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A collection of the world’s best bridal designers, manufacturers, retailers and international press gathered for the UK’s exciting new bridal buying event from Sunday 25 March to Tuesday 27 March 2018.
The event welcomed over 250 of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers to the capital, and hosted over 3000 bridal retailers and press across the 3 days of the show. In a year where there is an enormous amount of media attention surrounding the Royal wedding, the shows saw significant attendance from UK and International press, eager to see the latest collections from the brands at the forefront of bridal fashion.
This was the first year that the prestigious White Gallery and newly created London Bridal Week took place under one roof. Hosted at the ExCeL in London, designers and manufacturers showcased their latest collections and trends, giving bridal retailers the ultimate buying experience as they prepare for the new bridal fashion season.
The show received a huge amount of positive feedback from retailers, press and bridal designers for offering a beautiful location with the ease of being able to move between the two shows throughout the day.
Joshua Grimes, Sales Manager at THEIA and exhibitor at White Gallery explains “It created more excitement, and a bigger show”. While Ben Allen from Richard Designs - an exhibitor at London Bridal Week - explains how the new show location made the buying process even easier for retailer, saying “It can only make things easier for shops now the two events are co-located”.
The Fashion Show Theatre was a highlight, with multiple shows throughout the event. The audience were amongst the first to see the emerging bridal trends and discover the styles, fabrics and designs for tomorrow’s bride. Sassi Holford, Alan Hannah, Savin and Morilee hosted private shows to selected members of the press and bridal retailers. Followed by a curated Designer Preview show including Anny Lin, Brian Chen, Catriona Garforth, Charlotte Balbier, Eliza Jane Howell, Hazaar of London and Ivory & Co Bridal and the Bridal Preview show including Bianco Evento, Casablanca, Dando London, Diane Legrand, Ellis Bridals, Gino Cerutti, Morilee and Ronald Joyce.
London Bridal Week are also celebrating the success of the Bridal Retail Success Academy. Bridal retailers were able to listen to some insightful and motivational talks from a range of industry experts. Diversity consultant Nova Reid gave an insightful Q&A on Diversity in the Bridal Industry. Digital expert Warren Knight discussed how to build your social strategy as a wedding business, while Wendy Rivera - creator of Do You Speak Bride? - gave a packed out talk on how retailers can build strong relationships with their customers.
Retailers could also attend one to one session with industry experts at the show’s Business Advice Clinic. Bridal business owner Abi Neill talked through how to deal with both positive and negative reviews online. Digital content expert Caroline Bradley offered an introduction to social media, giving bridal retailers a fabulous starting point for building their social media presence. While experienced boutique owner Maria Musgrove-Wethey offered sales training and consultancy for bridal retailers.
2018 also saw the launch of “In conversation with…”, a series of live Q&As with industry professionals, hosted by Bridal Buyer’s Content Editor Zoe Burke.
After the success of London Bridal Week and White Gallery, the show hosts have some exciting plans for the future, Alex Butler, Event Director, London Bridal Fashion Week explains:
“We will build on the success with the launch of London Bridal Fashion Week in 2019 with collaborations and partnerships with leading fashion organisations, publications and influencers. Our focus remains on highlighting the Best of British, alongside a growing base of international designers and manufacturers, and championing the premium bridal fashion products that our industry creates.”
