The moment when a bride puts on their wedding dress is always special.
There was a lot leading up to that moment for recent bride Jasmine Elkhouri, least of all because she'd taken on the monumental task of designing and making her wedding dress herself.
Sydney-based designer Elkhouri has a history of producing sought-after custom pieces. She has previously created bespoke collections for her friends and family at her studio, Jasmyn. But despite her past success in the world of fine tailoring, nothing could prepare her for the response she was to receive from the public after unveiling her own wedding dress online.
"I had spent over six months making my wedding dress, including several long nights in a row while keeping it a complete secret from my bridesmaids and everyone else close to me," Elkhouri told Newsweek.
"The reveal was so exciting and quite emotional. I got really teary-eyed and the [bridesmaids] were absolutely blown away. My sister, the maid of honor, had said that no one knew what to expect from my dress but that when they saw it, it made perfect sense and was entirely Jasmine," she added.
'It Took Six Months to Make'
The moment Elkhouri stepped out in front of her five satin-donned bridesmaids in her layered tulle gown has been viewed millions of times online.
The designer captured her bridesmaids' reactions to the dress that intersects romantic and avant-garde and shared it on TikTok (@byjasmyn). In the comments section of the post, viewers swooned alongside Elkhouri's bride tribe.
While brides-to-be are usually inundated with gifts and luxuries ahead of their big day, Elkhouri got busy doing what she does best—designing. The wedding dress consists of intricate details, a drop-down hemline, 27 layers of tulle, and a lace appliqué, which had been painstakingly fitted across the gown's bodice.
Elkhouri's handmade creation had been carefully sketched after inspecting vintage couture pieces during the research phase that preceded the making of the dress.
"I wanted the dress to look alive with every step, so I put together 27 layers of tulle in champagne and ivory in a five-meter train, it was extravagant and whimsical," Elkhouri said.
"I drew inspiration from vintage elements, with the lace and flower appliqué in the shape of an oval at the bodice, a halter neck and drop waist silhouette, and beaded sleeves."
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"And not to forget my favorite element! A playful heart-shaped lower back cutout. I wanted that extra element of surprise for the guests as I walked down the aisle," she said.
'That Is My Dream Wedding Dress'
The newlywed designer is "completely shocked" by the huge response to her dress online. The viral video has been liked more than 600,000 times since it was first shared to TikTok on March 11.
"I worked really hard on creating my dream wedding dress, so for it to get the attention it has gotten makes me so happy and actually emotional," the designer said.
To date, the inventive dress' reveal has been viewed more than 6 million times, and reviews of the creation have proved divisive.
"How are the bridesmaids' dresses so pretty and the wedding dress, that," one critical TikTok user wrote.
"I think it looks very high fashion. Haute couture. It's not basic so people love to hate," a different user said.
"It's pretty and unique, its not like common wedding dresses that appeal to usual silhouettes and textures, and the details are really pretty which is crazy for a self-made wedding dress," a commenter said.
Another TikToker agreed: "I'm so confused by these comments that is the most beautiful dress I've ever seen, this is my dream wedding dress."
Has a wedding come between your relationship with a loved one? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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