Randy Fenoli wants to pay tribute to real brides everywhere. The designer and star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress tells The Knot in an exclusive interview that he designed his new bridal collection, Silver Springs, with women of all shapes, sizes and ages in mind.
“Last year was the first year I launched my collection in Europe, and I got to travel to Barcelona, London, Milan, Venice, the Netherlands, Canada, the U.S., Brazil, Mexico… everywhere,” he says at New York Bridal Fashion Week while presenting his Fall 2019 collection. “I was so inspired by the sensory experiences and the real brides I met throughout my travels.”
That global experience coupled with Fenoli’s foundation in the industry—as a bridal consultant and eventually, as the fashion director of Kleinfeld Bridal—encouraged the recently-minted eponymous collection designer to go into his Fall 2019 line with every woman in mind. “I want a dress for every size bride. My dresses go all the way up to size 30 with no extra charge,” he adds. “My size 4 is like a size 10 in other designers. I moved the size chart, because bridal’s size chart was crafted during World War II when they did the military uniforms for women. Bridal followed that size chart, while the ready-to-wear industry changed it. They caught on, but bridal never did.”
Randy Fenoli Fall 2019 Collection. (Photo Credit: Dan Lecca)
For consumers who would walk into boutiques with hopes to find the perfect wedding dress, many would be disappointed by the experience of trying on pieces. “I remember my first trunk show in 1993 and this girl was in tears,” he recalls. “She was like, ‘I’m not a size 10. Really, I’m not!’ So I went to my boss and said, ‘We need to move the size chart.’ And he said no.”
He pauses. “Now that I get to do things on my own. And we moved the size chart.”
This means that much of Fenoli’s sizes correlate directly to the American prêt-à-porter offerings found in stores. Plus, he designed the pieces considering age too. “I thought of brides who come in and it’s her second wedding,” he explains. “Maybe she’s in her 40s, 50s, 60s, but for something that doesn’t look matronly and doesn’t spend a lot of money.”
Randy Fenoli Fall 2019 Collection. (Photo Credit: Dan Lecca)
He also wanted to design pieces that were flattering directly to the female physique. “Working in a salon for over 5 years, the first thing when a girl steps on the pedestal, the consultants grab the back under the tush and they clip it,” he says. “You don’t have to now. All of my dresses have that shape.”
The 36-piece collection is offered in all sizes up to 30. “I like to be a very hands-on designer,” he concludes.
See the full collection here and secure your ideal wedding vision by starting with The Knot’s Style Quiz, here.
