Matteo Adrien: Redefining Wedding Gowns for Men
In the world of fashion, rules have long dictated who should wear what. But for Matteo Adrien, a 29-year-old fashion visionary from New York, those rules were made to be broken. Matteo, a Parsons School of Design graduate, is not just a designer; he’s an artist, a provocateur, and a voice for a new generation of LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to express love on their own terms.
Matteo grew up watching the rigid structures of the fashion industry, but from a young age, he knew he was destined to challenge them. “I’ve always been drawn to the idea of weddings,” Matteo shares with a smirk. “Not because of tradition, but because of the raw emotion behind them. Weddings are meant to symbolize love, yet for years, that love has been expressed through outdated conventions.”
Matteo’s journey to becoming a revolutionary designer began at Parsons, where his avant-garde approach and rejection of gender norms earned him both admiration and criticism. “The world wasn’t ready for the idea of a groom in a gown,” Matteo reflects. But that didn’t stop him. At 29, Matteo is now on the cusp of revolutionizing bridal fashion—creating wedding gowns specifically for men, for anyone who believes love transcends gender, rules, and expectations.
His latest collection is a bold statement. It’s a declaration of freedom, both in love and in fashion. The collection features minimalist, avant-garde designs that challenge the viewer’s perception of masculinity and femininity. One of the standout pieces is worn by a male model, showcasing a wedding gown that breaks all conventions. The gown is fitted with a corset that sits beneath his wide chest, allowing his tattooed upper body to remain visible, powerful, and raw. The contrast between the delicate fabric and the model’s fearless demeanor is striking.
The sheer, bridal veil draped over his head is not a symbol of innocence, but a symbol of defiance. It's playful, sensual, and daring—reflecting the new-age masculinity that Matteo Adrien has crafted for this generation. The model engages with the camera provocatively, unapologetic in his challenge of tradition. His playful gaze dares the viewer to look deeper, to ask why men have not yet claimed their space in the bridal world.
Matteo’s designs are not just about fabric and form—they are about identity. They speak to those who have always felt on the fringes of fashion’s binary norms. His gowns are not just for gay men, but for anyone who finds beauty in androgyny, in the blending of traditional bridal elements with masculine energy.
“I wanted to design a gown that was unapologetic, that reclaims femininity for men,” Matteo explains. “I think a lot of people associate vulnerability with weakness, especially when it comes to men. But the truth is, there’s power in vulnerability. There’s power in showing up exactly as you are, especially on a day that celebrates love.”
With every stitch, every layer of sheer fabric, Matteo Adrien is making a statement: Love is love. And fashion, like love, has no boundaries.
