Omani couture designer Sahar Al Aufi receives 2026 bridal honor three years after presenting Melis with Runway 7 during New York Fashion Week at Sony Hall.
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, October 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Melis Bridal by Omani couture designer Sahar Al Aufi has been named Best Bridal Collection at the inaugural Runway 7 Fashion Awards, held Sept. 14 at Sony Hall in New York City.
The recognition marks a return to a familiar New York fashion platform for Al Aufi. In September 2023, Melis presented its Spring/Summer 2024 collection with Runway 7 during New York Fashion Week at Sony Hall, with the presentation documented by Getty Images and fashion media. Three years later, Al Aufi returned to the venue to accept the bridal honor, recognized for her work in bridal couture.
The inaugural Runway 7 Fashion Awards followed Runway 7’s 11th season of shows during New York Fashion Week, held Sept. 8–13. The awards recognized 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 Sept. 14 program also incorporated live performance into the evening.
“Receiving this recognition in New York is deeply meaningful to me, especially because Runway 7 has already been part of the Melis story,” said Sahar Al Aufi, founder and creative director of Melis. “Bridal couture is very personal. I believe a gown should express the woman wearing it—her individuality, her story and the way she wants to feel on one of the most important days of her life. At Melis, we create for the individual rather than asking the individual to fit the collection. As we introduce our work to more brides and bridal professionals in the United States, I want them to experience that level of personal design and craftsmanship for themselves.”
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 Oct. 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 here: https://saharalaufiatelier.com/
About Melis Bridal
Melis Bridal is the bridal couture division of Melis by Sahar Al Aufi, the fashion house established in Muscat, Oman, in 1998. Under the creative direction of Omani designer Sahar Al Aufi, Melis Bridal creates made-to-order and bespoke wedding gowns distinguished by handcrafted details, custom-developed fabrics and a design approach that combines Omani craftsmanship with Italian tailoring.
With ateliers in Oman and Italy, the house operates through a couture-level process centered on individuality, craftsmanship and the relationship between designer and client. Melis extends beyond the bridal gown to offer a coordinated couture vision for the wedding party, with Sahar Al Aufi designing for the bride, groom, bridesmaids and ceremonial occasions under one creative direction.
Melis Bridal is expanding its relationships with U.S. bridal boutiques, fashion professionals and private clients while maintaining the made-to-order and bespoke approach at the center of the house.
Instagram: @melisbridal
Website: saharalaufiatelier.com
About Sahar Al Aufi
Sahar Al Aufi is an award-winning Omani fashion designer, entrepreneur and creative director whose career in couture began in 1998. Based in Muscat, Oman, she leads ateliers in Oman and Italy, combining the artisanal traditions of her Omani heritage with Italian tailoring and contemporary couture construction.
Her work encompasses bespoke bridal, evening and red-carpet couture, ceremonial fashion and custom menswear. Al Aufi is known for personally developing custom-made, hand-embroidered fabrics for her collections and private clients, giving her control over both the textile and the finished garment as part of the design process.
Al Aufi’s work has been presented internationally, including with Runway 7 during New York Fashion Week, where Melis presented its Spring/Summer 2024 collection at Sony Hall in September 2023. In September 2026, Melis Bridal was named Best Bridal Collection at the inaugural Runway 7 Fashion Awards in New York. She continues to develop the house’s international presence while introducing its bespoke approach to a growing U.S. bridal audience.
Instagram: @sahar_alaufi
Media Contact:
Meredith Corning
Founder & CEO
Meredith Corning PR
studio@meredithcorning.com
MeredithCorningPR.com
Sahar Al Aufi
Melis by Sahar Al Aufi
Visit us on social media:
Instagram
TikTok
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Media gallery
