Phillipa Lepley bride Tosca

As featured in VOGUE.

In the Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino in Rome, Phillipa Lepley bride Tosca married wearing a regal, bespoke Italian duchess satin wedding gown. 

Tosca’s bespoke design was created by fusing together silhouettes and elements of the designs she admired in the Phillipa Lepley collection during bridal appointments at The Shop in Chelsea. Her design was refined to feature a modern square-neckline and a detachable overskirt, which was removed for the evening celebrations to reveal a sleek column dress.

The creation process was a journey of precision and craftsmanship, spanning several months and multiple fittings at the iconic Phillipa Lepley Conservatory. Based in Rome, Tosca made use of the International Couture Service offered at Phillipa Lepley, travelling to London at the optimal time in between stages of the dress being made. Each fitting allowed her to witness the transformation of her dream dress, with adjustments and refinements made to ensure the final piece was nothing short of perfect.

“Seeing the dress develop more each time was a unique process. The last fitting was very emotional, the dress was perfect.”. 

Phillipa Lepley bride Tosca

In between fittings, the dress took its shape in the Phillipa Lepley Atelier, London with each element meticulously crafted by hand by specialist couture artisans and evolving in design to perfectly encapsulate Tosca’s vision. 

A signature Phillipa Lepley corset, renowned internationally for its waist-defining capabilities, was integral to the dress – expertly engineered with clever seaming to contour the body. 

Phillipa’s beloved heavyweight Italian duchess satin was used to create a contemporary square neckline that framed the décolleté and collarbones and long satin sleeves were included in the design to provide demure coverage. 

The satin bodice graduated into a sleek, column skirt and removable A-line overskirt, with a wide clean waist band to seamlessly blend the detachable element. The decision to incorporate a long train for the cathedral ceremony added the necessary drama, while the ability to remove the overskirt for the reception offered a second, equally elegant look. This versatility was essential for Tosca, allowing her to move comfortably and enjoy the festivities with ease.

Tosca’s beautiful Roman wedding, officiated by His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, was steeped in tradition and cultural heritage. The church ceremony at the Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino was followed by a reception nearby, and the celebrations continued the next day at her husband’s family castle, Castello Ruspoli, in Vignanello. 

Inspired by the Italian Renaissance Gardens at the family’s castle grounds, Tosca’s florist, Andrea Patrizi, recreated a similar breathtaking scene that lined the aisle of the Basilica. 

‘The second I walked in – I couldn’t hold back tears, it was all so beautiful!’

Phillipa Lepley bride Tosca

The couple departed from the church in Tosca’s father’s 1964 Lancia Flaminia – a symbolic nod to the Italian ‘Dolce Vita’, before arriving at their reception for aperitivo, looking out to the rooftops of Rome and St. Peter’s Cathedral under a stunning orange sunset.

Tosca’s bespoke Phillipa Lepley wedding gown is the result of the meticulous and unique couture journey she undertook with the Phillipa Lepley team – a timeless design which truly encapsulated her bridal vision and the significance of her wedding day. 

Featured in VOGUE.

Photography by Daniele and Marilia Photography

Planning by Diletta Alliata Events

Floral design by Andrea Patrizi Floral Designer

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.