Phillipa Lepley bride Camille

Phillipa Lepley bride Camille married in a destination wedding in Portofino wearing a couture duchess satin gown with hand-embroidered sleeves.

The design’s clean, square neckline – a fresh iteration of an iconic Phillipa Lepley silhouette – was framed by luxurious Italian duchess satin sourced from Lake Como, a connection that resonated deeply with Camille, given her Italian wedding location. 

“It was important for us to source locally, and while we hadn’t initially planned for it, the fact that my dress is made from duchess satin handcrafted in Lake Como added a meaningful connection to the Northern Italian region.” 

Phillipa Lepley bride Camille

This sumptuous fabric, both structured and fluid, formed the gown’s corseted bodice and skirt with train.

At the heart of Camille’s dress were its breathtaking tulle sleeves, a true masterpiece of hand-embroidery. Long, sheer sleeves featured a lattice of embroidered leaves, crafted using threadwork and satin stitch and adorned with frosted glass crystals and beads.

Strings of the hand-embroidered leaves criss-crossed in a lattice design down the length of the sleeve, elongating the arm. A pleated origami-like sleeve head added a sculptural elegance, sitting proudly on the shoulders and creating an architectural, modern silhouette. 

Based in America, Camille made use of the International Couture Service on offer at Phillipa Lepley. Design details were refined virtually and, at the opportune moment, Camille travelled to London for her fittings where the dress came to life.

“From the moment I first stepped into the shop, I knew I was in for an extraordinary experience. The atmosphere radiates artistry and dedication, reflecting the elevated craftsmanship that defines the Phillipa Lepley bridal collections. The peaceful moments spent during fittings in the Conservatory grounded me amidst the final flurries of preparation for the ceremony. Each member of the talented team is present in the process, bringing their expertise and passion to each trial and fitting. Their pride in their work was palpable, and it added a layer of connection to my dress that I will cherish.” 

Phillipa Lepley bride Camille

Camille’s wedding day was held in the Belmond Splendido, Portofino, chosen to honour the couple’s love for sailing with its breathtaking views of the natural harbour. The nuptials began with a private vow exchange in the Belmond’s ‘Secret Garden’ before they welcomed guests for happy hour, featuring live oyster shucking, delicious Italian hors d’oeuvres, and plenty of champagne. 

“As I made my way through the hotel to the garden ceremony, I could hear other hotel guests gasping in awe—an emotional moment that marked a transformation from how people usually see me, making it incredibly special.”

Phillipa Lepley bride Camille

The evening continued with a five-course seated dinner with live music and dancing.

Crafted with precision and passion, Camille’s couture wedding dress exemplified the balance between modern design and intricate craftsmanship – its clean square neckline and sumptuous satin exuded refined modern style, whilst the intricate hand-embroidery celebrated the elevated artistry of true couture bridal design. 

Photography by The Curries

Planning by SposiamoVi

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.