In the year since Amsale Aberra’s passing, her namesake label has continued in a manner befitting her legacy. The collections under Amsale’s new design director, Margo Lafontaine, have respected Aberra’s streamlined aesthetic, but evolution is inevitable. Spring 2020 gave Lafontaine and her team the opportunity to mix things up, starting with a show in the heart of Chelsea. With Ariana Grande blaring on the speakers, they presented four separate versions of the Amsale woman, united by an understated aesthetic and layers of delicate Mimi So jewelry.
The main Amsale line offered classics in the form of ballgowns with sweetheart necklines and crystal bodices, while the younger range, Nouvelle Amsale, went a bit more playful with Chantilly lace and sheer backs with sparkling embroideries. Standouts included a silk faille strapless number with elegant draping and a tiered dress with flower petals sprinkled down the back. Each look was delivered in crisp white, making it somewhat difficult to separate the ranges. A touch of nude, or even—gasp!—blush would have been daring for this house, but the lineup offered other ways for brides to experiment on their big day.
The show closed with a new line, Amsale x You, an online customization program that allows clients to mix and match pieces from the brand’s archive. Shown on seven brides-to-be, including opera singer Bria Langer and women’s health advocate Dr. Melynda Barnes, it offered a glimpse at how women are incorporating the season’s bridal trends into their weddings—and the universal appeal of Amsale’s designs.
