Foundations at New York Bridal Fashion Week: Where Design Meets Devotion
Foundations at New York Bridal Fashion Week: Where Design Meets Devotion
There’s something magnetic about watching the boundaries of design being rewritten – that pulse of innovation where artistry and intention meet.
In the world of weddings, trends are more than fleeting aesthetics; they’re reflections of how love, culture, and individuality evolve. Each season brings a new dialogue between timeless romance and contemporary vision.
That spirit of innovation is what led Foundations founder Shelby Dempsey to New York this fall for Bridal Fashion Week 2026.
In a whirlwind of shows, fittings, and behind-the-scenes moments, Shelby witnessed the intersection of couture and creativity that will soon shape the next generation of brides, including those we serve at both The Sixpence and Westwood.
From dramatic, hand-beaded silhouettes to sculptural trains, detachable skirts, and inventive veils, this season’s collections were a masterclass in reinvention. Each gown whispered something different – confidence, softness, rebellion, individuality – but all shared a devotion to craftsmanship and storytelling.
These designs will begin gracing boutiques across the country by late next year, arriving just in time for Fall 2026 brides and setting the tone for the 2027 wedding season.
At Foundations, our mission is to bridge beauty and meaning. Trends are not about imitation; they’re about inspiration. As planners, we see fashion as an extension of your story, an art form that can elevate every other detail of your day.
Detachable Designs: One Gown, Two Stories
More brides are embracing transformation, choosing looks that move with them, not just through the day, but through the emotion of it.
The runway made it clear: versatility is the new luxury.
Designers like House of Idan showcased breathtaking gowns that evolve throughout the celebration. One moment, a sleek silhouette that commands the aisle; the next, a sweeping detachable skirt that reveals an entirely new look for the reception.
We saw a rise in interchangeable pieces in corsets, lace overlays, and removable sleeves, all designed to layer, adapt, and create depth.
A bride can now tell two stories with one gown: the timeless romance of her ceremony, and the spirited, playful energy of the dance floor.
It’s a trend rooted in self-expression and a reflection of brides who are embracing every facet of themselves. And we are here for it.
Power in Pantsuits: A New Definition of Bridal
For the modern bride redefining what “bridal” means, pantsuits continue to have their moment.
Design houses like Viktor & Rolf are blending architectural structure with feminine detail: soft florals sculpted into silk lapels, precise pleating balanced with fluid draping.
It’s elegance in motion.
Meanwhile, House of Idan is rewriting the rules entirely with layered trains cascading from tailored trousers, the perfect intersection of sophistication and statement.
These looks are for the bride who feels most herself in confidence and comfort, who chooses design that empowers rather than conforms.
The rise of the pantsuit doesn’t replace the gown. It expands the definition of it.
Inventive Veils: The Return of Romance
Veils are having their renaissance.
After several seasons of minimalist styles and veil-free brides, we’re seeing a renewed appreciation for drama — soft, sculptural, intentional drama.
Designers like BERTA and Viktor & Rolf showcased veils that felt like floating works of art: cascading florals, intricate lace borders, embroidered tulle that catches the light with every movement.
And then there’s House of Idan’s show-stopping cape veil — a sweeping design that drapes seamlessly over the gown’s train, creating layers of movement and depth. It’s not simply an accessory; it’s part of the story.
In a time when individuality defines bridal style, veils have become the finishing brushstroke — one that balances nostalgia with modernity.
A Fashion-Forward Future for Foundations
For us at Foundations, this experience was more than trend forecasting. It was a reminder of why we do what we do.
To sit among the designers shaping the next era of bridal fashion, to see fabrics layered and light captured in movement, was a study in devotion. The same devotion we bring to planning weddings that feel deeply personal and beautifully composed.
These collections will soon find their way into boutiques across the U.S., including right here in the Midwest.
As they do, we’re honored to bridge that world of couture and craftsmanship with the couples we serve, guiding them through choices that feel intentional, timeless, and uniquely theirs.
The Foundations philosophy has always been rooted in creating weddings that feel like art.
Whether it’s a gown, a tablescape, or the way the light falls through a venue window, every choice tells a story. And from what we saw on the runways of New York, the future of bridal fashion is brighter, bolder, and more personal than ever.
Because when creativity meets love — that’s where the magic begins.
Want to see the looks that inspired us most from New York Bridal Fashion Week?
Stay tuned for our upcoming blog, where we’ll feature specific designers and the Midwest boutiques that carry them — making it easier than ever to find your dream gown close to home.
