OK, so today’s little post from me is just about the most indulgent thing you’re going to read all week. Not only are we speaking to one of our absolute favourite designers, the truly incomparable Kate Halfpenny of Halfpenny London, but we’re also focusing on just one of her gorgeous designs. Say hello to the delightful Daffodil, Kate Halfpenny’s Dress of the Month.
Now if you’ve spent any time on Love My Dress, you’ll know that we’re all HUGE fans of Halfpenny London. We featured Kate’s wedding back in 2014, we’ve celebrated Annabel’s birthday together and we’ve also been privileged to share so many gorgeous real weddings with Halfpenny London brides. As Annabel said recently, Kate ‘exudes energy and kindness and she completely and utterly understands how to flatter women of all body shapes.’ Praise indeed.
So, Daffodil, Kate’s chosen gown for this month, really is something special. The design features in her new collection, The Garden After The Rain, and as you might expect, it’s been inspired by Kate’s own love of nature and memories of childhood days in the garden. Fresh and beautiful, it’s a perfectly balanced collection for modern brides.
“Daffodil is my dress of the month. She’s an effortless chic off the shoulder dress that has a beautiful twist front. It’s made in a stretch duchess satin and can either be matt or shining as seen in the delicious top version.”
Daffodil dress
What was the process of designing your chosen dress of the month?
“I was very much inspired by draping for this dress and how the tension of the twisted fabric could make such a gorgeous off the shoulder look.”
What were your design influences?
“For this collection, my design influences were about the garden after the rain and nostalgia. So I’ve tried to make the collection all whimsical and feminine. I think this dress really captures that grace.”
Where did you look to spot ‘trends’ and keep abreast with what brides are looking for?
“I design very intuitively. I don’t look for trends really. My collection is timeless. I do listen to what my brides are saying and I love seeing them in the collection. This inspires my next season and also I see what works really successfully.”
Ivy skirt + Daffodil top
Did you design the dress/dresses with a certain type of bride in mind?
The Daffodil dress has two different silhouettes so can really work for tall slim and willowy with its fitted slimline skirt or a curvy figure with its fuller skirt shape. The bodice has cups so can create a fuller bust illusion or support a more ample chest, especially with the stretch duchess bodice giving you that added feeling of being held in without a full on corset. I like to make my collections suitable for all body shapes as my brides are every kind of wonderful woman.”
What were your favourite materials and embellishments to work with when creating your dresses?
“I’m obsessed with the St.Tropez crepe back satin. It’s a heavy dreamy liquid silk and just drapes in the most magical way. My Cheryl dress is made in this fabric. It’s from Italy and is so dreamy. I also love working with embroidery and embellishment. The Blossom top from this season features leather appliqué. Quite something.”
Halfpenny London – quite something. And that’s an understatement.
To find out more about the latest bridal collection from Halfpenny London, do visit the website as it’s full of information including details on stockists and the latest news from the London showroom.
Love,
Tamryn x
Tamryn Settle View all Tamryn's articles
Self-confessed wedding addict Tamryn spends her days in her Berkshire studio writing about all things beautiful and romantic with her black Labrador for company.
