Phillipa Lepley Bride Caroline

Phillipa Lepley bride Caroline wore an exquisite, bespoke Italian duchess satin gown with cap sleeves and a square neckline for her South African wedding.

Inspired by glamourous period silhouettes, Caroline visited the Phillipa Lepley Shop and Conservatory with a specific vision in mind for her wedding dress.

Beginning her bespoke bridal journey, she worked with Phillipa’s specialist team to co-create a wedding dress that flawlessly embodied this. She attended a series of fittings at The Phillipa Lepley Conservatory in Chelsea, London, where her gown was mocked up and precisely fitted to her in a calico toiles before her Silk Fittings took place.

Caroline’s dress featured a clean square neckline with a slight cowl drape at the décolleté creating a delicate and feminine silhouette. Crafted with precision, the shoulders featured carefully considered straight lines, juxtaposed with the softness of the drape.

Moulded around the contours of the body, the dress included a Phillipa Lepley specialist corset to define the waist, before descending into a full satin skirt with added petticoats for extra drama. The back showcased a square neckline with exquisite buttons and loops, and a long train added grandeur to the design, bustled for the evening celebrations.

Caroline’s couture dress was made from the most sumptuous Italian silk duchess satin. Woven in mills near Lake Como, our luxurious duchess satin has a rich golden ivory tone, which reflects pockets of light and shade, photographing beautifully.

Sentimental details were hand-embroidered discreetly into the gown by the expert Atelier team, making the dress truly unique and personal.

Caroline’s bespoke gown encapsulates the level of luxury couture and meticulous craftsmanship achieved at Phillipa Lepley. The combination of crisp, clean lines and soft, fluid drapery allowed for a harmonious balance between modernity and the traditional inspirations Caroline sought, resulting in an iconic and timeless piece.

Photography: Jenni Elizabeth Photography
Venue: Blaauwklippen Vineyards

Phillipa Lepley is recognised globally as a leading British wedding dress and eveningwear designer, renowned for bespoke couture dresses of the utmost luxury. Her wedding dress shop in London, Chelsea, has over 50 dresses, all of which have been made in England from start to finish at her atelier.