As Seen on Strictly: Week 8

Last week saw a romantic mood on Strictly Come Dancing with dreamy ballroom dresses drawing the most attention from fashion fans on social media, but one gown received more attention than anyone else’s and that was, quite rightly, the bride’s!

Kate Silverton looked absolutely radiant in her romantic “wedding” dress – who wouldn’t if they were getting married to Aljaž?

What was it like for costume designer Vicky Gill to create a wedding dress the same year as not one but two royal weddings?! “Haha, a wedding dress for Strictly comes with safety goggles due to the amount of bling!” she laughs.

“The dress started life with a drop waist and circle skirts coming from the hip. It was composed of satin and net – and a further two net circles were added in studio, with all the layers featuring a crinoline hem.

“A ruched halterneck bodice of White Mesh over Tan kept the bodice and silhouette looking light on camera to show off Kate’s great new shape. The embellishment was created with White Opal and Transmission stoning in mixed sizes, which created a heavy border then faded into the bodice.

Another audience favourite was Stacey Dooley’s blingtastic waltz dress. “Stacey’s bodice was completely covered in square jewel stones,” says Vicky. “We introduced some mixed sizes of Crystal and Crystal AB through various panels to give a sense of light and  shade.”

The dress was created by the DSI London fabrics Silver Mesh and Satin over a Tan base. “Once we had decided Stacey would have an eight-panel Silver Satin skirt we faded the stoning detail into the top hip for maximum bling factor,” explains Vicky.

Our final dreamy number is Lauren Steadman’s Viennese waltz fairytale frock. “Lilac Mesh was layered over a Crystal bodice,” says Vicky. “The mesh was ruched into a halterneck line and the skirt comprised layers of Lilac, Pink and Amethyst net circles  over a Gold Pearl Chiffon base. All the layers had a one-inch crinoline hem,” she continues. “It was perfect for the routine and her figure.”