Ellie & Tom
Ellie’s Second Look: Reimagining a Family Heirloom into a Modern Evening Reception Bridal Look
Every bespoke bridal design tells a story, but some stories are especially close to the heart. When journalist and Channel 4 presenter Ellie approached us to create her evening reception bridal look, she had a vision that combined sentiment, sustainability and contemporary bridal fashion. At the heart of her brief was a treasured family heirloom her mother's original bridal corset, worn over 20 years ago on her own wedding day.
Ellie's beautiful wedding at the elegant Gloster House in Ireland provided the perfect setting for a second bridal look that celebrated both heritage and modern style. It was an absolute privilege to be entrusted with transforming such a meaningful piece into a contemporary bridal outfit that honoured the past while embracing the future.
Transforming a Vintage Bridal Corset
Although restoring heirloom garments isn't typically what we do as our speciality is creating bespoke bridalwear entirely from scratch Ellie's project was simply too special not to become part of our journey.
Her mother's original corset had beautiful craftsmanship and enormous sentimental value. Our challenge was to retain its character while updating it to suit Ellie's own style and personality.
One of the biggest design conversations centred around the neckline. Ellie wasn't completely sure which shape would best complement her figure and the overall aesthetic she envisioned for her reception look. During our design consultations, we explored several options together before refining the neckline into something elegant, flattering and effortlessly modern.
The result was a beautifully reimagined bridal corset that felt timeless rather than vintage, allowing the original craftsmanship to shine while creating a silhouette that perfectly reflected Ellie.
Designing the Perfect Party Skirt
For her evening celebrations, Ellie wanted something playful, fashion-forward and comfortable enough to dance the night away.
She had always loved the idea of a puffball bridal skirt, but finding the perfect proportions was essential. Together, we explored different silhouettes before designing a gathered skirt with a dramatic puffball hem that created exactly the volume and shape she was hoping for.
The finished skirt perfectly balanced structure with softness, creating movement with every step while pairing seamlessly with the reconstructed corset. The combination felt effortlessly modern yet beautifully bridal the perfect reception outfit for celebrating long into the evening.
Finding the Perfect Fabric Match
One of the most remarkable aspects of this project was sourcing fabric that complemented the original corset.
Fortunately, one of our trusted suppliers still held a small amount of vintage dark ivory dupion silk in old stock. The colour and texture matched Ellie's mother's original fabric incredibly well, allowing us to blend old and new almost seamlessly.
Sometimes these rare moments happen in bridal design, and they make all the difference. The finished result looked as though the corset and skirt had always belonged together.
Bridalwear Designed to Be Worn Again
One of our favourite elements of Ellie's second bridal look is its versatility.
Unlike many wedding dresses that are worn once before being carefully stored away, Ellie's bespoke bridal corset and puffball skirt have been designed with longevity in mind. Both pieces can be styled separately or together long after the wedding day, giving them a life beyond the celebration itself.
This thoughtful approach reflects our belief in sustainable bridal fashion creating beautiful garments that can be loved, re-worn and treasured for years to come. Whether styled for future celebrations, special occasions or even passed down to another generation, these bespoke pieces continue the story that began over two decades ago with Ellie's mother.
A Story Worth Sharing
We'll also be sharing an exclusive behind-the-scenes feature with Ellie, where she talks about the emotional journey of wearing her mother's original bridal corset and the process of transforming it into a contemporary reception look.
Seeing the original corset alongside the finished design beautifully illustrates how thoughtful craftsmanship can preserve memories while creating something entirely new.
Projects like Ellie's remind us why we love what we do. While our work usually begins with a blank canvas, this commission allowed us to blend family history with modern bridal couture in a truly meaningful way.
We couldn't have been more thrilled with Ellie's finished evening reception look. Elegant, playful and deeply personal, it perfectly captured her style while honouring the woman who inspired it.
Ellie's second look is a wonderful example of how deeply personal bespoke bridal design can be. While reimagining heirloom pieces isn't a service we typically offer, this special commission celebrated everything we love about couture craftsmanship creating meaningful, beautifully made bridalwear that reflects each bride's individual style. Most of our designs begin with a blank canvas, allowing us to create completely bespoke wedding dresses and bridal separates made exclusively for you.
Photography Adam & Grace