Article by Lauren Weeks
Images by Victoria Bruno
If there’s one place that perfectly encapsulates bridal drama in New York City, it’s the legendary The Plaza Hotel. Renowned for its luxe architecture, sky-high ceilings, beautiful ballrooms, and stately interior, The Plaza has hosted weddings, international conferences, and lavish society affairs since its opening over one hundred years ago in 1907. It’s a common dream of brides in the city to hold a Plaza wedding – making this the perfect grand setting for the greatly anticipated Nardos Spring 2024 runway showcase.
This season, Nardos brought the drama with volume, texture, and subtle pops of colour on the runway. Paired with a similarly sleek oversized rolled chignon pinned elegantly at the nape and gossamer highlights on a glowing makeup foundation, the overall looks felt young and vibrant. This angelic makeup choice for models highlighted their beauty via impeccable skincare and a standout red lip that suited the collection’s crisp white tones well, serving as lovely inspiration for the bride considering a Nardos design.
The brand brought life to currently trending touches this season of blue, maximalism, and feathers in ways that felt both fresh and cohesive. We’ve been seeing hints of “something blue” rising in recent popularity as an integrated facet of gowns themselves, and Nardos delighted us with its incorporation of the palette via hand-painted organza in multiple looks from the latest collection. Sculpted fabrics in stiff satin and crisp crepe were another recurring theme, turning gowns into art. An oversized flower top, exaggerated bow belt, and dramatic back bustle reminiscent of a bouquet tied together for a bridal interpretation of trending maximalist statement pieces in fashion. Sheer cutouts, asymmetry, and feathers added eye-catching theatrics to the design story, featuring in most of the collection. Asymmetric draping, one-shoulder tops, and high single slits in crisp whites felt playfully contemporary for bridal. One slim stacked mermaid dress presented as especially daring due to sheer horizontal cutouts, yet without coming across too loud or risque. Equally showy feather details were interspersed throughout the showcase, seemingly bouncing with a life of their own down the runway. The fun texture was uniquely incorporated in both a feather-edged tulle veil and feathered bolero piece that paired well with sleek silhouettes to allow these show-stopping accessories to take centre stage. For the fun bride looking to add a sense of novelty to her special day, Nardos here delivers both luxury and playfulness in a perfect marriage of design.
Despite its sense of modern novelty, the brand also showed gowns of great appeal to the traditionally elegant bride. Of special note, the closing look of the Nardos show seemed to have the audience in a collective hush – holding their breath as they watched an angelic ball gown appear to float down the runway. Accompanied by a dramatic lighting and music change, the gown took up most of the aisle and felt almost as if we were witnessing a true wedding of a solo bride to herself in a hushed moment of reverent empowerment. The tulle square confetti gown from Nardos features sheer tulle straps over a sweetheart neckline, breathtaking train, square appliques of tulle covered in metallic accents dotting the gown, and a heavily layered royal skirt. Crowning the model, a matching veil was also attached to a silvered branch hairpiece that tied the pieces together for a divinely regal gown worthy of a queen.
Created by designer Nardos Imam of Eritrea, Nardos as a brand prides itself on a strong reputation for “creating high-end, luxurious, and elegant garments.” The Spring 2024 runway collection of ready-to-wear bridal again presents the impeccable fit, eye for colour, and unique architectural designs that we’ve come to expect from the line. Encapsulating current trends within a bridal scope, the showcase felt fresh and modern for the contemporary bride desiring a uniquely stylish look for her special day.
Writer: Laur Weeks @Laur.Weeks
Photography: Victoria Bruno @vb.media
Designer: Nardos Bridal @NardosDesign
For: VPRCOM Magazine @vprcommagazine
PR: Atelier PR @atelierpr
Venue: The Plaza Hotel @ThePlazaHotel
