Phillipa Lepley bride Jenna

As seen in Vogue

For Phillipa Lepley bride Jenna, the vision for her wedding dress was clear: a gown that perfectly balanced timeless elegance with modern drama. To achieve this, she embarked on a bespoke journey with us, where every detail was meticulously refined to match her exact vision.

Despite being based internationally, Jenna and her stylist collaborated closely with Phillipa’s team, both virtually and in person. The design process unfolded over several months, with consultations conducted via video and during her visits to London. 

The bespoke design was fine-tuned through sketches and detailed discussions, culminating in fittings at the Phillipa Lepley Conservatory, our iconic Victorian space adjacent to the shop on Chelsea’s Fulham Road. Jenna and her stylist worked hand-in-hand with our team, ensuring every element of the gown was executed to perfection.

The selection of Jenna’s luxurious silk crepe fabric was no ordinary choice. During Afternoon Tea at the Ritz, a napkin in a warm, creamy ivory shade caught her eye – its hue was the exact tone she envisioned for her gown. The Atelier team specially sourced an exact match of the shade, resulting in the silk crepe that formed her exquisite bespoke wedding dress.

From the front, the gown presented a vision of minimalist perfection—a clean, column silhouette that followed her form with precision. A straight neckline and set back straps framed Jenna with sharp, modern lines.

While the front silhouette remained sleek and minimal, Jenna’s desire for dramatic flair was revealed as she turned. The back featured a low curved neckline, leading to a dramatic, detachable ‘Watteau’ train.

During her design refinements in the Phillipa Lepley Shop, Jenna was presented with a number of bespoke options to achieve her cape vision. The defining moment came when a piece of Peau de Soie fabric was organically draped into the back neckline of the dress, mocking up the Watteau.

Crafted from Peau de Soie that perfectly matched the creamy silk crepe of her dress, the Watteau added volume and grandeur as it filled the space around Jenna giving the illusion of a full silhouette. The Atelier team developed inverted, big box pleats at the back neckline to achieve the strong lines that Jenna envisioned.

As the evening unfolded, Jenna surprised her guests by removing the Watteau train, revealing an exquisite piece of hand-embroidery that held deep sentimental value. The hand-beaded and embroidered peony flowers, in shades of denim blue and gold, were a personal tribute to her late mother—a subtle yet poignant ‘something blue’ of her mother’s favourite flower.

Behind the scenes at the Phillipa Lepley Atelier in the development of Jenna’s bespoke embroidery.

Each element of the embroidery was thoughtfully chosen, with Jenna working closely with our team to perfect the shades, textures, and techniques used. Artworks were sent to Jenna to approve at every stage of the embroidery design, a true bespoke experience.

The result was a stunning interplay of beading and threadwork, with charming, escaping petals delicately hand-sewn into the back of the gown. The Atelier also created an additional flower, which was given to one of Jenna’s family members to wear on the wedding day.

By embarking on her bespoke wedding dress journey through our international couture service, Jenna was able to design her dream wedding dress – a piece that was completely unique to her and imbued with thoughtful, sentimental details. Her design stands as a stunning example of how a couture wedding gown can embody both simplicity and grandeur, creating a truly timeless piece. The refined silhouette, when viewed from the front, belied the complexity and craftsmanship that lay within.

As seen in Vogue

Photography by Greg Finck

Planning & Design by RobbinsOtoya x Matthew Robbins Design

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.