The Spanish mantilla veil is a lesson in history as much as it is a fashion accessory.
It's also my favourite style of veil, and for that reason, I wore it on my wedding day.
For brides that aren't particularly well-versed in various veil styles, I tend to introduce the Mantilla (man-tee-yuh) as a mother Mary aesthetic, and instantly brides know what I'm getting at. It's for good reason that I explain it in this way - originally it was a symbol of faith and modesty, not at all a bridal accessory. In few words, the mantilla is edged in lace, and worn flat across the top of the head, to cascade along the shoulders, either with or without a long train.
Mantilla veils were first seen in Spain during the 16th-17th centuries, specifically in Andalusia, on Spain's southern coastline. It became especially popular during the Spanish Golden Age and Baroque period - eras that currently heavily influence major fashion trends... think the Maison Margiela SS2024 Couture Show, and Schiaparelli Haute Couture SS2023. Exaggerated embellishment, incredible detail and ornament, with luxury depicted through the use of gold-toned fabrics and jewellery.
Mantillas evolved from a head covering for Catholic women attending religious ceremonies, to being associated with Spanish aristocracy and formal attire. Now, a mantilla veil is the most fashion-forward statement a bride can make in 2026.
Trimmed with lace scallop, wide or thin, the look equally evokes a feeling of tradition and culture, as well as modern, bridal, avant-garde couture. Simply for the reason that there is a wide range of aesthetics that can be captured within the style of a mantilla veil, I designed many versions to include within the debut collection of Atelier Caravaggio. Whether fingertip-length with an extraordinarily wide scallop like the Margaux, or the soft and delicate 140" Calliope, a mantilla veil will turn the most simplistic of gowns into the most indescribable of fashion statements, while remaining quintessentially bridal. The best part of a veil? You can commit for as much of your wedding day as you'd like - from dawn till dusk, or simply for a 20-minute ceremony.
When a bride wears a mantilla, she's not just adding an accessory — she's entering a lineage. This veil is more than a finishing touch… it is a moment dedicated to ancestry.
If you don't quite find the exact mantilla you're looking for in our collection, consider our bespoke offer. Allow us the opportunity to design a mantilla from the ground up. We can source more laces than you can imagine, and still, if you prefer the most one-of-a-kind option, we can design and create your own specific lace that has never existed before, and will never exist again.
With sincere gratitude,
Erin Caravaggio
The Designer's Diary
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