Practiced hands carefully stitch shimmering beads along the décolletage of a lacy evening gown destined to garner appreciative—and envious—looks at an upcoming London gala.
Stepping into the atelier of Catherine Walker & Co. in Bury Walk, a charming seven-
studio mews in the Chelsea area of London, is like stumbling upon the secret cache of a couturier, one with exceptional taste.
Cofounded in 1977 by Said Cyrus and his late wife, Catherine Walker, the business quickly caught the attention of women who were drawn to the clean lines and pure elegance of the couture designs. It is no surprise that these chic collections were favored by Princess Diana, who was known for her polished sense of style; she donned more than a thousand of the company’s creations over the years. The current Duchess of Cambridge is following in her late mother-in-law’s footsteps and is often seen in the firm’s designs, such as the stunning black velvet coat she wore for last fall’s Festival of Remembrance at Albert Hall.
Corded silk ribbon and clusters of pearls add swirls of glamour to a wedding dress.
“Seeing my rough pencil sketch transform into a dress on a pretty girl is magic!”
—Said Cyrus
The creative team at Catherine Walker & Co. turns Said Cyrus’s sketches into tangible dreams come true, such as this black Charlotte gown with fanned gazar ruffle.
Photography Jane Hope
To read more about this charming atelier, find “Quintessential Couture” in our September 2018 issue, available for purchase online.
