Bridal collections have the advantage of not really being “collections.” Since the common thought is that a bride only chooses one gown (though that’s changing as more brides slip into a second dress for the rehearsal, or buy a cache of white looks for their other events), each look can typically stand on its own; it doesn’t exactly need to relate to the other pieces in the lineup. That’s particularly true for Carly Cushnie, whose ultimate goal is to create minimal, timeless gowns that resist trends or seasons. As such, her Spring 2020 collection introduced seven new looks, pictured here, but they were shown alongside the best sellers of last Fall, like a long-sleeved cut-out gown with a twisted bodice and a caped blazer and trousers. Why should those looks retire after a single season?
A few didn’t make the cut, of course: Fall’s beaded gowns didn’t resonate quite as much with Cushnie’s customers. Going forward, she’s limiting her embellishments to the occasional bits of lace, seen on Spring’s one-shoulder style with an asymmetrical strip of lace wrapping around the back.
Elsewhere, Cushnie’s m.o. was, as always, to pare things back to their most essential. A strapless bustier gown had a soft, sculptural curve thanks to hidden boning, and her wrap-front jumpsuit looked a lot more elegant than the ones you tend to find in bridal salons. Cushnie’s brides were also asking for a version of a snug, ’90s-ish square-neck dress she debuted for ready-to-wear, so she whipped it up in full-length ivory crepe with a sleek, removable train. It will lend a bit of drama to a bride’s walk down the aisle; unclip the train, and she could easily hit the dance floor—no “reception dress” needed.
