One dressmaker, no mass production
Catherine Blades Couture is a bridal studio on the Berkshire and Hampshire border, run by designer and dressmaker Catherine Blades. She has more than 20 years of experience, trained with Alexander McQueen, and opened the studio over ten years ago. Her rule is simple: there is no mass production, and each dress is made for one person.
Every commissioned gown is designed, fitted and made by Catherine personally, for clients from all over the world. She combines traditional and modern techniques with fabrics from around the world and hand embellishment, drawing on nature, movement, dance, history and art.
From the first meeting to the final fitting
It begins with a free consultation, where Catherine and the client explore inspiration, fabrics and trimmings. She develops designs from the client’s ideas, then comes the toile fitting and design reveal, which takes about three hours. The gown is pattern cut and constructed for a first fitting, and a final fitting follows when it is finished, before the gown is prepared for collection.
Beyond the wedding dress
The studio also makes mother of the bride and groom outfits, black tie and red carpet gowns and occasion wear, and redesigns vintage gowns. Veils, matching accessories and hand embroidery are available, and each client receives a framed hand-drawn illustration of the finished dress.
The studio
The studio is a calm, informal space in the countryside near Headley. Clients are seen by appointment, with evening and weekend slots, and Catherine offers a discreet service in which each client has her undivided attention. The consultation is free of charge, and each gown is priced to the design, with the price given at that meeting.
