Vivienne Westwood Unveils 2026 Bridal Campaign Featuring Handcrafted Alexandra Corset Dress

The textured Alexandra Dress headlines Vivienne Westwood’s new bridal campaign, a corseted centerpiece that signals a shift from spectacle to handcraft under Andreas Kronthaler’s creative direction - I suspect some brides will opt for the Made-to-Order ease over full couture, and feel free to disagree. Photographs for the campaign and collection were taken in the studios and corridors of the Westwood atelier in southwest London, and the brand’s Instagram summed the mood: “Vivienne Westwood Bridal 2026 unveils sculpted silhouettes and a refined rebellious spirit, blending iconic corsetry with ethereal textures.”

The house has formalized two 2026 bridal lines. “The 2026 Couture Bridal collection draws inspiration from classic silhouettes and presents nine looks featuring corsetry, voluminous cuts, and airy layers,” while the Vivienne Westwood 2026 Made-to-Order Bridal collection introduces fourteen new dresses alongside detachable blouses and corsets, and accessories including veils and gloves. Both lines place pleated tulle and sheer organza at their core, fabrics repeatedly cited across runway notes and campaign imagery.

Couture’s textures nod directly to the archive. A Pompadour dress in moiré references the Vive La Cocotte Autumn/Winter 1995/96 collection, and images underscore the collection’s “delicate homage to the English rose.” Pleated tulle and ruffled tulle sit beside rich jacquards and pale pink duchesse sourced from Italy, while faded lace and gently washed fabrics add the sort of tactile nuance that reads on stage and in close-up studio portraits.

The Made-to-Order selection trades some spectacle for versatility. Standout names include the Darling dress, described as merging archival influences, and the Lady dress, inspired by the War and Peace gown from Spring/Summer 2012. The collection “uses carefully selected materials, including environmentally friendly alternatives,” and everything is “designed and handcrafted in England,” a production ethos the house emphasized in show notes and press material.

This two-pronged launch followed a milestone runway: Vivienne Westwood presented a complete bridal collection on the runway for the first time in its history at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, staged at one of Spain’s oldest and most prestigious universities, with backstage coverage dated 29 April 2025. TheWed’s front-row perspective later called the work “a love letter to heritage, art, and the timeless allure of the English rose,” and Vogueadria framed the moment as part of “the year of the Vivienne Westwood bridal renaissance.”

Campaign and social reaction leaned into corsetry as the brand’s signature. The Original Report described the campaign as “highlighting the textured Alexandra Dress, embodying timeless femininity,” while social posts and fashion commentators praised the house’s “unmistakable mastery of corsetry.” Photography shot in the Westwood atelier presents sculpted bodices, airy organza skirts, and archival prints including a rose print inspired by Pierre-Joseph Redouté watercolours and orange blossom motifs drawn from the university courtyard.

For brides ready to inquire, the Bridal Made-to-Order collection is available from selected boutiques: Vivienne Westwood Bridal Boutique, 6 Davies Street, London W1K 3DN (daviesstreet@viviennewestwood.com, +44 (0)20 7629 3757), Vivienne Westwood, 14 E. 55th Street, New York (ny.bridalteam@viviennewestwood.com, +1 917 893 3556), and Vivienne Westwood, 175 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris. More than half a century after Let It Rock opened on London’s King’s Road with Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood’s 2026 bridal campaign and twin collections stake a clear claim: corsetry and handcrafted English couture will define this season’s brides who want history, texture, and precision.