Burlesque Wedding Dress and Coat: Styled shoot in London

Creating a burlesque wedding dress for this fabulous shoot showcases everything I love most about my job. From time to time I collaborate with other wedding professionals on styled wedding photoshoots. This one took place in August 2016 in London with the theme ‘City Burlesque’. Our locations including the Duke of York steps on The Mall, Admiralty Arch, Horse Guards Parade and Brick Lane reflected the breadth of style wonderful London offers.

I designed a knee wiggle length dress in ivory duchess silk satin and an elegant dress-coat in Cadbury purple. You can see photos of the making process and behind the scenes pictures from the shoot in my blog entry about this shoot.

Photography: Jessica Jill Partridge,
Dresses made & designed by Felicity Westmacott
Styling by Jessica of www.foxandpartridge.com
Model Vanessa Assare
Hair styling by Very Bettie
Make up by www.charlottemuapro.com,
Bespoke Shoes by Marsha Hall
Hat and headpieces by Jen Levet
Bouquet by Michelle Knibbs of Muscari Whites

Burlesque Wedding Dress Design

Both dress and coat were inspired by a 1950’s design style which is characterised by a nipped in waist and contrasting drape and flow elsewhere. This is perfect for the burlesque inspired wedding dress with it’s own associations of the same era.

I made the dress-coat in Cadbury purple silk dupion and lined in lustrous gold silk satin. The picture collar was draped ‘on the stand’ meaning that I made no flat-pattern first but created the shape on a mannequin allowing the natural properties of the silk to dictate the lie and flow of the style. Asymmetric detailing on the hip of petal like tucks was, as far as I know, a unique creation on this garment alone. I added black lace beaded details on the hip, back waist and cuffs.

I made the burlesque wedding dress in opulent silk duchess satin, a rich dark ivory. The dress has a classic sweetheart neckline, corset style bodice and feature button and loop closure. I designed the wiggle skirt to closely hug my beautiful model’s curves and be a high contrast to the wide flowing skirt and train of the coat. The fit and flare skirt has petticoats that peek from beneath the high-low hemline, purple netting edged with gleaming teal satin ribbon.I finished the burlesque wedding dress with hand applique to the bodice in pale gold lace with sparkling Swarovksi crystals to catch the light.

I love layering and changes of look for a wedding day and this ensemble perfectly takes a bride from elegant ceremony to an evening of dancing. I wanted the opportunity for a ‘reveal’ without it being too risque for a wedding day. The coat can be removed in public with as much decorum or raunchy come hither eye as is your preference!