Phillipa Lepley bride Keaton

Phillipa Lepley bride Keaton wore a custom dropped-waist gown in ivory Italian duchess satin, finished with an oversized turquoise satin bow, for her wedding in the Cotswolds.

The gown was shaped over a specially developed corset, extending into a dropped waist to elongate the torso and define the silhouette. A strapless neckline was cut away around the body, sitting lower at the back, while the duchess satin gathered into the waist before falling into a full skirt, supported by layers of petticoats and extending into a long train. Hand-sewn buttons and loops lined the centre back.

At the back, an oversized turquoise duchess satin bow formed the defining feature of the gown. Draped by hand, it featured softly undulating folds gathered into a full central knot, before falling into two long, square-ended tails. For the evening, the tails could be lifted and secured to create a double-bow effect at the back of the gown, while a bustle allowed the train to be raised for dancing.

Based in Los Angeles, Keaton travelled to London for the creation of her custom gown, with a bespoke fittings schedule arranged around her travel plans. Once the design was confirmed, more than 30 body measurements were taken to inform the development of her individual pattern and bespoke corset. The gown was first made in calico as a toile, allowing its lines, proportions, and silhouette to be perfected. Then, the gown was cut in silk – Phillipa’s much loved ivory duchess satin from Lake Como.

Through subsequent made-to-measure fittings, the gown was carefully sculpted over the corset, every element refined on Keaton’s frame. Between appointments, the team of expert artisans meticulously handworked the gown in the Phillipa Lepley Atelier, with every detail overseen by Phillipa.