Category Archives: Designer Showcase

We’re passionate about wedding gowns, which means we’re passionate about the designers who make them. Meet our favorites.

One of the most exciting things about working in bridal is the opportunity to build connections with designers from across the country—and around the world. Every designer we work with is someone we’ve selected based on the quality of their designs and the uniqueness of their style. Through establishing relationships with a select group of bridal labels, we can bring our brides a selection of gowns to meet any style, silhouette, or price point.

Finding the perfect dress is an emotional decision. Brides are searching for a dress that doesn’t just look good, but that speaks to their personal style, or expresses something about their values and interests. Taking some time before your first bridal appointment to learn about a designer and see their latest collection can help you find a gown you connect with on that deeper level.

We’re proud of the range of designers we carry at our boutique. More designers means we have more options to offer brides who are still trying to find their vision. And for brides who are already in love with a designer, we can match them with their dream dress. Ready to learn more about the designers we carry? Here (in no particular order) are our favorites.

Lillian West

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like your biggest romantic fantasies had been pulled from your head and turned into a wedding gown, Lillian West is the designer for you. Breezy, lacy, soft, and stylish, these dresses check all the boxes.

Many, but not all, of these gowns fall into the boho trend, so if you want to try something of that nature without going all the way, this is a great designer to check out.

Essense of Australia

The word Essense of Australia likes to use to describe themselves is “epic,” and we certainly see that in their designs. These gowns are truly sensational, showcasing modern takes on timeless dresses.

Whether you are yearning for sparkle, desperate for lace, or have your heart set on a striking minimalist design, there’s a dress here for everyone.

Stella York

For brides who aspire to be trend setters, Stella York is the designer to watch. These gowns typically reflect up-to-the-minute design trends, from glamorous fashion statements to lacy boho gowns.

We often host trunk shows with Stella York, so if you’re eager to get your hands on a one-of-a-kind dress, keep an eye on out for our next announcement.

All Who Wander

While other labels flirt with boho, All Who Wander goes all in. Get ready for detachable sleeves, tassels, and oversized lace—all on dresses breezy enough to take a hike in. These gowns are for adventurous spirits, fierce women who aren’t afraid to make a statement.

You won’t be short of variety, either. While these dresses all fit the boho theme, you won’t be at a loss for details to obsess over, whether it’s the low back, the cutaway side panels, or the removable cape.

Adore by Justin Alexander

Sometimes a designer comes out with a collection that is so prescient, you wonder if they can see the future. That’s what it felt like when Justin Alexander released their new Adore collection. What could be more perfect than a line of simple wedding dresses at affordable price points with fast turn-around times at a time when many brides were re-arranging their weddings and planning elopements.

The best part? Like their name implies, these dresses are adorable. This is truly a case of a designer responding to what the market needed without compromising quality or style.

Lis Simon

Based in Calgary, Lis Simon is a husband and wife duo who started out of their apartment and grew into an international bridal label. They’re the perfect choice for brides who want stylish gowns that blend the modern and traditional.

We’ve been ultra fans of Lis Simon for years due to their unique take on bridal fashion. Along with their regular line of dresses, they also offer separates that can be sewn together for a mix-and-match gown that is all your own.

Allure Bridals

Allure Bridals has been among of our most requested designers for years. Their gowns are a breathtaking combination of decadence and romance, with luxurious fabrics, intricate beading, and delicate lace.

Above all, Allure has embraced variety in their collections, with a style and silhouette to suite every bride. Their creativity frequently comes through on their special collections, which often feature unique fabrics or designs that take their inspiration from a special source.

Abella

Our designers often come out with new lines meant to deliver a specific look or appeal to a certain kind of bride. Their new line, Abella, has truly blown us away. Their designs bring together traditional silhouettes, exquisite construction details, and modern fabrics to create ethereal gowns that are absolutely unforgettable.

We’re proud to be one of the select boutiques carrying this line of dresses, so if you want to try them on, we can make your dreams come true!

A boutique with a variety of designers can help you find your dream gown.

If you aren’t sure what kind of dress you’re looking for, knowing your designer can help you shop within an esthetic even if you haven’t picked a silhouette. On the other hand, if you don’t know what you want at all, the more designers a boutique carries, the more options you’ll have.

Shopping for a dress is one of the most emotionally involved decisions a bride makes before her wedding. We want to be sure you can have the best experience possible. If there are any dresses from our designers which you would like to try on, we can order them in for you through our loaner program, even if they aren’t ones we usually carry in our boutique.

