Justin Alexander Warshaw: A Visionary Designer Redefining Bridal Fashion

Interview by Jennifer MacLellan

Creative Direction by Vanessa Coppes

Photography by Michelle Behre

Videography by Miguel Pichardo

Assistance by Jonathan Calixto, Aseel Shilleh, Milan Grooms

Renowned wedding gown designer Justin Alexander has captivated brides since 1946, beginning with T&G Bridal in Brooklyn, New York. At a time when women embraced fashion as a powerful form of self-expression, Alexander quickly established himself as a key player in the bridal fashion industry. Today, Justin Alexander has evolved into a contemporary brand offering mid- to high-end bridal gowns and accessories that blend vintage inspirations with modern details.

Recognizing the diverse tastes of today’s brides, Justin Alexander features a range of collections, including the esteemed Justin Alexander Signature, romantic Adore by Justin Alexander, and whimsical Lillian West. Each gown is distinguished by stunning silhouettes, intricate necklines, and exceptional attention to detail.

This season, Justin Alexander presents the enchanting Nocturne Symphony collection, a tribute to the beauty of the night designed for the bold bride. With signature modern seaming and structured corsets, the collection features exaggerated basque waists and couture volume. Nocturne Symphony invites brides to shine on their special day, creating a breathtaking composition of artistry and design for Fall/Winter 2025.

Justin Alexander debuted in 1946 and is a family business that you have taken the helm of. Tell our readers how the business has evolved and how you’ve put your own spin on the brand.

Justin Alexander began as a family business in 1946, founded by my grandparents, Ted and Shirley. They started with a small bridal company in Brooklyn, New York, and over the decades, the business evolved significantly. Initially focused on accessories, we shifted our attention to wedding dresses in the early 1980s, which marked a pivotal moment in our history.

Taking the helm of this legacy, I have aimed to blend our timeless elegance with contemporary trends. We have expanded our brand to include multiple collections, each catering to different styles and preferences. For instance, Justin Alexander Signature offers luxurious, fashion-forward designs, whilst Adore by Justin Alexander targets the chic, modern bride.

My focus has been on maintaining the high standards of craftsmanship and quality that our brand is known for, while also embracing innovation. This includes modernizing our marketing strategies, enhancing our digital presence, and ensuring our designs reflect the latest trends without losing the classic charm that defines Justin Alexander.

In addition to Justin Alexander, the company also includes Justin Alexander Signature, Adore by Justin Alexander, accessories, and more. How do you cater to different brides with each of these extensions of the brand?

We have five core brands under the Justin Alexander Group including Justin Alexander, Justin Alexander Signature, Adore by Justin Alexander, Lillian West, and Sincerity. Each of these brands cater to the diverse tastes and preferences of brides. By offering a variety of collections, we ensure that every bride can find a gown that reflects her personal style and vision for her special day.

Justin Alexander: This line focuses on timeless elegance and classic designs, perfect for brides who appreciate traditional and sophisticated styles.

Justin Alexander Signature: This collection is for the fashion-forward bride who desires luxurious fabrics, intricate details, and a modern twist on classic silhouettes.

Adore by Justin Alexander: Targeting the chic and trendy bride, this line offers contemporary designs that are both stylish and accessible.

Lillian West: The Lillian West collection is known for its bohemian-inspired, laid-back elegance.

Sincerity: The Sincerity Bridal collection is designed for the charismatic and classic bride who dreams of a fairy-tale wedding.

Thanks + Goodluck Accessories: From veils to detachable sleeves, the accessories line allows brides to personalize their look and add unique touches to their wedding ensemble.

Where do you draw your inspiration when creating a new design or collection? Any specific inspiration for your latest collection, Nocturne Symphony?

The Fall/Winter 2025 Justin Alexander Signature collection, “Nocturne Symphony,” draws its inspiration from the night, crafted for the bride who dares to dream. This collection features modern seaming and structured corsets, combined with unexpected elements like exaggerated Basque waists and couture volume. The gowns are adorned with intricate 3D florals, laser-cut appliqués, and rich floral jacquards. Silver crystal diamantes, pearls, and corded Alençon laces add a touch of brilliance, creating a dazzling, beautifully orchestrated composition for Fall/Winter 2025.

When creating new designs, I draw inspiration from various sources, including vintage couture, red carpet fashion, and my travels. Additionally, the work we do at trunk shows and the feedback we receive from brides are invaluable. Engaging directly with brides helps ensure our designs meet their desires and expectations.

