Phillipa Lepley bride Maria

Upon getting engaged, Phillipa Lepley bride Maria knew she had to visit The Shop & Conservatory to find her dream dress, having walked past on Chelsea’s Fulham road countless times.

“I have heard of Phillipa Lepley before as the epitome of English luxury bridal gowns and it was all that and more. The dresses the Phillipa Lepley team creates are second to none. I have never seen anything like it. The craftsmanship, the cut, the fabrics, the embroidery. They are truly timeless and unquestionably elegant. They are pure art, that you want to hand down through generations, which has always been my dream. So for me there was no question, from the moment I put on the dress, I knew, it was the one.”

Phillipa Lepley bride Maria

Maria opted for an exquisite duchess satin gown. Sourced from Italy’s most esteemed mills, heavyweight duchess satin becomes a canvas for artistry in the skilled hands of the Phillipa Lepley Atelier team. It can be deftly sculpted and moulded, creating rich, deep folds of fabric or gathered into shapely pleats. 

Maria’s dress featured an on-the-shoulder square neckline and straight-column skirt, a timeless and refined choice that added a touch of contemporary elegance to her overall look. 

In a true celebration of architectural couture design, the seaming details of the dress were expertly positioned to define Maria’s proportions. Her long sleeves were adorned with delicate satin buttons and loops at the cuffs.

The fabric’s iridescence, tactile softness, and structural integrity merged to create an enduring statement of elegance, femininity, and grace. Enhanced by a signature Phillipa Lepley corset within, Maria exuded an aura of regal confidence.

An incredible, voluminous pleated overskirt, featuring wide box pleats, provided a striking contrast to the corseted waist. Concealed within the design were multiple unique bustles, affording Maria the ability to seamlessly transform her dress into three distinctive looks with sculptural folds in the pleated overskirt.

After her initial measure appointment at The Phillipa Lepley Conservatory, a calico toile ‘mock-up’ was created of Maria’s dress, allowing for precise fittings and adjustments. Every detail, from the positioning of the lines on her shoulders to the placement of darts and folds, was honed to perfection. Maria was able to approve the design at each juncture, watching her dress come to life.

“It was an absolute joy to come to my fittings at Phillipa Lepley. The team were always kind and supportive and it served as a delightful escape from the real world and the chaos of planning a wedding in one month. Everything about the appointments was easy and effortless, making me feel like an absolute VIP.”

Phillipa Lepley bride Maria

Maria paired her dress with a two-tier tulle veil, adorned with intricately hand-beaded buttercup lace: a romantic and classic touch to a modern bridal look. 

Maria’s wedding dress is truly a gown that transcended time and trends, embodying the essence of classic sophistication with a contemporary edge. Crafted with precision and artistry, it bore the hallmark of Phillipa Lepley’s unique approach to couture – a true heirloom piece that will be remembered for generations to come.

As featured in: WedLuxe

Planning: Sarah Haywood Weddings

Photography: Sasha Dove & Still Miracle

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.