George Boyle
Black brides-to-be can get their wedding dresses from a variety of places, including big brands, boutiques, and independent designers. There are many talented Black wedding dress designers who are leading the industry with their unique style and perspective, such as Amsale, Nardos, Esé Azénabor, and Jean-Ralph Thurin. Black-owned wedding brands, such as Pantora Bridal, Curvaceous Couture, and Felisiti Greis, are also great options for finding a wedding dress that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. Additionally, websites like Junebug Weddings and Sparrow Bride offer online shopping for Black-owned wedding dress brands and customisation options. Supporting Black-owned businesses and designers not only promotes diversity but also ensures that Black brides can envision themselves in their wedding advertisements and feel represented in the bridal industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Black-owned wedding dress brands | Pantora Bridal, Felisiti Greis, Curvaceous Couture, Carly's capsule collection, Julie Harris Designs, Brides By Nona, April by Kunbi, MeJeanne Couture, Oui Madam Bridal Atelier, Jean-Ralph Thurin, Naomi Deru Bridal, Nardos, Scorcesa, Page XVII |
| Black wedding dress designers | Ann Lowe, Charles Dieujuste, Jasmyne Summers, Nardos Imam, Cynthia Grafton-Holt, Rita Colson, Christelle Dominique |
| Black-owned bridal salons | The Knot Vendor Marketplace |
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What You'll Learn
Black wedding dress designers
While the wedding industry has long been lacking in diversity, there are many talented Black wedding dress designers who are leaving their mark on the industry. Here are some notable Black wedding dress designers who are worth knowing and supporting:
Ann Lowe
Considered the first Black wedding dress designer, Ann Lowe is an icon in the world of bridal fashion. Despite facing segregation and racism, she created timeless and elegant designs that are still celebrated today. One of her most notable commissions was the wedding gown and bridal party dresses for Jacqueline Bouvier's marriage to Senator John F. Kennedy in 1953. Unfortunately, Lowe did not receive the recognition she deserved during her lifetime, but her legacy continues to inspire and empower Black designers.
Amsale Aberra
A trailblazing Ethiopian designer who revolutionized the bridal fashion industry in the 1980s. She is widely credited as the inventor of the modern wedding dress, known for her sophisticated, minimalist aesthetic. Amsale's designs offer a luxurious yet understated elegance, and her influence continues to be felt in the industry, even after her passing in 2018.
Lawrencia Blount
The owner and designer of Lawrencia Bridal Couture, Lawrencia Blount creates unique, iconic bridal looks with a modern and fashion-forward twist. Based in Los Angeles, California, Blount established her brand in 2009 and officially launched in 2021. Her designs are known for their bold, sexy, and statement-making qualities.
Jean-Ralph Thurin
With over 20 years of experience, Jean-Ralph Thurin is a seasoned designer who creates custom wedding gowns that celebrate the curves and bodies of Black women. He finds inspiration in architecture, incorporating different types of lines and fabric embellishments to enhance the natural beauty of his clients. Thurin's designs blend timeless details like delicate lace with sleek, contemporary styles.
Leah Langley-McClean
The founder and designer of elleNelle Bridal, Leah Langley-McClean, transitioned into bridal fashion while planning her own wedding. Dissatisfied with the limited options available, she designed and sewed a one-of-a-kind couture gown for herself. elleNelle's design aesthetic is contemporary, clean, and sleek, catering to the modern high-fashion bride who creates her own rules.
These designers are just a few examples of the incredible talent and diversity within the world of wedding dress design. Supporting and celebrating these designers helps to ensure that their contributions to the industry are recognized and valued.
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Black-owned boutiques
When it comes to wedding dresses, Black brides have a variety of options to choose from, including Black-owned boutiques.
One option is to seek out a Black-owned bridal boutique that carries a range of designers. For example, Elite Secrets Bridal in Baltimore is an authorized retailer that encourages inclusiveness and diversity in its advertisements and social media posts, so brides of all backgrounds can envision themselves in their dream dress. Another similar boutique is The Dress Matters Bridal Boutique, which is committed to celebrating and supporting Black-owned businesses and diverse hiring practices.
Brides can also opt for a custom gown designed by a Black designer. Jean-Ralph Thurin, with 20 years of experience, creates custom wedding gowns that flatter and enhance the curves of Black women, taking inspiration from architecture. Brides By Nona, founded by Nigerian designer Olakunbi Oyelese, offers custom gowns with intricate details, clean and modern lines, and a diverse range of styles. MeJeanne Couture, founded by Christelle Dominique, also creates custom bridal gowns with a unique touch at an affordable price.
There are also several Black wedding dress designers who have created their own lines of wedding gowns. Nardos Imam, for example, offers a bridal collection with classic, tailored silhouettes and standout details. Amsale Aberra's designs reflect her philosophy of elegant simplicity, with each dress handcrafted with couture dressmaking techniques in her New York City atelier. Pantora Bridal provides fashion-forward bridal options paired with a feel-good experience.
In addition to these options, there are many other Black-owned wedding dress designers and boutiques to choose from, such as Dreamers & Lovers, Cynthia Grafton-Holt Couture, and Lawrencia Bridal Couture, to name a few. Supporting these businesses not only promotes diversity and inclusiveness in the wedding industry but also ensures that Black talent and creativity are recognized and celebrated.
