The designers themselves describe their relationship as “unlikely” when asked how the design duo met. Esty Haas is a Hasidic bridal salon owner based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, & Talya Bendel, an Orthodox Jew herself, is a 15 year veteran wardrobe stylist for film & TV who has herself been named to The New York Times’ “best dressed” list 3 times. Bendel’s industry credits include design roles at Christian Siriano as styling credits for Netflix, Warner Brothers, Paramount, & Roc Nation. Yet, the due, from arguably polar ends of the design spectrum have translated their friendship into a collaborative, creative expression for brides, which they label “Talya Bendel – Haas Bridal”.
Their debut collation under their label took to the runway in the lobby of the iconic Woolworth Building in lower Manhattan to an audience full of bridal fashionistas from all tracks of the industry. The collection took its inspiration from, in the words of Bendel, “Many expressive themes… including the Yew Tree Ball at Versailles, circa 1745, and a 1920’s Hamptons soiree. One or two bodies later and you’ll have arrived at the Teatro Di San Carlo in the 1800;s for their opening night. Be it ballet or opera. This collection is meant to make you feel that you are in the presence of greatness.”
The collection is a tour of history’s finer fashion moments.
Talya Bendel & Esty Haas
True to the diversity of inspiration, the collection embodied a diversity of silhouettes meant to appeal to a wide range of potential customers. While one might expect, given the creators’ backgrounds, the collection may lean towards the modest. However, whilst many pieces would indeed be appropriate for the most extreme codes of modestly, there were others that were downright daring in design, proving there is indeed a desire to have Talya Bendel – Haas Bridal truly be a go-to label for all brides of every culture.
New York Bridal Week has been a week of considerable excitement over the last few seasons & with the addition of Talya Bendel – Haas Bridal, it’s safe to say that the trend is not only strong, it’s actually getting stronger.
The collection is priced upon request, but has been stated to be between $5,000 to $9.000 & can be shopped by appointment at the Haas Bridal Atelier in Brooklyn, NY at 1554 63rd Street.
-R. Scott French
All photos Courtesy of Talya Bendel-Haas Bridal.
