One Day in Como | Phillipa Lepley

Dresses

One Day in Como

Phillipa and team journeyed to Lake Como to visit the prestigious, family-run Italian silk mill that has supplied our treasured duchess satin for over 35 years.

Hosted by the director and son of the mill, Phillipa toured the factory, discovering the intricate process of crafting satin from warp to weft. Established in 1880, this esteemed mill has been pivotal in producing luxury silks for the world’s most celebrated haute couture houses. Their blend of cutting-edge technology with endangered traditional techniques perfectly aligns with Phillipa Lepley’s ethos of preserving couture heritage and craftsmanship.  

Using only the finest, luxury fabrics, each Phillipa Lepley design is meticulously handcrafted in our London Atelier by a small team of artisans. The Duchess Satin wedding dress is an iconic brand signature loved by Phillipa and brides all around the world for its sumptuous, luxurious quality and feel – soft to the touch yet able to hold structure in complex couture designs. 

The fabric’s rich sheen photographs beautifully in every season, making it a timeless choice.  

Phillipa often lets the fabric guide her designs, with duchess satin serving as a cornerstone of her collections since the brand’s inception. In the hands of our skilled artisans, this fabric transforms – sculpted over our signature corset to create dramatic folds, soft drapes, or seamless pairings with lace and embroidery. Beyond bridal wear, duchess satin shines in Phillipa’s couture eveningwear, where bespoke designs are tailored to perfection.

During the visit, Phillipa was captivated by the mill’s historic shuttle looms and an exquisite silk yarn wall showcasing a spectrum of rich, inspiring colors. The trip concluded with an enchanting boat ride on Lake Como, whose waters are integral to the silk-making process – a truly magical experience. Even more special, many brides choose to marry in Lake Como itself, creating a meaningful connection between the region and the exquisite fabric that defines their gowns.

Watch the film by Pietro Birindelli on our YouTube channel here.

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.