Say “Yes” to the Shoe: Pnina Tornai’s Naturalizer Bridal Collection Is the Height of Chic

By Maria Ward

Pnina Tornai was already a world-renowned bridal and evening designer synonymous with luxury and hand-crafted couture long before she stepped into the actress and television personality role. The 19 seasons of Say Yes to the Dress on her resume leave no room for doubt that she is an authority on bridal, a household name, and an Insta-star—just ask her 1.2 million followers (and counting).

But as much importance is placed on The Dress, Tornai makes a similarly convincing case for the footwear one wears down the aisle: “I believe the smile on your face starts at the tips of your toes, and it’s so important to choose a shoe that is beautiful and comfortable,” she explains. Nearly everyone has heard at least one horror story about a bride who says “I do” in the most painful shoes on what is supposed to be the happiest day of their life.

Even Tornai quickly admits that she made this all-too-common misstep: “I had a shoe nightmare on my wedding day!” she recalls with a shudder. “They were custom shoes that I hadn’t broken in before the wedding, and they were so uncomfortable; all I wanted was for the wedding to be over because my feet were screaming.”

She wore a stunning silk taffeta dress with 52 silk flowers on her train. “In kabbalah, the number 52 symbolizes the power a woman has to initiate because, after all, as women, we initiate life.” However, this didn’t distract from the fact that the designer is petite, so going barefoot and bohemian wasn’t an option. “I’m only 5 feet tall, so I couldn’t consider taking them off for fear people would think I was the flower girl and not the bride!”

The silver, supple leather lining to the story? After the “I dos” were said and done, Tornai made it her mission to ensure that other brides would not follow in her footsteps. “I wanted to design beautiful and comfortable shoes so that no bride will suffer as I did—that’s why I partnered with Naturalizer.”

The collection (which debuts today on naturalizer.com) is like TLC for a bride, from the first look to the last dance. Each style name means “love” in a different language, from French to Turkish, Hebrew to Dutch. You’ll also find a hidden message on the bottom of every shoe’s outsole, where a special note in Tornai’s handwriting is spelled out ( often, in non-slip glitter). Finally, each strappy sandal is adorned with a heart-shaped charm for an extra-sweet flourish.

The Ai Dress Sandal features the non-slip glitter outsole personalization and reads “Two souls become one.”

There is also no shortage of fashion statements in the collection. The assortment sees the top bridal styles du jour, from rhinestone embellishments to beribboned silk white lace styles. Several showstoppers are rendered in a standout fuchsia hue, which is aptly named “Pnina Pink.” As Tornai says herself: “I don’t follow trends—I make them!” The pop of color promises to send hearts aflutter whether as the best-dressed wedding guest, at the bachelorette party, or simply out on a night on the town.

The Sevgi Pump in Silk White Fabric With Rhinestone Straps.

“Whenever I design a new collection of bridal gowns, jewelry, and now shoes, I always make sure to include a style for every kind of bride,” Tornai says. “With Naturalizer, I made sure to have shoes with bling, clean satin options, high heels, platforms, low heels, and flats, too.”

But at New York Bridal Fashion Week, #pearlcore stole the show. When the ever-so-savvy Tornai showed her Spring 2023 Bridal collection, the models walked the runway in her yet-to-be-released Naturalizer shoes, giving showgoers a sneak peek. The Insta-worthy Love Sandal with pearlized beads sent iPhones flashing and took social media by storm.

A model backstage at the Spring 2023 Bridal Fashion Show with the Pnina Tornai for Naturalizer Love 3 Sandal in Silk White With Pearls.

Designed with cool-girl brides in mind, it will put some edge in your step as you walk toward the altar. (It’s also the designer’s personal favorite.) “As a petite woman, I cannot live without my platforms! And the pearl straps make this shoe special and perfect for bridal.”

Whether your aesthetic is traditional, romantic, modern, or timeless, Tornai urges brides to say yes to the shoe that feels the most “you.” Adding: “The only real rule is to choose a shoe you love . . . and spend some time walking around the house in them before the big day!” Pearls of wisdom, indeed!

To shop the Pnina Tornai for Naturalizer collection, visit naturalizer.com

 

This content is sponsored by Naturalizer.