Wedding accessories are often the unsung accents that play a pivotal role in enhancing a look. Cynthia Smith, a wedding stylist and owner of Cynthia Cook Brides in San Francisco Bay, believes that “accessories provide an opportunity for today’s bride to break the typically traditional mold by adding personality, sentimentality or a risqué quality all at once.”
Accessories also have the ability to change one’s look completely, say from ceremony to cocktail, while adding a touch of personalization. “You’re adding an unexpected, potent element, usually that modernizes a traditional look, making an outfit more fashion forward,” said Ms. Smith, who is also a former Vogue market editor. “That’s empowering and draws attention. It also gives designers a chance to express themselves and create beautiful pieces that can make a look come alive.”
The four accouterments below were some standouts from this year’s New York Bridal Fashion Week.
Ironic Twist: The Ring
The Designer: Jillian Sassone, 44, is the founder of Marrow Fine, an independent jewelry house specializing in wedding wear, based in San Diego.
Inspiration: “I love Victorian-era jewelry, and there were these very cool remembrance rings that were made in honor of someone who had passed away. I wanted to take the “in memory” concept and modernize it by adding the traditional “Til Death.” The one L is intentional. It also feels very gender fluid for bridal jewelry and for the runway this year, especially since you can have matching bands.”
Trending: “A bold ring seems more accessible to try than a bolder ready-to-wear piece. People are wanting to show a little edge. This might not be your everyday ring, but depending on your mood or what you want to convey that day, it can be an add-on ring, which we’re also seeing a lot with brides.”
Details: From ideation to perfection, the 14k gold enamel ring, which comes in black or white and is offered in four millimeters and six millimeters, took six months to create.
Price: $1,450, Til Death black enamel band.
Got You Covered: The Glove
The Designer: Sohil Mistry, 34, is the founder of Enaura, a bespoke, made-to-order gown company specializing in hand embroidery steeped in Indian culture, based in New York.
Inspiration: “We wanted to address the increased demand for being able to show different looks throughout your wedding day, and gloves are an easy and functional solution while adding a personal touch, especially when they are monogrammed.”
Trending: “Gloves are gaining popularity on the ready-to-wear runways. They have seamlessly made their way into bridal fashion, becoming a fun and complementary accessory. They allow brides to express their unique style while embracing classic elements of bridal fashion.”
Details: The gloves are made by artisans in India, crafted from stretch illusion tulle and hand-beaded with pearls, crystals and other embellishments. One glove can take eight to 15 hours to complete.
Price: $200 to $500, offered in eight styles.
Brace Yourself: The Armlets
The Designer: Lihi Zwillinger, 40, a founder of Mira Zwillinger by Mira & Lihi Zwillinger, a mother-daughter-owned luxury brand that creates made-to-measure couture wedding gowns, based in Tel Aviv.
Inspiration: “The inspiration for the entire collection is reflection. We fell in love with the flowers we designed for our Sunn dress and wanted to create a unique, 3-D armlet that echoes from the dress. The armlets, connected by flowers in the back, changes its shape as the bride moves and brings the flowers to life.”
Trending: “I’m an instinctual designer. This is about vision and art. A lot of people might not wear something so expensive, which is OK. I’m creating what I feel is right and different and makes a change in fashion and on the runway.”
Details: These hand-embroidered, silk-thread flowers are made by artisans in the studio. It takes 50-plus hours of handwork to create. The mother-daughter team developed a special technique to sculpt these flowers individually so each one has a unique personality and identity, similar to the bride wearing the armlets.
Price: $6,820 for the 3-D armlet (the dress is sold separately).
Cinched It: The Belt
The Designer: Mariela Torres Soucy, 52, is the founder of Soucy, a bespoke, couture-infused made-to-order bridal and evening wear brand based in New York.
Inspiration: “I’ve always believed in slow fashion, owning something and using it forever. Anything I design, I want to give it a further life than the moment you bought it for. Bridal gowns are made for that onetime. The belt allows someone to use it for numerous occasions.”
Trending: “These belts give gowns a modern and edgy look. Brides want something more modern, noticeable and that showcases their own identity, even if what they are wearing is classic. I hadn’t seen a belt like this in the bridal industry. I’ve seen very thin ones, but not the bolder, statement pieces. Because it’s an accessory, it’s not self-imposed.”
Details: Offered in gold, black and white, these belts are 2.5 inches wide, made by using Italian silk satin, silk Lamé or leather, with adjustable, two buckle closures in different colored hardware.
Price: $1,280