This past Wednesday was quite the fun day for Merci… I had the awesome opportunity to travel down to Philly with some lovely blogger friends to preview the much-anticipated BHLDN {pronounced “beholden”} collection – and as expected, it was fabulous.
I am sure you guys have been hearing the buzz build for quite some time, but the BHLDN line is the sixth brand to launch under the Urban Outfitters umbrella – and in a similar {but more bespoke} fashion to Anthropologie, it is the stylish, detail-loving, and vintage-vying girl’s answer to all things wedding.
The line officially launches on Valentine’s Day, but here are a few of my {many} favorite things, {there’s just so much to share}…
Gorgeous, detail-driven dresses! After an amazing tour of the “campus” {read: a workplace styled to perfection complete with koi ponds and dog parks – but I digress}… we all enjoyed an intimate fashion show at a bed and breakfast turned pop-up shop for BHLDN. In addition to showing some beautiful gowns, the models also wore special-make up accessories from some of the most reputable milliners and accessory designers in bridal.
I especially loved the watercolor nature of the first gown, and the smoky coloring of the bottom hair flower, from Twigs and Honey. 
Details, details, details! Not one ounce of cuteness was left overlooked on any of the designs. From elegant pleating and flirty rosettes on the top tea-cut gown, to soft and ethereal petals on feminine belts, or the {bridesmaid gift worthy} bow bracelets – the BHLDN line was bursting with little accents that gave each piece a fun, bespoke feel.
After the fashion show, we were invited upstairs to experience four uniquely-styled rooms in the bed and breakfast. Each was merchandised will an array of BHLDN goodies, from pretty social dresses, tres-chic shoes {more on that later, of course}, and samples from the decorations collection, which will launch in the spring. Possibly the most fun part? Playing dress-up.
At top, Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere tries on her first wedding gown, and at bottom already-married me dabbles with a Tracy Reese cocktail dress that made me feel very Betty Draper-esque. Love! 
I cannot tell you how excited I am for ALL of you to see the BHLDN line first hand on Monday, {I mean really, look at these shoes!!}. I have tons more to share… And admittedly, I’m not giving away my all-time favorite piece just yet. {It may just be a vintage brocade and lurex accented d’orsay pump, and BLHDN may have only made 30 of them… but until a size 7.5 pair is safely secured in my shopping cart, you may never know}.
Are you excited abut the line? What do you think?
Photos by Jacqueline Weppner for Merci New York
