Alli
Alli’s ‘Peony & Wild Rose Secret Garden’ hand embroidered lace gown
Alli’s brief was ‘something classic & timeless with a contemporary twist’. The gown was to be full of special secret messages, entwined around flowers. We created a gown in lace, adorned with roses & peonies with a pearl dusting.
ARTWORK & EMBROIDERY INSPIRATION
Our House artists began painting peonies & wild roses to inspire Alli’s embroidery. We always start with colourful paintings to explore the depth & texture of each element, before converting them into white embroideries. We use different materials, thread weights, textures & finishes to create the same 3D quality in tonal colour ways.
DESIGN PROPOSAL, SKETCHES & CONCEPTS
Working with renowned US stylist Carrie Goldberg, the Hermione de Paula team sketched Alli’s dream silhouette & began working through the concept. Placing the peonies & wild roses & playing with scale. At this stage we count every pearl & analyse how many hours of work each single flower takes to craft, so we can begin to realise the design from dream to reality & formalise a proposal for Alli to review, making revisions until it’s perfect.
Hand embroidery Swatches
Work in progress images of hand embroidered floral swatches. Hand made leavers lace, silk crepe de chine & organza is appliquéd on tulle and finished with pearl beads. The team create variations of designs & scales & send them to the bride to view.
Made to Measure PATTERN & TOILE
Imagery of the toile, the shape of the gown, which was shared with Alli prior to sending to NYC for an in person fitting.
ARTWORKING
The detail of each individual flower comes to life, eventually to be engineered into the embroideries.
Embroidery ENGINEERING
The paper pattern artwork on the toile. Motif placement is considered with painstaking detail, with pieces moving until perfect placement is achieved.
Toile fitting and embroidery review
Under the watchful eye of stylist Carrie Goldberg, the toile of Alli’s gown is fitted in NYC. Hermione ZOOMed in & together, the design was reviewed & tweaked.
LOOM WIP
Work in progress of the lace flowers being hand embroidered onto tulle, on a loom at the Hermione de Paula atelier in London.
Cutting, Stitching, final sewing
The hand embroidered panels are constructed into their finished gown.
COUTURE FINISHINGS
Embroidery is finished by hand to conceal the seams of Alli’s gown. Every single detail is finalised by Hermione de Paula’s talented team of seamstresses.
Personal Messages
Hebrew vows are interwoven with song lyrics & personal messages
Final Gown on Mannequin
Imagery of Alli’s finished gown
FINISHING TOUCHES & GIFTS
The Hermione de Paula atelier created a hanger with matching embroidery, as a gift from the wedding party to the bride. Alli commissioned a framed picture of her bespoke embroidery, a cherished keepsake & memory of her wedding day.
Wedding Morning
Jose Villa perfectly captures the stunning bride, the morning of her wedding day.
Wedding Day
Alli & Daniel’s perfect day. A beautiful summer wedding in The Hamptons, To read more about the wedding, visit Over The Moon.
Fine Art Wedding Photography by Jose Villa
Wedding Reception
A dress to dance in!
Fine Art Wedding Photography by Jose Villa
