I was privileged to be asked to lead a course for young people on behalf of the charity ‘The Muslin Trust’ hosted by the London College of Fashion. My aim was to guide the students in creating period accurate muslin Regency gowns. The project was created to showcase muslin fabric traditionally hand woven in Bangladesh...
Chinese inches For anyone puzzled as to why there are two kinds of inches, two measurements both called inches but not the same. You may have come across a tape measure with ‘inches’ that seemed a little off. These are most likely Chinese 寸 or cùn not a western inch, Though very similar a cùn...
My contribution to the gender upbringing debate: I believe the genders should have equal opportunities. I don’t believe the genders are ‘the same’, there are differences but these are differences that are evident over wide portions of the population and not to be relied on when comparing two randomly selected individuals. Therefore it is important...
If you have ever despaired of understanding sizing in the shops, rest assured, you are not alone. Why are you a size 14 in one shop and a size 18 in another? Unless, of course, you have just eaten A LOT of cake in a cafe in between the two shops my musings below may...
Until wash-fast chemical dyes were widespread (1940’s/50’s) most children were dressed largely in white, whether boys or girls, right up until the age or six or seven. Of course they did wear other colours too, but white was practical as the clothes and nappies could be bleached. As they grew up styles were chosen that...
Should we ban balaclavas because a few criminals choose to wear them? People have as much right to wear a bikini without being hassled as a burkha and I will defend their right to that choice.
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
Gemma and Vikkie were married in a venue steeped in family tradition and history. They were wed in The Guild Hall in Windsor, and the reception was in a local pub, The George, which is one of their favourites.
I love personal details like that. In the same way that getting a bespoke wedding outfit it such an amazing way of reflecting who you truly are.
There`s something very satisfying about the simplicity of the wedding ensemble I made for Gemma. When the star of the show is that beautiful lace, there`s no need to go crazy with design or embellishment - the fabric does all the work (with a little help from me, of course!).
Not only that, but Gemma and Vickie managed to co-ordinate their wedding looks perfectly, as though the two outfits had been made together. Perfect!
I am honoured to have created this outfit for Gemma, and been a small part of adding their wedding to the family tradition.
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Photographer: @ragdollphotography
#bridetobe #modernbride #bridestyle #bespokebride #alternativebride #realbride #plussizebride #weddingtrousers #weddingtop #weddingseparates #windsorwedding
As Pride month continues, it only feels fitting (pun intended!) to celebrate real LGTBQ+ couples.
Gemma wanted something light, clean and pretty, and although bespoke wedding dresses are my bread and butter, I`m always delighted when someone comes to me with something a little different.
We came up with a simple and elegant two piece wedding ensemble made in ivory silk satin-back crepe and beaded lace. Comprising of a straight leg trouser with pleated detail waistline and a satin cami top layered with beautiful, sparkling lace.
If you`re looking for an outfit that reflects your style and compliments your own wife-to-be, then get in touch!
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Photographer: @ragdollphotography
#weddinginspiration #weddingday #bride #lesbianwedding #wifeandwife #queerlove #lgbtqwedding #gaywedding #lgbt
A mother and daughter kind of love...
For this mother of the bride I created a simple and elegant dress in a beautifully rich, deep green silk dupion, with a boat neckline and three quarter length sleeves. My favourite detail? The matching belt-like waistband, made of the same green fabric. What an elegant lady!
The whole project was a family affair, since I altered the bride`s vintage wedding dress as well 💜
It`s always a pleasure to design and create a Mother of the Bride (or Groom) outfit that not only harmonises with the wedding`s theme, but also reflects the personality of the MOB.
I have just filled my final Mother of the Bride slot for the summer, but still have slots available for weddings happening in autumn, from September onwards.
Get in touch for a completely no-obligation consultation 👋
Photography - @georginapiperphotography.co.uk
#motb #motg #motherofthebride #motherofthegroom #bespoke #weddingfashion
This week I`m celebrating the start of pride month by giving you some queer wedding inspiration. My previous post featured a Labyrinth-inspired wedding, and we`re sticking to the fantasy feel with this bridal photoshoot with our couple styled after the King and Queen of Hearts.
