Videographer Michael Duggleby contacted me by email to see if I’d be interested in working on a project with him. He was keen to add some bridal content to his existing portfolio, which already featured plenty of fashion and lifestyle short films.
A soft, dreamlike aesthetic
Inspired by the luxury materials - especially laces - I use for my designs, Mike sent me over some dreamy mood board images to showcase the vibe he wanted to create. He was interested in shooting through opaque fabrics to build a soft, dreamlike aesthetic, and lighting through lace in order to form beautifully delicate shadows on the model’s skin. In this way Mike hoped to show the connection between the raw materials we use to create the dresses from scratch in the studio, and the finished bespoke wedding dress made for each bride.
Lace wedding dresses and silk and lace separates
I chose four looks for the video, all featuring lace to work best with Mike’s vision. The Rosa lace top worn over the Thistle pearl silk-satin slip dress, Wild Lupin tiered lace gown, Dahlia panel skirted gown, and the Clematis gown worn with our leather leaves belt and lace trimmed cape veil.
I added in some pieces from my curated selection of studio accessories that worked with each outfit, choosing gold earrings and bracelet by Mikaela Lyons, clay flower crown by Eden b, pearl coin hairpins by Blue Meadow, and a hair vine by Debbie Carlisle. Jeweller Cathy Sutherland also loaned me a hammered gold wedding ring and pearl engagement ring, plus a pair of gold and ruby earrings.
Studio set up
In the studio Mike used both paper backdrop and fabric to create different backgrounds, and varied the lighting set up. He secured lengths of semi-sheer fabric from C stands, created a cocoon-like, roughly triangular space for our model to stand and move in, and shot from one corner while Mike’s assistant Shannon and I gently waved the fabric to add movement. All the while with our lovely model Selene making those gorgeously subtle moves for us.
Supplier Credits
Videography and concept: Michael Duggleby | Hair and make-up: Bianca Zara Make Up and Hair | Model: Selene Gomes | Accessories: Headband: Eden B | Hair pins: Blue Meadow | Earrings + bracelet: Mikaela Lyons | Wedding & engagement rings + earrings: Cathy Sutherland | Hair vine: Debbie Carlisle | Shoes: Harriet Wilde | Venue: Portland Works Studio