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It’s hard to not hold any bias toward & Other Stories. On the surface, the Sweedish brand is a stand-alone star of the high street. It’s functional and valuable with a three distinctive aesthetics coming from each of its ateliers in Stockholm, Paris and LA. There are few high street places where I can walk in and instantly find ten or more pieces that will withstand the turning cogs of fast fashion.
The talents of the brand go deeper than the dermis and I feel like it has really proved itself, especially since setting into its Grafton Street home in 2016. The clothing stockpile is huge, selling everything from ready-to-wear to glitzy party-season dresses and fine leather bags and shoes. It’s committed to elevating the profiles of young designers and has collaborated with Rodarte, Ada Kokosar, Sadie Williams, Faux real, Claire Vivier, Vika Gazinskaya and Rachel Antonoff. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the brand’s ethos, so you don’t only look great but feel great too. Last year the store launched a gift shop range just in time for Christmas and each piece was delicately wrapped in paper and garnished with dried flowers. This year in April, the brand launched its first bridal collection and is releasing its second just in time for winter wedding season.
You won’t find long, flowing, whimsical gowns from this collection. What you will find is a curated selection of pieces – including a matching white two-piece suit, above. The sharp-silhouetted white suit of the bride is the centrepiece of the collection, which also includes an embroidered floral velvet tuxedo jacket, a black, long-sleeved dress with delicate lace and embellished pumps. The shapes don’t feel dated, and the collection is fresh and exciting, and very on-brand.
What I like most about this collection is that it isn’t wedding exclusive, and I think versatility is an increasingly important factor for women buying occasion-wear. These pieces can easily translate from wedding day to dinner party or New Year’s Eve with the change of an earring or some statement make-up. They don’t look overly bridal in the traditional sense, but they will offer something exciting and loads of personality for brides opting for the non-traditional route. The collection is due to launch on the third week of November, so take a preview look in our gallery above and start making your wish list.