Meet the Makers, ep 1: Gessica, Bridal Alterations Specialist in East London

Interview by Layla Sargent, Founder of The Seam, August 2025.

Earlier this month I spoke with Gessica, a bridal specialist who has been part of The Seam since 2021. She's based in East London, where her studio is a modern, sunlit space. Gowns hang like artworks along the walls, waiting to be tailored or collected. The steady hum of the sewing machine blends with the radio, while ribbons, shears, and chalk scatter the worktable in quiet order. It is in this setting that Gessica spends her days, surrounded by the rhythm of her craft, and where our conversation began.

I have a personal connection to Gessica’s artistry. Earlier this year, she tailored my own wedding gown, and entrusting her with such a meaningful piece felt entirely natural. In her story, you can see how that same quiet devotion runs throughout her life, from childhood afternoons sewing in Switzerland to the intricate challenges of bridal couture in London.

Layla: How did you first get into your craft?

Gessica: From the age of 8, any time that I had off school was spent at my mother’s workplace. She worked in a care home, and in the back there was a little studio where repairs were done for the residents. I was always drawn there. I would ask the seamstress, “Can you show me how to make a T-shirt for my doll? Or a skirt for Barbie?” That was the beginning.

Around the same time, one evening at home with my family, we were watching television and a Versace fashion show came on. I asked my family, “What is the job title of someone who designs and makes clothes like that?” They said, “Fashion designer.” I knew instantly that was what I wanted to be. I never changed my mind. I often think about that seamstress in Lausanne, a town near Geneva, where I grew up. I imagine visiting her home and knocking on her door to thank her. Without her, I might never have found this path.

Layla: Other than the Versace fashion show, do you remember other key moments from those early years that still makes you smile?

Gessica: At tailoring school, I always told my teachers, “Please be careful with my projects after I leave to go home for the day, they’re important.” They laughed and said, “You think every item is important.” And I would answer, “Yes, because it is.” Even then, I treated every piece with care, no matter how small.

Layla: That care must have helped with complex work later on. What has been the most challenging bridal alteration you’ve ever done?

Gessica: A wedding dress for a ballet dancer. She was very well known. The gown was a size 12, and she was a size 6. The design was complex, full of structure and detail, but I managed to rework it completely. It was during my time in a Bond Street bridal boutique, and in the end it fit her perfectly.

Layla: Bridal couture can be so intricate. Are there any tools or techniques you use that might surprise people?

Gessica: A lighter... I use it to seal satin ribbons so they don’t fray. It’s simple but very effective.

Layla: And what about traditions? Is there one part of your craft you think should never be lost?

Gessica: The human connection. Meeting a client face to face, talking about their garment, seeing how they move in it. That conversation is as important as the stitching. Not everything should be digital.

Layla: I agree, that human connection is very powerful. What would you say is the most sentimental project you’ve worked on?

Gessica: Restyling grandmother’s wedding dresses so their granddaughter can wear it. Those pieces carry history, love, and memory all at once. They’re more than fabric, they’re heirlooms.

Layla: And how have clients responded to that kind of transformation? Has there been a reaction that has stayed with you?

Gessica: My neighbour once came to me with her dream dress. When she tried it on after my alterations, she began to cry. She said, “You’ve brought my dream to life. You’re a fairy godmother.” I’ll never forget that moment.

Layla: Moments like that must be special. What do you love most about your work?

Gessica: Transformation. Seeing a dress arrive unwearable and leave perfect. It’s deeply satisfying.

Layla: For you, clothes are so much more than fabric. What does caring for them really mean?

Gessica: Clothes are part of you. They touch your skin, they shape how you move through the world. That’s why they should feel right, and why the choice of fabrics matters as much as the fit.

Layla: And for those wanting to make their wardrobe last longer, what’s one thing everyone should do?

Gessica: Alter your clothes instead of discarding them. And don’t wash them too much — only when truly needed, and always inside out. Treat them carefully. A little consideration extends their life.

Layla: Do you have a favourite trick for reviving tired clothing?

Gessica: Steaming. It brings life back to fabric in seconds. A careful press or a wash with quality products can make a piece feel new again.

Layla: Finally, you once said this work feels like a dream come true. Can you tell me more?

Gessica: Everyone around me said I wouldn’t make it in fashion. But I refused to give up. I moved to London, worked tirelessly, and it happened. I’m living the dream I imagined as a child.

Gessica’s journey is one of quiet determination, extraordinary skill, and deep care for every garment she touches. She embodies the artistry at the heart of The Seam.

If you’d like to work with Gessica or another a specific Maker at The Seam, simply add their name when prompted during your initial enquiry.