old gold and blue silk dupion coat and dress for Irene, Mother of the Bride

mother of the groom silk dupion natural thai coat and dress old gold and blue
Irene had very firm ideas about what she wanted to wear to her daughter’s wedding. The dress and coat ensemble was designed to take her from a cold January daytime to the black-tie evening party. The dress was made from old gold silk dupion, lined with silk satin. The boned bodice has a v-neckline front and back with hand beaded detail over the ruching at the shoulder. The dress was cut princess-line with a slim shape fitted down to the hip and then the skirt was a slight a-line. Splits from the hem up the seams revealed shot silk chiffon panels to flick out as Irene walked. The splits were graduated in height, higher at the back than front with hand beaded detail highlighting the top of each one.

The coat was made from thicker silk dupion woven in gold and blue and lined in silk satin. The coat was also cut princess-line and slim fitting with box pleats at the back to kick out as Irene walked and echo the dress below. A deep plunge v-neckline revealed a little of the dress beneath while the stand-up collar was elegant and kept out the cold. The long sleeves were gathered to the shoulder and finished with wide cuffs in old-gold silk with contrast buttons. The coat fastened with concealed hooks and eyes with ruched panels drawing the eye to the vintage brooch I sourced to complete the look.

mother of the bride custom made to measure dress gold silk
Mother of the bride dress and coat by felicity westmacott: blue and gold silk dupion with hand beaded highlights, design sketch

Original design sketch for the dress

Mother of the bride dress and coat by felicity westmacott: blue and gold silk dupion with hand beaded highlights, design sketch

Original design sketch for the coat

To begin with Irene wanted the front hem of the coat to curve up and reveal the dress beneath. During the fitting process she changed her mind and the coat was eventually made with a straight hem.

ruched detail on dress coat with cuffs and brooch fastening?Irene asked me to source her a brooch to complete the look of her dress. We found this vintage one etsy.com ?40 which is faux pearl and lapis lazuli.

bespoke hand embroidery embellishment occasionwear seed beadThere was hand embellishment to the shoulders of the dress with ribbons of torn silk chiffon and tiny seed bead all nestled into the ruching to add texture and sparkle

delicate torn chiffon and hand beading embellishment by Felicity Westmacott
The hand beading at the top of each split was created to echo that on the shoulder. Each element became more ornate as the splits got longer around the sides and back of the dress.

 

thank you letter testimonial recommendation of Felicity Westmacott Bespoke dressmaker

Irene Wrote

Dear Felicity, Thank you so very much for making my dress perfect. I’m thrilled to bits. Also thank you for managing to fit me into your busy schedule, it’s very much appreciated. I hope we meet again in the future, and have fun with that adorable kitten.

Silk bow ties for the groom and groomsmen by felicity Westmacott

Irene also had accessories made in matching fabrics for her husband and various members of the bridal party.

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Felicity Westmacott

I write about all aspects of weddings, dressmaking, fashion history, and the human relation to clothing. I welcome comments and debate.

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from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH1 4RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH1 4RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in