For this bride, I created a Chinese fusion wedding dress with red dip dye. The result was a bold and beautiful bridal look, with lots of eye-catching details. There are two ways I can dip dye dresses. One involves spraying the fabric whilst gently overlapping and blending the colours, I do this as the final...
I designed this fairytale look for a bespoke wedding dress photoshoot in Essex. I made the dramatic Aurora gown in layers of fluffy blush organza and pale ivory tulle. Sequins shimmer under the top layer and creep onto the illusion neckline. I trimmed the bodice and waist with mixed metallic beaded lace and I created...
For this bespoke Chinese fusion wedding dress photoshoot, I created a look that incorporated both Western and Eastern elements in beautiful harmony. I was contacted by Elizabeth Weddings about being involved in this shoot. And since I really enjoy working on cultural fusion projects, it was an obvious yes. Our overall colour palette was white,...
I feel as though bride Alex and I are birds of a feather. I also had a period-inspired, unusually coloured wedding dress for my wedding. Alex wanted to meld 1950’s and Tudor influences to create something unique. Taking inspiration from history, but not being limited by having to be completely accurate, is my ideal design...
I’m very lucky that I attract the kind of brides who often want something that varies wildly from the traditional long white gown. So, when I met Maggie (virtually) and she told me that she was getting married in the summer and wanted something fun and bright, I was very excited! So I designed for...
If you’re in search for some mixed Indian British wedding dress inspiration, then you’ve come to the right blog post. I’m Fliss – a bespoke wedding dress maker from the south of England (Surrey, to be exact). I love making wedding dresses that are a little unusual. My brides are often looking for an outfit...
I made this couture wedding dress in Surrey for Toni (during the dreaded Covid times). We went for something romantic, feminine and whimsical, in layered silk organza and soft satins. For this design, I chose a boned bodice with a straight neckline that then dips at the back. The top layer of this dress is...
For this made to measure wedding dress in London, bride Karah approached me looking to commission a layered gown in scrolling ivory floral lace, with a corset inspired by the late (and very great) Vivienne Westwood. The base layer is a floor length strapless column dress made of champagne-coloured silk dupion. I made the top...
I made these custom mini-me christening dress for Adrienne’s twin girls. These two christening dresses were made from Mummy’s wedding dress fabrics and trims. I used the taffeta as the main fabric and then the veil tulle for the overskirt. I carefully removed the beaded lace motifs from the original dress and hand sewed them...
I made a made to measure Christening Gown Sussex in ivory taffeta and beaded lace applique. I was honoured to be asked to create a mini-me christening dress for Baby M, using fabrics and inspiration from her mother’s beautiful wedding dress. Creating a dress for a growing babe is a tricky business but I have...
Posts from Felicity Westmacott
From Design 🪡 to Destination 📷️
For this autumnal-inspired (or fall for those of you on the other side of the pond 👋) bridal look I started off by designing a greige-coloured satin jumpsuit. I went with wide-cut legs for lots of comfort and movement, and pretty cross over back strap details.
When I was researching the kinds of fabrics I might use for this outfit, I came across this stunning sequin lace, covered in gorgeous flowers and stems. I knew I had to use it. So I created a sheer dress layer to go on top of the jumpsuit.
A wedding dress design wouldn`t be mine if I didn`t add a little versatility, so I also created detachable balloon sleeves, for drama during the day and practicality in the evening.
I`ve designed bespoke wedding dresses based around all the seasons, but autumn has got to be one of my favourites. Which season would you use to inspire your wedding?
Photography - @charlymaephotography
Katie wanted some alterations done on her wedding dress before she flew off to Portugal. So after a consultation discussing what she needed, I got to working my wedding dress alchemy.
For her dress, we brought up the hem to make it the right length. Originally Katie wanted to also add sleeves, but as we progressed she realised that she would be too hot and too overwhelmed by them, so instead went in the opposite direction and chose to narrow the shoulder straps. Sometimes less really is more.
To the back of the dress we added a three-point bustle, and the final detail was the cathedral length veil. Almost 400 satin flowers later and I think it`s the perfect accessory for this chic bride.
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Photography - Visual Stories Co
Venue - Monte do Serrinho
Planner - Forever Events Portugal
Florist - Flower Shop Bonita
I`m a regional finalist for the Wedding Industry Awards!
Not only that, but in both my categories; Best Designer/Independent Dressmaker and Best Seamstress/Tailor. So thank you to everyone who voted for me. Your time and effort is not only appreciated, but has also paid off 💜
And well done to my fellow regional finalists; @alexandersharpebridal, @harrietchristelow, @shell_stitches_kent, @stitchesbykristine, @nicolaleverington.
There are a few finalists outside of my categories that I wanted to give an especially loud shout out to - well done @alexjaggermua and @lushcurvebridal!
Thank you to the organisers and Damien at @twia_official
Wishing everyone the best of luck! 🪡✨️
Photo by @altweddingco
This is what a bespoke veil with almost 400 flowers looks like.
On top of some other alterations, @katiepigden wanted a chic, modern bridal veil. We chose a length a little longer than her dress and I got to work.
Her wedding dress already had these beautifully delicate 3D flowers on the bodice, so we echoed this design element in the veil. I hand embellished almost 400 satin flowers, selectively scattered at the hem of the veil and gently creeping up. I wanted it to look as though Katie had been standing underneath a blossoming tree and some had happened to fall onto her veil.
A veil is such a perfect way of finishing off a bridal look, and I think Katie looks stunning. If you`re looking for something completely custom for your wedding day, then get in touch 💜
A dress for a queen with a blackened heart 🖤
I recently received some more photos from the Dark Fairytale themed wedding shoot I was involved in last year. I love how these ones turned out!
This shoot feels like if Sofia Coppola`s Marie Antoinette had actually been about the Evil Queen from Snow White. Is it just me, or does anyone else see it?
(And that`s me, at the end, doing some last minute alterations 😅 always the way with a shoot day)
If this kind of haute couture bridal fashion excites you, why not follow me? I`ve always got unique and gorgeous bridal creations to share ✨️
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Venue @layermarneytower
Concept, styling @thealilyloves
Photography @wearevima
Headwear @themillinerprovocateur @thealilyloves
Make up @mrsgarrodmua
Hair @capelliamalias
Feather gown @felicitywestmacott
Florals @themidnightgarden @wildrose.willow
Right hand women @julia_coppen @claralaluck
Spooky season has arrived!
I love Halloween, but maybe not for the reasons you might think. For me, Halloween gives people permission to be a little more wild, a little more `out there` with their bridal choices. And as a seamstress who loves to makes bold and beautiful wedding dresses, there`s nothing wrong with a little more wild!
Take these three wedding photoshoots, for example. The first one was inspired by Morticia Addams. It`s a black wedding dress! You can`t get less traditional than that. And it`s now one of my most popular designs. Although all these dress designs are based around a fictional character, they`re still the furthest thing from a costume. They`re pieces of haute couture art, taking the essence of the character and then elevating it to something truly unique.
The second dress used the designs from the live action Cruella, and I love how the model nailed her character. The final dress used Jim Henson`s Labyrinth as a starting point, in particular that iconic ballroom scene (*swoon*). They were all such fun projects. So if you`re looking for a wedding dress maker to embrace your wild side, I might be the perfect choice.
If you could base your wedding dress on a fictional character, who would it be?
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Photography - @lexflemingphoto
