With a commitment to creativity, innovation, sustainability, and individuality, Alma Real has made brides’ dreams come true for the past five years. Founded by Samantha Grenouiller in Marseille, the brand has launched Marselha, a new collection celebrating Marseille’s wild beauty and vibrant spirit. The collection’s name honors both the Provencal and Brazilian interpretations of Marseille, reflecting the designer’s dual heritage.
Marselha showcases a couture style with refined cutouts, using materials genuinely made in France. With eco-responsibility as a core value, the brand is on the path to being certified “Origine France Garantie,” underscoring its dedication to local craftsmanship and environmental consciousness.
A standout feature of this collection is its fully removable style, allowing brides to mix and match lace and silky fabrics to create their dream gown. The collection’s romantic and adventurous nature has been brought to life by the Quirky team’s wonderful film and gallery representation. Dive further into the inspiration and vision behind the Marselha collection.
Nothing has been left to chance—from the selection of fabrics, buttons, and pearls to the design of each creation. My goal is to offer a truly virtuous and couture collection.
The Inspiration for the New Collection
After dedicating her last collection to Brazil, her birthplace, Samantha Grenouiller, chose to honor Marseille, her adopted city, with her new collection, Marselha. Inspired by Marseille’s wild nature and distinctive landscapes, the collection reflects elements like the Calanques’ vegetation, coastal limestone, Mediterranean waves, and the mistral wind. Additionally, Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo,” which is set in Marseille, inspired the narrative of this collection.
Marselha tells the story of a heroine searching for a precious treasure at Alma Real. This collection celebrates brides as the true jewels, with each creation designed to enhance and highlight their unique beauty. An Alma Real creation is a stunning setting that elevates its precious gem.
The Fabrics Used in This Collection
This season, Alma Real is deeply committed to true environmental responsibility in fabric selection. “Today, it is our responsibility as a company to ensure that our production, whether in small or large quantities, is as clean and virtuous as possible. We prioritized local, eco-friendly suppliers and conducted extensive research on the origins of our raw materials. This commitment led to the exclusion of sequins, which, despite being key pieces in our collections, are made with plastics that extremely pollute our planet,” Samantha shares.
She also abandoned the magnificent beaded lace, as all of it, without exception, is embroidered in India, China, or Tunisia. “The know-how has been outsourced abroad due to lower labor costs there. I discovered this with great astonishment, as the labels on the fabrics sold to us clearly stated: “Made in France.” If the base is woven in France, the manufacturer can stamp it “Made in France,” even if the beading is done abroad.”
Instead, Alma Real chose laces made in Caudry in the North of France, one of the historic cradles of lace. Also, they partnered with a French crystal factory near Tours to create glass beads in the shape of water drops, which were then hand-embroidered in their Marseille studio. Their fabrics, such as silk crepe, wild silk, satin organza, and cotton tulle, are all sourced from Lyon, reflecting both local craftsmanship and the brand’s dedication to sustainability.
Marselha is inspired by Marseille and its wild, unique beauty. A Marselha woman searches for her wedding dress like a precious treasure. But the bride herself is the true gem, and the dress serves as a stunning setting that enhances her look.
We spent months of in-depth research into the origin of each necessary raw material. We discovered that sequins are made of plastic, which is extremely polluting for our planet. While sequin dresses have been key pieces of each collection since the beginning of the Alma Real adventure, it is inconceivable for me to do greenwashing and, therefore, turn a blind eye to this part just because it's beautiful and trendy.
Overview of the Collection
The Roc dress, named after the Provencal word for “rock,” is a stunning couture creation. Crafted from silk crepe and wild silk, the dress evokes the white limestone rocks of the Marseille coast and the sculptural elegance of Greek statues. The fabrics chosen for the Marselha collection reflect both luxury and sustainability.
The bodice features shell-like cutouts, a signature of Alma Real. The back is adorned with delicate passementerie buttons, and the fitted sleeves culminate in refined silk cuffs, adding a touch of sophistication to this exquisite design.
