Julia’s wedding venue was a grand stately home her dress needed to compliment this and her figure. So we designed this elegant dress made in gold silk duchess satin and rose gold lace.

Official photography by?sophieduckworthphotography.com

The dress has a fitted and boned bodice with a plunge neckline fading to narrow straps. Pleated fabric in an asymmetric design emphasises Julia?s waist. Rose gold lace sleeves are trimmed with beaded scalloped edging. A mixed metallic lace edging is also used inside the neckline

The skirt falls from below more neat pleating over the hips. A motif from the lace edging is used as the basis for a bold and beautiful hand beaded detail at the lower hip. The skirt falls with a little fullness at the front, but hangs straight down. At the back simple panels flare into a chapel length train. The back neckline and pleating compliments the front with real button and loop fastening. More buttons, sewn all down the centre back seam, are an elegant addition to the very simple skirt. The dress comes with a wrist loops and bustle-up for dancing.

Holding the train by the wrist loop, a bustle up was also provided for dancing later in the day.

Making Julia’s Dress

Pictures from the ‘toile fitting’ or practice run in cheap fabrics.

Creating the pleating on the bust and waistline, first in practice fabric, then in the gold satin.

Tiny cover button detail, all down the back of her dress, every one sewn on by hand.

Detail of the rose gold lace, used for the sleeves

I also made a tie in matching fabric for Julia’s son

Detail of the lace motif, before and after hand beading was added. We used a mix of silver and gold glass seed beads, pearls and Swarovski crystals.