Backstage, before the show began, Reem Acra called her brides “bombshells.” As that word implied, the upcoming collection was not going to be a demure one. “The bustiers, the corsets, the lace-up backs…it’s sexy,” she said.
The lineup was also more versatile than ever, with detachable shrugs, overskirts and even a dramatic train that doubled as a convertible veil — an idea that occurred to the designer only a few days before the show. “It’s about flexibility for the modern bride,” she continued. “You can create your own look.” Some of Acra’s looks leaned toward the excessively fussy — an organza ballgown with tiered, ruffled layers seemed to overwhelm the petite model, for example. But an off-the-shoulder Chantilly lace gown with a plunging, lace-up back stood out for its refined elegance.