A wave of Israeli wedding dress designers arrived in New York for Bridal Fashion Week — the most significant event in the dedicated bridal fashion calendar — where the Spring-Summer 2026 collections were unveiled. According to the official schedule of the event on the eve of Passover 2025, the designers presenting in New York included Galia Lahav, Mira and Lihi Zwillinger, Berta, Lihi Hod and Idan Cohen.
Over the past decade, Israeli wedding dress designers have become global trendsetters, with their collections gaining exposure in international fashion magazines. Their unique fashion language — characterized by body-hugging silhouettes and the use of luxurious materials — has transformed the bridal industry into Israel’s most significant and successful fashion export.
In 2024, Forbes reported that the global wedding dress market was valued at $82.42 billion annually, with an expected annual growth rate of 13.5% between 2025 and 2030. This growth is driven by several key factors, including an increase in the number of weddings and changes in consumer preferences. For instance, the trend of destination weddings, particularly among millennials, is contributing to market expansion as couples opt for unique and luxurious attire for their big day. At the same time, a parallel trend is emerging: the growth of the affordable and accessible wedding dress market, including brides purchasing second-hand dresses.
Among the key trends showcased this season in New York, the return of the voluminous skirt — or, in other words, “the frothy look” — stood out. Once considered outdated and even ridiculed in the 1990s and early 2000s, it has made a comeback in new proportions with a glamorous and self-aware touch.
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Another strong trend, exemplified by designer Berta Balilti, is the Basque style. This silhouette, popular in the 19th century, features a waistline positioned lower than the natural waist, often ending in a point or inverted V shape at the center of the body. The result is a look that elongates the figure and highlights the waist in a very flattering and refined way, with a hint of vintage flair.