You have been at the forefront of luxury bridal design and evening-wear for over 35 years. Can you tell us a little about how you started out?
“I had been making clothes all my life, but after spending five years in the USA designing active sportswear under my brand Survival Kit, I was ready for a new direction. When I returned to London in 1991, a good friend suggested I look at bridal-wear, which was a market I hadn’t previously considered. Almost immediately, I noticed a gap there. There were very few designers creating beautifully-cut silk gowns with a strong emphasis on style and craftsmanship. That realisation led me to open my first store and launch Caroline Castigliano.”

What is it that particularly draws you to bridal and evening-wear?
“I have always been fascinated by structure, the female form, and how clothing can make a woman look – and, more importantly, feel. I love how fabric, cut, and construction can transform not just how a woman looks, but how she carries herself. What began as a deep respect for craftsmanship quickly became a lifelong pursuit of creating gowns that empower rather than overwhelm. Thirty five years later, that philosophy continues to guide everything I do. Bridal and eveningwear sit at the most emotional moments in a woman’s life. I’ve always been drawn to designing for occasions that carry meaning, pieces that become part of someone’s memory, not just their wardrobe.”

With your signature corsetry and undergarments, your approach to design is almost architectural. Why are the foundations of a dress so important?
“Because beauty begins beneath the surface. Corsetry is the invisible language of couture. It sculpts, supports, and allows a woman to move with confidence. When the foundation is perfect, everything else flows effortlessly.”

As you’re also famed for your clean lines and for timeless style, do you agree that less always more?“Absolutely. Restraint is powerful. When design is distilled to its purest form, every line matters. Clean silhouettes allow craftsmanship, fit, and fabric to speak, and that’s where true luxury lives.”

Do you have a favourite gown from your collections?
“My favourite gown is always the next one. Each design reflects where I am creatively at that moment: my evolution, my curiosity, my response to modern women. Couture should never stand still.”

You have dressed plenty of famous faces. Is there anyone you would love to dress in the future?
“I’ve been very fortunate to dress extraordinary women from many worlds. What excites me most isn’t fame, but individuality, women with a strong sense of self. Those are always the most compelling muses.”

Are there any emerging bridal trends you are particularly excited about?
“I’m drawn to a return to purity: refined silhouettes, thoughtful construction, and subtle drama. Brides today want authenticity. They’re choosing pieces that feel personal, intelligent, and enduring rather than overtly decorative.”

 Do you have any tips for brides searching for their dream dress?
“The most important things is to always trust how a dress makes you feel, not how it photographs. The right gown should give you quiet confidence, and feel like an extension of you, not a costume.”

Your couture gowns continue to be in high demand, season after season. Can you talk us through the design process?
“Couture begins with conversation. We listen, sketch, drape, and refine. Every gown is built by hand, layer by layer, fitting by fitting. It’s an intimate collaboration where precision meets emotion.”

Your embellishment is always stunning and intricate. What is the longest a dress has ever taken you to make?
“Some gowns take over a thousand hours. True craftsmanship cannot be rushed, especially when every stitch, embellishment, and seam is executed by hand with intention.”

And finally, what can we expect to see from you in 2026?
“This year, you will see a continued evolution of modern couture for my gowns.  Refined, confident, and purposeful. Expect sculptural silhouettes, innovative foundations, and a quiet strength that reflects the modern woman. My aim is to always be timeless, never predictable.”

For more information or to book an appointment with Caroline, visit www.carolinecastigliano.com

The post Interview with Leading Bridal Designer Caroline Castigliano  appeared first on Best of Living.

Armathwaite Hall, Cumbria

Set in 400 acres of deer park and woodland, bordered by the waters of Bassenthwaite Lake and framed by Skiddaw Mountain and Lake District Fells, Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa — one of the original stately homes of England — is as romantic as the surrounding countryside itself.

For the ultimate wedding opt for their Platinum Package which includes — but is not limited to — exclusive hire, Champagne on arrival and for toasting, wine during your four-course wedding breakfast, barbecue or hog roast for your evening reception, luxury suite for two nights, discounted rooms for guests, and even a bottle of Champagne plus Armathwaite Hall flutes as a memento of the day. Then there’s the optional extras, from bridal make-up to archery, alpaca walking, and more.

Up to £19,800 www.armathwaite-hall.com

Cliveden House, Berkshire

Built in 1666 by the Duke of Buckingham, this opulent mansion has hosted every British monarch since George I as well as legendary figures like Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt. A testament to Britain’s rich heritage, it continues to create unique memories for all who step into its iconic surroundings.

Nestled within 376 acres of Grade I-listed gardens with views of the River Thames, weddings can be scaled up to a magical marquee hosting 350. When it comes to their Bespoke Package, you and your guests have access to all 47 bedrooms, spa, and the entire estate for celebrations that continue well into the early hours. As well as exquisite dining from accomplished Chef Chris Hannon, the venue’s versatility also allows for imaginative celebrations, from live DJs, fire dancers, and fireworks, to transforming rooms into tequila bars or nostalgic disco playgrounds.

Up to £70,200, plus £48,000 minimum food and beverage spend www.clivedenhouse.co.uk

Gosfield Hall, Essex

Once a Royal Palace, here you’ll walk up the 120-foot aisle of Queen Charlotte’s oak-panelled gallery, with the Marquis of Buckingham’s former ballroom providing an exquisite setting for your wedding breakfast. There are 23-bedroom suites offered exclusively for the night, while The Rococo Honeymoon Suite is seen to be a bedroom fit for royalty.

With Gosfield Hall’s Two-Day Package enjoy a Champagne afternoon tea, two-course evening meal with wine, as well as overnight accommodation for 60. On the big day itself, start with brunch on the morning of your wedding, choice of cocktails and welcome drinks with canapés, three-course wedding breakfast with wine and Champagne for speeches, croquet on the lawn, evening buffet from the Luxe selection, DJ, overnight accommodation for 60, as well as a full English or Continental breakfast the following morning.

From £55,000 www.gosfield-hall.co.uk

Grantley Hall, Yorkshire

Located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and dating back to 1680, Grantley Hall combines rich heritage with modern luxury. Having hosted Members of Parliament, artists, entertainers, and royalty — including Queen Mary — its evolution from a private residence to a five-star hotel is a journey filled with fascinating stories.

When it comes to exclusivity, at Grantley Hall you have the use of its 38 acres of grounds, as well as 47 bedrooms and suites including the Royal and Presidential Suite. Access to dining facilities including the Michelin-starred Fletchers Restaurant and Norton Bar & Terrace overlooking the River Skell are also provided, as is the Champagne & Cocktail Bar and Grantley Suite, with private terrace overlooking the Japanese Gardens. You can create your own space entirely with a temporary structure on their extensive lawns, and there’s even red-carpet arrival and valet parking at your disposal.

Up to £400,000 www.grantleyhall.co.uk

The Old Royal Navy College, London

This riverside estate boasts 600 years of history linking monarchs and figures such as King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, King William and Queen Mary I, and Vice Admiral Lord Nelson. Built on the site of the Palace of Placentia, it was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and is now considered to have one of the finest 18th century interiors in existence.

The Old Royal Naval College delivers baroque architecture, expansive grounds, and river views. From ceremonies in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul to receptions beneath the hand-painted ceilings of the Painted Hall, your wedding is complemented by catering renowned for bespoke wedding packages, whether it’s a lavish multi-course feast or chic, modernised menu. With a dedicated wedding coordinator at your disposal, weddings in the past have seen ballet dancers and cellists perform. You can even hire the vaulted Undercroft and Victorian Skittle Alley to create your own personalised wedding event.

POA www.ornc.org

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