Steven Birnbaum Spring 2021 Wedding Dress Collection

"This collection was conceived during the chaos and tumult of the last few months, when my beloved home city of New York was brought to its knees," explained Chelsea-based wedding-dress designer Steven Birnbaum of his latest series of gowns. "Manhattan was laid bare of all artifice." At a time when bridal appointments were impossible and "all forms of contact were suspended," the creative took solace in creating. In many ways, this phenomenon informed the clean, streamlined collection, entirely. "There was no escape from the anxiety and fear. This forced me to strip away everything extraneous and revel in the pure: the structure, the line, the volume, and the gesture," he said.

The resulting garments—which fall into two separate lines, including the designer's signature Collection and his Bespoke series—are an expression of this. They bring it back to basics. Birnbaum's latest creations feature recognizable silhouettes and details (think classic bateau necklines and demure long sleeves) translated through clean, straightforward fabrics. As always, however, there is something unexpected in his work. This time around, it's the bridal separates, which dominate the Bespoke collection. "This group of bodysuits and skirts, meticulously crafted, are both practical and modern," he explained in a press release. "The bodysuits have interior corsets for support and structure, and the skirts are made of luxurious Egyptian cotton sateen." They are a "refreshing alternative for forward-thinking women, longing for comfort and ease!"—something we could all use a little of right now.

Despite New York City's challenges, Birnbaum is hopeful; he took to his studio's roof to shoot the collection, a place where the metropolis is on full display. "The essence of New York! I look to the future," he says. The future lies, of course, with his brides, who are bound to find a wedding dress they love in his multifaceted oeuvre. Ahead, discover Birnbaum's latest and greatest—you just might find something that makes you excited for what's to come, too.