The making of Edna's custom dress
THE DRESS THAT BROKE THE INTERNET
Edna's custom 3-piece gown was definitely one for the books. The 3D florals on the bodysuit, 2 detachable skirts and iconic high-leg split, all came together to create one of the most unique and memorable dresses ever created here at Trish Peng.
Read more about the creation of the dress itself, where Edna's inspiration came from and how an overnight decision and 100 hours of work came together to create a masterpiece.
Photo Credit: Jonny Scott Photography
Q&A with Edna
What was your inspiration for your wedding dress?
I didn’t really have immediate inspiration as I had 24 hours to decide what dress I wanted. However, I definitely wanted something never done before while also deviating away from the expected tight dress everyone was expecting me to wear. I am big fan of the New York city chick look with the 3D detailing in the lace, exposed leg and natural hair and makeup. Very runway, that effortless effort look. While in the process it became clear that I wanted a dramatic train with an inbuilt booty which I haven’t really seen here. There were a lot of elements we wanted to bring into one dress.
What made you choose to do 3 different dress looks?
I knew from the get-go that whatever we designed had to be a piece I could wear every year on my anniversary and other events (provided I could still fit it). A bodysuit made sense as a timeless piece and the detachable mini became a must to achieve this.
What was your favourite part about the design process?
The process itself is very exciting. Watching the elements coming to life, and then anxiously waiting for the next fitting is a thrill in itself. The team made the process very easy and assuring too. Knowing they would never let you walk down the aisle with a dress you don’t like brings a lot of confidence to the process. In the end, you feel a sense of being one of the designers. You have the ideas and then the team brings your idea to life with their skills, recommendations and expertise.
What was the most difficult part when deciding on your dress?
For me, the most difficult part is feeling moments of doubt in yourself. Did I choose the right design? Should I have gone tight, no sleeves, different lace etc. I found myself going so deep down the wedding dress rabbit hole that I wanted 3 different custom dresses for my day. My recommendation is that once you decide on your dress design, give it time to come to life and give it all your energy. I was so so happy with my final design.
What is your favourite memory from your big day?
My favourite part of the day was sitting at the table with my new husband taking in the surroundings. We were told to take a moment as the day goes so quickly. SO we decided to be the only ones at the head table so we could have quality time to ourselves and enjoy that moment of being so newlywed surrounded by all our loved ones. Wish we could do the day all over again.
Q&A with Trish
Have you ever created a dress like Edna’s before?
We have created very detailed dresses before but all the elements that went into Edna’s were something special. The three-piece look of the body suit, overskirt and mini skirt changed up the look completely. I do believe Edna’s starting to inspire the big bustle look where there is the volume from behind
Where did the inspiration come from for her dress?
As Edna’s wedding was such a quick turnaround, I gave her overnight to come up with inspiration for her dress so we could start designing the next day. We usually require at least 6 months from the first fitting. The vision was Edna’s and I just brought it to life.
How long did the process take from start to finish?
Not long enough! We created her dress in 4 months, with over 100 hours, thousands of 3D floral petals and with around 9 fittings. The final fitting was a couple of days before the wedding.
What did you find the most challenging when creating the dress?
The dress was so much fun to make, the most challenging part was probably creating a dress for my perfectionist friend haha.
What did you find the most rewarding?
The most rewarding definitely would have been attending the beautiful wedding and seeing Edna walk down the aisle. It was so magical seeing the dress come to life - she looked so beautiful.
What would your advice be for brides looking to create a custom dress for their big day?
I would say start early, around 8 to 12 months before your big day, and go and try on a bunch of styles to figure out exactly what you want. From there we can design your vision and custom make it to your measurements. Trust the process, it is a co-creation so at each fitting you see it come to life.
What would your advice be for brides looking to create a custom dress for their big day?
I would say start early, around 8 to 12 months before your big day, and go and try on a bunch of styles to figure out exactly what you want. From there we can design your vision and custom make it to your measurements. Trust the process, it is a co-creation so at each fitting you see it come to life.
