Claire commissioned a light and elegant dress made in layered ivory silk dupion and organza with silver beaded lace applique.

Official photographs by www.rubielovephotography.co.uk

The main dress was made of ivory silk dupion with a fitted and boned bodice and sweetheart neckline. A layer of silk organza over the whole dress extended upwards to a higher round neckline front and back. At the back the organza closed with a single button.

Beaded antique-silver lace was hand sewn to the bodice and creeps upwards on the sheer organza to create the shape of embellished straps. I added extra hand beading and Swarovksi crystals on the bodice area, especially on the neckline and straps.

The dress was cut princess line which means with seams and panels from top to bottom with no break at the waist. The skirt flared gently from the natural waistline supported by a few layers of netting. The lace flowed from the bodice onto the skirt graduating downwards becoming spaced out motifs instead of solid pattern, thinning out towards the hem.

The dress was fully lined in a contrast purple lining and closed with a concealed zip at centre back.

Claire wrote: It’s taken me a while to write this because how do you thank the person who made the wedding dress of your dreams, when you weren’t even sure what you wanted! Well now I have Chiara, and one day I will have her in a frame at the top of the stairs, despite my husband saying look like a ghost in the middle of the night!

Thank you so much

With love from Claire and Daniel

Making Claire’s Dress

Original design sketch and notes

Fabrics on the sewing room table, ready to start work

A panel of all the fabric layers, with lace applique work to do

Lace work to the back neckline

Detail of the back neckline, button and loop fastening

Pictures from Claire’s fittings

Final fitting pictures

Details of the lace and beading with the finished dress on the stand