As seen in.....
"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
"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!"
... 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“
who lived near by,
She drew up a“
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
When you have two bespoke wedding dresses on your sample rail that are perfect for both Elphaba and Glinda, and with Wicked For Good having come out, it felt rude not to!
Wicked has done an amazing job of bringing bright, bold fashion back to our attention, which is so exciting. But I`ve had many Elphaba and Glinda brides way before they came to the big screen. Brides who are up for going on an adventure with me to conjure up their perfect wedding look.
I might not be the Wizard of Oz, but I am the Dress Alchemist after all 😉
(shout out to my social media manager, Elodie, for stepping in and being the Elphaba to my Glinda. If you`re looking for your own magical media witch, you can find them at www.brightbeemedia.co.uk)
The dress on the stand vs. the dress in action✨
I made the Poinsettia dress last Christmas for my window display. I never would have predicted that it would be spotted by Rosie, who then bought it and wore it for the 2025 Miss Great Britain pageant!
My bespoke designs have been used for all sorts of events. Weddings mainly (obviously), but parties, anniversaries and proms too. But this might be the first time one of my gowns has been seen on the stage of a pageant. And doesn`t Rosie look so serenely glamorous? The perfect model for this sparkly, elegant dress. And she placed in the top 10. Well done Rosie!
From Design to Destination...
Isn`t it funny how art has to go through so many strange, messy stages before it emerges as something complete?
The Poinsettia wedding dress was the first bespoke dress I ever made with the sole intention of using it in my window display. I wanted something sparkly and subtly festive to brighten Dorking High Street, where my shop is.
But before that I had to do what I always do - begin the strange dance with fabric, needle and thread. Starting with the very simple base, and slowly but surely building something beautiful. Poinsettia is a flower associated with the Christmas season, so it felt right to draw inspiration from its shape (as opposed to its vibrant red colour) and feature these stunning sequin statement flowers on the bust and hip.
My dresses often have second and third lives after I`ve made them, whether I plan for it or not. And this one is no exception. After it glistened in my shop window for the winter, it was used, funnily enough, for a summer wedding shoot. And after that for something even more unusual. But more about that in the next post...
Summer Shoot Photography - @KalaWeddings.UK
You might’ve noticed that I can get quite particular about language. I think it’s important, especially when that word can carry a lot of meaning. When words get misused, you as a consumer might get mis-sold something.
An example of this is the word ‘vintage’, which now gets tacked onto the description of any garment, whether or not it actually is vintage. Often the item just looks like it’s from an older period of fashion, and for many sellers now, that’s good enough to warrant the label ‘vintage’ (which it’s not).
‘Bespoke’ is another of those words. The word comes from ‘to bespeak’, which means, to ask for. Like someone walking into carpentry workshop and asking for something completely new to be made to their exact specifications.
Anything can be bespoke, if it has been asked for, to be made especially to your requirements and preferences. You often hear it in the context of bespoke suits, but the term doesn’t belong to any one industry.
When it comes to wedding dresses, you have a few options. Off-the-peg, which is what it sounds like. Then there’s custom or made-to-measure, which both describe when something is adjusted or changed. You might order a dress where there are options to customise the length, the sleeves, the neckline etc.
But true bespoke is something different. It’s a dress that’s been designed and made completely from scratch. Completely to your measurements and your ideas. With several stages of fittings and adjustments, to ensure it’s exactly how you want it. It’s an entirely unique garment, and this is why the price of a bespoke dress can be so much more than something off-the-peg or made-to-measure.
So, next time something online claims to be ‘bespoke’, now you know what to look for to make sure you’re not being tricked into pay more for less.
I won! 🥳🎉🥂
Last night was the Wedding Industry Awards (as if you didn`t already know) and I was up for two categories: Bespoke Bridal and Bridal Alterations. And I am now the regional winner for the Independent Dressmaker/Designer category!
I am so so pleased to have gotten this far, and I couldn`t have managed it without the amazing support of all you lovely lot. So thank you thank you thank you! 💜 to those who took the time to vote, to those who sent me beautiful messages, to those who got excited for me. Thank you!
And thank you to the @twia_official team as well! What a gorgeous night.
Next step: the National awards. Let`s see what happens...
Tonight is the Wedding Industry Awards! I`m in the running for two awards, which is all very exciting! 🏆
Since it`s such a special occasion, I decided to design and make myself a dress. That way, regardless of the outcome, I`ll feel like a winner. I rarely have time to make myself anything, so this felt rather lovely.
I used some gorgeous pink coloured silk chiffon, lined with pale gold silk satin, finished off with velvet ribbon. I started making the dress at 11am yesterday, and I finished it at 3pm today. Now I just have to finish making the bolero to go with it as well. I think we`re gonna make it! 🏃🏻♀️
