Katy Britton.
Katy Britton is a UK bridal designer who offers bespoke and made-to-measure gowns which we love for their contemporary and luxurious looks. Katy’s designs stem from the highest quality and most luxurious fabrics which are also ethically sourced (silk fabrics are Global Organic Textile Standard certified) and each piece is constructed in-house. Read more to find out how it feels to be a Katy Britton client and what you’ll find in the new collection.
Tell us about the journey of your company and what inspired you to start?
I opened the company in 2007 as a bespoke bridal wear boutique. It was only in 2019 that I decided to rebrand and start selling to boutiques. I have always loved to design from a young age, and I worked for a bridal wear designer from the age of 18. I suppose a lot of my initial love of bridal came from her.
What are the values, design or otherwise, that are foundational for the brand?
Definitely ethical practice, but also a personal service. I like my brides and boutiques to feel that nothing is too much trouble. I’m also passionate about using quality fabrics, they need to feel luxurious and certainly like something the most important dress of a brides life should be made from.
Tell us about the new collection.
Collection Two has six pieces, two of which are day-to-night with extra skirts to change the look. Each piece is very different from the next and I have tried to make each one distinct in some way. I avoid designing dresses that are generic, and can be found on a range of rails by many other brands. The fabrics range from Organic cotton duchess satin, (which looks, feels and smells like silk!), silk marocain, silk chiffon, silk organza and recycled mikado. I have avoided using as much lace this year but there are some laser cut and embroidery details to keep things interesting.
Do you find brides are interested in sustainability when choosing a designer? How important is sustainability to your brand?
There are certainly brides who are very interested in sustainability, but I think the brides who come to me personally enjoy being in the studio and seeing where their gown is being constructed. Sustainability is important to me, and I do the best that I can. I only use GOTS certified silks, we construct in-house and we use as many eco friendly fabrics as possible.
Please talk through the process and what a bride can expect when choosing your brand.
Whether buying directly from me or one of my stockists, I offer bespoke and made-to-measure options. This could include several consultations, with fabric choices and trying on samples. I’m always accommodating with weight changes, and try my best to work within timescales and budgets. Most of my dresses start with a toile fitting, a mock-up of the final design to finalise shape, fit and necklines.
Do you have any advice for a bride when choosing ‘the dress’?
Instead of starting with a pinterest board, try on a range of styles first so that you can narrow it down. Most brides always surprise themselves at this stage. Once you have a general idea, research the boutiques you are visiting first to see what styles they carry. It can be really disheartening to not like anything on the rail. Also, don’t worry if you don’t get the tears and the eureka moment when you’ve found the one, not everyone does!
You are based in England, but do you work with brides globally?
Not currently, but I’m certainly open to it.
Photographer Natalie Pluck