The British Design Talent Award 2022
The British Design Talent Award 2022 recognises and celebrates the very best of bridal creation in the UK. These ten dynamic designers have been chosen for their amazing collections this past year, unique overall style, or outstanding focus on ethics and sustainability. Cast your vote today!
The UK bridal industry has talent in abundance – so Bridal Buyer felt it was only right that we celebrate this with a special award for 2022. The British Design Talent Award has been set up to highlight and applaud some of the best names in the field who have stood out over the past 12 months. It is no secret that designers based in the UK are leading the way in global bridal fashion: not only in terms of cut and finish, but how the materials are used, the way dresses are produced and the customer service that goes alongside. Our top 10 finalists are all outstanding examples of the high quality design that is keeping the UK at the forefront of the bridal fashion industry. They are all unique and have all impressed both retailers and brides over the past 12 months (and more).
The award will be voted for by retailers and bridal industry professionals – with the results being announced at the Bridal Buyer Awards 2022, which will take place at Bridal Week Harrogate this September.
Charlie Brear
The designer’s eponymous bridal and haute couture range is all about accessible and high quality fashion. She has always created looks that can be customised and added to for a personalised multi-look bridal style – whatever that might be. Charlie Brear dresses are timelessly elegant, yet utterly contemporary – and all gowns are finished by hand at the designer’s London studio. We adore her entrepreneurial spirit. In 2005, as a fashion stylist, she found herself selling off vintage wedding dresses sourced for a music video. This motivated her to launch her own bridal wear company, sourcing and selling one-off original vintage gowns – which evolved into her creating a small capsule collection of dresses and styling pieces that could be used to create many different looks. In 2011, she took the concept wholesale. It was a roaring success and it’s now stocked the world over.
Sassi Holford
This is a designer who dresses stars for the red carpet as well as designing luxurious bridal wear. She has been making brides’ fashion dreams come true for over 40 years – evident in her meticulous craft. She has always shown dedication to enhancing and celebrating the female form; Sassi’s creations undoubtedly have a superior cut, along with outstanding lines that embrace romance and elegance – think structured fits that are designed to embrace curves. Her creations have evolved with the times, too, and her latest collections have an undeniably contemporary aesthetic, albeit with a firm footing in classic styling and time-old couture techniques. Her signature look is understated but with undertones of elegant glamour.
Halfpenny London
Founded in 2005 by costume designer, stylist and Central St Martin’s textile graduate, Kate Halfpenny, Halfpenny London is a modern icon of the British bridal industry. She’s known and loved for her amazing wedding separates, giving brides endless choices for their wedding day look, and has always embraced inclusivity in sizing – celebrating every body shape. Her style is both whimsical and elegant, with a high fashion edge – which is probably why she’s dressed countless celebrities for their wedding day. Her latest collection of grown-up-boho mix-and-match styles is simply outstanding. All pieces are handmade in England, with fabrics and embellishments that are luxurious and responsibly sourced.
Savannah Miller
Cool clean lines and the finest cuts – we admire so many qualities of this outstanding label. Savannah Miller is known for her elevated bohemian styles and launched her eponymous bridal collection in 2016. She is loved for her use of quality fabrics and the cut and drape she gives to slim and effortlessly chic styles. After studying at the much-celebrated Central Saint Martins, she launched label Twenty8Twelve with her sister in 2006 – it was a roaring success and gave her the knowledge to launch her own bridal line (after being asked to collaborate with a bridal boutique in New York on a capsule collection). Her dresses are inspired by 1930s Hollywood, and the iconic silhouettes and luxurious fabrics are a heavenly combination for bridalwear.
Sanyukta Shrestha
Standing out for all the right reasons, Sanyukta Shrestha is a designer that should be on everyone’s radar. Her commitment to sustainability and respect for nature are second to none. Every collection highlights that sustainability can be utterly luxurious, and an eco-friendly design by no means compromises on style. Her use of materials that are kind to the planet are outstanding in the latest Vegan Dream line. The cut and fit of the pieces are delicate and demure, contemporary and iconic. This is the opposite of fast, throw away fashion – this is quality that will inspire both the designer’s peers and a new generation of bridal designers to create garments that are ethical and planet positive.
Alan Hannah
Marguerite Hannah is the creative talent behind this beautiful label, which is all designed, cut and crafted in North London. The Alan Hannah label is best known for its impeccable structure and shape, and the gowns are always made from the highest quality fabrics that are hand-finished to perfection. Every season the designer comes up with new twists on the signature style, and brides adore the bold touches, the incredible embroideries, clever use of laces and the dynamic cut and structure. Emphasis is placed on tailoring and hand crafting, which mean that every dress is perfectly finished. Brides adore the customer service provided by the label, and adore how chic and elegant they feel in the gowns.
Kate Fearnley
Fairly new to the bridal scene, this designer wowed the crowds at Harrogate 2021 and London Bridal Fashion Week earlier this year. Her styles are fresh and exciting, cut beautifully and there is no doubt about the skilled craftsmanship that goes into her creations. The dresses have a retro vibe, inspired by chic 70s styling, but with a delicate and modern cut. All the design, sampling and production is made in house from a North Yorkshire studio by a small but super talented team. Kate graduated from Northumbria University in 1999 with a BA in Women’s Wear Fashion and Textiles. In 2002 she launched the Kate Fearnley label, which became a fashion forward occasionwear brand that was stocked in over 80 independent boutiques. Fast forward a few years and Kate decided to launch a ready-to-wear bridal collection – she truly is one to watch.
Rolling In Roses
This gorgeous label’s name was inspired by the ‘punk poet laureate’ herself, Patti Smith – which tells everything you need to know. The vibe is cool, powerful and individualistic – it’s a female run business that put the needs of women first at every opportunity. Rolling In Roses is an indie label that’s a pioneer for sustainable design, too, and celebrates freedom of expression and creativity. Designer Hayley Neil previously had a little shop selling vintage and antique wedding gowns alongside designing and making bespoke dresses for individual brides, which slowly developed into this creative brand. One of the things that makes the label so alluring is its outstanding commitment to the environment and ethical design. The dresses are chic and elegant, but also full of character. They are perfect for modern, empowered women who want to feel amazing while remaining sustainable.
Eliza Jane Howell
This is a label that we have come to expect brilliant things from, and year after year, Eliza Jane Howell delivers the goods. The designer behind the label, Gill Harvey, is an expert in her craft – intricacy and impeccable detailing come as standard. The collections cleverly strike a balance between sleek elegance and high glamour, all with a vintage twist and outstanding beadwork. Time and time again, feedback from brides and retailers display the label’s outstanding level of customer service. Through the pandemic and beyond, Eliza Jane Howell’s quality, craftsmanship and commitment to its brides has never faltered.
Savin London
Andrey Savin is the talented designer behind this cool and contemporary label. Over the past year, the designer has wowed us with the latest collections and dynamic new designs. Think couture silhouettes and head turning embellishments. The designer is, and always has been, very much inspired by nature and the natural world and this is evident in the detailing on his gowns – especially the iconic floral styles. His catwalk display at London Bridal Fashion Week caused a real buzz: the bold and sensual styles were real talking points. With every collection, he stays true to his philosophy to inject boldness, creativity and fun into the bridal industry – you know a Savin dress when you see one!
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