The laces in the collection are crafted in Caudry, a historic center for lace-making in Northern France. These include the iconic Calais lace with wave patterns reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea, featured on the Onda dress. This gown beautifully combines traditional lace with modern, daring cuts to ensure comfort and style.
The crop top, made from Calais-Caudry lace and lined with cotton tulle, features a high collar with a subtle lace finish. The butterfly-shaped back conceals a bra, and the removable long lace sleeves add versatility. The lower part of the skirt is sheer, gracefully revealing the legs, while the slightly open back showcases the lower spine. A lace trim outlines the piece, and a small transparent train adds elegance while maintaining comfort.
The Raissa dress, named after the Provencal word for “gust,” is a breathtaking masterpiece crafted from satin organza silk. This fabric is light and airy yet full of character, making it a dream to wear, especially when it moves and dances with the Mistral, the wind of Marseille.
The bustier, made from satin organza silk and lined with the same luxurious fabric, features a minimalist wrap design adorned with whimsical ruffles. The sleeves are finished with voluminous Bardot-style ruffles at the cuffs, enhancing its romantic charm. The skirt, also in satin organza silk, is designed to reveal the legs delicately through its sheer layers. A front slit provides a glamorous touch, and the round train completes the look with a sense of flowing grace.
The Barca dress is a striking mermaid gown that captures the essence of Marseille’s maritime heritage, and its name means “boat.” This design, crafted from graphic cotton guipure lace, evokes the artisanal fishing nets used by Marseille’s fishermen. It is a daring creation for the bold bride who wants to turn into a Mediterranean siren on her big day.
The bustier, made from cotton guipure lace and lined with cotton tulle, features a minimalist wrap design. It is also embellished with glass beads shaped like water droplets, adding a touch of sparkle. Alma Real collaborates with a French crystal maker for glass bead embellishments, which are hand-sewn in their Marseille atelier.
A standout feature of the Marselha collection is its modular design. Brides can mix and match lace and silky fabrics to create their dream wedding dress. This customizable approach allows each bride to be the heroine of her own story, crafting a gown that is uniquely hers.
The Illa dress, named after the Provencal word for island, captures the sculptural essence of Marseille’s limestone isles with its luxurious silk crepe fabric. This timeless couture creation features natural, silky fabrics that beautifully catch the light.
The design is minimalist yet unique. The bodice and wrap-style skirt are inspired by seashells, with a neckline and train that feature shell cutouts for a stunning effect. Satin silk crepe sleeves with ruffled cuffs and gathered shoulders add an elegant and bold touch. Intricate buttons, reminiscent of Marseille sailboat ropes, hold the entire look together, ensuring both style and sophistication.
Meaning “savage,” Fera exudes natural femininity and romanticism while offering exceptional comfort. The daring Lyon lace, with foliage patterns reminiscent of the wild flora of the Calanques, makes this creation truly remarkable.
The dress features a classic neckline subtly finished with lace, adding an air of timeless elegance. The long balloon sleeves are removable, allowing the bride to change her look effortlessly. Flowing from the bodice is a skirt designed in a trapeze shape that accentuates the waist while ensuring utmost comfort, perfectly complementing the dress’s natural and feminine theme. The butterfly-shaped lace back is perfect for hiding a bra.
With its commitment to eco-responsibility and local craftsmanship, Alma Real continues to set the standard for sustainable luxury in bridal fashion. Its creativity offers a range of exquisite options for the modern bride who seeks elegance, comfort, and a touch of the extraordinary. The Marselha collection symbolizes what future bridal fashion can aspire to be: beautiful, responsible, and utterly captivating.
DRESSES Alma Real | VIDEOGRAPHER Jeremie of The Quirky | PHOTOGRAPHER Beatrice of The Quirky | MODEL Lucie Dumas | MUAH Marjory Cilli, Marine Circuit | COORDINATION & ORGANISATION Justine Gala | DESIGN Audrey Hachani | VENUES L’intercontinental, Goélette Alliance, L’île Degaby
