Christopher Esber’s 2025 bridal collection is an exploration of contrasts—structure and fluidity, tradition and rebellion, restraint and release. Each piece exists in a liminal space, untethered to a single moment in time, yet deeply attuned to the modern bride’s evolving desires. Esber, known for his architectural precision and quiet sensuality, redefines bridalwear through ready-to-wear and made-to-order styles as something both intimate and unapologetic, where delicate lace drapes over bare skin, and sculptural silhouettes shift with the body’s movement.
This is bridal fashion in conversation with itself: a veil that reveals, a corset that liberates, a gown that moves as though it has already danced. From the whisper of translucent layers to the deliberate weight of hammered silk, the collection balances the ephemeral with the eternal. A black lace gown stands among the whites—an elegant defiance of expectation, a nod to the multiplicity of love and self-expression. Here, a bride does not conform; she claims, she inhabits, she transforms.
It's here, in conversation with the Australian designer, we uncover Christopher's vision for bridalwear as something far beyond convention—a reflection of the bride’s journey of personal expression, rather than a uniform ideal. Through his words, the collection emerges as a tribute to the complexity and beauty of individuality, seamlessly merging the traditional and the contemporary to celebrate the uniqueness of each bride’s story and her evolving sense of self.
Firstly, congratulations on your debut bridal collection! Can you walk us through the overall concept behind it?
The collection merges tradition with modernity, balancing contemporary elements—such as shorter hemlines and sheer silhouettes—with classic details like traditional lace. I love playing with contrasts: fragility and structure, transparency and opacity. Throughout the collection, you’ll notice this interplay—for example, the drama of a traditional veil paired with the structure of a corseted dress.
What was it that drew you to bridalwear?
It’s a natural evolution for the brand, having designed bespoke wedding dresses for close friends over the years and having seen clients choose our ready-to-wear silhouettes for their wedding day. Some of our longest-standing retail partners, such as The Webster, had also been considering how they could introduce bridal in a way that felt right for their customer base, so everything seemed to align. There’s a nice sentiment in the brand playing a role in the milestones of our clients' lives.
You shared you had previously designed a selection of custom bridal styles for close friends–how did this journey influence you to create a bridal collection, and how has your approach to bridalwear evolved since?
The pieces I designed for friends were deeply personal and were individually created to reflect their style. With our move into bridal, we’re not looking to become a bespoke bridal atelier, but rather to offer an extension of our signature silhouettes, reimagined for a modern bride—styles as relevant for a traditional ceremony or courthouse vows as they are for a beachside wedding. And taking a ready-to-wear approach means the investment isn’t limited to one-time wear. In saying this, we do have a small selection of elevated atelier pieces—two dresses and two veils—that will be offered as made-to-order.
To you, what truly defines ‘bridal’ as a concept, and how do you interpret it through your designs?
I think the concept of ‘bridal’ has really changed in recent years. The formality of the wedding has changed, with elopements and courthouse ceremonies seeming to grow in popularity, and I also think that brides want to look more like themselves on the day rather than a completely different person.
Our design DNA naturally translates into bridal, considering our clients were already choosing to wear our white ready-to-wear silhouettes on their wedding day. I love this idea that as the Christopher Esber woman continues to evolve, we’re anticipating her milestones and growing with her, offering pieces that reflect her modern, effortless approach to bridalwear.
Your pieces celebrate confidence and risk-taking. How does your vision of the modern bride influence your design philosophy?
For me, it’s her attitude and approach to style that influence my design approach to bridal—the confidence and the garment go hand in hand; one doesn’t work without the other. There’s this sentiment of relaxed nonchalance to the Esber bride—she wants to feel beautiful and feminine on her wedding day but not look like a cupcake, and the collection caters to this.
There are so many standout moments in the collection—what are some of the highlights for you?
Some of my favorite pieces from the collection include the Floating Lace Mini Dress, styled with a traditional veil—it’s the perfect pairing of tradition and modernity. I also love the Patchwork Chemise Gown, our black lace dress, which offers an unexpected take on bridalwear. I’m so drawn to a woman who chooses to go against the grain.
Your bridal line feels versatile, suitable for a variety of wedding settings. Describe to us who the Christopher Esber bride is and what you envision her bridal style to be.
She’s a bride who isn’t afraid to take a risk on her wedding day. She might choose to wear black instead of white or opt for a suit instead of a dress—because a modern wedding doesn't have to be conventional. Her style takes a relaxed approach to glamour. She’s looking for the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, creating a wedding look that’s uniquely her own.
You play with dualities like lace and structure as an interplay between the past and present. Can you elaborate on your use of traditional design elements and how you have modernized their application?
Lace is layered over a technical stretch bodysuit or offered as a mini dress. Soft, sheer tulle is used to conceal and reveal the body, or it ties at the back of a blazer in lieu of a train. Corsetry is presented in the form of sculptural silhouettes, with hand-manipulated wire creating organic shapes. A silk veil connects to a free-flowing dress, sublimating the body rather than the face.
Looking forward, how do you envision the future of bridal fashion, and where do you see your brand within that landscape?
Looking ahead, we see our presence in bridal growing organically, staying true to our design philosophy, redefining modern bridalwear. We’re committed to offering pieces that feel authentic and expanding the range into footwear and accessories.
Finally, what’s one piece of advice you would offer to our brides?
Embrace a bridal style that feels most like you, and your confidence will follow naturally.
Explore and shop the full Christopher Esber 2025 Bridal collection online and in select stores.