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Online retailers
Another option is Azazie, which offers a diverse range of wedding dresses at affordable prices. Azazie is committed to body-positive fashion and offers made-to-order dresses to reduce waste and lower their environmental impact. Etsy is another online platform with various shops offering black wedding dresses and custom dye options. When ordering from Etsy, it is important to read reviews and know your measurements to ensure the best fit.
For those looking for a more bespoke experience, there are several black-owned wedding brands that offer custom-made gowns. For example, Felisiti Greis creates bespoke garments with a luxury finish, while Curvaceous Couture is dedicated to providing a joyful and fulfilling experience for curvier brides. Rita Colson, a London-based fashion designer, specializes in bridal couture and evening wear, creating contemporary and bespoke pieces with an ethical twist, as all materials are sourced sustainably. Lastly, Naomi Deru Bridal is another option, with each wedding gown handcrafted from scratch using high-quality laces and silks.
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Custom-made dresses
Custom-made wedding dresses are a great option for brides who want a unique and personalised gown for their special day. There are many talented Black wedding dress designers who offer custom-made dresses, often drawing on their diverse backgrounds and cultural experiences to create stunning and innovative designs.
One such designer is Esé Azénabor, who creates custom dresses after noticing a gap in the bridal industry for darker-skinned women. Azénabor, born in Nigeria, raised in Canada, and educated in the United Kingdom, draws inspiration from her travels to create dresses that are completely tailored to each bride. Similarly, Dami Olukoya, the founder of Imad Eduso, offers bespoke, made-to-order, and ready-to-wear bridal wear inspired by her Nigerian culture. Her designs aim to satisfy "the minimalist bride who seeks classic, yet unconventional designs." Olukoya's creations have been worn by celebrities and showcased at Lagos Bridal Fashion Week multiple times.
Another designer who caters to Black brides is Pantora Bridal, which offers highly customizable gowns with various alternative strap, neckline, and skirt options. The brand launched Forgotten Skin Tones, a selection of illusion and mesh linings created specifically for brides of colour, recognising that standard mesh colours do not work on darker complexions.
For those seeking a contemporary and fashion-forward look, Naomi Deru Bridal offers handcrafted gowns using high-quality laces and silks. Each dress is impeccably tailored, showcasing flattering fits, hand embroideries, shimmering embellishments, and beautiful details. Dreamers & Lovers is another California-based brand that creates handmade dresses to the bride's measurements, ensuring each dress evokes an emotion and sparks a conversation.
In addition, Ethiopian designer Amsale Aberra, who founded The Amsale Group, offers custom wedding gowns from her New York City base. The brand presents elegant and modern styles with accents of glamour, ranging in price from $1,700 to $5,000 and in size from 0 to 24.
These designers, and many others, showcase the talent and creativity within the bridal fashion industry, ensuring that Black brides can find custom-made dresses that celebrate their individuality and cultural heritage.
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Black bridal salons
There are several Black-owned bridal salons and suit designers in the Philadelphia area. The Dress Matters, for example, offers custom and off-the-rack bridal and bridesmaids' attire, as well as flower girl dresses, for under $2,000. Lillie Couture, founded by Latasha Hall, offers custom and ready-to-wear looks for brides and their bridal parties, as well as exclusive accessories. Haitian designer Madelange LaRoche runs a namesake bridal studio offering custom-made gowns and wedding-day looks, as well as a ready-to-wear line.
In Atlanta, Georgia, there are several Black bridal hair stylists, including:
- SM Hair Couture: Specializes in natural bridal hair styles, buns, and styles for all ethnicities.
- Brides by Deanna: Specializes in natural bridal hair styles, buns, and styles for all ethnicities.
- Curltured Bride: Specializes in natural bridal hair styles.
- Gemishaun Hair Salon: Specializes in natural bridal hair styles.
- The Curl Bar Salon: Specializes in natural hair.
- Hair by Carmen D: Specializes in natural hair.
- The Curl Conqueror: Specializes in natural hair.
- Glam by Maame: Specializes in glam waves, updos, and natural hair.
While not a bridal salon, The Key Look is a black-owned luxury wedding hair and makeup service based in New Jersey. Award-winning makeup artist Keziah Jones and her team of talented beauty stylists will customize your wedding makeup and hair to suit your personal taste and style.
In terms of designers, Yemi Osunkoya launched his bridal line Kosibah in 1991. Every dress he crafts is skillfully tailored for women of all sizes. Brides shopping his collections typically favour gowns with details like expertly placed ruching and intricate beading. Mark Ingram, who opened the world-renowned NYC bridal salon Mark Ingram Atelier in 2002, launched his namesake wedding dress line in 2019. Amsale Aberra, who passed away, was known for creating luxurious dresses for brides with minimalist aesthetics.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many talented Black wedding dress designers, including Nardos Imam, Jean-Ralph Thurin, Cynthia Grafton-Holt, Christelle Dominique, and more. You can find a list of Black wedding dress designers on websites like Brides.com and The Knot.
There are several options for purchasing a black wedding dress. You can shop at boutiques or online stores that offer custom gowns, such as Brides By Nona, MeJeanne Couture, and Naomi Deru Bridal. Alternatively, you can explore Black-owned wedding brands like Pantora Bridal, Felisiti Greis, and Curvaceous Couture, which offer fashion-forward and inclusive bridal options.
Yes, David's Bridal offers a range of black wedding dresses and women's wedding suits in their exclusive designer collections. Their brands, such as Galina Signature and Oleg Cassini, feature black wedding dresses known for their iconic sexiness and timeless elegance, respectively.
