Be inspired for your special day with dreamy vintage dresses from Sheffield designer Kate Beaumont

Kate Beaumont never used to like wedding dresses. While studying a fashion degree, the prospect of creating a design for someone’s big day never excited her. Despite earning top marks, her academic experiences caused the 33-year-old to fall out of love with the fashion industry. And after spending a year travelling the world, she chose working in environmental regeneration for charity Groundwork as a career.

But her passion for dressmaking was reignited when friend, Alexandra, asked Kate to make her a wedding dress.

She said: ‘I’d thought wedding dresses were all the same. All bright white, strapless and stuck out a bit. But then I started looking around for ideas with Alex and realised this wasn’t the case at all.

‘I’d never thought about the vintage side of things. I was completely amazed with these kinds of dresses, the different styles, different shapes and all of the gorgeous materials.’

Kate’s first bespoke wedding dress was a hit but she still lacked confidence. It was only after receiving compliments on the dress she made for her own marriage to now husband, James, in 2012 that she decided launch her own business.

Kate, whose studio is at her home in Nether Edge, Sheffield, works with brides to come up with vintage-inspired designs using exquisite materials like Chantilly lace, silks, and antique lace trims. She designs and makes fully made-to-measure dresses, bespoke dresses and she also sells original vintage gowns as well as accessories that she sources from specialist suppliers.

‘I’m so inspired by the 1930s,’ she explained. ‘As much as I try to look at other eras I always come back to it. I just love old fashioned things. Vintage is much simpler than modern designs, much more elegant and opulent. The mixture of that simplicity with amazing detail, beautiful fabrics and the way a dress hangs is something I love.

‘The best part is seeing the bride’s reaction when she tries the dress on for the first time. It is a real thrill. I feel like I have become friends with my brides because of this. It’s such a fantastic feeling.’

CREDITS

Photographer: S6 Photography, www.s6photography.co.uk

Hair and make up: Jenn Edwards, www.jennedwards.com

Florals: Swallows & Damsons, www.swallowsanddamsons.com

Accessories: Debbie Carlisle, www.dcbouquets.co.uk

Locations: A private residence and The Chimney House, Sheffield, www.thechimneyhouse.com