Palest blush satin with ivory organza and tulle layered on top. This commission was lots of fun as the bride is a designer herself and really only wanted me for the labour, all the design was her own! Alexandra also did all the lace and beading work herself, on a spectacular dress that I created for her as a canvas.

Official photography by Shannon Lafayette

I also made a veil for Alexandra, single tier, ivory tulle on a comb.

Alexandra’s dress was made with a boned bodice, a sweetheart neckline at front and cut low at the back. The skirt was more than a full circle of fabrics, layered like the bodice in palest blush pink satin, then ivory silk organza and two layers of fine tulle. On the bodice the final layer of tulle extended up beyond the main neckline and over the shoulders. This layer was later highly embellished with over lace, silver beads and pearls, all over the bodice and appearing almost to float on Alexandra’s skin above.

A drape of silk tulle fell from her shoulders at the back, caught at the waist behind a little of the lace embellishment. The dress fastened at the side with a concealed zip to avoid breaking the beautiful line ?across the back.

Alexandra wrote: My dress was everything and more that I dreamed of. Everyone loved it, and of course I am it’s biggest fan! I hope you are able to continue to help future brides like myself feel as beautiful as I did!

Alexandra did the lace appliqu? and beading herself. I am always happy to accommodate a client’s desire to create parts of their dress.

The delicate ivory tulle that supported the lace on Alexandra’s shoulders and back was fine enough to almost invisible!?The silk tulle drape on the back of the dress was tricky to get right, but well worth the effort!

Making Alexandra’s dress

Alexandra’s own design sketches; front and back.

Pictures from the toile fitting, or practice run in cheap fabrics

Pictures from intermediate fittings, perfecting the ruched tulle layers and illusion back

Before and after pictures of the back from an early fitting, and finished with all the lace applique.