The Dress

I searched in several cities and stores for the perfect dress and nothing felt quite right. I was looking for something with structure, so that it would be figure flattering, but didn’t want a ball gown. I wanted a dress that was lazily elegant and playful. I wanted a shape that made me feel like an adult but also wanted some drama.

I ended up working with a local designer in Vancouver to custom make a dress. This is in white silk with 3D floral appliqués in 3 different sizes. A dramatic neckline comes up high enough to hide a bit armpit chub (sorry to have to mention that!). The interiors of the bodice has boning and does up with eye hooks, kind of like a bra / longline corset bra. The exterior zippers up over top of it. This bit of construction held the dress in place for the whole day. I never once had to fuss with it. We added a waist belt to clearly mark the waist. The back of the bodice is also decorated in floral appliqué which come to a flattering V in the back, mimicked again by the V of the gusset with matching floral appliqué. We used a medium matte silk, which is lined, so that it would be a bit more forgiving of lumps and bumps. The hem of the dress had a ‘horsehair ring’ which is a mesh added to the hem of dresses so the hem doesn’t limp at the bottom.

It has a bustle and an opera hook for after the ceremony. I found the opera hook so glamorous that I used that for the evening.

Perfect balance of drama, and playfulness.

Worn for my wedding June 1st. Currently at the dry cleaners and will be ready to go. Happy to have local people try on. Easily tailored!

Measurements

Waist 29”
Bust 36”
Under bust 28”
Hips 39”
I am 5’6” and wore 2.5 inch heels.

Open to working a situation where the dress can be tried on!