It all began with a phone call, last November 2007. 
Gail and I hadn't spoken for a while for no other reason than we have both been really busy, so it was lovely to hear that Paul had asked her to marry him and that they were planning to get married on February the 22nd 2008. Then she asked me whether I would design and create her dress, I was thrilled and touched. For me creating a bespoke wedding dress for anyone is always really special, but it is just lovely to have the opportunity to do this for someone that you have a close friendship with. So I got really excited and we arranged our first meeting at the V&A in London on the 21st of November 2007. I spent a brief but lovely couple of hours with her, we walked around "The Golden Age of Couture" exhibition, discussing her like and dislikes as we went round. After we sat in the V&A cafe, grabbed a bite to eat, while Gail showed me magazine tears that she had collected. We talked about her favourite films, her fiance's taste, her wedding venue, colour, and of course about there little boy Jake who was going to be one about the same time they were getting married. The two hours that we had disappeared, I left with my head spinning with ideas.
Friday 23rd of November 2007
I had a good rummage around Portobello Market, I found some beautiful antique beaded trims that were really inspiring.
December 2008 the first design ideas.
These are pages from my sketch book exploring different ideas, they were then emailed across to Gail, to see if they captured her imagination as well.
January 2008 the final design sketch.
This final design was done after conversations with Gail regarding the initial design sketches that I had sent her in December, ready for the first fit meeting on Sunday the 13th of Jan. When I work on a bespoke dress for an individual I literally build the first mock up on them, so that I can sculpt the line on their actual body. The first toille is then carefully deconstructed and a paper pattern is produced. The second toille featured below is cut from the paper pattern, and then refitted on the bride.
Monday 23rd of January 2008
Myself, Gail and little Jake went to my silk suppliers to buy the fabric. I would not normally take the bride and her one year son along to the silk wholesalers, and generally they would not allow it but they were fantastic and let us all in to their show room. Gail wanted her dress to be in a silver grey blue colour and we needed to check that the colour was going to complement her skin tone. We came away with a beautiful length of Ice blue silk satin crepe for the dress and a charcoal grey silk chiffon for the romantic twisted sash ties.
Gail and Jake in a cafe as we waited for the silk to be cut.
By the third toille the pattern for the dress is almost perfect, last minute adjustments are made and the final dress is cut, and sent to the machinist to be put together.
Thursday the 7th of February 2008
The final fitting only this time its the real thing!
The dress has been cut on the bias, which means that the weight of the fabric causes it to lengthen. Here you can see Gail with my skilled machinist Pat Gouk as she pins the hem to the correct length. Once this is done my next task is to carefully embroider the antique steel beading around the neck and bust area
Friday the 22nd of February 2008 - The Wedding Day
Friday the 22nd of February 2008 - The Wedding Day
The Bridal Suite
A detail shot of the steel beading used around the neck and bust area
Dressing the bride
(Photograph courtesy of Jeremy Clifton-Gould, www.jcgphoto.com)
Fastening the stole
Ready to go!
(Photograph courtesy of Jeremy Clifton-Gould, www.jcgphoto.com)
For me one of the best things about this day was seeing the dress move on Gail. It was gorgeous to see Gail having so much fun swooshing the dress around on the dance floor at midnight. She was the last one dancing until her new husband gently dragged her off to bed.
Gail gave me this lovely card and beautiful antique silver thimble as a thank you.
All I can say is that it was a pleasure from start to finish!
A personal thank you from me to Jeremy Clifton-Gould the photographer for the use of the pictures. Gail's Wedding was the first time I had met him, I was very impressed throughout the day and I would highly recommend him to anybody planning an event or a Wedding.
