Lights. Camera. And mesmerising collections of wedding gowns in all shades of ivory, whites, pinks and golds. Bridal Fashion Week in New York showcased the latest Fall/Winter 2022 collections by iconic bridal fashion designers. While each designer had their signature touch on their creations, distinctive style features run across the Fall/Winter 2022 wedding dresses. One of our favourite bridal fashion houses, Galia Lahav, unveiled their latest dreamy gowns collection for their made-to-order label GALA by Galia Lahav.

Named 'Gala Girls', this wedding dress series looks to iconic present-day small and silver screen female personalities for style inspiration. From the likes of Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) and Serena van der Woodsen (Gossip Girl) to the fierce Olivia Pope (Scandal) and Sansa Stark (Game of Thrones) to the driven like Zoey Johnson (Grown-ish) and Claire Underwood (House of Cards), the collection is a delightful mix bag of inspiration style. 'Gala Girls' is a must-try collection for the independent, confident, and free-spirited modern bride looking to express their personality on their big day fashionably. Created with rich fabrics, embroidered lace, exquisite beadwork, this collection has some of our favourite Fall/Winter 2022 bridal fashion week trends. Below are five of our favourite NYBFW trends and a detailed look at the 'Gala Girls' collection.

Statement Sleeves & Shoulders 

The drama is in the sleeves this season, with designers drawing inspiration from period drama series such as Netflix's hit "Bridgerton" and taking notes out of "The Crown" Royal wedding episode by dipping into 80's Princess Diana style. The traditional puff sleeves and mutton sleeves have been reinterpreted and given a modern upgrade to compliment an array of silhouettes. Using transparent fabrics for puff sleeves like those on the Lake dress brings a soft and whimsical element to the wedding dress. Brides who love a puff sleeve but wants it to be more unique, try Tory with its slit puff sleeve. For brides seeking a more structured statement, try something with a mutton sleeve or emphasised shoulders like the Cali dress and its detachable bolero. 

Exposed Corsets

In line with the period drama vibes, corsets are a staple in the lineup of fashion week trends. Different from the stock standard corset and skirt wedding dresses is the more boudoir twists with sheerer fabrics, cutouts and exposed bonings. The light materials evoke a more ethereal whimsy sense to the overall look. For brides looking for equal parts function and sultry, give this trend a try. We recommend trying the Glen A-line dress or Shell dress with her stunning cathedral length train if you are after a softer and sweet look. For a sparkling stunner, try Tyra ballgown. If the fit and flare style if more your cup of tea, then the Nelli dress is a must. 

Oversized Bows

The accent of the season is undeniably the bow. The feminine and cute classic bow has been blown up to oversize and placed on pretty much anywhere a bow could and thought-to-be-couldn't be worn. Designers have been creatively adventurous, from placing bows on the waistline to sleeves to over one shoulder and enveloping an entire bodice. If you are a lover of dramatic sleeves, we recommend Richie and her stunningly draped silk tulle. For the fans of satin fabrics, A-line gown Viv with her straight across corset top and ribbon bow sleeves will give you a minimalist-yet-bold look. If you love the look but want something a little sleeker with a touch of femme fatale, give Dell dress and her side waist bow a try. 

 

High Splits 

Bringing the sexy back into Bridal Fashion Week, high splits are the perfect way to show some skin while letting your inner femme fatale out. It breaks the traditional fully enclosed skirts and adds a bit of cheeky fun. Brides who love to dance will also find this feature will help give you lots of freedom of movement on the dance floor. We love how Galia constructs their high split dresses with an inbuilt pair of shorts or bodysuit to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions. If you are into oversized bows and want an alluring split, you are in luck this season as Galia has combined the two in the dresses Dell, Viv and Richie. For brides who want a modern take on the classic corset A-line dress, Crew is the one to try. 

Daring Plunge Necklines 

Taking a sharp and daring plunge with the necklines is found in almost all designer collections this season. The traditional modest V-necks have taken a step out of the short-and-sweet box and given a bold and feminine makeover with lace overlays, sequin and crystal borders or a sleek edge finishing with some peek-a-boo boning. While this feature has long been a beloved signature of Galia Lahav's designs, we can't help but all in love all over again with this trend. The accentuated plunging neckline is perfect for brides who want to show off their décolletage or elongate their torso. We recommend brides who love whimsical A-line ballgowns to come with a touch of fairy nymph inspiration to try the Max dress. For the bride who wants to sparkle like they are stepping out of old Hollywood films, the skin-tight gown Becca will be your go-to. 

 

Eternal Bridal is excited to welcome Gala by Galia Lahav's "Gala Girls" ready-to-wear bridal dress collection and Galia Lahav's 'Telenovela' Haute Couture wedding dress collection to our Galia Lahav trunk show in early 2022. Be one of the first Australian brides to try on gowns from Galia Lahav's brand new FW22 "Telenovela" and "Gala Girls" collections complemented by a selection of spectacular bridal gowns from past collections. To register or for more information, click here.