Blake Ida London was created by designer Carrie Matthews in 2020, originally as a bespoke bridal brand creating private commissions for brides with a strong sense of personal style. Today, Blake Ida continues to deliver its highly sought after bespoke service but now alongside a growing stable of off the rail, customisable collections with a distinct yet timeless aesthetic. 

 Your wedding is the gateway to the next stage of your life. We empower women who unapologetically strive to look and feel their absolute best on such a momentous day. To achieve this we go beyond design alone: true quality and artistry is necessarily at the core of every dress we make. That's why we focus on the highest quality, heavyweight silks (including specially commissioned shades), which drape and hang impeccably.  Couture processes such as our modern boning techniques increase comfort and snatch in waists; internal sleeve structures add a high-end twist to contemporary, unfussy silhouettes. Elevated details, like functioning rouleau buttons, signal the attention to detail and loving craftmanship which goes into every garment we create. 

Sitting alongside this meticulous commitment to quality is a drive to deliver a deeply personalised, tailored experience in a lowkey and friendly environment. Because luxury doesn't have to mean stuffy. Our showroom is also our atelier where everything is produced on site, making the process entirely transparent to our clients. Here brides meet not only the person who designed their dress, but the highly skilled squat team who will bring it to fruition. The route to your wedding dress is surprisingly intimate and emotional and we believe you deserve a truly memorable experience in addition to the resulting exquisitely made, jaw-dropping dress. 

"Quality meant something to me from quite a young age: I've always been drawn to clothes for how they are made as much as how they look. Beautiful fabrics and small but elevating details are what set a garment apart and enriches the experience of wearing it. I believe every bride deserves that when dressing for her wedding. 

It's important to me that we fuse our creativity and craftsmanship with meaningful connections with our brides. The process is intimate, relaxed and fun. We are rigorous in producing exceptional quality, killer wedding dresses, but what we do goes beyond the dress alone."

A former Head of Department at Europe’s largest talent management agency, Matthews’ sourced talent from obscurity, identified what was uniquely compelling about them and harnessed those qualities to turn them into stars.

Forever doodling garments and stitching clothes as a child, Matthews took a leap of faith to start a second career in her late 30s. In launching Blake Ida following training at The London College of Fashion, Matthews fuses her extensive client facing experience facilitating fulfilment of personal potential with her vision of creating truly high-end & fresh bridal pieces for stylish, fashion-forward women.

Is there an appointment fee?

Appointments are secured with a fee of £25 for a weekday appointment and £40 for a Saturday or evening. This secures your time with Blake Ida founder and designer Carrie Matthews who will guide you through your options and your journey.

There is a retry appointment fee of £20 for 30 mins.

Please note, sample appointment fees are non-refundable.

Can I bring friends and family to my appointment and fittings?

You may wish to bring someone with you to your appointments and due to space we welcome up to three guests maximum. If you have any special requirements please get in touch to discuss them with us.

Are children allowed into appointments?

You may find it more relaxing to arrange childcare, however, if you can’t please do feel free to bring your little one(s) with you.

Can I use Skype/ Facetime during the appointment to show family members?

Yes. This is a lovely way to involve family or friends who are unable to be there in person.

How much is a Blake Ida wedding dress?

Our prices are listed on our website. Full length bridal dresses are around £3000. If this is out of your budget, please consider bidding in our Blake Ida Auction.

Are the dresses made to measure?

Our dresses are made to order to your nearest dress size, sizing up if we need to. Alterations are £75 an hour. You are not oblliged to use Blake Ida for your alterations.

Do you offer bespoke gowns?

Yes. Blake Ida London founder and designer, Carrie Matthews, offers a small number of bespoke commissions each year. You will work closely with Carrie to design and make the dress of your dreams and you can find out more about that here.

Bespoke dresses start at £5500 plus silk.

What sizes do your samples come in?

Our dresses are available to order in any size. Our studio samples vary but are around a size 12. If you are unsure if you will fit our samples, please get in touch with us before the appointment. Also feel free to let us know which
styles you are interested in ahead of time so we can have them ready for you.

Drop us a line here.

What happens during my samples appointment?

All sample appointments are taken by founder and designer Carrie Matthews. You will try on dresses you particularly like and Carrie will advise you of any other styles she thinks may be suitable. We are a bespoke atelier and can customise styles to your exact specifications and you can discuss this, as well as a full bespoke option, with Carrie during your appointment. 

You can browse our collections here.

Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?

We suggest you wear nude underwear for the styling session, and a strapless or low-back bra if you are considering a style of dress which would require it. If you think you may choose a backless dress, it’s a good idea to try stick-on cups or a low-back bodysuit. You may wish to try wearing them for your day of appointment to see if they would be comfortable and work for you on your wedding day.

Do I need to bring shoes with me?

We have size 38 (5) and 39 (6) heels you can wear during your bridal appointment but if you’d prefer to bring your own shoes, please do. Please note, once you have chosen your dress and return for your fittings, you must bring your wedding shoes with you. (We’ll remind you about this nearer the time).

How long is the appointment?

First appointments are 1 hour. For a returning appointment to revisit your favourite styles please allow 30 mins. 

Please arrive at your scheduled time as we are unable to facilitate any early
arrivals. This also means that we are unable to run over so please arrive
punctually to make the most of your appointment time.

How far in advance should I order my dress?

In general, it’s best to allow 8-10 months for a gown to be made and altered in time for your wedding. If you have less than 6 months we may be able to arrange a priority service for an additional fee. Please note, for some rush orders, it may not be possible for us to facilitate your fittings. Please discuss your wedding timescale during your appointment. 

Do you offer alterations?

We do offer alterations and these are charged at £75 an hour in addition to the dress purchase price . You are more than welcome to use another
alterations company or tailor if you prefer.

What happens if I change weight, or get pregnant before the wedding?

If you suspect your measurements will change before the wedding then please advise us and we can schedule to take your measurements as late as possible. Unless you choose our bespoke service, your dress will be made to order to the dress size most appropriate for your measurements taken at that time. Your dress will then be tailored to your body during your fitting (should you choose to use our alterations service).

We strongly advise you maintain consistent measurements, particularly after your fitting. If your measurements change after the fitting date, you will incur additional fees to provide extra fittings and alterations. Any and all costs relating to a change in measurements, including but not limited to purchasing new fabric, cutting, stitching or pattern cutting, will be met by you.

Can I customise Blake Ida designs?

Yes, we make everything in house from scratch so we can change any element including design features and silk. Design customisation is quoted on a case by case basis. Silk customisation is £50 plus any uplift in the cost of the fabric.

Can I book evening or Saturday appointments?

Sample appointments are available on Saturdays and throughout the week.

Fittings take place Monday-Thursday between 10am and 6pm.

Where are the dresses made?

We are proud to make all our bridalwear in house in our atelier based in London.

Any other questions?

Please get in touch and we’d be happy to help.

Our terms are available to download here