THE SECRETS OF COUTURE
Discover the secrets of the couture and follow the process of making a couture wedding gown
We are pleased to share our process of creating a wedding dress from initial design sketch through to the reality of the finished gown. Learn about the haute couture techniques we employ to ensure that every bride looks and feels her best on her wedding day.
KB 0806 Sketch for designer wedding gown
Follow the progress of a designer wedding gown from design sketch to reality
It all starts with the design sketch which the designer will create during your initial appointment. The design will take into account any ideas you may have, together with the best judgement of the designer as to what will suit your body shape. Other considerations are the type and size of the venue and your budget. Each design is created individually for each client.
"From the moment I saw you and all of your beautiful dresses and designs I knew that I wanted you to make my dress. I truly treasured the opportunity to have a dress made especially for me, you made me feel like a princess"
Chona
Real bride
Real bride
Measurements
Getting the perfect fit
You might be surprised to learn that more than 20 measurements go into creating a couture gown. The measurements are used to draft your individual body block which, in turn, will be used to create your toile.
"Words cannot express how thankful I am ... I looked stunning if i may say so myself ... thank you, thank you, thank you. So many people have been raving about the dress - it was a hit!"
Real bride Bukky
Lagos, Dec 2009
Lagos, Dec 2009
First toile
Ensuring a perfect fitting wedding dress
You will have at least one toile during your fitting process. The toile is the mocked-up version of the dress in calico so that the designer and you can be sure that the fit is absolutely perfect. The toile won't have all the embellishments of the final dress but you'll get a good idea of the shape and how the final dress will look and feel once worn.
"His professionalism and expertise keep me coming back for more. His creations are truly one of a kind"
Cheryl Mayfield-Brown
Wedding co-ordinator
Wedding co-ordinator
Second toile
Any alterations and amendments required from the first toile fitting (if necessary) are incorporated into the second toile. You will have as many toile fittings as necessary to ensure that you and the designer are happy to proceed to the fabric stage.
"Thank you so much for the wonderful gown you created for me. It was fantastic that you designed something which suited me from my own choice of fabric. My dress was and still is the talk of the wedding."
Mother of the bride
July 2010
July 2010
The interior of a couture wedding dress
This picture shows the integral corset and underskirt. This is the secret support that creates the cinching in of the waist.
"I felt more gorgeous than I have ever felt before ... his corsetry skills are amazing: he can take inches off your waist"
Jacqui
Real bride
Real bride
Corset boning detail
Corsetry is our specialty. It gives support - you won't need a bra on your wedding day - and the bones are carefully placed to follow the natural contours of your body. You can be sure that your wedding dress will be one of the most comfortable dresses you have ever worn - our clients say that a couture dress feels like no other.
"My curves were celebrated, I felt confident and beautiful. Yemi made me feel like I was his only client"
Claire
Real bride
Real bride
Dress bodice in fabric
This is the upper outer shell of the gown - the part that everyone else sees - but before any embellishments are added on. We use a variety of luxurious fabrics in our dresses: duchesse satin (as here), zibeline, organza, mikado, gazar and various laces. The choice of fabrics is up to you.
"I can't stop looking at myself in that fabulous dress - He made me look like a goddess."
Rosemary
Evening wear client
Evening wear client
Unruched skirt
This is the way the skirt looks before it is hand ruched and pinned to form the distinctive ruffled look that you can see in the finished gown.
"He just knows how to mould clothes to your body ... no matter what size she is, she looks curvaceous."
Sherry Dixon
Editor, Pride Magazine
Editor, Pride Magazine
Organza roses
This dress is embellished with hand-made organza roses which are then hand-stitched onto the bodice and neck strap.
"I was truly impressed by the professionalism and attention to detail. The outcome was truly magnificent"
Temi
Real bride
Real bride
Skirt front detail
Ruching is the process of manipulating the fabric to form a pleat or fold. This gives more interest and texture to the skirt. The folds are carefully formed by hand, pinned in place and then hand-stitched revealing the organza underskirt.
"From the moment I saw you and all of your beautiful dresses and designs I knew that I wanted you to make my dress. I truly treasured the opportunity to have a dress made especially for me, you made me feel like a princess"
Chona
Real bride
Real bride
Skirt back detail
The train is picked up to form wave-like folds and pinned in place.
