LIV
Liv already had some specific ideas when she first came to see me, and was also on a pretty tight deadline having failed to find the sort of dress she was looking for elsewhere. Liv’s partner Nisar is Indian, and she and her family were travelling over to his family home in Kashmir for their wedding. This influenced certain aspects of Liv’s gown – she needed to have her upper arms covered for example – but the silhouette and overall look of the dress was very much exactly as Liv wanted it to be, understated, modern and elegant.
Liv’s dress was a bespoke version of Dahlia in oyster coloured silk-satin, with a gentle V back fastening with covered buttons and roleau loops. I created double-layered sleeves for her, the bottom layer was silk and didn’t close up underneath the arm, with the top layer made from a delicate modern lace, cut fuller and gathered in at the shoulder, and flaring to a point under the arm.
Liv paired her dress with an incredible head scarf, which she had made from a beaded fabric and trim that she bought from the amazing fabric shops on Berwick Street in London. The contrast of textures and complementary tones worked perfectly next to the oyster silk.
Liv and Nisar were married on a houseboat in beautiful Kashmir. Their celebrations lasted two days – on the first Liv and her bridal party had their hands and feet decorated with henna, and she and Nisar were rowed out across the lake on a Shikara boat, with the main ceremony taking place on the second day.
“My dress felt beautiful and light, so lovely to wear. I can’t wait to wear it again here (once Nisar comes over) with a big flower crown!” Liv
Images: Ruman Hamdani
