Daalarna’s new collection, BECOMING, is more than a new bridal collection – it is the imprint of a deeply personal story. Its muse is Sára, daughter of Anita Benes, who became a bride this year. Sára has known the world of Daalarna intimately since childhood, yet she chose to pursue an entirely different universe of her own: today, she is a PhD researcher in biophysics at Cambridge. Her wedding therefore marks not only the beginning of a new chapter in her life, but also a unique meeting point between the two worlds that have shaped her journey in parallel.
BECOMING was born from this duality. From the curiosity that connects science and fashion. From the desire to explore and discover. And from the natural process of change through which a girl becomes a bride, and then a woman standing on the threshold of a new life.
At the heart of the collection, however, is not an obsession with following the latest trends. For Anita Benes, timeless, delicate designs that convey genuine emotion are far more important. BECOMING therefore embraces a softer, more feminine and romantic aesthetic, while speaking to today’s brides through fresh proportions and a contemporary perspective.
This duality is one of the collection’s most intriguing qualities: romantic, yet never nostalgic; modern, yet never loud.
Sára’s story also reflects a new generation of brides for whom a wedding is no longer necessarily about preserving traditions exactly as they have been passed down. Instead, it is about creating a world that feels deeply personal. Today’s bride chooses consciously. She does not wear a dress simply because “it is on trend”, but because she sees herself in it. Personality, quality, timelessness and the meaning behind every detail matter to her. BECOMING places this sense of authenticity at its heart. In this way, the collection is a story about Sára, but also about countless other young women who, as they open a new chapter in their lives, do not want to leave behind who they were before.
A new universe of romance
Romantic couture became the strongest source of inspiration during the creation of BECOMING. It does not appear through loud or extravagant elements, but in the delicacy of the details, exceptional craftsmanship and the sensitive interplay of fabrics. The collection invites brides into a world where classic romance is reimagined through a contemporary lens.
“As Sára and I talked about her ideas and dreams, I discovered an entirely new world. For the first time, I experienced from the outside what it might feel like to prepare to become a bride today. How important emotions and individual moments are, and how much of that should be expressed through the dress itself,” says Anita Benes.
For today’s brides, a wedding is both a deeply personal, emotionally meaningful experience and an occasion whose images will later live on across social media. They want to stay true to their own vision while navigating the expectations of the outside world, all without losing the authenticity of the moment. Anita sought to capture this duality both in the atmosphere of the collection and in the design of individual pieces. Alongside romantic, at times almost fairytale-like femininity, BECOMING leaves room for the freedom and individuality of the modern bride.
Timeless silhouettes, modern expression
The silhouettes of BECOMING revisit classic bridal forms from a fresh perspective. Statement skirts – at times almost sculptural in their volume – are paired with more delicate, refined bodices, creating an intriguing contrast, while no romantic collection would be complete without princess silhouettes. Voluminous skirts are among the defining elements of the 2027 bridal trends, yet for Anita, comfort is just as important as visual impact.
“As important as the dramatic, voluminous skirt is as a trend right now, I have found that brides are also looking for practicality and comfort. They want to wear a truly special and memorable dress, but it is equally important that they feel good in it and are able to fully experience every moment of their wedding day. That is why, alongside statement silhouettes, the collection also includes lighter designs that retain their romantic character.”
Mermaid silhouettes – perennial favourites among Budapest brides – also play a prominent role in the collection. They emphasise classic femininity while creating new proportions when paired with halter necklines. Low-cut backs are another recurring element, and one that is a personal favourite of both Anita and Sára. Sára herself loves open-back pieces in her everyday wardrobe, making this detail a particularly personal source of inspiration for the collection. The halterneck silhouette is especially close to her heart: Sára wore one of Daalarna’s iconic halter-neck designs to the famous Cambridge May Ball. The striking neckline has once again become a defining feature of international bridal fashion, brought back into the spotlight by Sofia Richie and embraced by numerous stars in recent years, from Dua Lipa to Leonie Hanne. For the designer, this detail is both timeless and distinctly contemporary. Emphasising the back adds a subtle sense of sensuality to the dress while giving the entire bridal look an unexpected point of interest.
The interplay of contrasting forms is one of the collection’s most compelling characteristics. Within a single dress, restraint and drama, classic elegance and modern freedom can exist side by side. In Anita’s design philosophy, a dress is never simply a silhouette composed from the front. It is a three-dimensional form – one that reveals a different side of itself with every movement and from every angle.
