Fashion designers draw inspiration from many sources. For his fall 2025 bridal collection Mark Ingram looked to the past, to the way his mother, Naomi, and classy African American women in Harlem in the 1950s.
“Her effortless style was chic, and it was understated, but not unnoticed. In her youth she fully adapted the ‘American Style’ of the ’50s and’ 60s, always choosing clean fabrics with structure; chic and sophisticated. She and I shared the ultimate muse, the young Audrey Hepburn,” explained Mark Ingram.
Ingram was inspired by the way that African American women of that time poised, took pictures and brought a particular type of elegance to everything they wore. Think of African American celebrities of the 1950s—Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Pearl Bailey, Della Reese, and a young Diahann Carroll.
For those African American women, everything had to be in place from the manicured coifs to the makeup, to the jewelry and the clothes; everything was immaculate or close to it. At that time, it was very important how you presented in the world; particularly how African American women presented in their communities and to wider audience. Every demeaning stereotype about black people existed in the 1950s and presented an elegant and refined was important to counter the negative stereotypes about black people.
Although African American lived under an incredibly oppressive society; however, there were some positive things that came out of that oppression that still holds true until today. And Mark Ingram’s fall 2025 bridal collection reflects black women’s affection and love of dressing up.
In this bridal collection, “A Portrait of a Lady, Part II,” Ingram encapsulates those sensibilities by creating a bridal collection that contains garments with strong necklines, accenting broad shoulders and small waistline, as well as tailored fabrics and crisp lines. And true to form, Ingram understands how to marry these classic elements with a sense of modernity and charm.
Images courtesy of Mark Ingram
Standout looks in this fall 2025 bridal collection include, but are not limited to, the silk white Mikado arched strapless, natural waisted gown with architectural peplum, the ivory silk Mikado A-line gown with stylized strapless crumb catcher neckline and corset-boned bodice, and ivory corded lace mini party gown with ballet-scoop neckline.
—William S. Gooch
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