COUTURE
WELCOME TO THE HOME OF BESPOKE DRESSMAKING
If you are looking a bespoke mother of the bride outfit or a unique, one-of-a-kind wedding gown, we can help.
With over fifty years’ collective experience of bridal wear and dressmaking, our expert designers, pattern cutters and seamstresses are devoted to our craft, ready to create the perfect dress for you.
BESPOKE BRIDAL
For brides looking to create their dream one-of-a-kind wedding dress, or reconstruct a vintage wedding dress.
PRICES FROM £4,000.
BESPOKE DRESSMAKING
For women, including mother of the brides, who want complete freedom of choice to create their own custom-made special occasion wear. Your unique outfit results from a closely collaborative process with your seamstress.
PRICES FROM £2,000.
COUTURE COLLECTION
For women who want to choose from our curated classic designs and materials, to enjoy special occasion wear fitted to your exact measurements. Perfect for mother of the bride or groom unique outfits.
LAUNCH SPRING 26.
BE THE FIRST TO SEE OUR COLLECTION
SPECIAL OCCASION WEAR
HANDMADE, CLASSIC, SUSTAINABLE
OWN THE LOOK: “LILY OF THE VALLEY” MADE-TO-ORDER
AS SEEN ON LEONORA SMEE AT ROYAL ASCOT 2025
Meet our latest special occasion wear creation: Lily of the Valley.
“Lily” is a study in soft structure, intricate embroidery and quiet refinement. Handcrafted in silk chiffon and satin-backed crepe, the pale pink gown features long puff sleeves, a pointed collar, and a trail of covered buttons through the bodice.
Delicate green and white Lily of the Valley flowers are embroidered across the fabric — a signature of our artisanal detailing.
Now available made-to-order for your own special occasion.
YOUR BESPOKE DRESSMAKING PROCESS
Creating your dream dress at THE MODISTE is a closely collaborative and personal partnership between you and your dressmaker.
Whether you already have a defined vision for your dress, or looking for guidance and inspiration, our expert team will support you every step of the way.
YOUR FIRST BESPOKE APPOINTMENT
Your journey will begin at our private and comfortable atelier in Buckinghamshire where you will meet your dedicated dressmaker.
Our first meeting will likely to be a far ranging and relaxed conversation. For bespoke bridal wear, we will be keen to hear about your overall wedding plans, such as theme, season and choice of venue. These are important practical factors which inform our wedding dress design process. Our ultimate goal is to ensure you are happy, relaxed and comfortable as well as beautiful.
Your dress will begin to emerge, aided by sketches and fabric swatches. We will make some provisional decisions including neckline, length of train, sleeves and silhouette. This will enable us to provide you with a cost estimate for your bespoke dress for you to review and also provide a deposit.
Your seamstress will also take a series of careful measurements of your body in readiness for your second appointment.
SECOND APPOINTMENT: YOUR TOILE FITTING
In preparation for your second appointment, our expert pattern cutter at THE MODISTE will produce a toile in calico. A toile is a mock-up of all the different parts which we will use to construct your dress.
Your toile will be completely unique and designed to fit your body because it is calculated using the measurements taken at your first appointment.
Creating a toile will help ensure you are completely happy with your custom-made dress design, before we begin to make your dream dress. It will help clarify any design decisions, such as fabric choices.
Our highly experienced dressmaking team have a wide range of technical skills so we can offer various personalised touches such as embroidery, beading and lacework to your gown or wedding veil.
FINAL BESPOKE FITTING AND COLLECTION
Your number of dress fitting appointments will depend upon the design complexity of your custom-made dress, or whether we are making a made-to-order dress from our collection. Regardless, we want to ensure your wedding dress – or bespoke Mother of the Bride outfit – is completely perfect!
Typically, you will collect your dress the week before your wedding day, or special occasion. Your wedding gown, or outfit, will be freshly steamed, prepped, fully checked and completely ready for your big day.
You will have the opportunity for a final try on to check it is perfect. Our seamstresses will be on standby just in case any final tweaks are needed.
