Pippa Middleton in her bespoke wedding dress

A visual feast for you today, my lovely readers … Pippa Middleton, sister of HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, married James Matthews yesterday in a breathtaking bespoke bridal gown by British designer Giles Deacon.

The ceremony took place at St Mark’s Church in the village of Englefield in Berkshire. As a couture designer dressmaker myself, I wanted to reflect with you, on the details that this beautiful bride chose when having her gown created, and encourage all brides-to-be to think about having their own gown made to measure to your own design, just as Pippa did.

Couture designer Caroline Arthur’s reflection on the bespoke wedding dress created by Giles Deacon for Pippa Middleton

This sketch is my reflection of Pippa’s design, and the gown was described by Giles as a “collaboration” with the bride, which makes my heart sing,,.

I believe passionately that every bride to be should be able to mirror her own personality and taste in her bespoke gown, and to have her own ideas incorporated throughout the luxurious experience of having her wedding dress made to measure.

Each of our custom made gowns are unique, and created to the specification of each of our bespoke brides. We have boutiques in London and Surrey where you can try on samples, look at fabrics and enjoy expressing your own design ideas for your wedding dress. Your perfect design is then made to fit you perfectly by our dedicated team, right here in Britain.

keyhole lace back for bespoke wedding dress inspired by the gown created by Giles Deacon for Pippa Middleton

The designer, Giles Deacon said of Pippa’s gown “… the dress is constructed with a cap sleeve, high neckline and features a corseted bodice with draping at the front and a heart shaped detail at the back…”

Here, in my design studio, I have mocked up with lace applique, a closer look at how beautiful a keyhole back can be as a detail on a bespoke gown. Observe the natural edging of the lace is allowed to form the edge of the cut-out, and our own bespoke brides have chosen a myriad different shapes and patterns when creating their own designs for the back of their gowns…. each one unique.

Giles went on to describe how Pippa’s wedding dress was made… “the lace bodice is embroidered with pearl detailing over an organza and tulle underskirt which has layer upon layer to enable a floor-sweeping movement. It’s a privilege to show the craftsmanship that my team produces in London and a real testament to Pippa’s support of British fashion…” (here, here Giles).

Pippa Middleton on her wedding day in her bespoke lace gown by Giles Deacon

Pippa has created the most wonderful “look” including a “delicate bespoke tulle veil dotted with pearls and made by Milliner Stephen Jones…”

“The bride also wore a Maidenhair fern tiara by Robinson Pelham”

“…ivory satin pumps by Manolo Blahnik with pearl detailing, a customised version of the label’s £715 Seneca bridal heels..”

(Description quotes by Bethan Holt of the Telegraph)

Cap sleeved wedding dress inspired by the bespoke bridal gown created by Giles Deacon for Pippa Middleton

As when she was a bridesmaid to her sister HRH Kate Middleton, Pippa knows that the perfect sleeve length to accentuate her toned arms is the delicate cap sleeve – mocked up here in just one of that stunning lace options we offer, by one of our premium fabric suppliers, James Hare Silks.

Of Pippa Middleton’s gown, Giles said “…the bespoke cotton lace was hand appliqued to create an illusion of the dress having no seams”
Similarly, when one of our bespoke brides chooses to add lace to her unique design, we include an “applique placement fitting” in which the bride is able to specify exactly where she would like these to be placed.

The end result is a totally original design, where the bride has effectively created her own lace, painstakingly and lovingly stitched on my our dedicated team of seamstresses. See our recent blogs for some examples of this.

If you would like to have your bespoke wedding dress made for you, just like Pippa, then do try out our simple free web design app, to begin trying out your ideas. And then get in touch so we can chat about your vision, and explain how you too could have a custom made gown made to measure xx