For the final instalment in our designer spotlight series, we’re focusing our attention on the Mori Lee collection by Madeline Gardner; a truly timeless and romantic range of bridal dresses that we’re proud to have available in our showroom.
As with all our designer spotlight blog posts, we’re going to be looking at the brand, the designers behind the dresses and of course, the gowns themselves, so if you’re interested in choosing a Mori Lee wedding dress for your big day, keep on reading to find out everything you need to know!
The Brand
A bridal brand that emerged into the wedding industry over 25 years ago now, Mori Lee is a wedding dress label designed by Madeline Gardner, a well-known fashion designer in the UK and throughout the globe.
At present, the Mori Lee brand is made up of five key collections, each one offering something different to the range and catering for a different bride.
Mori Lee dresses are currently stocked in hundreds of independent bridal boutiques around the world and we’re proud to be one of those multiple stockists throughout Europe, America and Canada.
The Designer
The brand itself really is all about the designer, Madeline Gardner. Since Madeline started designing dresses for the Mori Lee label over 25 years ago, her focus has all been on creating magic with every dress and telling a story with every gown and it’s fair to say that we think she’s succeeded in doing so.
Madeline Gardener started her career in design after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology and went on to gain experience in the industry before putting pencil to paper and starting her very own range.
From her New York studio, Madeline produces the design for each and every gown herself and ensures to stay true to the origins and ethos of her brand with every new launch. A passion for timeless designs that incorporate what’s stylish at the time, each Mori Lee dress is made to be a perfect fit for you at not just the moment you get married but for years down the line too thanks to the classic and ever on-trend designs.
The Dresses
The Mori Lee brand has been strategically segmented into collections, each with dresses with similarities to each other and each collection with a clear theme and message aimed towards a particular type of brand.
In her own words, the core Mori Lee collection is filled with classic dresses made to be ‘timeless and elegant’, while the Blu range is a little more modern yet still effortlessly refined. The Voyagé collection is simply stunning with inspiration coming from understated shapes and boho designs. The AF Couture range is made to be chic and a little edgy but reserved enough to still be comfortable and classic, a perfect mixture for the bride who wants a bit of both.
Believing that every bride deserves a dress she adores, not just loves, no matter what their size, Madeline designed the Julietta collection for the plus size bride to provide these women with as good a selection of dresses to choose from and the peace of mind that each dress is made with their shape in mind, making for the ultimate flattering fit.
Our Favourite Mori Lee Dresses
It’s a big ask for us to pick just a handful of gowns from the Mori Lee collection to call our favourites because we truly are spoilt for choice but there are a few dresses in the range that just stand out from the rest!
Mori Lee Karissa 8222 Wedding Dress
The definition of elegant while still being a little sultry, the Mori Lee Karissa gown is understated yet highly detailed. This gentle fit and flare shaped gown is paired with a low v-shaped neckline and off the shoulder cap sleeves for a delicate but feminine appeal. The length of the dress is covered with frosted embroidery that glistens in the light and we just think there’s nothing to not love about the Mori Lee 8222 dress.
Mori Lee Milly 5577 Wedding Dress
If you want to know what a dramatic yet understated dress looks like, the Mori Lee Milly gown is the best example. Made using simple fabrics in a traditional princess dress shape, it’s the detail in the skirt that brings this gown to life. A deep v-shaped neckline with thin shoulder straps and a ruched detailing across the bodice, this elegant top half synchs at the waist before the Mori Lee 5577 dress cascades to the floor in a voluminous skirt made us of organza and horsehair ruffles. Bold yet minimalistic for the bride that wants both.
Mori Lee 3191 Wedding Dress
A piece from the Julietta collection, the Mori Lee 3191 dress is designed for curvier brides and starts at size UK 18. This flatteringly feminine shaped dress is made to hug the figure and showcase the best of the female shape. A strapless sweetheart neckline leads into an elongated fitted bodice with ruched detailing throughout. The skirt flares mid-thigh with layers of lace and leads into a train. The Chantilly lace is a perfect choice for this soft gown and the scalloped edges finish the Mori Lee 3191 gown to perfection.
As we’re sure you can tell by now, we truly love the Mori Lee range and are proud to have a selection of these gowns available in our showroom.
If you want to explore the Mori Lee collection for yourself, book an appointment to visit us in store and try on all the dresses from this range that catch your eye. You can email info@mariamodes.com or call 01625 502502 to book a fitting with our team.