16Arlington Minelli Dress Alterations – A Glamorous Second Wedding Dress
Some brides choose one wedding dress, while others use their wedding day as an opportunity to enjoy two completely different looks. This bride had a beautiful Made with Love Grayson bridal gown for the main part of her wedding and changed into a striking 16Arlington Minelli dress needing bespoke alterations for her second look.
I had already featured this bride on my website, but while recently updating my bridal portfolio with the correct designer and gown names, I discovered that her fabulous feather-trimmed second dress was the Minelli by 16Arlington.
It was particularly lovely to discover this because I had carried out quite significant alterations to the dress, including taking it in throughout, adding additional bust support and replacing the original look at the shoulders with beautiful crystal rhinestone straps.
Altering the Fit of the 16Arlington Minelli Dress
The Minelli has a beautifully streamlined silhouette, which meant that getting the fit right was particularly important.
The dress needed to be taken in all along the body to create a closer, more flattering fit while retaining the clean lines and proportions of the original design.
With a fitted dress like this, I don’t look at each alteration in isolation. The bodice, waist, hips and skirt all need to flow naturally into one another so that when the work is finished, there isn’t an obvious point at which the garment has been altered.
The finished result should simply look as though the dress was made to fit the wearer.
16Arlington Minelli Dress Alterations | Adding Bust Support
I also added additional bust support to the 16Arlington Minelli Dress to give the bride greater security and create a more defined shape through the bodice.
Bust support can make an enormous difference to the way a structured evening or bridal dress sits. It isn’t simply about adding cups; the support has to work with the existing construction of the garment and with the bride’s individual shape.
Once completed, it allowed the bodice to sit beautifully while giving her the confidence to enjoy the evening without continually thinking about her dress.
16Arlington Minelli Dress Alterations | Adding Crystal Rhinestone Straps
One of my favourite details of this alteration was the addition of crystal rhinestone straps.
Rather than looking like a practical alteration, the straps became a feature of the dress itself.
The sparkle of the crystals worked beautifully with the glamour of the Minelli and its dramatic feathered hem, while also providing additional security and support through the bodice.
This is exactly the kind of alteration I love: something that solves a fitting requirement while looking as though it could always have been part of the original design.
A Completely Different Second Bridal Look
The bride’s Grayson Made with love dress and the 16 Arlington dress couldn’t have created more different looks.
Her main wedding gown gave her the traditional bridal silhouette, while the 16Arlington Minelli brought a contemporary, fashion-led feel to the later part of the celebration.
In her wedding-day photographs, the finished Minelli looks wonderfully elegant and fun. The close fit through the body, sparkling crystal straps and dramatic feather hem make it a perfect dress for celebrating and dancing.
Most importantly, nothing about the finished dress immediately says altered.
That is always my aim.
Luxury Designer Dress Alterations in Sutton
Although bridal alterations form a large part of my work, my experience extends beyond traditional wedding gowns to luxury designer eveningwear, occasion dresses and structured garments.
Whether I am reshaping a wedding gown, working with internal corsetry, improving bust support or altering a fitted designer dress such as this 16Arlington Minelli, every garment is approached individually.
My private alterations studio is based in Sutton, South London/Surrey, where fittings are available by appointment.
This beautiful Minelli is also a lovely reminder that a bride’s second dress deserves just as much attention to fit as her wedding gown. Sometimes it is the dress she will be dancing in for the rest of the night.
Experienced in Couture Bridal Alterations Across Leading Designers
Over the years, I have carried out couture bridal alterations and restructuring work on gowns from designers including Allure Bridal, Anna Sorrano Bridal, Anny Lin Bridal, Berta Bridal, Blue By Enzoani, Catherine Deane, Caroline Castigliano, Dama Couture , Élysée Bridal, Enzoani, Essense Of Australia , Eva Lendel, Galia Lahav Bridal, Grace Loves Lace, Gypsy Bridal, House of CB, Jesus Peiro, Juliana Kontogruni bridal, Justin Alexander Bridal, KYHA Bridal Studios, Leah Da Gloria, Luxe Privee, Madi Lane, Maggie Sottero, Mark Lesley, Martina Liana, Made With Love, Milla Nova, Morilee, Monreal, Pronovias, PDR Aurorabride, Ronald Joyce, Ricca Sposa, Rosa Clará, Riki Dalal, Sophia Cruz Bridal, Sophia Tolli, Stella York, Symphony Of Venus, Viva Bridal, Vivienne Westwood Bridal, Wona Concept and many others
My work includes complex size reductions, bespoke sleeve additions, bespoke veils and accessories, couture embellishment Complete bridal gown transformations and creating expert bustle techniques.
Click the designer links above to explore real wedding dress alterations and bridal transformations I have carried out.
I have provided a guideline to wedding dress alterations costs and what Bridal fitting Process involves , however, all wedding dress alterations are individually quoted following a personal assessment of your gown. I also offer a full professional comprehensive wedding dress steam pressing service to all my brides.
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Planning your own Bridal Alterations?
For the best results, bridal alterations should ideally begin a few months before the wedding day, with a pre-fit consultation, allowing us to assess exactly what your dress requires, discuss possible transformations, provide a clearer guide on costing, and give you peace of mind well in advance of your wedding day.
Please bring your wedding shoes to your fitting appointments so the gown can be pinned accurately from the very first consultation.
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If you have purchased your wedding dress from Made With Love Bridal, WED2B, or another bridal boutique and are looking for specialist bridal alterations in London or Surrey, I would be delighted to hear from you.
Explore more real bridal transformations in the Atelier Journal or get in touch to begin your fitting journey.
For bridal alterations or a bespoke design in SuttonSurrey, I would be delighted to hear from you.
Serving Bromley, Cheam, London, Wimbledon, Wallington, Crystal Palace, Croydon & South London