Bombshell bridal wear and one-of-a-kind jewels for the big day — and beyond
Words by CAROLINE CAGNEY, KELSEY McKINNON, and ELIZABETH VARNELL
FRANKIES BIKINIS X SYDNEY SWEENEY Nana bikini top, $95, and Genevieve ruffle jacquard boy short, $95. Photo: Sonia Szóstak.
Righteous Ruffles
Taking design cues from a seaside wardrobe meant to evoke an Italian summer romance, actress and producer Sydney Sweeney’s collaboration with Venice-based Frankies Bikinis is a capsule filled with lacy white two-piece swimsuits, embroidered eyelet bodysuits, and ruffled mini dresses. The bridal essentials, particularly ideal for those planning a coastal getaway once the cake is cut and the dance floor has emptied, include a host of broadly sized alluring silhouettes sure to send hearts pounding. The line’s founder and creative director, Francesca Aiello, says she channeled Sweeney’s “bombshell romantic aura” to create the two expansive drops and notes the Euphoria star personalized the looks, suggesting fanciful details such as delicate beading, and even developed an exclusive lipstick-kiss print derived from her own pout. From $70. frankiesbikinis.com. E.V.
The STAUD bridal collection is versatile enough to wear again.
Staud Goes Bridal
In the months leading up to her Saint-Tropez nuptials last year, Sarah Stauding struggled to find key pieces for the events surrounding her ceremony. The L.A.-based cofounder and creative director of women’s brand Staud took matters into her own hands and designed them herself. The result is a bridal collection — a first for the line — offering everything from vintage-inspired beaded handbags and strapless dresses with feather trim to a ruffled maxi slip and a silk halter dress, which Stauding wore to her welcome dinner. “This collection was inspired by all the fashion moments you can create during the most exciting days of your life,” Stauding says, adding that her goal was to offer a wide range of styles that can be worn time and time again. staud.clothing.com. C.C.
HVN enters the bridal space with festive frocks. Photo: Bliss Katherine.
Forever Friends
Roc Nation DJ and HVN founder Harley Viera-Newton has entered the bridal space with an expansive 50-piece collection celebrating her love of the nostalgic 1940s-inspired silhouettes, whimsical prints, and exquisite textures that have garnered a following since the launch of her line in 2016. “I made sure to include options for lounging, dining, dancing, and hosting,” says the Los Feliz–based Viera-Newton of her feather-trimmed tunics, sequined mini dresses, and eyelet smocked creations, to name a few. What’s more, the low-key styles — which also include floral and heart prints, fitting options for your bridesmaids — can easily live on in your closet after the big event. “It’s difficult to invest in a dress that will have a 24-hour lifespan,” Viera-Newton says. “Many of these [looks] can be dressed down with sandals in the summer or dressed up for a cocktail party at night with a fun heel.” hvnlabel.com. C.C.
the beaches collection is hand-crafted by jessica mccormack.
Shelling Out
Jewelry designer Jessica McCormack taps into the ancient Greek myth that pearls are created from the tears of Aphrodite — the radiant goddess of love, born from the sea — with her new Beaches collection, which comprises 11 hand-crafted pieces inspired by pale round beads, conch shells washed ashore, and green seaweed floating beneath the waves. Wearing pearls on one’s wedding day, according to the myth, keeps a bride tear-free, and McCormack’s lustrous necklaces, anklets, and bracelets also include off-center diamonds. The freshwater pearls are hand-picked in mismatched sizes in a nod to the London-based designer’s modern approach to the time-tested adornments. A gold scallop shell pendant and Gypset earrings with delicate shells and diamonds round out the collection, as do a ring and bangles inspired by the twists of conch shells and narwhal tusks, ideal for beach brides planning ocean-adjacent ceremonies. jessicamccormack.com. K.M.
MAYA BRENNER and ABIGAIL SPENCER customize with crystals.
All the Heals
Crystals have always had mystical associations and are purported to offer protection from negative energy and connect us to the present moment. What more does a bride need leading up to and on her big day? An avid believer is L.A. jewelry designer Maya Brenner, who has teamed up with like-minded friend and actress Abigail Spencer to design a necklace that imparts healing properties to the wearer. “We both love crystals and we wanted to create something meaningful that could help people focus and ground throughout the day,” Brenner says. The focal point, a hand-cut crystal point wrapped in a 14-karat gold band with a subtle diamond accent, is available in four options depending on specific needs: amethyst (dispels disruptive behavior), rose quartz (enhances self-love), citrine (attracts happiness and success), and clear quartz (encourages balance and clarity). mayabrenner.com. C.C.
WINDY CHIEN X CAST debuts its Knot Life collection.
Tying the Knots
San Francisco–based fiber artist Windy Chien, known for her minimalist rope sculptures composed of hundreds of intricate knots, is collaborating with Cast Jewelry on a series of fine jewelry in 14-karat gold and sterling silver. The resulting Knot Life collection includes charcoal jade, gold, or silver rings encircled with knotted gold or silver mesh, uniting the materials to make modern pendants and earrings. “Mesh tubes, when tightened, hold tension,” explains Chien. The protective knots align with jade circles also symbolizing protection and good fortune, imbuing the pieces with added meaning. From $500. 1536 Redwood Hwy., Corte Madera, 415-802-9839; castjewelry.com. E.V.
Feature image: HVN enters the bridal space. Photo: Bliss Katherine.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of C Weddings.
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