"Words cannot express how thankful I am ... I looked stunning if i may say so myself ... thank you, thank you, thank you. So many people have been raving about the dress - it was a hit!"
Real bride Bukky
Lagos, Dec 2009
Lagos, Dec 2009
Hand finishing and hand stitching of the skirt
The ruching that has been pinned into place on the front and back, is then meticulously hand-stitched.
"His professionalism and expertise keep me coming back for more. His creations are truly one of a kind"
Cheryl Mayfield-Brown
Wedding co-ordinator
Wedding co-ordinator
Embellishments: fabric roses
Some of the haute couture embellishments we give our designer wedding dresses
We can embellish our dresses in a number of ways, depending on the client's requirements. Here our bride specified fabric roses which were made in the same duchesse satin as the dress itself and then hand-stitched into place.
"Thank you so much for the wonderful gown you created for me. It was fantastic that you designed something which suited me from my own choice of fabric. My dress was and still is the talk of the wedding."
Mother of the bride
July 2010
July 2010
Embellishments: hand beading
Some of the haute couture embellishments we give our designer wedding dresses
Our client specified beading with different-sized and coloured swarovski stones which were individually applied to create this beautiful raindrop-on-glass effect on the collar.
"I felt more gorgeous than I have ever felt before ... his corsetry skills are amazing: he can take inches off your waist"
Jacqui
Real bride
Real bride
Embellishments: hand beading
Some of the haute couture embellishments we give our designer wedding dresses
Another part of the same dress as the previous design. This shows the hemline where we mirrored the collar's effect with swarovski stones.
"My curves were celebrated, I felt confident and beautiful. Yemi made me feel like I was his only client"
Claire
Real bride
Real bride
Embellishments: embroidery
Some of the haute couture embellishments we give our designer wedding dresses
This skirt hemline shows embroidery and beading which incorporated crystals and pearls. The result: a rich textured look.
"I can't stop looking at myself in that fabulous dress - He made me look like a goddess."
Rosemary
Evening wear client
Evening wear client
Embellishments: customer fabrics
Some of the haute couture embellishments we give our designer wedding dresses
Sometimes our clients want us to incorporate fabrics that have a special significance or meaning into our gowns. This example shows deconstructed sari fabric that enhanced a traditional wedding dress.
"He just knows how to mould clothes to your body ... no matter what size she is, she looks curvaceous."
Sherry Dixon
Editor, Pride Magazine
Editor, Pride Magazine
Finished designer wedding dress
Full view of the finished gown
The culmination of the many hundreds of hours labour.Model: Kiren Modi Photo: Picturework Studios Event: Sparkle and Wow Bridal Show
"I was truly impressed by the professionalism and attention to detail. The outcome was truly magnificent"
Temi
Real bride
Real bride
Finished designer wedding gown
Back view of the finished gown
Back view of the gown showing the fabric organza rosesModel: Kiren Modi Photo: Picturework Studios Event: Sparkle and Wow Bridal Show
"From the moment I saw you and all of your beautiful dresses and designs I knew that I wanted you to make my dress. I truly treasured the opportunity to have a dress made especially for me, you made me feel like a princess"
Chona
Real bride
Real bride
Contact us
Get in touch with the team at Kosibah
Inspired by something you've seen on the site? Or are you still confused and looking for some guidance? Perhaps you have very definite ideas of what you want but aren't having any luck finding it. Whatever your situation, why not book an appointment with Yemi to discuss your requirements? Because Kosibah designs every dress from scratch, we're sure we can create something special for you that will suit your needs perfectly.
Initial consultations are free of charge and without any obligation. You can get in touch in the following ways:
Phone: 020 7424 8832
E-mail: designer@kosibah.co.uk
Complete our contact form and we will ring you back.
We can offer appointments at times to suit you including weekends and late evenings.
Kosibah is a trading name of Kosibah Creations Ltd. VAT Registration No. 830 966 316
Registered Office: 5 Whytecliffe Road South, Purley, Surrey. CR8 2AY Registered in England and Wales: No. 4508000
"Words cannot express how thankful I am ... I looked stunning if i may say so myself ... thank you, thank you, thank you. So many people have been raving about the dress - it was a hit!"
Real bride Bukky
Lagos, Dec 2009
Lagos, Dec 2009
By appointment only: Studio 7, 44 St Paul's Crescent, London, NW1 9TN • 020 7424 8832 • Get directions
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