Designer Meredith Stoecklein’s New York-based line, Lein, was founded in 2016. Since then, her bridal collections have consistently leaned between wedding and ready-to-wear, with each of her 11 collections featuring a range of exquisitely constructed and unconventional romantic styles for soon-to-be brides.
In preparation for her bridal collection premiere at New York Bridal Fashion Week in early April, the designer is now extending her cult-emerging brand with her first formal entry into ready-to-wear for the fall 2025 season.
At a preview in her SoHo office, Stoecklein told WWD, “Fall has been in the works, and I had been thinking about it for a while, because we do so much bespoke and custom for clients.” “For me, they’ve always been pieces you can pull out of your closet to feel a little more elevated,” she continued, discussing how she imagined her designs could be worn outside of the aisle.
This means introducing a few of her familiar silhouettes in the fall and bringing them up to date with fresh hand-embroideries, prints, textures, and sculptures. For example, her signature lace Evie dress was created in chenille with mohair and wool, as seen on a lovely draped dress; scarf dresses and tops come in shiny champagne-hued Lurex; and her fall 2025 Dorothy gown now features hand-painted and hand-embroidered silver goose feathers and paillettes.
Although she often designs with a romantic vibe, Stoecklein clarified that her autumn runway was also influenced by Italian Renaissance masterpieces, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Leda and the Swan” or the numerous ornate palazzo ceilings. While the ceiling motifs were covered in sheer, pale pastel organza flowy shirt dresses, the bird from the epic tale was featured on a handmade Parisian lacquered cameo button that adorned a fitted jacket and feathered corsage (dressed with a bold sculptural black strapless gown).
Stoecklein’s 40-piece collection—her greatest to date—was a significant step in broadening the scope of her company, ranging from a hand-embroidered trapeze top and matching pencil skirt to a new velvet jacket that was reportedly inspired by an 18th-century jump vest. After the launch, she announced that the collection will be displayed in trunk shows at her studio in New York and sold on the brand’s online store for $758 to $6,598 (one garment costs $13,998).
