Alli’s ‘Peony & Wild Rose Secret Garden’ hand embroidered lace gown

 Alli’s brief was ‘Heirloom quality, something classic & timeless with a contemporary twist’. The gown was to be full of special secret messages, entwined around flowers. We created a gown with unique lace appliqué peonies and roses scattered over cascading tulle 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 a 3D quality in tonal colour ways.

DESIGN PROPOSAL, SKETCHES & CONCEPTS

Working with renowned USA stylist Carrie Goldberg, the Hermione de Paula team sketched Alli’s dream silhouette & began working through the concept. Placing the peonies and wild roses, playing with scale. At this stage, we count every pearl and analyse how many hours of work each single flower takes to craft, so we can begin to realise the design from dream to reality, and 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 Hermione de Paula atelier creates variations of design and send to Carrie, Alli and her Mother to review.

Made to Measure PATTERN & TOILE

Imagery of the toile, the shape of the gown, was shared with Alli prior to sending to NYC for an in person fitting with our trusted local tailor.

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 the 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 into the meeting, and together the design was reviewed and tweaked.

LOOM WIP

Work in progress images of the lace flowers being hand embroidered onto tulle, on a loom.

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

World-renowned photographer Jose Villa perfectly captures Alli on 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 designed to dance in.

Fine Art Wedding Photography by Jose Villa