Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson tied the knot yesterday, the very expected “world ceremony of the year.”
As with any wedding, some observers were most interested in seeing what the wife, 31, would be wearing.
Olivia, the 7th Duke of Westminster, and the Duchess of Westminster, did not let her decision down.
The wife looked airy in a custom gown by London-based designer Emma Victoria Payne. She paired it with a custom-made mask from the same artist, as well as the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara, which was designed for Grosvenor wives to use on their wedding day.
Emma Victoria Payne, who has served as the “go to” custom for the world set, revealed in a post on Instagram that she was “terrified to be asked to create this unique, bespoke bridal dress for Olivia.”
She stated, “We have loved every second of working with her, from the original appointments to the last matching.” Olivia and I worked closely together to provide the architecture to life by having a clear vision for some of the elements of her gown.
The dress, which boasted a slimline picture, three- third size sleeves, and a voiture neck, was crafted from white silk crepe satin and ivory silk organza.
The simple and elegant style was enhanced by further details, such as the fabric trim on the neck and cuffs.
Gathering at the waist created some quantity at the bottom of the bias- cut skirt, and the keyhole ago- meant the dress, while traditional, was not uncomfortable.
Eventually, the gown featured a movable two inch silk silk satin train with a carved construction.
Describing the clothing in a post on Instagram, the artist said it was: ‘A elegant image with a bias cut skirt, pleated waistband, gathered sleeves, broad embroidered silk organza cuffs with a curved edge repeat motif and button detailing.
A dropped waist, lock again, and scalloped edging stitching embellishments fastened with rouleau loops complete the bridal gown’s backside. It has a carved structure and a detachable 2m velvet crepe satin train.
Olivia’s much mask incorporated floral patterns and refer from her excellent- great- mother’s mask ( which dates back to around 1880 ).
Personalized initials and the wedding day were embroidered in the center back to complete the veil design.
The piece was described as a “bespoke waterfall veil with complex bespoke and tailored embroidery” by the designer.
As she made her way into the church, the princess’s mask blew in the wind, prompting moans from the crowd.
Fortunately, the custom was on hand to help keep the coach and veil in place, against the gusty winds.
While she may be one of Emma Victoria Payne’s most recognizable customers, the new Duchess is not her only high profile commission.
India Clevely, the owner of London Velvet, who wed Charlie Agar in 2022, is one of the brides who has sported her designs.
At the family home in Wilton House in Wiltshire in 2021, Lady Jemima Herbert wed Hugo Davies. She was accompanied by a gown she designed and Emma Victoria Payne brought to life.
She also designed Sophie Carter’s wedding gown, which is said to be her godmother and close friend of the Princess of Wales.
Emma also designed a number of dresses for the annual British debutante ball, Queen Charlotte’s Ball, one of the social calendar’s highlights, in addition to creating bridesmaid frocks and bridal gowns.
The designer “had a clear passion for design from an early age,” according to her website.
At just eight, Emma, who hails from Chorleywood in Hertfordshire, was given her first sewing machine, and ‘adored making things’.
She studied at the renowned Central St. Martins College of Art and Design before earning a degree in fashion print.
After that, she pursued design work for Levi Strauss in Brussels and John Galliano in Paris.
Emma, who won the prestigious Elle Style Award for Levi Denim Designer of the Year in 2006, revealed that she realized her passion for designing bridal gowns while working in Paris.
After she “fell in love with the elegance of vintage silhouettes and bias cut styles,” she “wanted to create gowns that had a feminine romantic feel.”
Emma doubled the size of the Knightsbridge store when she opened her store on Beauchamp Place in 2010. In 2017, the store moved to Chelsea, to a new address on Park Walk.