Design Story: All Eyes On Veni

Collections23-Sep-2024

We meet the creative and talented Veni Infantino to talk new inspirations, new dress styles and the power of collaboration...

Veni Infantino – the designer behind her eponymous eveningwear and bridal labels – is a very busy woman. Prior to this interview, we met her at the Waldorf Hilton in London, where she spent two days showing her stunning mother of the bride and occassionwear collections to fashion boutiques from all over the UK. Just before this, she had been out on location filming and photographing the styles, as well as finalising her selection for her latest bridal collection – which premiered to UK retailers at Bridal Week Harrogate.

Veni spoke with us while she was in the middle of shooting the collection – she’s was at a stunning old church in Spain. “The church was damaged in the Second World War, and in restoring it, they put a glass roof on. It’s boiling! But it’s so beautiful, and the light is majestic,” she says. “We’ll always do anything to get a good shot!”

Veni worked for a number of different fashion houses before the opportunity arose to create her namesake label. Her ability to capture the styles that modern brides are looking for means that her collections have gone from strength to strength. “The collection has been split into different groups this season. We have the main Veni Infantino for Ronald Joyce dresses, and Victoria Jane dresses, and we have also added a two-in-one look, and a mix-and-match collection,” explains Veni.

The convertible dresses offer brides two looks in one

Collection review

The mix-and-match collection is as it sounds. You can select a top or bodice and a skirt so that your choices fit your style preferences. “That came from one of the designer events I went to. Someone said ’I love that dress, but I wish it had this skirt,’ well with this selection of dresses that’s exactly what you can do.”

For the convertible, two-in-one line – which Veni says is a favourite – there are about eight different looks. “It really is two dresses in one – you take something off to reveal a completely different style, usually as a different dress for the evening,” says Veni. “I come from a background in evening wear design, so I really enjoyed creating these. So, for example, instead of hooking up the train for dancing, you get rid of it completely.”

Where did the idea for this come from? Veni tells us she gathered inspiration from working with some influencers, most recently in Los Angeles and Florence. “They’re all looking for two dresses so that they can change their style – but not everyone can afford two dresses. So we could see the trend, but we needed to create something where they get those two looks for the one price. We’re doing all the things that people want, but at a commercial price.”

Black or white, long or mini? The new collection is packed with options for all brides

Uncovering inspiration

“I’ve been working with these different influencers, and so getting into their heads to discover what they were really looking for has been interesting. That gave me a whole new avenue of inspiration to design and create different products,” says Veni. “Obviously, I know who our core customer is, and I design for them, but we’ve taken it further this season – and everyone, even the models wearing the styles – have been really excited by the new range. Everything works in different categories, so I can look at things and say this is for a beach wedding, this is for the churches, this is perfect for a trendy bride, this one is more traditional. Putting a collection together is almost like putting a jigsaw puzzle together – and it’s so great and exciting this year.”

This season, look out for new laces, as well as mixing and layering fabrics, to add texture and depth. “I’ve done some really clean lines that are beautiful. And we have mixed really plain fabrics with just a small amount of lace, giving it a different look,” says Veni. “I think the collection looks very couture but at a commercial price.

Texture and depth are a key element of the dynamic collection

Finalising designs

Something that Veni is not short on is creativity. She crafts so many styles across the collections, and adores them all, so it’s often hard to round the collections down to the right number – which is around 60 across the lines. Thankfully, the designer has a very strong team around her who are able to help pick the final looks that will sell internationally.

The global team of agents will discuss what works for their particular markets, and some trusted retailers offer their input, too. “They are the people who speak to the brides,” says Veni. “They know what they’re looking for. I work on the collection for six months, so of course I’m going to love every single piece – but I have no problem taking advice and critiques. We listen to everything they have to say because we want the styles to sell – and then with all the information, we can make a decision.”

The chic style combines wearability and fine tailoring

Veni and her team are also more than happy to discuss trends and explain to retail partners why certain styles are important. So, if there is a new element, silhouette or detail upcoming, they are able to show the retailers where the ideas come from. “I’m explaining the new trends to them, and they’re telling me what they sell,” says Veni. “So between the two of us, I feel it’s a good combination.”

Catering to brides of all sizes is another thing that Veni is passionate about. “We did a show in Italy, and when we presented the larger sizes, there was a big round of applause.” The styles have been crafted specifically so plus size people have the same opportunity to wear the same things as standard size brides. “We’re not giving them the dresses that we think they might want to wear, we’re giving them the dresses they are telling us they want to wear. They want to look sexy and just wear what everyone else is wearing.”

Love this feature? Read the full article and discover more in the latest issue of Bridal Buyer.