Gemma Sort Chilvers, a stylist and daughter of renowned shoe designer Penelope Chilvers, fell in love with a minimalist wedding dress from The Own Studio. The drop-waist silk gown, with its full skirt and train, embodied elegance and ease. But beyond its beauty, Sort Chilvers was drawn to its re-wearability. She envisioned the dress in different colors, a testament to her desire for a piece that transcended the confines of a single occasion.
Following her wedding in Spain’s Costa Brava in September 2023, Sort Chilvers embarked on a quest to dye her dress. Finding few services that specialized in wedding gown alterations, she eventually discovered Nicola Killeen Textiles, known for their costume creations for television, film, and theatre. With careful consideration, Sort Chilvers tested the dye on a spare fabric sample, ensuring the desired baby-pink shade, inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic 1999 Oscars dress, would translate seamlessly onto her dress.
The transformation was a resounding success. The soft pink hue breathed new life into the gown, turning it into a versatile piece that could be worn again and again. Sort Chilvers’ first opportunity to showcase the reimagined dress came at a friend’s wedding in Sicily. Her guests, surprised and delighted, remarked on the gown’s transformation.
The trend of re-wearing wedding dresses is gaining momentum, fuelled by eco-conscious brides and a desire for pieces that transcend their initial purpose. Brands like The Own Studio, recognizing this shift, are incorporating re-wearability into their design ethos. They prioritize fabrics that can be dyed and silhouettes that can be easily adapted, ensuring their gowns have a longer lifespan beyond the big day.
Inspired by Sort Chilvers’ bold move, numerous friends have sought her advice on transforming their own wedding dresses. Her top tips? Choose a dress with a shape you can rewear, consider altering the design, and always test the dye on a fabric sample before committing to the full dress. Sort Chilvers herself has plans to dye her gown black for her 40th birthday, envisioning it as a timeless and chic staple in her wardrobe.
