If you’re at all superstitious, you’ll be familiar with the adage about brides needing something old and something new to ensure good luck on their wedding day. The latest Amsale collection appeared to take that seriously. The brand has undergone sweeping changes since the death of its founder, Amsale Aberra, in April, and its Fall show addressed both the past and the future. Creative director Margo Lafontaine’s debut showed a fresh direction, including the label’s three distinct lines: Amsale, Nouvelle Amsale, and Little White Dress. They were united by a sense of simplicity and ease; Amsale may have had a changing of the guard, but the timeless, minimalist aesthetic is still there.
Each line had its own high points: Nouvelle Amsale’s crepe gowns with Chantilly lace were unquestionably pretty, as were the taffeta ball gowns with bodices covered in flowers. The reintroduction of Aberra’s Little White Dress capsule, a series of informal looks dedicated to the moments before and after the ceremony, paid tribute to the designer’s legacy with flirty shifts and circle skirts that could work for cocktail hour or simply an evening out. Amsale’s expansion beyond strict wedding attire was cheekily punctuated by the sounds of Bobby Rush “I Think Your Dress Is Too Short” on the speakers.
Unsurprisingly, Lafontaine’s finale gowns spurred some of the biggest reactions, perhaps because they were a bit grander and more decorative than the sleek columns and sheaths before them. They still had a touch of casualness, though—particularly the last look, which came with a long-sleeved lace T-shirt “layered” underneath.
