Couture Experience
Hermione de Paula couture is meticulously designed and intricately hand-crafted in the Hampstead atelier, using the finest materials and techniques by Hermione and her small team of exceptionally skilled artisans.
An intensely creative partnership between client and designer, the client is involved in her dress development at every stage.
Guided by the House library of silhouettes and botanic and celestial embroideries, through a series of meetings – from the first consultation to the final fitting – the Hermione de Paula couture journey is unparalleled and each finished piece is a contemporary Art Couture heirloom.
FIRST APPOINTMENT
Designing a dress with the house of Hermione de Paula is a journey of great joy, creativity and love. Each element of the process is personal and the experience is exclusive. Beginning with a one-to-one consultation at Hermione’s Grade 1 listed Farm Cottage, in the heart of London’s Hampstead Heath on the grounds of the historic Kenwood House.
THE DESIGN PROCESS
The design process for Hermione de Paula couture is detailed, intricate and unique to every dress, created by a small and exceptional atelier team of designers, artists, pattern-cutters, seamstresses and embroiderers.
Hermione de Paula couture is hand crafted in London: a more elaborate, entirely unique art couture creation can take a team of over 30 skilled couturiers up to 3000 hours to complete.
From the simple and sublime to the extravagant, Hermione is renowned for creating bridal looks which transform across the day and into the night through interchangeable separates and accessories. Showpiece, full volume silhouettes with dramatic overskirts, are styled with bustiers, collars and sleeved bodices for the ceremony, removed and interchanged to reveal, by night, an exquisite slinky little evening dress – perfect for the dance floor.
Hermione de Paula recommend beginning the couture journey from at least 6-9 months prior to the wear date, depending on the design complexity.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
As a single hand drawing evolves from pencil to paint brush, silk threads and beading, to hand cut appliques and artistic stitching, a series of swatches begins to form and allows the client to hand select every individual detail. As embroidery grows from bud to bloom, the Atelier tailoring team will construct your silhouette made uniquely to your measurements and perfected with a series of toile fittings.
Once shape is finalized, artwork is hand drawn and engineered into every panel of the gown. Paper artwork advances to hand embroidered panels before being cut and constructed. Once couture finishings are added by hand, the gown is ready for its final fitting.
FINAL FITTING
Final fittings are conducted as close to the wear date as possible, to check and ensure impeccable fit.
Typically, appointments are hosted at the Hermione de Paula London atelier, though shipping can be arranged direct to clients when necessary, and the team will advise local alterations services where possible. In such instances, the in-house team will be available on video call to support the client through any final details.
