Prolific bridal designer Justin Warshaw’s five collections—including Justin Alexander Signature, Sincerity Bridal and Lillian West—put inclusivity at the forefront, and his latest campaign celebrates brides of all stripes. Here, he answers our questions.
This fall, designer Justin Warshaw debuted his Be You campaign, featuring a diverse group of women wearing gowns from his various ranges. Among the models are plus-size fashion influencer Kelsey Gross
Why is inclusivity a priority for you?‘Be You!’ is a phrase often used at Justin Alexander because we believe that every bride should feel confident, and confident their dream dress exists. We want all our brides to feel seen.
How does that philosophy translate to design? We design our gowns with all body types in mind. Our stretch crepe and stretch Mikados are structured to help shape the body while being comfortable; some styles use Power Mesh, a shapewear mesh lining that is built into the dress. We often use jersey linings that help shape the body and make the gowns comfortable. We always include boning on the inside of the bodices to provide structure. Plus, we are strategic with lace placement on our designs, so it’s done in a way that hides insecurities and enhances the shape of the body. Our sizes range from 0 to 32, and we do not upcharge for any of our sizes.
Grace Strobel, one of the first American models with Down syndrome; and Type 1 diabetic Shelby Maples. The latest Justin Alexander Signature collection is inspired by gardens of the Italian Renaissance.
What tips would you offer brides as they begin their search for the perfect gown, in order to stay confident and find something they love? Get inspired by finding ways to create mood boards and save pictures of wedding gowns that speak to you. Kiss your comfort zone goodbye and try on various styles, silhouettes, fabrics and colorways along the way. Enjoy this part of your wedding journey, and keep in mind this is supposed to be fun and stress-free.
What inspired your latest Justin Alexander Signature collection? The fall/winter 2023 collection, Garden of Love, draws inspiration from Italian Renaissance gardens. Known for their beauty, these gardens exude romance, sophistication and attention to detail in the same way our new collection was crafted. The season begins with our signature modern styling with unexpected elements such as sheer backs and sides, sculpted exposed corsetry, thigh-high slits and sultry low backs. It then builds into romantic couture craftsmanship with fashion-forward floral appliques, bold textures and opulent hand-beading that emits a subtle sparkle. This collection marries romance and modern sophistication in a style that embraces the elegance of Tuscan gardens. justinalexander.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF JUSTIN ALEXANDER AND JUSTIN ALEXANDER SIGNATURE
