Press articles and photoshoots published.....
"Michael and his company have been a mainstay alongside me through my whole career, spanning the last 20 years. Starting out with dreams of bridal design, fresh from university, I ordered my very first rolls from Michael’s to make bridal samples in 2004. His family run business made me feel like family, too. I got to know everyone one on the phone and, though I wasn’t a big name, they made me feel known and valued, too. The range of fabrics he stocked was exceptional and service always off-the chart. Michael once offered to drive out to meet me at a motorway services on a Sunday to deliver a short-notice emergency order of satin!
since 2004His family run business made me feel like family, too.“... Access to the huge choice of silk, lace, basics and accessories, and with next day delivery, has been central to my ability to serve my brides and help clients feel confident booking their bespoke dress with me. I even had a custom bookcase built to house the red covered sample books! Hearing of his well deserved retirement was a sad day, my stomach flipped at the idea of having to ’go it alone’ without Michael and his team backing me up. We expect great things from his son Barry who is moving forward with a new business, but Michael has left some very big boots to fill!"
Labyrinth dress photos by Lex Fleming
"We wanted to create an overall look of winter without any hint of Christmas.
The Colour palette was sage green with dusky and icy blues."
I made a delicate blue dipdye over skirt for this photoshoot. Worn with my classic art-deco satin dress.
"Lauren admits choosing the dress was never going to be easy, given her exacting standards. "I went to about eight boutiques and didn't find anything" she says. "Kate Middleton's dress was my inspiration and I didn't want ruffles, diamantes or anything too big, but I also didn't want anything plain! A local bridal shop gave me details of a dressmaker who lived nearby.
... She drew up a design that I loved, which consisted of a simple top and an amazing train and veil. When I put the dress on, on the morning of the wedding I felt so overwhelmed I burst into tears!"
"Choosing a wedding dress is probably one of the most important decisions a bride can make and having to have alterations is common. Dorking’s Felicity Westmacott is an expert in this field and has provided some amazing advice.... "
Alterations for Lisa Duffy, Photo by CGP Photography
... She drew up a design that I loved, which consisted of a simple top and an amazing train and veil. When I put the dress on, on the morning of the wedding I felt so overwhelmed I burst into tears!"
weddings are for everyonewe featured a mature model, a plus size model and two queer grooms“
I was interviewed by 'Your Surrey Wedding Magazine' with questions like " What can brides expect when they visit your store? " and "What designers do you stock? ". Of course as a bespoke wedding dressmaker I don't fit the mould of their usual questions for a normal bridal boutique. You can read what I did share by heading over to the your surrey wedding website to read the full article
"I stock everything and anything you can imagine, (metaphorically speaking)! As a bespoke dressmaker I don't have a collection you can try on, instead I make a one-off dress just for you from design to completion. My job is to create an expression of your personality in dress-form. So if you have already visited shops and just not found the one I'm your perfect match."
Moving House
My Surrey Wedding also reported on the news when I moved premises in 2022. My new shop/studio on Dorking high street was a big upgrade after working from hoe for 20 years!
Photo by Iris Visuals
Article by Paul Travers
From her home studio and workshop in Redhill, Felicity Westmacott makes beautiful bespoke wedding dresses that use every inch of her considerable experience: as a TV and Film costume designer; as a graduate in the history of costume; and as an alterations seamstress with years under her hemline. With an understanding of the different ways of cutting and shaping dresses through the centuries, Felicity can draw on hundreds of years of technical and design knowledge in creating unique and contemporary gowns.
One of Felicity’s pleasures is seeing her clients over the moon with happiness. Her customers generally fall into two main categories: those who have shopped out the stores and simply can’t find the perfect frock (but know the fit they’re looking for), and those who’ve done nothing at all. Felicity sends the second type off to try on a few dresses – some find exactly what they want, and those that don’t come back to begin the design process.
The key advice Felicity has is that every bride must dress to please herself, because no one else could pick the dress meant for her. When someone picks what makes them happy, it will show.
“A wedding dress is a costume,” she says. “It must say something special about this girl on this day, just as a costume tells you about the character and future of someone in a film. The wedding dress tells a story of what a bride wants her future to be. That’s why the dress is important, special, and unique.”
Article by Erin Balfour of Way Out Wedding
“Creating a dress design for a ‘City Burlesque’ theme was fabulous fun. The dress needed to have a vintage, showgirl feel and be really sexy, but still realistic as a bridal dress – not many people actually get married in a leotard and feathers! The wiggle skirt with a boned bodice hit all these marks, showing off our lovely model Vanessa’s curves and cinching her waist. I added a teal net petticoat that would show when the high/low hem moved, and delicate gold lace detail with Swarovski crystals for showgirl glamour!
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“The coat is made in striking Cadbury purple silk dupion, with a vintage 1950s off the shoulder collar neckline. Demure, elegant and still very sexy. The sweeping skirt and train mean that even with a short dress, this bride gets to sweep into the ceremony and swoosh up the aisle. It also means she can do ‘the big reveal’ burlesque style without actually taking off her dress!
See more at wayoutwedding.com
Jessica Jill Photo MUA: Light Up Make-Up Flowers: Muscari Whites Model: Vanessa Asare Shoes: Marsha Hall Hair accessories | Jennifer Levet Millinery
It`s Two-style Tuesday!
(but really it`s just a post where I show you one bridal outfit I`ve made, styled in two different ways)
I made this wide leg jumpsuit in a gorgeous ivory duchess satin. I just think there`s just something really understated and sexy about a jumpsuit.
