Look Book

When I decided to re-sample some of our favourite dresses in a larger size for the studio, I was keen to make some tweaks to the designs and show options to brides-to-be. At one-to-one appointments in the studio I’m eternally suggesting we change a sleeve or a neckline, or put the top of one dress with the skirt of another, and it’s obviously impossible to make a sample dress for every possible design connotation.

For our Viola gown, we decided to create a few different sleeve options, which would work across several of our bias-cut dress styles. On the shoot day, my lovely maker Katie was busily swapping sleeves over in between pictures being taken – so Viola appeared on the shoot list five times in total – always with another dress or two in between to give Katie time to unpick one set of sleeves and tack another in place – bless her!

Wedding dress Sleeve possibilities

Lace:

Our original Viola gown has cap lace sleeves in a gorgeously contrasting silver geometric lace. This time around we’ve settled on another lace pair, longer in length and cut on an angle – like Hellebore’s – and made up in a complementary toned floral lace instead. Our real bride Imane chose complementary lace for her Viola gown and it looked sublime.

Matching silk:

We made up two options in the matching heavyweight silk-satin in that delectable sea-pearl tone that I’m such a fan of. One pair were poet sleeves – full length, with volume at the wrist that gathers into a cuff. The second silk pair are a looser version of a puff sleeve, with gather at the shoulders that creates volume there, then folding over inside themselves to be self-lined.

Sheer organza silk:

Our two organza alternatives were also presented as long and short options. The long version becoming voluminous towards the wrist, then drawing in with a buttoned cuff, made up in the sea-pearl silk-satin to contrast the sheer organza. The shorter pair finish just above the elbow, with volume up at the shoulder which is then pleated into the front of the hem, creating a lovely full shape but without adding any bulk, thanks to the organza’s opacity.

Custom wedding dress

We’re always happy to make custom design changes to our dresses for brides, and can tweak shapes for those looking for a long-sleeved wedding gown. Not every sleeve works with every style, but we can guide you through the process during your appointment. Real bride Katherine added a fitted pair to her Gladioli gown which worked beautifully.