Encore – Ian Stuart, Supernova Collection

There are Ian Stuart dresses, and then there are the ones where he clearly decided that a perfectly respectable wedding dress simply wasn't enough. Encore definitely belongs in the latter camp - and what's even better is she is an uworn sample with all her original tags.

The strapless bodice is constructed in crisp ivory taffeta, with horizontal pleating wrapping around the body and a fabulous bow-shaped sweetheart neckline. All true Ian Stuart hallmarks. It fits closely through the waist and hips before suddenly changing gear. A double sculptural tier sweeps around the front, becoming an extraordinary arrangement of folds and ruffles at the back.

And then there's the train. Acres of it. The skirt opens out below all that architecture into a  generous sweep of ivory taffeta, finished at the back with a line of tiny covered buttons.

It's a very Ian Stuart piece of design: the proportions are carefully controlled, even when the dress itself is being gloriously extravagant. His early training at London couture house Belville Sassoon centred on cut, proportion and balance, and you can see exactly why that mattered when you look at Encore.

An original Ian Stuart gown from his Super Nova collection, Encore has all the drama of that mid-to-late noughties bridal era and is a fabulous find for anyone who wants a wedding dress with some proper personality.

Available to try on at the Tricker Bridal salon in Aberdeen or buy online with worldwide shipping.