And while you’re at it, keep an eye out for trunk shows! We sometimes have the opportunity to showcase a specific designer while they’re still fine-tuning their newest collection. It’s a chance to buy a dress that is truly one of a kind.

The new collection of gowns from Abella are unlike anything we’ve seen before. Come take a look!

After over a year of staying home, many brides are eager to step out and make a splash. If you want a showstopper of showstoppers, then the Abella collection from Allure Bridals is one you can’t miss.

What sets these gowns apart is that many of them incorporate glitter and sparkle in a way we’ve never seen done before. They shimmer. They shine. They’re glamorous but in a way you can’t put your finger on. They have a je ne sais quoi that you have to see in person to appreciate.

These dresses are fresh in, but the reception we’ve gotten from the brides who’ve had a chance to try them on is as enthusiastic as our own. Come in and see for yourself!

Luna Leigh: A deceptively simple ballgown in glitter lace.

There’s so much to love about Luna Leigh, but we’ll start with the square neckline. We love how clean this is, and it is the perfect silhouette to match the neatly fitted bodice and tailored waistband. The skirt doesn’t have a lot of gathers or pleats at the waist, but flares dramatically into a voluminous skirt. Everything is covered in a glitter lace pattern of delicate vines. If you’re planning your wedding for cooler months, the bodice on this gown would pair perfectly with a fitted jacket.

Astrid Ann: Multidimensional lace with a deep V neckline and cap sleeves.

If you’re looking for a gown that makes more of a statement, Astrid Ann is a breath-taking combination of lace and tulle just the right amount of shimmer when it catches the light. The neckline flows smoothly from a deep V in the front to a low scoop in the back. The cap sleeves balance out the bodice and give the gown a traditional look that would be perfect for a large church, although the flower appliques make us long to see it in a garden wedding.

Mikaela: A bombshell silhouette with diamond sparkle tulle.

Inspired by vintage French styles, Mikaela has so many amazing details to recommend it. The most eye-catching, after the hourglass silhouette, is the deep, plunging sweetheart neckline that finishes with a flirty bow at the waist. One of our favorite details, however is that the illusion neckline draws the shimmer from the fabric all the way up to the collarbone, and then sets off by a row of fabric-covered buttons in the back.

Sigrid: A Bardot neckline with lace appliques.

Perhaps the most romantic gown of the collection, Sigrid is a true princess gown. The full-length lace sleeves combine with an off-the-shoulder neckline that dips into a sweetheart in the front and a wide V in the back. Boning in the bodice gives this dress a fitted look at the top, while the pleats at the waistline give the skirt instant volume. Lace appliques bring old world elegance to this gown which finishes off in a long train. We see this as a perfect choice for brides planning a wedding in the fall or the early spring.

Gita Marie: A flowing gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves.

Gita Marie is a dream. It’s rare to find a dress with so many layers of fabric that still manages to look and feel weightless. The corset boning in the bodice, which is covered by transparent pleats of sparkle tulle, adds structure to an otherwise flowing silhouette. The draped, off-the-shoulder sleeves add the final romantic touch to this fairytale dress. The lightness of this dress makes it a good choice for warm weather, although we love imagining it at a beach wedding, where the wind off the water can let the layers truly billow.

Nadine: A dazzling mermaid silhouette with a plunging neckline.

Does your heart skip a beat when you see bling on a wedding gown? Then Nadine may be the dress you can’t miss. The sequins and sparkle on this gown are far from subtle, just like the plunging neckline, which is matched by a deep V in the back and cutouts in the sides. And for brides who want a form-fitting top but don’t want to give up a dramatic skirt, this mermaid silhouette is a dream come true.

Monia: A beaded sheath with a detachable overskirt.

Have we mentioned before how much we adore detachable overskirts? There’s nothing more fun than a two-in-one dress, especially when both versions are showstoppers on their own. As a sheath dress, Monia stands out for the delicate beading running the full length of the gown, as well as the sheer paneling in the bodice. Paired with the overskirt, the silhouette becomes full and flowing for a ballgown look. We like the idea of making a dramatic entrance in the overskirt for the ceremony before removing layers once it becomes time to dance.

Come into our boutique to try these gowns on for yourself!

The Abella collection is truly one-of-a-kind, but you can’t find them just anywhere. The White Dress is one of a select number of boutiques carrying this collection, and we’re delighted to be able to offer our brides an exclusive look at some of these dresses. So if you want to see them up close, book an appointment with us! We will be delighted to show them off.

