Calling all brides seeking “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.”
Los Angeles-based bridal and ready-to-wear label Houghton has partnered with Albright Fashion Library to introduce Albright x Houghton — Beverly Hills, a new luxury bridal experience that brings together each company’s expertise.
Through this partnership, Katharine Polk, Houghton designer and founder, will become the first designer to take up residence at Albright Fashion Library’s Beverly Hills estate in Trousdale Estates and work with brides to create bespoke wedding looks. Brides will have access to a selection of the brand’s archival styles, new designs made exclusively for Albright and a VIP custom bridal experience, which offers clients fashions that are available for sale, made-to-order and rental.
“I’m really excited about it because I feel like bridal has gotten so saturated. At Houghton, I’ve always tried to push the boundary and figure out what’s next for the industry and what we do,” Polk told WWD. “I think this combination of what we’re offering with Albright is such a refreshing, incredible opportunity for brides, being that weddings have become such a fashion moment. Brides are looking for so many looks, and it’s gotten so expensive.”
Through the Albright x Houghton — Beverly Hills VIP Bridal Package, clients will be able to have one-on-one appointments with Polk to design their bespoke gown, with prices starting at $450 an hour.
Inside the Albright x Houghton — Beverly Hills experience.
Courtesy of Houghton
In addition to having access to a private estate entrance and suite (filled with Champagne and a menu of small bites), VIP bridal clients will have access to Houghton’s archival, new and exclusive styles, with prices ranging from $3,500 to $20,000. Furthermore, brides, bridal parties and VIP wedding guests will be able to work with Albright Fashion Library’s stylists to rent styles from Albright’s archive of more than 60,000 designer and couture vintage fashions to complete their entire wedding weekend wardrobes from head-to-toe.
“From a private suite and curated experience to full styling from Albright’s archive of more than 35 years of fashion combined with access to Houghton’s iconic collections, every detail is designed with the modern bride in mind. Our personalized concierge services and exclusive access to our midcentury estate, this isn’t just shopping — it’s the start of the celebration,” said Irene Albright, owner and editor in chief of Albright Fashion Library.
“The luxury VIP Bridal Package is mostly meant for someone who knows they want custom. That said, if a bride comes in thinking she wants custom but ends up ordering something made-to-order, that’s fine,” Polk explained, noting that bespoke gowns’ minimums start at $10,000.
“They will have access to the entire library that we can pull inspiration from, or we can pull that from Houghton — whatever she wants. I will design the bride a gown from scratch to their measurements, and then, as part of that custom package, fittings are included. Everything is included,” she said.
Furthermore, since each design is crafted in Los Angeles, the team is able to work with brides to create a custom look in as quickly as four weeks, although Polk suggests the standard six-month minimum timeline for custom.
Looks from Houghton featured within the Albright x Houghton — Beverly Hills experience.
Courtesy of Houghton
“Across all packages, we offer made-to-order, rental and customizing [such as adding a belt or sleeve, etc.],” Polk said, adding that brides with budgets between $3,500 to $12,000 can opt into an opening package for non-fully bespoke gowns.
“We’ve carried Houghton in our showroom for 15 years, and to now be collaborating with Katharine on a full-service bridal experience is incredibly special. Her vision is unmatched, and together we’re offering something truly elevated, ” Albright said.
“It’s very full circle. Irene was actually the first person to ever buy Houghton with my very first collection,” Polk added.
Speaking about her archive, Polk said the Albright x Houghton — Beverly Hills curation currently includes more than 100 styles from her archive of 30-plus collections of Houghton bridal and ready-to-wear. Many of the gowns are one-of-a-kind, couture and luxury designs that debuted on the runway more than 10 years ago but were never sold — the same time frame of rare, high-quality, fashion-forward styles that Albright Fashion Library’s loyal clientele seek out. Additional styles come from Houghton’s “Friday to Sunday” offering of wedding wardrobe layers spanning from the likes of lace bras and stockings to cocktail dresses and separates.
“There’s a lot more to come too, and we’re adding to it,” Polk explained of Friday’s launch. “It’s so refreshing to be able to offer the art and not be driven by commerce or getting the price down — to really be able to showcase pieces that we believe in and are as special as they come is a dream come true.”
