She may be new to the bridal world, but Danielle Hirsch is already making a name for herself. After working for two powerhouse bridal labels, Hirsch set out to create her own label with her own rules and always puts the needs of her brides first, making their wedding dress styles her first priority.
How It All Began for Danielle Frankel
Design has always been in Hirsch’s blood. She studied at the Parsons School of Design in New York and was a finalist for Designer of the Year when she graduated in 2012. She says that recognition opened a lot of doors for her career.
After graduation, she started working under two major bridal labels, Marchesa and Vera Wang. Hirsch says working for Wang was the most valuable education she ever had, and learning from a master had a huge impact on her. It was then that she started to fall in love with bridal design.
Her original intent wasn’t to launch her own label, but it happened naturally. After leaving Wang, she made custom gowns for family and friends through word of mouth. As the demand for her designs grew, she decided to launch her own label, seeking to create a new perspective on what it means to get married.
Getting into the Bridal Industry
In 2017, Hirsch officially launched her label, Danielle Frankel. Her debut collection was quickly considered “edgy”, not for her off-the-cuff designs but because she wasn’t following the mainstream of bridal fashion at the time. The collection featured streamlined slips, columns, and A-line silhouettes in a world of ruffles, embellishments and statement capes that all ruled the Fall 2018 season.
Hirsch admits she was surprised how people responded to her collection, because it was simply a palate cleanse from then-current industry trends. Her gowns gained so much popularity in a short amount of time that in 2019, she was selected as the first bridal designer to participate in VOGUE and the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s annual fashion fund.
The Danielle Frankel Empire Today
All of Hirsch’s designs are custom, handmade gowns made in NYC’s Garment District. She offers a wide variety of her ready-to-wear pieces at her atelier and on her website to serve her clients however they like to shop. Her goal is to serve a large audience, no matter what her needs are for her big day—whether it’s a modern, fashion-forward wedding gown or a classic investment piece like a jumpsuit or two-piece set.
Each collection focuses on the desires of the modern woman versus a specific theme. Hirsch understands that women today want something new and understated—yet still luxe for her big day. She takes feedback from real brides to inspire her future collections.
The gowns are classic, original, flattering, and powerful—made with an array of simple fabrics and techniques with intricate construction. To help reduce any last-minute production issues, Hirsch also likes to reuse similar fabrics in all her collections.
Brides can expect to pay between $600–$5,600 for Frankel’s designs. She currently sells her gowns in sizes 0–24 with a curve collection in the works. It’s another way Hirsch hopes to serve more women with her designs. If you’re looking to complete your bridal look, the brand also offers accessories like veils, jewelry, and gloves, plus evening wear and loungewear. She also partnered with Manolo Blahnik to create three unique bridal shoes, currently available to purchase on her website.
Our Fave Danielle Frankel Looks
Courtesy: daniellefrankelstudio.com
For the Fall 2022 ready-to-wear-line, Hirsch dipped into the aesthetic of old photography paired with timeless, modern flair. Each design boasts ultra-feminine elegance and dream-like movement.
The silk organza Emory ball gown gives us chic, feminine vibes. The sheer layers in the high-low skirt are amazing, and we love the Basque waistline. The sculpted Tina mini dress with the bubbled crinoline skirt is super fun, and the blush color is unique.
Are dresses not your vibe? The ivory Mia pantsuit is a truly romantic alternative. All the details make this a show-stopping option: from the soft tulle corset top to the flowy, sheer floral organza back.
Famous Danielle Frankel Designs
Courtesy: dailymail.co.uk, vogue.com, vogue.in, vogue.com, Getty Images, brides.com
Celebrities are practically running to wear Danielle Frankel designs, and 2019 was the year that many of her creations were able to shine. The first A-lister to wear her designs was the ultimate cool girl Zoë Kravitz.
For her rehearsal dinner in Paris, Kravitz strutted down the street in an intricate crochet pearl dress (which Hirsch designed with Kravitz in mind just six months prior) over high-waisted biker shorts and a strapless silk bra top. Hirsch was over the moon when Kravitz chose that outfit for her wedding weekend.
That same year, Indian actress Sonam Kapoor wore an off-shoulder, shirt-style design when she was announced as the face of Chopard Parfums. Emmy-winning actress Julia Garner went the pantsuit route for her city hall nuptials at the end of 2019. The pleated tunic and trouser set was vintage chic with feminine ruffles at the hems.
Writer and entrepreneur Erin Foster chose Frankel for her 2020 New Year’s Eve nuptials in Nashville. After trying on multiple dresses, she fell in love with two of Frankel’s designs: the signature Ruby dress with a square-neck silhouette and long puff sleeves and another dress that was cut shorter for a reception dress.
The most recent celeb to hop on the Frankel fan train is Brazilian fashion model Caroline Trentini. She wore a stunning ball gown on the red carpet of the 2022 Met Gala.
