Richard Quinn: The Return Of The Runway Bride

Feb 19

Traditionally, couture fashion designers would close every show or presentation with one bridal look, generally the most extravagant, expensive or intricate loof of the entire collection. This phenomenon grew in popularity around the 1940s before becoming an expected part of any high fashion, haute couture runway and fashion tradition. Today, many couture shows still close with a bridal look, although the over-the-topness of the ensemble entirely depends on the brand's individual aesthetic. At Paris Haute Couture week just last month, only some brands showing chose to close their display with a bridal look, however, Giambattista Valli, Chanel, Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino seemingly did.

Giambattista Valli Couture FW23
Daniele Oberrauch

Unsurprisingly, ready-to-wear brands have at times attempted to pay homage to this couture heritage over the years although the practice has never been overly popular or an anticipated item. It would seem, however, that British designer Richard Quinn is either looking to honour this practice or just really wants to branch out into bridal wear. Just under half of his Autumn/Winter 2023 collection shown yesterday at London Fashion Week was comprised of various bridal looks in a delightful mix of silhouettes and fabrics. The first bridal display, which was technically two-in-one as Quinn sent two models out together, featured white embellished mini dresses, white polka dot tights and large bouquets of white, cream and pale yellow florals. Another dress looked to mid-century lingerie for inspiration starring a cone-style bullet bra. The main silhouettes across the board of this bridal exhibition were reminiscent of pinched wasp waists and ankle-length skirts that made up many of the couture designs in the 1950s from the likes of the houses of Dior and Balenciaga.