Where the Dream begins...
"An exclusive bespoke wedding dress is a rare lifetime opportunity to show the world who you are and to stand tall in your spotlight. I’ve been bringing dreams to life through exquisite couture gowns for 40 years.
From celebrities to luminaries, my services are highly sought after by those who desire the very best"
The Bespoke Bridal Atelier Experience
Stage One: Unlocking the Vision
From the first consultation to the final fitting, the experience begins right from the moment you share your vision with me. My role is to capture and nurture your dream goal and the values that are of importance to you. The journey of turning your dreams into a reality is more than just the dress itself; it is essentially about learning who you are, sketching your ideas and matching them with the right materials, trims, and details that align with your story - instilling you with confidence and the assurance that you have made the right choices.
Cynthia has designed and participated in over 45 published shoots for the wedding and fashion industries.
She knows what it takes to create the most memorable events.
Stage Two: The Design Process
Designing a dress with Cynthia Grafton-Holt is nothing short of a sumptuous affair and the distinctive service is unhurried, highly skilled, and exclusive to every client.
Brides are given complete carte blanche to choose and personalize every single element of their dress from a wide collection of possibilities.
You can bring along images that inspire you or customize any of the bridal gowns in our collections. You are free to choose fabrics that you love, trims & laces, and even the silhouette so that it flatters your shape.
Should you be concerned about modesty or personal confidence, we will work together until the final design is one that will fit you to utter perfection.
There is no need to worry about gaining or losing weight during the process – we will re-measure you closer to the date of your event and remain flexible about the design for your peace of mind.
Whether a full-skirted ball-gown, or a body-sculpting mermaid design with discreet internal corsetry for a cinched waistline, overlaid with oplulent embellishments; we will be joined at the hip, co-creating together until that vision of perfection emerges. Once the design is decided – the couture dress-making process begins in earnest...
Stage Three: The Magic Begins...
A Cynthia Grafton Holt Bespoke Couture Dress is created drawing on years of expertise and that of her team of skilled specialists in her atelier.
With her team of fitters, pattern-cutters, seamstresses, embroiderers, and finishers you can rest assured that you are in the safest of hands.
Cynthia and her team are masters in creating epic flattering silhouettes that look deceptively simple, but, in reality, require supreme skill to achieve; and this skill, is the product of a 35-year fine-tuning journey.
Her beautiful bespoke embellishments are a Cynthia Grafton-Holt signature and just one of the main reasons she is the go-to atelier for the bride looking for a one of a kind haute couture gown.
Stage Four: The Toiling Process
Once the design has been finalized, an appointment is set for you to visit the studio to for the first toile fitting. This fitting is essentially a mock-up of your foundation silhouette where the lines of the dress are defined to complement your body’s curves.
A further calico toile fitting perfects the shape before the fabric is cut. There are then three further fabric fittings before the final check fitting, as close to the wedding or event date as possible, to ensure the dress is absolutely perfect.
Don’t be afraid to ask loads of questions during this time to be absolutely sure that your vision is completely understood. You can expect lots of tweaking and suggestions about fit and design during this stage and you may have to attend a second toile fitting to ensure that the silhouette and fit are as accurate as can be.
The Material Selection Process:
Stage five
Finding the perfect fabrics for your Cynthia Grafton-Holt bridal gown, takes place in the background after the initial consultation. Having chosen the design, it is now time to bring all of the elements together.
A selection of swatches will be ordered in from our specialist suppliers around the world. Once they arrive in the studio, we can begin to choose the correct weight and character for the design and also proceed to matching with the perfect trims to complete the story. This process takes a few weeks and requires a trained specialist with extensive background knowledge of textiles and suppliers of the finest fabrics.
After the selection process, a special sample pack of materials and trims is compiled and delivered to your home for final approval. Once approved, the order is placed and delivery to the atelier takes around 7 days.
Once the bridal gown is cut, we send out a second pack of larger swatches of fabrics and trims. This is to assist with shopping and planning other elements of your wedding design such as bouquets, shoes, and groomswear, bridesmaids gowns and overall event design.
The Wedding Dress Fitting Appointment
Stage Six:
Wedding Dress Fitting Appointments are pre-arranged dates planned with you in advance and spread over a period of 8-12 months, that take place within the London atelier studio. Other arrangements are available on request.
Each appointment, provides multiple opportunities for us to make adjustment and perfect the fit of your gown as it progresses through the stages towards completion.
At every stage of the creative process, we advise & guide you as we develop and finalise details together.
Stage Seven: The Final Wedding Dress Fitting
The first fitting of your dress will be an exciting time for you, and to get the best from it it is really important to wear the same foundation garments as for the toile fitting. It is also a good idea to bring along a pair of heels (of similar height to what you plan to wear) to help us have a clear picture of the final look. As this will be the final dress fitting appointment of the bespoke wedding dress process, please choose someone close who will be dressing you on your big day, enabling them to become familiar with details of your gown such as, bustling and fastenings. And of course, you’re welcome to take photos throughout the process.
Testimonial
"Cynthia's designs are simply stunning. Her years of experience, passion and love for what she does is so evident. The creativity and attention to detail in each design is second to none. I am so delighted to have had the opportunity to meet and work with Cynthia. After exchanging kind messages on Instagram to phone calls and meeting in person, Cynthia's communication and understanding of a brief surpassed all expectations! It truly has been a wonderful experience working with Cynthia and I very much look forward to working with Cynthia again!" Natalie Stevenson
