Punk Bridal Dresses for Madame de Pompadour and Her Friends

HERE COMES THE PUNK BRIDE: Vivienne Westwood wedding dresses have become synonymous with Sarah Jessica Parker’s character in “Sex and the City,” Carrie Bradshaw, but on Thursday evening, when the label made its runway debut for its 2026 bridal collection, it couldn’t be further apart from the famous HBO character.

Firstly, it was staged 3,830 miles at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week and none of the 35 looks on the runway were as poufy as the one in the 2008 film.

Creative director Andreas Kronthaler brought the brand’s punk attitude to the courtyard of the 19th-century Universitat de Barcelona, where orange blossom trees have decorated the ancient ruins.

“Bridal has always been an important part of the house, since I started working with Vivienne in the early ‘90s. We are delighted to be showing our first bridal show here in this fantastic city; we took the grandeur of the boulevards and architecture as our first point of inspiration,” the designer said. “The collection is a pot pourri of past, present and future. Corsetry is the foundation; it enhances you and gives you presence. And tailoring — to add a masculine flair.”

The designer wanted each character to tell a story.

The opening look, worn by Simonetta Gianfelici, held court with its wide hips and intricate lace detailing that could have been reminiscent of a Spanish queen, who may be wandering around the halls of her palace at night.

Kronthaler said her dress was inspired by François Boucher’s painting of Madame de Pompadour from 1759. “Vivienne would have loved it — it was her favorite dress of all time,” he added.

The other looks in the lineup had more attitude — specifically a punk one that the late Westwood was famed for and that Kronthaler has continued in her legacy: a sleeveless mini bodice dress worn with white tights and a blue suspender as a nod to the tradition of brides wearing something blue or borrowed; a relaxed white suit with a matching necktie that dangled below the knee, and the most punk of all, an open collar black-and-white striped silk shirt with black trousers and a gray blazer with printed letters and pink sunglasses.

There were also delicate dresses with beautiful veils, dresses with pockets and some with a floral print.

“We looked again to our rose print, inspired by the watercolors of 18th-century botanist Pierre-Joseph Redouté. We added orange blossom from the courtyard of the university, a symbol of purity and beauty; subdued and layered with tulle — tender, romantic,” Kronthaler said. “There is linen and cotton, washed georgette and chiffon, to make things look as if they have been worn time and again. The lightest organza, lots of lace, and pale pink duchesse from Italy.”

Vivienne Westwood follows in the footsteps of Giambattista Valli, Elie Saab and Viktor & Rolf, who have taken part as the guest designer brand at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week in the past.