Kemp, Azzaro, Chanel, Giambattista Valli, Azzaro)

An increasingly popular choice for the contemporary bride, Couture designers continue to back the suit for Fall. A variety of styles and silhouettes are en mode; from Armarni’s crop-top combo to the elegant long lines for Chanel’s dinner jacket. Wear on its own with a statement earring and stiletto for a look that oozes sartorial elegance.

(Images from top to bottom: Dior, Armani Prive, Chanel, Fendi, Giambattista Valli)

This season, designers updated the classic A-Line silhouette with contemporary flare. At Balenciaga, Demna Gvasalia’s long-awaited couture debut took a trip through the archives of some of the houses’ most iconic silhouettes, revived with just the right amount of Gvasalia’s tongue and cheek take on modern dress codes. Elsewhere, Chanel’s final look was undoubtedly the show-stopper dress of the season, worn by actress and Chanel muse Margaret Qualley, who glided down the runway before throwing her bouquet into the crowd. 

(Images from top to bottom: Fendi, Chanel, Balenciaga)

Sheer’s needn’t be reserved for Summer. Plenty of designers made a case for breezy chiffons and featherweight silks, making for an effortless and endlessly romantic Fall-time bride. At Dior, Maria Grazi Chiuri’s girls resembled Grecian goddesses, while Fendi concealed and revealed all the right places with delicate floral appliqué.

(Images from top to bottom: Dior, Fendi, Armarni Privé, Dior)

Because what’s a wedding without a touch of drama? Designers didn’t shy away from full octane volume, making for cascading trapeze shapes, billowing bubble-hems and regency style sleeves. In one of the most anticipated debuts of the season, Pieter Mulier’s premier at Alaia brought a chic, contemporary finish to couture collections. Couture shapes came made for the everyday, seeing low-key materials meet expertly crafted silhouettes.

(Images from top to bottom: Giambattista Valli, Schiaparelli)