Article by Lauren Weeks
Images by Victoria Bruno Studios
Designer Sonya Keshwani brought champagne bubbles and bridal brilliance to the Barclay for her launch party of the new StyleEsteem Bridal collection. A cancer survivor and positive force, Keshwani aims to change the narrative “one colourful turban at a time” – presenting glitzy sculpted shapes and crystalline textures in her headwear collection for the fashionable bride looking for a personal unique touch.
Fashionable guests chatted happily amongst each other as the bridal crowd descended upon the Barclay Penthouse for StyleEsteem Bridal by Sonya Keshwani’s Spring 2024 presentation on April 12. Champagne glasses clinked and camera shutters clicked continuously as elegant models meandered in and out of the sunshiney top floor of one of New York’s swankiest hotels, dressed head to toe in Keshwani’s creations. Statuesque in turbans and glittering gowns, each model positively owned the space she was in with unique accessories and headpieces very worthy of a Barclay-ready bride. Designer Sonya Keshwani is a cancer survivor “changing the narrative, one colourful turban at a time” – through her lively couture headwear, the brand aims to empower wearer’s personal expression via fashion and style, both for bridal and everyday.
The designer’s latest couture bridal turbans debuting at the ritzy launch event were undoubtedly the standout star of the StyleEsteem Bridal collection, in good company with a few other textured headpieces and crystal-laden accessories in addition. As Keshwani points out, “turbans have been adorned around the globe to honour culture, faith, and fashion for over 4000 years…every turban is personal because it celebrates the history of the wearer.” The designer certainly delivered – headwear designs offered a range of styles including stately structural textiles, intricately folded full and banded turbans, oversized tulle bows, and delicate feathered bridal hairpieces. Guests to the launch party and fashion presentation also walked away with a piece of the party, in the form of a watercolour rainbow turban of their own swimming in jewelled tones of pinks, oranges, and blues swirled together on baby-soft fabric.
Though Keshwani’s headwear designs stole the show, the glimmering bridal looks models wore at the presentation were also a delight for the sparkle seeker’s eye. Sunlight bounced off silver sequins, sculpted fabric florals, beaded lace appliques, and crystalline patterns. The StyleEsteem vision for a “personal” unique look for every bride shone through as an overarching theme with the abundance of dress shapes shown alongside the designer’s headpieces: a form-fitting brilliant white column gown contrasted with a modern fit-and flare-textured minidress, ivory mermaid trains stood next to loose blush tulle silhouettes, and a daring full bridal pantsuit in crisp cream with a patterned plunging neckline stood out as especially powerful amongst the varying hemlines in a sea of unique dresses. Presenting a wonderful backdrop for the versatile flair of Keshwani’s couture turban collection, seeing the designs paired with multiple bridal full looks made it clear that the designer’s bridal headpiece offerings will appeal to a broad range of styling – perfect for the bride as of yet uncertain which look she’s planning to wear on her big day, but looking to boldly accessorise and stand out from the crowd with a personal touch.
Writer: Laur Weeks @Laur.Weeks
Photographer: Victoria Bruno @vb.media
Brand: StyleEsteem Bridal by Sonya Keshwani @StyleEsteem
Designer: Sonya Keshwani @NYmannequin
PR: VeryNewYork @VeryNewYork
Venue: InterContinental New York Barclay Penthouse
Production: MLM Represents
