May 9, 2022 |
“To have and to hold,” Marco Capaldo writes in the collection notes for 16Arlington’s second iteration of convention-defying bridalwear. It’s a simple vow taken straight from the ‘Big Day’ handbook that might begin to feel vapid and trifling as a result of praxis; but simultaneously it’s a phrase that appears laced with deep meaning when declared in the context of this collection. That’s because late last year, Capaldo was faced with the untimely passing of his beloved life partner of nine years and co-creative director, 28-year-old Federica “Kikka” Cavenati.
Despite the tragedy surrounding the young designer, Marco expressed in an interview with British Vogue that he is simply content that new brides can carry with them a touch of Cavenati on their special day. So, rather than dwell on the sadness surrounding a bridal campaign created without her, Capaldo chose to imbue fun into all that he does. He told Vogue: “It’s so rewarding to see the joy a piece of clothing can bring someone. It feeds back to the core value of having heart in what we do.”
16Arlington launched its inaugural Bridal collection in June of last year seeing instant and admirable success. Nearly one year on, as he unveils its latest ultra-glamorous offering, Capaldo turns the page, gracefully entering a new era of mourning and inimitable celebration.
In angelic white and shrouded in crystal-adorned veils, the collection was created before Cavenati’s death. As such, it bridges the gap between life before and after Kikka with every fresh iteration of her peerless style and utter luminosity paired with Capaldo’s respective chimeric exploration of the subversive and sensual.
For this ultimate celebration, Capaldo reconsiders what defines ‘Bridal’, pondering the symbiotic balance between anarchy and restraint. With a sense of revelry, dramatic silhouettes, ultra-short hems, high cut necklines and evocative embellishments with flecks of baby blue are designed for the non-conformist. Meanwhile, lavish ostrich feathers, rich marabou and cascading satin dripping with bedazzled detailing transcends the archetypal wedding dress. It’s an experimental interplay between the classic and the unconventional.
Coming to the fore of the collection, a sweeping, seriously sparkly eight metres in diameter veil boasts 60,000 stones scattered across it – ain’t that impressive! Elsewhere, sculptural heels and the all-new KIKS bag – which comes crystal-studded and feather-trimmed – create a sense of harmony amid all the satin and silk.
So whether you’re a wedding crasher, a wedding guest or the whole damn wedding party, this cult London label’s sophomore bridal capsule offers an unrestrained spirit of ‘own-the-room authority’ with the dancefloor in its DNA and love in its healing heart.
Photography by Jordan Hemingway. The full collection will be exclusively available on 16arlington.co.uk, with key pieces available from a select number of 16Arlington partners including Browns and MatchesFashion.
