The Dress

This is my 'Angel Face' wedding dress by Stewart Parvin purchased in 2008. It is made from a silk zibellini (B82 Silk Duchess) with a beautiful taffeta (B48) sash in a cappuccino colour. It was bought from a wedding boutique in Romsey, Hampshire, UK in January 2008 called Bojangles Brides, has been worn once and was fitted by Stewart Parvin himself at the boutique's Designer Day on 26th February 2008. The made-to-measure fee was £350. I still have the original quote which details the full price.

Stewart Parvin is one of the UK’s premier fashion and bridal designers, who in 2007 was granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, and in the 2016 New Years Honours list was awarded the MVO, a personal gift from the monarch to recognise his years of personal service.

It has three layers of light netting as well as a lining made from 100% acetate. The back detail is 15 button and loops and there is support/padding fitted into the bust area which negates the need to wear a bra. there is internal corseting behind the button and loops but I never used that - however if you wanted to pull the corset in tighter you could do.

There is some minor wear and tear. Mainly minor staining around the inside hem. It has been dry cleaned recently through a local wedding dress cleaners for £175 (it was not dry cleaned straight away - hence some staining remaining on the dress). The video I have included shows the staining and picture 7 shows the worst of the outer staining. I honestly would not see it if I wasn't looking closely, and the silk right at the bottom of the hem has some very minor wear from where it touched the ground but it is honestly very minor. I wonder whether with some more extensive cleaning they might be removed.

Measurements:
Bottom sash to hem - 90cm
Top sash to hem - 98cm
Back of dress bottom sash to hem - 128cm
Top of sash - 70cm
Hips at bottom of sash - 80cm
Bust 74cm (I was a bra size 32c at the time)
Top of bust to front hem - 119cm
Back of dress to back hem - 149cm
Widest part of sash - 26cm

I believe it would fit an 8 or a 6 with some alterations. I think it might be tighter on a 10 which is more my size now.

The measurements I have included in the measurements section above are the dress measurements as since having children I am no longer the size I was when I got married.

Picture 1 - me in the dress in 2008
Picture 2 - the dress hung before wearing in 2008
Picture 3 - Stewart Parvin label and internal back of dress (I also have the original handwritten details that were attached to the inside of the dress but were removed for cleaning)
Picture 4 - close up back detail and sash colour in 2008
Picture 5 - back of dress in 2008
Pictures 6 and 7 - dress as it looks today
Picture 8 - worst staining on outside bottom of dress

I am selling as we have been married 14 years this year and I would love someone else to wear this beautiful dress. Stewart Parvin very kindly sketched me in it so I have his wonderful drawing and photos for memories.

Please do ask if you have any questions.

Alterations

This dress was made-to-measure and fitted by Stewart Parvin himself. The train was made shorter from the original, details above.