As a Justin Alexander bride myself, I fell in love with how you “marry” contemporary with classic and your designs are timeless, elegant, and flattering. Overall, how would you describe the style of a #JABride?

A #JABride is elegant, unique, and meticulously crafted. I envision a bride who embraces her individuality and sees her wedding gown as an extension of her personal style and spirit. The #JA Bride appreciates luxury and the detailed couture craftsmanship that goes into each gown.

What are a few of your favorite trends in bridal right now and what do you see coming next?

I am excited that jacquards and brocades are trending right now, and we’ve been incorporating them into our collection. It’s not just about the fabric; silhouettes are evolving too. I’m particularly excited about the resurgence of drop and Basque waistlines, which were out of favor for many seasons but are now a huge trend.

Another technique I am enthusiastic about is using laser-cut satin in place of lace. This floral detail is fresh and innovative.

Additionally, corset backs are making a comeback. While all our dresses can be customized with either a corset or a zipper, we’re really loving the corset look this season. The bridal fashion world is experiencing a renaissance, with a return to classic, timeless styles that evoke elegance and tradition.

With international success, and no signs of slowing down, what can we expect from Justin Alexander in the future?

Justin Alexander Group is introducing Justin Alexander Studio, blending the convenience of rapid online shopping with the personalized touch of traditional bridal alterations. The platform features custom occasion wear delivered in just two weeks, plus exclusive offerings in scents, lingerie, and more. We see this as an opportunity not only to cater even more to our brides and bridal party but also expand our reach beyond bridal to a new consumer.

For more, visit JustinAlexander.com and follow along on Instagram @justinalexander.

Composer, Pianist, Director, Fashion Designer, and More: Meet International Rock Star, YOSHIKI

Yoshiki is a composer, classically trained pianist, rock drummer, fashion designer, leader of the rock groups “X Japan” and “The Last Rockstars,” and an international music icon.

His musical repertoire includes a song dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Emperor of Japan’s reign, the official theme song for the World Expo, Hollywood film soundtracks, and the official theme song for the prestigious Golden Globe Awards. Led by Yoshiki, X Japan has sold over 30 million albums and singles and sold out the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record-breaking 18 times. He was the first Asian musician to perform at the world’s greatest music halls including Madison Square Garden, Wembley Arena, and solo performances at Carnegie Hall.

In addition to his music activities, he is a fashion icon, the first Japanese male to appear on the cover of Vogue Japan and the designer of his high-fashion kimono brand, YOSHIKIMONO. Yoshiki was chosen to be the first living person to have a Hello Kitty doll named after him, called "yoshikitty". He is also the founder of Yoshiki Foundation America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit organization, and has long been committed to philanthropy. In 2021, Baccarat selected Yoshiki to design a Harcourt glass in celebration of its 180th anniversary.

His business ventures include the Japanese record label Extasy Records, the Y by Yoshiki wine brand, Y by YOSHIKI champagne with Champagne Pommery, and a partnership with Coca Cola to release two brand-new energy drinks, Real Gold X and Real Gold. His reach extends to everything from a Madame Tussauds wax figure to a dashing kimono-clad superhero created by Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee. And this year, YOSHIKI announced his new high fashion brand MAISON YOSHIKI PARIS, which debuted during Paris Fashion Week.

Yoshiki’s directorial debut, YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY, debuted this fall and held its international premier in New York City’s Times Square, featuring a global concert with today's top musical artists. Yoshiki gathered an extraordinary collection of international artists for this film, featuring powerful live performances by The Chainsmokers, St. Vincent, Sarah Brightman, Scorpions, HYDE, SUGIZO, SixTONES, Jane Zhang, Lindsey Stirling, Nicole Scherzinger, and more. Interspersed throughout the film are interviews with Yoshiki about his passion for music, the pain of having lost loved ones, and exploring the healing power of music.

The film's debut comes just one month before Yoshiki will perform his “Yoshiki Classical 10th Anniversary World Tour” with Orchestra 2023 "REQUIEM", headlining shows at Tokyo Garden Theater in Tokyo, Royal Albert Hall in London, Dolby Theater in L.A., and Carnegie Hall in New York. This tour will be the first time a Japanese artist has headlined all these historic venues.

"When I first began working on this project, I didn't know when we would all be able to gather in the same place and share the joy of music,” says Yoshiki. “Coming together with these great artists from around the world, we were able to create a theatrical experience that I'm very proud of. I'm so grateful for everyone who joined us on this journey."

Yoshiki.net

@yoshikiofficial

YouTube.com/yoshiki

Photography: Valentina Rivera