Catherine Blades Couture is a bridal couture studio on the Berkshire and Hampshire border, run by designer and dressmaker Catherine Blades.
Catherine BladesDesigner and founderCatherine Blades is a British couture dressmaker and designer with more than 20 years of experience. She trained with Alexander McQueen, and opened the doors of Blades Couture over 10 years ago. She makes gowns for clients from all over the world and works to a simple rule: there is no mass production, and each dress is made for one person.
Every commissioned gown is designed, fitted and made by Catherine personally. She combines traditional and modern techniques with luxurious fabrics from around the world and hand embellishment, drawing on nature, movement, dance, history and art for her designs. Her work as an artist also feeds into the studio's pieces.
“My deepest intention is to create a piece of art to adorn your skin, moulding the dress to honour your body.”
Catherine Blades, designer
The studio is a calm, informal space in the countryside of the Hampshire and Berkshire border, near Headley. Clients are seen by appointment, with evening and weekend slots available, and Catherine offers a discreet service in which each client has her undivided attention.
Besides bridal gowns, the studio makes mother of the bride and groom outfits, black tie and red carpet gowns, and fully customised or redesigned vintage gowns. Catherine designs for all ages, sizes and genders. Every client receives an original hand-drawn illustration of their dress, framed, at the end of the commission.
Catherine does not take on standard dress alterations unless the garment is her own creation.
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Read the issue →Catherine and the client explore inspiration, fabrics, trimmings and the story the dress should tell. She then gives an accurate idea of timings and pricing, with no obligation to proceed.
Catherine develops a series of designs from the client's ideas. A simple dress shape called a toile is moulded onto the client's figure in an appointment of about three hours, where the proportions of the gown are decided.
The gown is pattern cut and constructed, and the client tries it on for the first time. Catherine checks fit, length and the placing of details and adds extras where needed.
With the dress finished, fastenings, hem and details complete, the client tries it on with her accessories and walks, sits and moves in it.
The gown is prepared and presented for collection before the wedding, together with a framed original hand-drawn illustration of the dress.
Finding Catherine was a highlight of my wedding experience. After despairing of boutiques, Catherine designed a dress that felt entirely "me" - she listened to all of my ideas and designed a wearable, stunning dress.
The Stables, Goose Hill House, Ashford Hill Road, Headley, Berkshire RG19 8AT, England
The studio is at The Stables, Goose Hill House, Ashford Hill Road, Headley, on the Berkshire and Hampshire border. Clients come from all over the world, and visits are by appointment.
Yes. Every gown is designed, fitted and made by Catherine Blades herself, from the first sketch to the final fitting.
Each gown is priced to the design. The first consultation is free of charge, and Catherine gives an accurate idea of timings and pricing at that meeting, with no obligation.
There is a toile fitting and design reveal of about three hours, a first fitting once the gown is constructed, and a final fitting when it is finished, followed by collection.
Yes. The studio makes mother of the bride and groom outfits, black tie and red carpet gowns and occasion wear, and can redesign vintage gowns.
Catherine does not take on standard dress alterations unless the garment is her own creation. Redesigning a vintage gown is offered as a commission.
Yes. Catherine works by appointment and offers evening and weekend slots to suit busy schedules.
Yes. The studio is private, and Catherine guarantees complete discretion for every client.
Your message goes straight to Catherine, with your date, guests and the kind of wedding you have in mind.
Fees on request
Couture shoes · Jewellery · Making and sourcing
United Kingdom, Hampshire
From £1100
Wedding dresses · Appointments and stockists
United Kingdom, LondonSince 2006
Fees on request
Bridal fittings · Wedding lingerie · Beyond the wedding day
United Kingdom, London
Fees on request
Wedding gowns from British and European designers, London
United Kingdom, London
Ask for a place, a name, a trade or the whole wedding. Every answer comes from checked records.
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