39 Bridal Designers You've Probably Never Heard Of...Until Now

Danielle Frankel doesn't want 'bridal' to be considered a bad word in the fashion industry–so she created a line it-girls and young brides alike would be immediately drawn to. "I'm looking to bring all of the fashion-forward elements of ready-to-wear to the bridal experience," she says. "I want to give women something that I see them looking for, but that they're not finding–simple pieces that are technically beautiful, and investment pieces that you can carry beyond the wedding. The designer is all about taking the best parts of getting dressed–layering, styling, personalization–and applying them to bridal, with signature pieces like jackets, layering shirts, belts, gloves and unique separates taking center stage in her debut collection. Said the designer in her exclusive launch with BAZAAR.com, "Modern brides understand the notion that throwing a mid-thigh length silk wool coat over your ball gown for the ceremony is a fashion moment. Then, taking off the gown and buttoning the coat completely changes the look–it's now a mini coat dress for your after-party. I want to challenge brides to take it one step further; open up that mini dress/coat and wear it over jeans and a t-shirt for date night. My bride understands that being cool can also be classic."

Greek native Christos Costarellos merges the ease of the Mediterranean with the construction, attention to detail and fabric quality of a Parisian house. Often utilizing multiple laces to create one single silhouette, this designer is never looking for the easy way out when it comes to designing for his beloved polished bohemian. Imagine discovering new details in each fitting and up until your wedding day–from hand cut fluttery appliqués used to create that much more texture and dimension to a softly frayed hem intended to make the wearer appear effortless to a soft puckering atop a single tier in your skirt. This is the brand for those who are torn between going barefoot on the beach or airing on the side of something more refined.

Bridal is chock-full of lace, embroidery, beading and appliqué, but for the minimalist bride, options are, well, minimal. Sophie et Violaattempts to create the wow factor bridal requires, but with a modernist slant, focusing on sleek, clean, standout silhouettes without the fuss. Consider this label if you're after capes, drop-waists and watteau trains that feel more interesting in their execution than overwrought, and opt for the designer's custom offerings should you be looking to mix and match specific elements of the line, or create your own bespoke bridal look.

It-designer Johanna Ortiz's flamenco skirts, off-shoulder tops, bold ruffles and statement silhouettes are being brought to the aisle courtesy of Moda Operandi. The designer, a favorite for party and wedding guest dressing alike, fills a key void in the wedding world–cool styles that feel special enough to be accessorized with a bouquet, but don't feel over-the-top glam.

The Middle East has long been known as an epicenter of glamour, and Beirut based Ashi Studio caters to the area's most opulent–with a keen eye for innovative, architectural silhouettes and intricate embroideries. The designer has been praised for his Couture bridal for seasons but in our opinion, his work hasn't yet received the love it should stateside. With a rise in the brand's celebrity fanbase–SJP has worn the label, Zendaya has shown them love on the red carpet, Lady Gaga donned a custom gown for the promo of her debut on American Horror Story and Whitney Port wore the brand down the aisle–and a capsule of Couture bridal available out of their Lebanon-based studio, we're hoping more and more American brides with a flair for the dramatic take notice.

Neoprene mesh ballgowns, velvet flocked dots on organza draped skirts and horsehair trimmed tops are only some of the innovative details designer Toni Maticevski has used in his inventive ready-to-wear label. He's translating them effortlessly into a bridal capsule this season, and is also catering to brides for bespoke gowns in his Australia-based atelier. Maticevski experiments with shape and scale consistently, always creating something that feels undoubtedly new. For the bride whose a mainstay on the gala circuit or has been a bridesmaid one-too-many times (and requires a bridal gown that feels like a departure from her black-tie uniform), this is a brand that should be on your radar.

Stints at Dior, Galliano, McQueen and Giles (and a degree from Central Saint Martins) prepared British designer Hermoine de Paula for her foray into bespoke bridal. Her flair for "romantic surrealism" in both her prints and her design motifs results in sheaths that surprise upon closer inspection. Think a scatter of fuschia fabric petals on a bride's train, a wreath of pastel blossoms framing a keyhole back or a sentimental line of poetry or wedding date threaded into a waistline or cuff. Consistently inspired by the flora and fauna of English gardens and the countryside, expect motifs that look and feel equal parts luxe and organic. Looking to find this label stateside? LOHO Bride recently added them to their Los Angeles stock.

