Melis Bridal Wins Best Bridal Collection Award at Runway 7 Fashion Awards
News related to:Melis Bridal · 2 min read
Omani couture designer Sahar Al Aufi’s Melis Bridal has been named Best Bridal Collection at the inaugural Runway 7 Fashion Awards, held on September 14, 2026, at Sony Hall in New York City. The recognition marks a return to a familiar New York fashion platform for Al Aufi, who had previously presented Melis with Runway 7 during New York Fashion Week in September 2023.
The awards, which followed Runway 7’s 11th season of shows, honored fashion designers and industry professionals across more than 30 categories, including bridal, haute couture, eveningwear, sustainable fashion, and global heritage. International couturier Michael Cinco was named Designer of the Year, while Malan Breton received the Excellence in Design Award. The September 14 program also incorporated live performance into the evening.
Al Aufi, the founder and creative director of Melis, expressed deep personal meaning to the recognition.
Based in Muscat, Oman, Al Aufi established her fashion house in 1998 and today works through ateliers in Oman and Italy. Her design practice brings Omani craftsmanship together with Italian tailoring, incorporating handcrafted details, made-to-measure construction, and custom-developed fabrics. Al Aufi is also known for personally developing hand-embroidered fabrics for her collections and private clients.
Melis Bridal is now developing its U.S. presence through relationships with bridal boutiques, buyers, and other fashion-industry professionals, creating opportunities for partners to experience the work firsthand, meet Al Aufi, and explore ways to introduce her couture to their clientele. The approach reflects the house's emphasis on personal relationships and bespoke design rather than treating U.S. expansion solely as conventional collection distribution.
Al Aufi’s next New York appearance will take place October 13-15 at Mélange de Blanc during New York Bridal Fashion Week. The trade event brings bridal designers together with boutique buyers and industry professionals, providing Melis Bridal an opportunity to present its work directly to the U.S. bridal market. Al Aufi will be available to meet with bridal retailers, buyers, stylists, and members of the media at Floor 3, Showroom 21 throughout the market.
Industry professionals interested in viewing the collection or discussing opportunities with the designer, as well as media seeking interviews or imagery, may book an appointment on Al Aufi's website at [saharalaufiatelier.com](saharalaufiatelier.com).