Having attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where she earned a degree in fashion design, Aberra’s passion for bridal gowns came when she designed her own in 1985.

In 1985, Amsale Aberra found the market was dominated by elaborate gowns that included feature shoulder pads and over-the-top frills whilst there was nothing for the bride favouring the more minimalist look.

In the year following her wedding, she continued designing simple and more classic designs and founded her very own line: Amsale.

In 1991, bridal giant Kleinfeld became Amsale’s first wholesaler. Mara Urshel, co-owner of Kleinfeld told Women’s Wear Daily, Aberra “really was a trendsetter in the business, she was the first one who really introduced very classic lines, beautiful clothes and getting away from all the old traditions of lace, beads and everything that really wasn’t modern anymore. She really created the modern wedding dress.”

Aberra chose a successor before she passed. Margo Lafontaine is the recent senior studio director at Vera Wang and will oversee the extensive Amsale bridal team.

Aberra’s husband and Amsale CEO, Neil Brown, expressed his commitment to continue the brand in a statement: “Words cannot express the personal loss that we feel, but we are comforted by the avalanche of support we’ve received and the commitment of our team to carry on Amsale’s legacy.”

Whist the iconic and influential designer has passed, her inspiring creations have affected many and talented designers will continue to produce her simple and classic style.