General background & information
 
This gorgeous Catherine Rayner wedding dress has a back story that is just as beautiful as the dress itself! The Louisa Rose gown and two of its sister dresses came to us from a lovely woman, Cornelia, who owned a bridal shop in Sweden in the '90s. When she shuttered her store, she couldn't bear to part with the three most beautiful pieces in her collection; this was one of those three dresses. She held onto them for nearly thirty years before passing them on to us. We feel so fortunate to have met her and to have the opportunity to match these dresses with brides who can finally wear them down the aisle. 
 
Louisa Rose is a rare pink variation of the Louisa gown, one of Catherine Rayner's most celebrated designs. It was made from ivory silk shantung and has a column silhouette with draped skirt and an attached train. The bodice is a masterpiece. It was beaded by hand with pearls in a subtle motif of roses (what else?!). Louisa Rose has draped off-the-shoulder long sleeves that are accented with silk charmeuse rosettes in the loveliest shade of soft rose pink. The gown is finished with pearl buttons along the back bodice and sleeves.
 
It's easy to see why Cornelia loved these dresses so much that she kept them for so many decades. We feel the same, and we can't wait to see who ends up with these special gowns.
 
Sizing & measurements
 
Measurements must be used to assess whether a gown will fit you or can be altered to fit you. A gown can usually be made 2-3 sizes smaller without compromising the design, but can rarely be made more than approximately 1/2-1” larger without making major modifications. The exterior measurements of this dress are as follows:
 
Bust - 35"
Waist - approximately 28"
Hip - flexible
 
This gown is approximately a modern size 4-6.
 
Condition
 
We are known for the excellent condition of our vintage bridal attire. However, vintage gowns will always contain some imperfections that result from being worn and/or stored for decades. We make every effort to review each dress thoroughly and disclose every issue we can find. With that in mind, please review the following notes:
 
As noted above, Louisa Rose has never been worn by a bride. There is minor discoloration at the underarm interior lining from being tried on, but this is not visible from the exterior. There may be slight dust from being on the shop floor.