Six new dresses from Essense of Australia bring lace, glamour, and bohemian styles to our boutique.

There’s few things we love more than introducing a brand new line of dresses, which is why we’re thrilled to announce that the latest collection to grace our stores comes from Essense of Australia. Essense is known for delivering bohemian styles with a daring twist. (Fair warning: They may raise some eyebrows if you’re planning a church wedding!)

This designer also delights in details, giving these gowns plenty of luxurious embellishments. If you’re looking for a high-end gown that lets you indulge all your wedding day fantasies, this is a collection not to be missed.

Even better, the gowns we have in our store right now isn’t your standard release. Essense has selected our boutique to be part of their testing program, where they send new designs to see how brides respond to them. Four of the gowns in our store now are part of this testing period, meaning the brides who come try them on are some of the first to wear them this season!

We’ll have more dresses coming in the coming months, but we encourage our brides to come in sooner rather than later so they have enough time to order the dress and have it come in time for the wedding. It takes a few months for these dresses to be sewn, so if you’re planning a wedding for late 2021 or early 2022, don’t wait to come try these dresses on.

D3023: A plunging V neckline with organic leaf appliqués.

This gown features beautiful lace in an unusual leaf pattern, making it an ideal choice for non-traditional bride. The deep V on this neckline is repeated at the sides of the dress, as well as in the back, drawing attention to the sheer paneling. This dress comes with a Moscato tulle option for brides who want shades of blush in their wedding gown.

D2770: A stunning backless gown with a trumpet silhouette.

We said these dresses were daring, and this backless gown is not for the faint of heart. The low cut is set off with narrow, beaded straps, which crisscross right at the small of the back. Not to be outdone, the front of this dress brings plenty of drama by combining a low, plunging neckline with sheer side panels. It’s a stunning gown that is sure to leave your partner speechless.

D2771: A fit-and-flare gown with a delicate beaded back.

In a collection that prominently features low-cut backs, this dress still stands out. The delicate lines of beading at the back of this dress add to its bohemian style, which features plenty of embellishments throughout. We love how the double rows of scalloped lace at the hem of this dress look like waves breaking against a beach—the perfect complement to a mermaid silhouette!

D3247: A romantic, off-the-shoulder neckline accented by floral lace.

We always love a good Bardot neckline, and this gown delivers. The deep sweetheart cut of the  neckline flows perfectly into the off-the-shoulder straps, giving this gown an ultra-romantic vibe that we just can’t get enough of. But that’s not all: The back of this dress features a row of fabric covered buttons that run all the way to the edge of the long train.

D3094: A flowing A-line with a statement back.

There’s a lot to love about this dress, from the relaxed silhouette to the sweetheart neckline. The bold choice of graphic lace has a slightly art deco look to it as well, which is perfect for brides who want to harken back to the roaring twenties with their wedding look. We also love the back detail on this dress, where the long, beaded straps unite with the horizontal banding, perfectly framing the open back. The fabric of this dress has a subtle shimmer, adding to the opulence of this design.

D3284: Long sleeves and sheer lace for an unforgettable look.

From a distance, this gown with its long sleeves gives the illusion of a more traditional gown, but a closer look will make you think twice. Not only does this dress showcase an open back with an off-the-shoulder neckline, but the sheer fabric of the bodice gives the lace a tattoo effect.

Everything about this dress is tastefully positioned to provide just the right amount of coverage. Our favorite detail? The short row of fabric buttons emphasizing the small of the back. This dress is a true show-stopper for a modern bride looking for an edgy gown to amaze her guests. While it is not yet in our store, it will be arriving soon, so let us know when you book your appointment if you’re interested in trying it on!

Head to our Instagram for our dress naming contest!

You’ve probably noticed that these dresses are still going by their design number. We always like to give our gowns names, as it makes it easier for our brides to remember their favorites (and it’s fun!). This time round, we’re letting our brides take part in naming our gowns by participating in our Instagram contest, starting this May!

The rules are simple:

• We will post a question box on IG stories where you can submit names for our new gowns.
• We will take all the names and determine a top four for each gown.
• Then we will go back to IG to announce the top four submissions and will announce winners. (If multiple people submit the same name, then the winner is the first person who submitted the name.)
• The winner will win an olive + piper jewelry item from our selection!

There’s a lot coming in the next few months, so keep your eyes on our social channels as well as our blog for more announcements. In the meantime, we hope to see you in our boutique soon!