Phoebe English

Phoebe English is a London fashion studio, founded in 2011, that designs clothing with circular, low-impact making at its core. Alongside its main collections, the studio creates wedding and civil ceremony outfits from its base at Art Hub Studios in Deptford, south-east London.

Why they suit LGBTQ+ couples

Every bespoke piece is designed from scratch around the person wearing it, not around a set idea of what a wedding outfit should be. Gowns, suits, capes and separates are all part of the work, so this suits couples who want wedding clothes that feel like their own, made with real care for materials.

What they offer

• Bespoke wedding outfits designed as an original commission
• Made-to-measure archive pieces in your choice of fabric, colourway and fit
• Made-to-order archive styles in set size ranges, the lower-budget route
• Gowns, suits, capes, veils, tops, skirts and trousers
• Outfits for the wider wedding party
• Silk organza bouquets and buttonholes

How they work

A bespoke commission usually involves three in-person fittings at the studio in the months before the wedding, and the finished piece is delivered no later than two weeks before the day. Customised archive pieces also need a studio fitting. The studio works with natural fibre fabric waste, silk offcuts, silk tulle and organic cotton thread, sometimes with natural dyes, and pairs handmade textiles with zero-waste pattern cutting. Pieces have also been designed for changing bodies, including postpartum fit and breastfeeding-friendly styles.

Where they cover

All fittings take place at the studio in Deptford, so it is best suited to couples who can travel to south-east London for appointments. Studio visits are arranged by email.