For our queen, I made a corseted nude tulle dress with red lace details, velvet ribbon channels and a long layered skirt. The fully cupped bodice was supportive and designed to flatter the model`s gorgeous curves. Finally, we layered a luxurious red silk wraparound dress-coat with a dramatic portrait collar. It looked amazing billowing in the breeze; perfect for a historical or fantasy wedding.
Would you wear red on your wedding day?
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Venue @woldinghamschoolvenuehire
Photographer @lysaclare
2nd Photographer @tomjeavons
Planning @wavesweddingsandevents
Flowers @sobloomingbeautiful
Models @lisaeggy3 & @elodie.foray
Cakes @silverleaf_cake_company_
Accessories @vintageadornments
Lace Boots @houseofelliotlaceboots
Stationery @loveflorastudioco
Makeup @leannehartmakeupartist
Hair Stylist @theisrarana
Props @details.eventstyling
#plussizebride #queercouple #queerwedding #nonbinarygroom #samesexwedding #alicewedding #queenofhearts #queenofheartsbride
#weddingdress #redweddingdress #bespokeweddingdress #weddinginspiration #weddinggoals #weddinginspo #weddingideas
To celebrate Pride month, I`m sharing with you some beautifully alternative same sex wedding inspo!
First, this Labyrinth-inspired photoshoot...🔮
When designing these two looks, I decided I would follow in the footsteps of Bowie and be a little different, styling one bride after Sarah in her amazing fantasy ball dress, and the other bride after David Bowie’s Jareth in all his Elfin glory.
The Jareth outfit is heart achingly sleek, both romantic and feminine yet never conventional, with a simple lose silk crepe blouse featuring button and cuff details contrasting with fitted lace-up back trousers. What a heartthrob. This look is also perfect for all of you non-binary and masc leaning brides.
The Sarah dress is so iconic - isn`t it what every little girl wanted to wear after they saw the film? For my interpretation of that stunning gown, I wanted something a little more modern and lightweight, but still utterly whimsical, and still with those unapologetically dramatic puff sleeves. I designed the sleeves to be removable, as well as the overskirt, giving the bride options to change her look during the course of the day.
Isn`t it all so dreamy? Which look is your favourite?
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Florist: @greenandenvy
Hair: @moiraborg
Headpiece: @mcfaydenmillinery
Jewellery: @thegreatfrogldn
Makeup: @lawsonmakeup
Model: @luleybell
Photographer: @lexflemingphoto
Planner & stylist: @devinebride
Shoe Designer: @elusiverabbit
Venue: @hever_castle
#bespokeweddingdress #alternativeweddingdress #altbride #fantasywedding #labyrinthwedding #brideandbride #gaywedding #bridalseparates #croppedtrouser #mascbride #queerbride #queerwedding
As a bespoke bridal designer, it`s my job to make sure your dress looks like it`s part of you.
For this bride, I designed a dramatic satin dress, with a statement bow and asymmetrical ruching across the front and back of the bodice. A more traditional bodice that might have a lace up back, or simple a concealed zip down the middle, but for this dress I didn`t want to break up the flow of the fabric going across the body, so I had to come up with an elegant (and easy to use) solution. Not only did the fastening need to impossible to spot, it also needed to provide support for the bride, so she felt secure in the dress throughout the day.
I created two panels of ruched silk dupion in this beautiful rose gold colour. The panels were secured at the side, not the back, with the top panel being firmly attached with poppers. The panel underneath had hooks and underneath that I made a built in corset behind a heavy-duty zip. Because of the weight of the dress, and how fitted it was, the zip had to work harder than usual, so it was actually very useful to be able to fully hid it. It meant the bride could be fully supported, without the zip interfering with the design.
All that work meant that this bride didn`t have to worry about hitching up her dress or any wardrobe malfunctions, she could just focus marrying her husband and having a gorgeous day with friends and family.
What detail in your wedding dress are you most excited to obsess over?
#bespokeweddingdress #rosegoldweddingdress #bridalboutique #smallbusiness
