Lela Rose found her Fall 2022 Bridal inspiration on the small screen, specifically the Regency-era period dressing in Bridgerton and the royal style of 18th-century Russian empress Catherine in The Great. The cinematic thread woven throughout the new collection seemed fitting, considering Rose is known for hosting elaborate Bridal Fashion Week events that feel more like a performance than a presentation.
Amidst the pandemic, the designer forwent an in-person affair but didn’t skimp on her signature dramatic flair. In brushed floral brocade, a strapless A-line gown with a pleated skirt made a delightful swishing sound with every movement, while a quiet sense of sophistication was reflected in an off-the-shoulder crepe column with hand-ruched detailing. Real-life princess brides can create their own fairytale fashion moment in the whisper-thin Chantilly lace dress with tiered skirt and empress neckline.
Many silhouettes had a waist-snatching effect in keeping with the corseted ladies that the designer referenced. And because it wouldn’t be a Lela Rose collection without a suit, she fashioned an asymmetric crop top with an off-kilter bow paired with matching trousers neatly stitched with pearls down each side—a modern approach to tailoring that balanced out Fall 2022’s Old World undertones.