A Series: Iconic Women in Bridal | Amsale Aberra
A Series|| Iconic Women in Bridal: Amsale Aberra
In honor of Women’s History Month we are bringing a new series to you, highlighting our female designers and what makes them special. Here at ALSW we have always been advocates of supporting other females, the incredible rolls we play in one another’s lives + believing that we are as strong as the women standing next us. During this series we will be shining a light on the vision, drive + passion our female designers have to better not only the bridal industry, yet what they did and continue to do to help the world around us.
xo Liz Kohler | Senior Marketing Coordinator
3/8/2021
AMSALE ABERRA
The Ethiopian born, FIT grad, engaged in the early 80’s, found herself in the height of the puffy sleeve and overly ornate bridal gown era, after a tireless search, Amsale couldn’t find a clean sleek gown that fit her desired vision… so what does any gifted designer do? In 1985, she designed her own wedding gown, and from that moment her bridal brand was born. Known for the invention of “the modern wedding dress” Amsale was a pioneer in the industry and caught the eye of the world, including interviews with Oprah, multiple features in Ebony magazine's "Power 150" list of the 150 most influential African Americans and her gowns have made cameos in many films including Runaway Bride, 27 Dresses, When in Rome, The Hangover, Isn’t it Romantic and many more! Aside from her claims to fame she also was a huge part in serving on the international board for the Ethiopian Children's Fund.
Amsale (aam·saa·luh) Aberra on her wedding day in 1985.
Margo Lafontaine with models after the reveal of her first collection with Amsale.
“I believe that true style knows no place or time – more than an aesthetic, STYLE is a way of living” - AMSALE
Sadly, in April 2018 Amsale lost her battle to cancer, leaving the bridal industry heart broken, the loss of not only a kind and loving person, but also an incredibly talented visionary in the bridal world. The industry’s question was what will happen to the brand? In true Amsale fashion, she was already had been looking to the future, and choice her successor, Margo Lafontaine to continue the brand and style. Under the watchful eye of both Amsale’s husband Neil Brown and daughter Rachel, her legacy in the bridal world will live on for decades to come.
The Bond Between Designers: As told by Margo during an interview with White + Warren.
“We really bonded,” says Lafontaine of working alongside Amsale Aberra, who made a name for herself as ‘inventor of the modern wedding dress.’ “She started her business when she was pregnant, and hired me when I was pregnant.” They quickly formed a unique connection bound by motherhood. “It would crack her up to see me waddling around, trying to drape and sketch with my belly. She’d tell me stories about being in the garment district at the fabric store when she was expecting, and how she couldn’t even turn around in the aisle because her belly was so big.”
Lafontaine saw Aberra as a sort of mother figure and also a mentor. “She definitely had that calm but strong motherly aura about her. She took me under her wing, directed me and imparted a lot of wisdom very quickly, honestly.”
Margo having a background as lead designer at Vera Wang, she was no new comer to the industry, and has vowed to stay true to not only her mentor Amsale, herself, but brides as well, striving to make all women feel stunning on their wedding day.