“We’re gonna shut it down,” declared Fletcher Kasell, aka the Fletcher in Tanner Fletcher, the Brooklyn-based, gender-fluid fashion brand.
He was at their Chelsea studio with his partner in business and life Tanner Richie to give WWD a preview of the spring 2026 bridal collection, which they are presenting on the runway for the first time.
“We launched bridal a year ago and we didn’t expect it to go over so well,” Kasell later admitted. “It really popped off, so we were, like this season, it’s worth it to make a big scene.”
True to his word, the show will quite literally close down NYBFW by overtaking the aisles of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church — a rather traditional setting for Tanner Fletcher’s nontraditional message.
“With everything going on in the world right now, we wanted to show up in a queer way,” explained Richie, alluding to the Trump administration’s executive orders impeding LGBTQIA+ protection. “It’s about reclaiming tradition,” added Kasell, “and being like, ‘I can do [marriage] my own way.’”
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Gay, lesbian and gender-queer couples will model, representing the majority of Tanner Fletcher’s bridal clientele. Although, there has been surprising traction among straight men, according to the cofounders, who may be warming to their signature bows and ruffles after seeing them on male celebrities like Chris Peretti and Shaboozey.
In keeping with the spirit of equality, the spring collection will cater to them too. “It’s weird that it’s still called Bridal Fashion Week as if it’s just women who are shopping,” Fletcher joked. “Like, it doesn’t make sense to me that there’s nothing for the men.”
It will be half tailoring with tuxedos in blue toile de jouy or brocade overlaid in lace, and half dresses, which are mostly slim in silk and satin embellished with cutesy details like quilting and rosettes. “It’s something different than what’s on the market right now for bridal,” Richie said of the absence of harsh boning and cage skirts.
True to Tanner Fletcher’s ethos, everything is considered gender-fluid, and true to its retro spirit, inspiration was sourced from sepia-toned wedding photos, mixing Edwardian collars with 1930s waistlines and big ‘80s puff-sleeves for a “Princess Diana vibe.”
While Kasell and Richie stayed mum on show details, they did reveal that live music will accompany the aisle processional. “It’s gonna be moving,” Kasell said. “We’re hoping there’s happy tears and celebrating at the end.”
