Ahead of her brand Hanifa’s first bridal presentation, designer Anifa Mvuemba described the collection as, “a little bit of everything." Mvuemba regularly brings the industry s elite to the DMV area, and this event was no exception. She invited a group of editors, wedding planners, and fans to the Salamander Resort and Spa, a new Black woman-owned estate in suburban Virginia. Surrounded by a path of white roses and baby’s breath, the setting was more than apt for Hanifa’s new, romantic chapter. The estate property resembled a scene from Bridgerton, and its guests were no different, most of whom proudly wore the brand’s ready-to-wear line.
Since she started her brand 12 years ago, Mvuemba has dreamed of expanding beyond the label’s well-known knitwear and into bridal. The show began with a poem emphasizing the act of self-love as guests—seated under a clear, high-ceiling tent adorned with cascading white drapes—eagerly awaited the ensembles. The first look down the runway was a full-length ivory dress with a simple mock neckline. It set the sophisticated tone for the rest of the show.
The usual suspects in bridal attire—namely tulle, chiffon, and feathers—were all present and accounted for. The first ball gown to grace the runway, a strapless, ivory number with a sweetheart neckline and a hem that gracefully dusted the floor, elicited audible gasps from the crowd, and a sea of phones in the air. Many of the looks were intricate, with micro-pleats, delicate embroidery, glittering embellishment, and corseted bodices. They walked the fine line between too much and just right. A particular crowd favorite was a simple slip dress completed by bra cups dripping with gems.
Mvuemba designed with the entire wedding weekend (and beyond!) in mind. A few of the outfits, such as a corseted mini-dress with a floor-length boa, felt bachelorette ready, as did those outfits with lingerie-esque details. Many of the “naked” dresses (a popular bridal trend) incorporated illusion mesh in different shades of brown—a gentle nod to the fact that nude is different for every skin tone. Each look was refined, but still had the drama many brides want from their wedding day. The designer made space for the fun-yet-elegant bride, the mature bride, the over-the-top bride, the traditional bride, the unconventional bride, and the sexy bride: all reflective of the brand’s existing customers. That variety underscores Mvuemba’s ultimate goal: “to be accessible and cater to [the Hanifa] woman.”
