Emerging, independent designer Alexandra Pijut on Wednesday is debuting her namesake label of demi-couture and bridal fashions. The founder and inventive director’s debut fall collection is accessible to buy direct-to-consumer, in addition to with exclusive retail partner Over the Moon. The road is designed, produced and made-to-order in Latest York City.

Pijut, who has a background in eveningwear and luxury ready-to-wear, said she was looking forward to implementing couture techniques into her designs.

Prior to launching her eponymous label, Pijut studied on the Savannah College of Art and Design; was a finalist of the 2017 Supima Design Competition, and cut her teeth within the industry on the likes of Calvin Klein, Anthropologie and Charlotte Brody.

Pijut has already had a relationship with Over the Moon, as her art and design studio Thistle and Briar is sold on the platform. That business makes hand-drawn wedding invitations, and bachelorette and wedding weekend packs (with customizable products starting from stationery to hats, sweatshirts and linens).

“Once I began the brand, I believed, ‘Oh, that’s sort of perfect.’ Their platform is clearly super focused for exactly my clientele; it was only a sort of a natural segue,” she said. “Once I began designing this collection, Over The Moon was the perfect retailer in my mind, so I’m honored that my line will sit amongst a few of the top names in bridal and eveningwear on their focused platform.”

To determine her ready-to-wear brand’s codes and voice, Pijut said she looked back to her childhood to design the 17-look collection (made up of 10 demi-couture and 7 bridal looks). Each equestrian attire and ballet influences play into the lineup through subtle, refined elements. For example, Pijut’s alternative bridal white coupé Stella dress with crystal detailing and a low scoop back (said to be directly inspired by a photograph of an 8-year-old Pijut donning a shiny, sequin dance costume), or her pleated riding trench with detachable double-pocket belt. The influences also subtly nod to the juxtaposition between the masculine and female, which Pijut plans to dive into deeper across future collections. 

Other key elements across her demi-couture and bridal looks include a combination of whimsical and hyper-feminine touches equivalent to pouffed, structured skirts; pleats; moody blurred florals; tulle overlays, and shimmering dance-inspired embellishments, in luxe fabrications including warp-print taffeta, flocked tulle, brocades and silks (from Italy, Spain and Latest York City). 

“I wanted this collection to feel artisanal yet practical — this collection is supposed to be worn,” she said. “They’re obviously investment pieces, but I would like my clients to know that they are surely getting the very best quality that Latest York has to supply … When I even have a bride, or perhaps a black tie event, seeing someone wear my designs for that big day of their lives is super rewarding. I’m wanting to take traditional elements and make them feel really fresh. I don’t want anything to ever feel trendy or gimmicky — every thing should definitely be timeless, that’s sort of my whole aesthetic.”

Pijut added that select styles from the autumn collection were originally designed as custom looks for friends and relations, as within the Rainey bridal dress (featuring a deep V-neckline, structured and pouffed tapered skirt and hand-crafted, organza flower appliqués) or the lovable Olivia two-piece set (a bow-front bra top and voluminous tailored skirt). The Olivia set was also translated into the road’s column midi dress with sweet, naive floral appliqués. 

From playfully chic demi-couture bubble dresses to modern takes on mother-of-the-bride ensembles (offered in ice blue and ballet pink) and fashion-forward bridal looks (like an airy layered white tulle bridal suit), Pijut’s debut collection, priced $1,950 to $4,500, offers loads of feel-good variety with specialty, hand-crafted appeal.