I created this couture Cruella Deville wedding dress for a Cruella themed wedding photoshoot in London. I was very lucky to get the blessing of award-winning costume design (and personal friend), Jenny Beavan. Jenny designed the costumes for the 2021 live action Cruella and her designs formed the inspiration for this bridal look.
All the film, TV and pop culture reference wedding dresses I make are never direct copies of original designs – they’re a starting point. I’m not trying to re-create, but instead re-imagine, the character and ask myself what they would wear if they were getting married in the modern day.
This Cruella is rebellious, sexy and completely unapologetic in her beliefs. A high fashion punk, she stands for what she believes in, and she isn’t afraid of a little scandal. An empowered feminist, she sounds like my kind of person, and I was thrilled to be able to design something that reflects a “difficult woman”.
Keep scrolling for more gorgeous photos (by the brilliant Lex Fleming), some adorable dogs and info about all our brilliant London wedding suppliers.
Rock My Wedding blog also featured this shoot – have a look to hear more about the shoot from a different perspective.
The Villainess’ Lair
When choosing the venue for our Cruella couture wedding dress London photoshoot, Woolwich Works felt like a no-brainer. The exposed bricks of this ex-factory are giving industrial chic, that feels right at home with Cruella’s ambitious nature and her roots.
Our team embellished the space perfectly, with flowers arranged by Femme Petale, stationery from Peach Wolfe and furniture supplied by Juno Hire. Revelry Events did an amazing job with planning and styling this shoot. Their attention to detail is stunning, all the way down to the upcycled antique figurines being painted in the same style as the cake. And the splattered candles looking like the spots a of dalmatian!
Cruella is all about putting a fresh spin on things that feel old and outdated, and that’s exactly what our suppliers did!
Couture Cruella
This outfit has a lot of different elements, so strap in!
I made the main dress from figure-hugging stretch duchess satin. The bodice was pleated and folded to look like origami, with a plunge neckline and dipped back. I wanted the dress to look couture, and the folded paper elements felt like something a bit different.
The skirt is fit and flare (or fishtail or mermaid, take your pick), with the stretchy fabric forming around the model’s beautiful shape. I made a huge tulle bustle skirt, which hooked on at the back. The origami peplum was added to echo the details of the bodice. I chose to partially hold it all together with safety pins, as Punk-sensibilty Cruella did so much. For this element, I drew inspiration from the trash dress in the film, where Cruella is seen emerging from a dumpster, in rubbish bin couture! In total, the train was about 12 ft and, as you can see from the photos, a big statement!
I also design a silk organza coat with statement sleeves. This piece was repurposed from a previous shoot. I adjusted it a little, because I thought it was perfect for Cruella. Repurposing and upcycling is very much within her character, so it felt right. The dress coat had silk organza statement sleeves, a yoke collar neckline and a fastening at the front. I added lace applique at the back to echo the lace applique on the dress beneath. And I added a hood, as a reference to the reoccurring design element within the film’s costumes for Cruella.
A Little Something Extra
I like to make my designs versatile, so a bride can change her look throughout the day.
I accessorised Cruella’s dress with my own black velvet jacket. It’s actually a children’s traditional Scottish dance costume. I bought it in Edinburgh about 20 years ago when I was rifling through the vintage markets. It’s pretty much falling apart, but I love it and I think it’s perfect for Cruella’s vintage mix and match look.
I made a second skirt for this photoshoot, which I also made from the same stretch satin. For this skirt, I kept it simple, with a black lace insert (or godet panel) at the back. Near the end of the shoot, I got to have some fun spray painting directly onto the dress. The graffiti element felt like it leant into Cruella’s anti-establishment sentiments. And it felt like a reference to the iconic 1999 spray paint dress by Alexandra McQueen.
Treats for Good Girls and Boys
Daisy Cake Company crafted the delicious, artistic cake. Red velvet was the only choice for a red, white and black wedding theme. Bronya made the three-tiered, minimalist wedding cake, expertly splattered with flicks of black and red. She also made the darling little red velvet cake bites to snack on throughout the day.
Put On Your War Paint and Arm Yourself With Jewels
This necklace is very special. The original piece from the film was made by Moxham, company owned by a friend of the film’s costume designer, Jenny Beavan. Jenny kindly organised for us to borrow another version of the necklace for the shoot.
Kayleigh K nailed the make up for this couture Cruella wedding dress shoot – a sultry red lip and a dark smoky eye. This isn’t your traditional bride – she’ll leave a lipstick stain when she bites you!
And Makeup In Orangeries‘ hair design is just so refreshing! She chose a messy up do, as though Cruella was running late, threw her hair up and managed to look effortlessly stylish in the process. And we couldn’t have found a more perfect Cruella in Victoria Sirotyuk – absolutely stunning and so full of haute couture attitude!
My Future, My Choice
If it wasn’t already obvious, the groom was styled after one of the henchmen, Jasper, modelled perfectly by Marco Farris. We sprayed the back of his jacket with “My Future”. We thought that our Cruella would probably love the celebration part of the wedding, but she may choose not to get legally married. So she’s labelled her groom as “my future” – she’s claiming it, it’s hers. She’s top dog.
Phew, what a shoot!
It was a huge honour to get Jenny Beavan’s blessing for this project. Beyond being a family friend, she has been an inspiration for much of my career. Her designs are award-winning, including the Oscar she won for the costume design in Cruella. So thank you, Jenny!
Looking for more sexy, empowered bridal inspiration? I think this sultry Morticia Addams inspired wedding dress is a great place to start. Or how about this couture lace fishtail wedding dress?
Suppliers
Photography – Lex Fleming
Planning and Styling – Revelry Events
Venue – Woolwich Works
Dress – Felicity Westmacott
Flowers – Femme Petale
Hair – Makeup In Orangeries
Necklace – Moxham
MUA – Kayleigh K
Cake – Daisy Cake Company
Furniture – Juno Hire
Stationery – Peach Wolfe
Bride – Victoria Sirotyuk
Groom – Marco Farris
Concept inspired by Jenny Beavan
