For 20 years, Pnina Tornai has been one of the most recognizable and beloved names in bridal fashion. From emotional dress moments on Say Yes to the Dress to her signature glam-meets-romance designs, she’s helped thousands of brides find the one. To mark her 20th anniversary at Kleinfeld, we spoke with the designer to talk about her biggest career milestones, what inspires her, and the trends she was most excited to see at this year’s New York Bridal Fashion Week.
Pnina Tornai on Her Legacy in Bridal Fashion
Q: This year marks 20 years since you joined Kleinfeld Bridal. What does this milestone mean to you?
A: When I first came to Kleinfeld, they didn’t want to purchase my dresses because my designs were too ahead of their time with sheer corsets, lace-up backs and bold crystal embellishment. A lot has changed since then, and I am so proud that the American bride adopted my design aesthetic and I became one of the world’s leading bridal designers. I couldn’t be happier to have the privilege of making so many brides’ dreams come true, and after so many years, Kleinfeld is still my second home.
Q: You’ve been a leading force in bridal fashion for two whole decades! What initially drew you to designing wedding dresses?
A: I started designing at a very difficult time in my life. I always had an eye for fashion, and opening a small store was the only way I could think of to support myself at the time. One night I had a dream where I was laying down in a field and I could see these incredible bridal gowns falling down from the sky, and I saw every little detail of the fabrics, beading and embroidery. I woke up and I knew this was not just a dream but a vision, and that my calling was to bring this beauty down to earth and to empower other women by making them feel like the most beautiful versions of themselves while they commit to the love of their life.
Q: Looking back on your journey, what have been the most defining moments of your career?
A: When I first started working with brides on the floor at Kleinfeld, I saw them crying when they tried on my dresses, and I didn’t know how to react to that. I came to understand that they not only loved my dresses, but they could feel the love I put into them. Then came Say Yes to the Dress, which showed the love I have for my brides to audiences not only in the United States, but in 140 countries around the world. I very quickly understood that I will never be anonymous again—everywhere I traveled to, people would stop me in the streets and know who I am. That definitely took my career to another level.
Q: How has your design aesthetic evolved over the years?
A: From the beginning corsets have been my signature, because I believe that nothing boosts a bride’s confidence like a beautifully fitted corset, and I’ve always been inspired by Victorian-era fashion. While elements like my signature corsets, bows, draping, and crystal embellishments have remained, I am constantly working with my team to improve the look, fit, and comfort of my dresses—and constantly responding to the needs and desires of the brides I work with at Kleinfeld every day.
On Bridal Trends She’s Excited to See
Q: Are there any fabrics, silhouettes, or details you think will dominate the bridal scene next year?
A: I’m sure that the Basque waist will continue to be a strong trend, because it really is flattering on every body type. In addition, we are seeing a lot of bouffon or bubble skirts, drop waists, peplum accents, and modern bridal accessories like scarves, capes, boleros and stoles. In terms of fabrics, classic French laces with beaded details are especially strong. What I love about creating wedding dresses is that in bridal fashion the sky is the limit—every bride comes with her fantasy, and all I need to do is turn it into an even more beautiful reality.
Q: We’ve seen a rise in non-traditional bridal looks, from suits to colorful gowns. Do you think modern brides are embracing more daring styles?
A: Brides are absolutely embracing fashion-forward looks that represent their unique sense of fashion. My collections have featured black gowns and dresses with color, short dresses, jumpsuits, high slits and sheer panels—I believe that it’s natural and beautiful that women are becoming more and more comfortable expressing their own point of view on their special day.
Q: What can we expect from your latest collection—any surprises in store?
A: I couldn’t resist creating 53 new gowns for my Love by Pnina Tornai 2025 bridal collection, and I made sure to design a dress for every kind of bride, whether she’s dreaming of an avant-garde silhouette, classic lace, or dramatic dimensional flowers. I used almost every fabric and every silhouette under the sun in this beautiful collection, because when you want to share the love there’s no limit to how much beauty you can create.
Rapid Fire with Pnina Tornai
Q: What’s one bridal trend you secretly wish would make a comeback?
A: I don’t wish—I set the trends myself! And I have them all in my collection.
Q: If you could design a gown for any celebrity bride (past or future), who would it be and why?
A: Monica Bellucci, because in my eyes she’s the most beautiful woman in the world.
Q: If you could only design gowns with one fabric for the rest of your life—satin, lace, or tulle—what would you choose and why?
A: I would choose lace, because it’s never out of fashion and it is the most feminine and romantic fabric to use in bridal designs. Every lace tells its own story.
Q: What’s the most unexpected source of inspiration you’ve ever had for a bridal collection?
A: My biggest source of inspiration, besides my brides of course, is my dreams! I dream my dresses at night and keep a sketchbook beside my bed so I can sketch my gowns as soon as I wake up.
Q: What advice do you have for brides shopping for their wedding dresses in 2025 and beyond?
A: I always tell brides to try on a variety of different styles when they first start shopping, because many brides discover that their perfect dress is a different silhouette or fabric than they expected it to be. Go to a bridal salon with a wide selection of gowns by designers you love and bring only the people you know will support you and cheer you on wholeheartedly. Look for authenticity, because a wedding dress is more than just a dress—it has an energy of its own, and you want it to be original and made with love. And most of all, when you find the dress that makes your heart sing, say “yes!” and stop shopping!
As she celebrates 20 unforgettable years at Kleinfeld, Pnina Tornai continues to inspire brides with her bold vision, timeless craftsmanship, and deep love for what she does. Whether she’s sketching the next show-stopping silhouette in the middle of the night or sharing a joyful tear with a bride on her big day, her passion for bridal fashion shines through in every stitch. We can’t wait to see how she’ll continue to redefine what it means to say yes to the dress.
