Bespoke Couture, Shimmering Ivory
Wedding dresses · Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Shimmering Ivory

Shimmering Ivory is the bridal house of designer Sian Hughes Cooke, who trained in Paris.

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Sian Hughes Cooke and Shimmering Ivory

Sian Hughes Cooke trained in Paris and designed for international houses, among them Calvin Klein and Victoria's Secret, before turning her attention to the bride. Shimmering Ivory is the result: a bridal couture house in which every gown is made to measure for one person.

There is no rail to choose from. A gown starts as a conversation and a sketch, then becomes a pattern cut by hand to the bride's measurements. Fittings refine the corsetry, the silhouette and the fall of the silk, and the finishing is worked by hand.

“Drama, glamour, and a back worth turning for.”

Sian Hughes Cooke, Designer

Sian's signature is drama and glamour, and above all the back of the dress. She works in French and Chantilly laces, luxury silks, haute couture embroideries, Swarovski crystals, seed pearls and feathers. Her Concept Collection has been photographed in the French Alps and on the St Albans Cathedral catwalk.

The atelier is in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, close to St Albans and an hour from London, with private appointments also held in Mayfair, on weekdays and Saturdays. The house is female-owned, dresses brides of every size and uses responsibly sourced fabrics.

At a glance
Based in
Hertfordshire
Destinations served
Hertfordshire, London
How they work

From the first message to the day itself

  1. 01Conversation and sketch

    The gown begins as a conversation about the bride and a sketch.

  2. 02Pattern

    A pattern is cut by hand to the bride's measurements.

  3. 03Fittings

    Fittings refine the corsetry, the silhouette and the fall of the silk.

  4. 04Finishing

    Lace, embroidery, crystal and pearl are worked by hand to complete the gown.

Shimmering Ivory

Gallery

18 photographs
Concept Collection, Shimmering Ivory+18View Gallery Concept Collection, Shimmering Ivory

Images courtesy of Shimmering Ivory

Reviews

What couples say

0 reviews
Testimonial, not ratedWedding

Review

Just a note to say thank you SO VERY MUCH for making my PERFECT dress that had been in the back of my mind for many a year and you made it a beautiful reality. It was so lovely of you to be there on the day. I felt incredibly calm right up until the last minute as I just felt in the very safe hands of three professionals in you, Mina and Chloe, so thank you again for those recommendations. I hope it's not a bad thing to say but I did actually feel beautiful all afternoon, thanks to the three of you!

Ruth SealyShimmering Ivory website
More reviews
Testimonial, not ratedWedding

Review

It was such a great experience working with Sian from beginning to end on creating my ideal wedding dress. I had tried on so many dresses in shops and nothing felt quite 100% right and, for such a special day, I wanted a dress that felt special. I took a few ideas to Sian and she started to sketch a dress for me and it just moved forward from there really including picking fabrics and putting together a mock dress to see exactly what shape suited me best. It was amazing to have something at the end which, essentially, I had designed myself (with a huge amount of help from Sian of course!) and it meant that I didn’t have to compromise on anything, like is often the case with dresses off the hanger in a shop. What I especially liked was Sian’s commitment to getting things just how I wanted, if there was something I wasn’t sure about Sian would keep brainstorming and working on ideas until we got everything just right, she was a real pleasure to work with in that respect and it never felt like I was under pressure to make decisions too quickly. I would recommend working with her for anyone that would like an individual, beautiful dress that will be yours and no-one else’s!

Casey ThomasShimmering Ivory website
Testimonial, not ratedWedding

Review

From my very first phone call, my experience with Shimmering Ivory was absolutely perfect, none of the other seven shops i visited could compare! Sian is so lovely and very knowledgeable, she took me through every detail of material options and dress styles to suit my body shape while listening intently to all my ideas. Alterations, attention to detail, nothing was too much hassle. You are also given an honest opinion, something I valued. Sian's background in lingerie was an extra bonus as i was measured and every inch of material was there to support my shape. I cannot recommend Shimmering Ivory highly enough. I shall send alot of my friends in her direction. Thank you so much, diolch o galon!

Nia JewellShimmering Ivory website
Where they work

Based in Hertfordshire, serving Hertfordshire, London

Peters Green Hall, Chiltern Green Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire LU2 9QD, United Kingdom

  • Their base
  • Venues nearby
What they do

Services and fees

Bespoke bridal gowns

  • Gowns designed in conversation and made to measure
  • Fitted corsetry to flowing silk
  • Distinctive back details

Fabrics and finishing

  • French and Chantilly lace
  • Luxury silks
  • Haute couture embroidery
  • Swarovski crystals, seed pearls and feathers

Appointments and care

  • Private appointments in Harpenden and Mayfair
  • Couture alterations
  • Size-inclusive design
Fees

Fees on request

They quote for each wedding, from your date, guest numbers and plans.

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Questions couples ask

Before you write to them

How do I see Shimmering Ivory gowns?

By private appointment at the atelier in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, near St Albans, or in Mayfair, London. Appointments are available on weekdays and Saturdays.

Is every gown bespoke?

Yes. Shimmering Ivory does not sell off the rail. Each gown is designed in conversation and made to the individual bride, and couture alterations are offered too.

What is Sian Hughes Cooke known for?

Drama, glamour and luxury, and a signature for dramatic back details, worked in French and Chantilly laces, luxury silks, haute couture embroideries, Swarovski crystals, seed pearls and feathers.

Can you dress all sizes?

Yes. Shimmering Ivory is size-inclusive, with every gown cut to the individual. The house is female-owned and uses responsibly sourced fabrics.

Check your date

Is your date free with Shimmering Ivory?

Your message goes straight to Sian, with your date, guests and the kind of wedding you have in mind.

I would love…

Official website

Please mention 5 Star Wedding Directory when contacting Shimmering Ivory.

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