On top of that, I added this dip dye tulle overskirt in a full rainbow. Usually for my ombre skirts the colour gradients go up in layers, but this time I tried something different, with the colours going around instead.
In the first shoot, this look was styled in a very contemporary way - a wet-look hair style, pearl netted veil and a dramatic dark eye, means that even though the skirt has a rainbow, there`s still something moody and alternative about this bride.
The second look is about using rainbows in a more subtle way - the bouquet, the outfit, the décor, it`s all about colour, but with the brightness gently turned down. It`s rainbows, but rustic.
There`s so much to like about both approaches, but which outfit styling is your favourite?
This outfit is part of my sample sale, so claim it whilst you can (link in bio).
1st shoot:
Photography - @robert_christopher_photography
Hair - @hair.styledbydanielle
Makeup - @alexjaggermua and @emz_makeup_artist
HMUA Team - @glitzandglamsquad.kent
Model: disabled.life.with.lauren
Floristry - @foreverbloomsofkent
2nd shoot:
Venue - @skitbyhouse
Photographer - @lucyalexandra_photography
Dresses - @felicitywestmacott
Hair & Makeup - @Clairealexandrahairandmakeup
Celebrant & Organiser - @ribeiroceremonies
Hair accessories - @nujewellery_byemma
Butterflies - @flutter2me
Shoes - @becciboosshoes
Florals - @fioredoratoflowers
Ribbons - @_lkdesigns
Model - @missjenaroo
Story time!
Remember the Swan Lake themed wedding photoshoot I featured a few days` ago?
When the day came for the shoot, we were blessed with one of the sunniest days of the year so far (and this was March), but the ground was still very wet. We really wanted to get some photos amongst the trees for that real fairy tale feeling, but our beautiful bride, @alicia.modelling_x didn`t want to risk ruining the outfit.
And that`s when I stepped in!
You may think that a seamstress is only on set to help with the dress. But I`m here to do anything that might be useful to the shoot, and if that means carrying Alicia across the boggy ground, then that`s what I`ll do! 😂
(I was quite pleased that all my work on strength with @mybodyrocksstudio is paying off!)
If you want a seamstress who will not only make the perfect bespoke wedding dress for you, but will also go the extra mile for you, I think you know who to call 😉
(shout to @hair_by_tel for capturing this moment)
Make your own happily ever after 🤍
This bespoke wedding dress is an ode to Odette, the Swan Princess.
A satin corset resplendent with hundreds of feathers, individually sewn on.
Bejewelled silver lace, catching the light perfectly.
Layers of tulle and sequined lace, in a cascade of volume and texture.
And when it`s time to dance with your prince or princess, the longer layers can be removed to reveal a ballet-length skirt.
Tag someone who deserves their own fairy tale ending ✨
Suppliers
Photographer: @snappedbycatx
Dress: @felicitywestmacott
Makeup artist: @larajamesmakeup
Hair stylist: @hair_by_tel
Venue: @bradbournehouse
Model: @alicia.modelling_x
Today is my birthday, so I wanted to share something I`ve been grateful for almost every year of my life.
I started ballet lessons when I was four, moving on to the Lewiston School of Dance until 18 (I even won the Pointe Work cup with them once). My grandmother had been a professional dancer and my mum also took ballet lessons (and still does, at over 70!), so there has always been a lot of ballet in my family.
When I went to uni, I stopped dancing, then came back to it in the form of adult ballet lessons with my mum, and then got pregnant. After that I found aerial hoop, which replaced dancing as my active hobby. However, my ballet training has really helped my progress in hoop, and I`m very grateful for the skills I continue to draw upon for both hoop and acting.
What`s a hobby you`re grateful to have started, no matter what stage in life?
(and shout out to @hair_by_tel for capturing this video of me playing around during a recent bridal photoshoot)
#ballet #passion #dancing
"Felicity was amazing to work with. I can`t express into words how much I loved my overskirt. We had a unique theme and I knew exactly what I wanted but not how to make it work. She understood the look and colour theme I wanted and absolutely nailed it. From start to finish Felicity was supportive and informative on what would work best to make my vision come to life. Her knowledge and quality of work shines through her pieces. I would absolutely recommend her to everyone!"
It fills me with so much joy to read such kind words and know that I was a small part of making such a special day happen.
Bride Ashley chose to have the colours of her dip dye overskirt arranged in vertical stripes rather then my usual horizontal. I think the effect is really striking, where every angle of the skirt reveals a different blend of colours. And it match her hair!
Photography - @copper_squirrel_photography
"Dearest Fliss, I`m not sure I have the adequate words to express how thankful I am, or how talented and wonderful I think you are, but I`ll give it a go. My hopes and dreams for my dress were actualised by your amazing hands. My dress was so beautiful and different - just what I wanted. You made me shine on our special day."
I made this dress over 10 years ago now but it still makes me feel emotional reading this, so many years after.
As part of making Claire`s gorgeous blue and white 1800s-inspired wedding dress was creating this bespoke corset from scratch. The dress was made with an 18th century `flat-fronted` boned bodice, and once we fitted it, I played with shape, flow and texture to create this completely unique and opulent peplum corset, featuring beads, pearls, sequins, cord and lace.
I was lucky enough to become friends with Claire during the making process of her dress and as a result she invited to her wedding day. I was 9 months at the time and my waters broke at her wedding breakfast. My son was born 3 days later!
If you are looking for something beautiful and different for your special day, drop me a message - I would love to make your bridal dreams a reality.