I know the female body in all its different forms very well, and I know exactly which cuts and silhouettes highlight the beauty of different body types, regardless of a woman’s height or build.
As a designer, I always strive to create silhouettes that flatter many different women. This remains important even when I am designing for my own daughter. I am not only thinking about her individual features, but also about creating a silhouette that can look beautiful on other women as well.”
The romance in the details
The materials of BECOMING are defined by delicacy and exceptional craftsmanship. Alongside silk, satin, mikado and Chantilly lace, the collection features ethereal beaded lace, corded lace and delicate details adorned with intricate motifs. Rather than competing with one another, the textures come together to create a cohesive and understated romantic world.
Anita also drew inspiration from Sára’s personal taste and ideas throughout the design process:
“Sára’s preferences aligned with current trends in many ways, so our conversations gave me the opportunity to create a collection that feels both personal and relevant to today’s brides.”
This time, the focus is not on excessive embellishment or strongly defined statement elements, but on meticulous details, the quality of the fabrics and the refinement of the silhouettes. In this interpretation, romance is not a single style, but a sensitive and versatile aesthetic that can be expressed in many different ways.
A new generation’s perspective
BECOMING is not only a romantic bridal collection, but also a reflection of a new generation’s way of thinking. Through the design process, Anita gained an even deeper understanding of a mindset she has encountered through her own children and their peers. For today’s younger generation, sustainability, an interest in earlier eras and the rediscovery of the values of the past are no longer simply trends or nostalgic pursuits. They have become part of everyday thinking.
“The world of the eighties and nineties, vintage influences and the aesthetics of earlier eras are returning as sources of inspiration, but not in their original form. The aim is to bring these familiar motifs back to life through contemporary fabrics, fresh silhouettes and modern details.”
This perspective can also be seen in the way young couples approach their wedding day. For today’s brides, being truly present at their own wedding is becoming increasingly important, rather than focusing solely on how the day will later be documented. The renewed interest in analogue photography, Polaroid images and phone-free wedding moments all express the same desire: to experience the moment can be just as important as preserving it.
For Anita, this shift has also introduced new considerations into the design of bridalwear. A dress should not only look extraordinary in photographs; it should also create a genuine experience for the woman wearing it. It should feel comfortable, personal and true to her individuality.
Every dress tells a personal story
The pieces in BECOMING carry names such as Eclipse, Vesper, Estelle, Althea and Mira. Naming the dresses represents a new kind of creative approach in Daalarna’s history. Anita previously preferred to identify the designs by numbers, as she did not want a name or its meaning to influence a bride’s choice in advance. In recent years, however, she has increasingly embraced the more personal approach of giving each design a name that creates its own mood and character.
This time, the task of naming the collection’s pieces was entrusted to the Daalarna team. Each dress can therefore evoke a small universe of its own – one that allows the bride to connect it with her own feelings, memories and story.
“I hope these names will also take on a personal meaning for brides and help them feel an even stronger connection with the piece they choose.”
For Anita, creating a personalised and distinctive bridal look has always been a defining part of Daalarna’s design philosophy – and her own daughter is no exception. Sára inspired several pieces in the BECOMING collection, but her wedding dress will be individually designed. In their collaboration, Sára’s personal vision meets Anita’s professional experience to create a dress that truly reflects the bride herself.
“I believe in a personalised, individual approach, so naturally I will design a unique dress for her as well. BECOMING is more of a starting point for inspiration – a foundation from which she can discover her own world.”
This idea lies at the heart of Daalarna’s design process: a bride does not simply select a finished dress; she becomes an active participant in its creation. Throughout the personalised design process, Anita considers the bride’s ideas, personality and the message she wishes to express through her look. The collaboration between bride and designer is therefore about far more than silhouette or individual details. It is about transforming an idea into something truly personal.
BECOMING pays tribute to the romantic traditions of bridal fashion while opening the door to the distinctive voice of a new generation. It is a reminder that inspiration may come from current trends, from eras of the past or even from a family story – but the final creation is always born from the woman herself.
Photography & Video: Éva Papp and Zoltán Schneider
Make-up & Hair: Csilla Kiss
Model: Sára Tóth
Dresses: Daalarna
Jewellery: W.KRUK
For the Cambridge photoshoot, Anita personally selected jewellery from the W.KRUK store on Andrássy Avenue, choosing pieces that perfectly complemented the BECOMING collection and Sára’s personality.