Dream scenario? When a designer who has experience creating Haute Couture designs for the bride in a more widely-available, yet still incredibly high-end way. Elie Saab and Viktor & Rolf have managed to tow the line between their Haute Couture, Ready-to-Wear and uniquely bridal offerings and Beirut-based Georges Hobeika is the latest couturier to land his bridal collection stateside. Think detailed beading, incredible volumes and a superb fit.

Name sound familiar? Probably because Savannah has a famous sister–but her line is most definitely not in the spotlight due to her VIP family tree. Miller is best known for a bohemian aesthetic with a designer pedigree, having honed her skills in the ateliers of Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson. After creating a line in collaboration with Sienna, Twenty8Twelve, and her own countryside nuptials, Savannah sought to offer something different and exclusively for the bride. Her latest collection, dubbed Avalon, is making waves for the low-key, boho set and is only her second to market.

In case you missed the memo: Yes. Creative Director Josep Font of Delpozo designs bridal–stellar bridal at that. Fashion girls the world over have been coveting these gowns for seasons; but for those who didn't know about the designers capsule for the aisle, your style prayers have been answered. Dramatic silhouettes, innovative appliqués and the softest of silk tulles are available through the brand's Miami flagship boutique and through select online retailers like Lane Crawford.

We're well aware that this isn't necessarily a new name to know–but their bridal collection is well worth noting. Let's be real, this is one of the labels we've been dying to have design made-to-order bridal for ages. With two seasons of bridal under their belt, Elie Saab no longer caters to brides solely in a Couture capacity. Now, rather than hopping on a plane to Paris for private atelier appointments and fittings (which you can still do, and it's fabulous), you can also visit boutiques in Miami, New York City, Beverly Hills and in 12 other countries to try on gowns from the brand's bridal range. The gowns are as you'd expect from the runway vet and Haute Couturier–beautifully executed, undeniably romantic, lace-heavy and absolutely breathtaking. Unlike most bridal lines who focus solely on the gowns, Elie Saab launched with a full range of accessories and toppers for the bride, so brides with the budget to do so can style themselves from head-to-toe.

Australian designer Suzanne Harward has been creating bridal looks in Melbourne since 1975, but has recently landed on American soil with stockists in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Dallas. Her collections offer something for every bride, and with a current point of view, she merges trend-driven concepts with a keen understanding of her diverse clientele. Her latest collections celebrated clean lines and a neo-Victorian vibe, offering a series of short, high-low, sheath, A-line, fit and flare and ball gown silhouettes with details like chic cut-outs, textural fabrications, 3D appliqués and micro-pleating that felt fresh, fashion-forward and sophisticated.

Minnesota-based Caroline Hayden knows her clientele; she launched her first collection, Fall 2016, after years of designing bespoke ready-to-wear, evening and bridal in the midwest. Her hybrid bridal-meets-RTW debut focused on three color ways in three fabrications, all of which were designed to be wrinkle-free and withstand the test of time. Separates are key to this collection's cool factor, where silhouettes gain visual interest, versatility and dimension with each added capelet, vest or pleated-collared blouse. Her smart fabrics are as intelligent as her multi-piece looks, which encourage brides to find ways to wear their special-day separates post-wedding.

The wedding industry (and bridal salon owners in particular) feel a certain type of deep-seated glee when the news of a heritage brand like Lanvin, a rule-defying label like Vivienne Westwood or a Haute Couturier like Viktor & Rolf (or Elie Saab) is designing a made-to-order collection for the aisle. For Spring 2017, the launch of Viktor & Rolf Mariage wowed us with a 20+ piece range so well-rounded that it seemed a V&R bride would have to look no further, even when on the market for multiple looks. The collection's two jumpsuits were the perfect after-party or rehearsal dinner options and a convertible embroidered gown (a 2-in-1 style that could have fallen prey to looking overwrought and crafty) effortlessly transitioned from an A-line silhouette to a chic mini. Our favorite look? A sweet collared shift dress that would be the perfect mod nod to any civil ceremony.