Needle & Thread has become a reliable stalwart for brides who want a gown that is romantic, modern and beautifully made. Since launching in April 2018, its initial collection of embellished dresses has attracted a huge following based on its ornate embroidery, feminine, flattering shapes and hint of ethereal whimsy.
The bridal market is still trying to catch up with what women want. The past few years have seen a shift away from traditional, structured voluminous styles to dresses that offer ease of movement and a more effortless beauty that doesn't require a bank loan. Although Needle & Thread didn't set out to conquer the bridal arena (its ready-to-wear works as well for parties, as much as it does weddings), it accidentally won the game.
If you haven't yet been to a wedding where the bride wore one of the label's gowns, then you'll have doubtlessly seen a bridesmaid spin round the dance-floor in a whirl of Needle & Thread tulle and lace.
So, which styles have been the most popular this year? The label's founder, Hannah Coffin, says the pearl rose gown had the most traction among brides with 60 per cent of initial stock selling out within weeks. Priced at £850 (affordable in bridal terms), the designer says its appeal lies within its price, flattering cut and its "perfect balance of tradition and contemporary".
"We’re offering the customer unrivalled value with the pearl rose gown," she says. "It features hundreds of embroidered flowers with delicate silver highlights and the most generous of hem sweeps. We all try the gowns on in the office and this one was a clear winner with the team. Our customers have told us they feel incredible in this gown.
Coffin says she's also noticed a spike in both sequinned styles and caped gowns - trends she expects to grow within the bridal sector 2019. Demand for the brand's new tiered gloss cami gown, festooned in light-catching silver sequins, was so high that new stock has already been re-ordered.
"Consumers are finding sequins more appealing and versatile to wear, the shinier and glossier the better," she says. "I’m anticipating a similar appetite and confidence to transfer into bridal and expect to see glossy sequins continue to perform well for us in bridal throughout 2019."
"I’m excited to see capes perform well in bridal for 2018 - and I expect this trend to continue in 2019," adds Coffin. "Brides are becoming more fashion forward, and capes are really having a moment for us, offering the prettiest of modest layers."
35 Affordable High Street Wedding Dresses For The Stylish Yet Thrifty Bride
