“Riccardo [Ghezzi] and I got married last September, and the wedding took place on the private estate of Tenuta Corbinaia, a 19th-century villa with its own winery and stunning views of the surrounding hills of Tuscany,” principal ballerina of The Royal Ballet, Yasmine Naghdi, tells Harper’s Bazaar.
The overall theme of their fairy-tale wedding was “understated chic and elegance, blending in with the natural beauty of the Tuscan landscape,” she explained – while “traditional and elegant but with a contemporary and playful twist” was the inspiration for her dress. It didn’t take her long to find it. “I considered various UK and international wedding gown designers but as soon as I saw the ‘Sara’ [designed by the all female-led Ukrainian bridal brand Milla Nova], I instantly knew that was the one!” The ivory satin strapless gown had a long train and ruched mikado bodice, “its delicate folding – resembling rose petals – created a rich texture with a soft shine, holding its shape exceptionally well”, and a draped multi-folded floor-length skirt with a high slit in the middle revealing a mini skirt underneath.
Naghdi’s wedding venue
Naghdi discovered the brand via a CNN documentary. “I was so moved by how Milla Nova helped relocate many members of their female team, along with their family and children, to a new safe facility in Warsaw. My dresses were made in their atelier and once they arrived in London, I asked Rosana Rosa of the Alterations Boutique in Marble Arch to adjust the length and the folds of my gown to get the perfect fit.”
Below, the award-winning British ballerina shares more insights into her bridal look, including how she achieved complexion perfection, high-shine hair and heat-proof make-up for her special day.
On building her hairstyle around her dress…
“I spent quite some time considering various hairstyles but, in the end, I decided to go for a simple look; I wanted to look like ‘me’ without any kind of dramatic transformation.
“At home one afternoon I tried out a look that I thought could work and then decided to collaborate with Ciro Via delle Terme, a hair and beauty salon in Florence. The day before my wedding, I met up with their stylist Maurizio Nelli and explained the look I envisioned: a centre parting, the front part of my hair smoothly brushed behind my ears, soft waves through the lengths at the back, and a white satin ribbon acting as a hairband. The next afternoon he achieved it and attached my classic long veil, personalised with ‘Always in my heart’ embroidered on it.”
On choosing to do her own wedding make-up…
“I am used to doing my own stage make-up whenever I perform at the Royal Opera House or internationally, so I decided not to use a bridal make-up artist. I used the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation as a base, with the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder; Nars Blush in shade org*sm; Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer and Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler; and a very small amount of Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick for eye shadow. To keep my natural look, I decided against fake lashes, but applied a light layer of the Dior DiorShow Mascara in a waterproof formula, preventing any risk of panda eyes when the tears would start rolling. On my lips, I used a Bobbi Brown Art Stick in shade Bare. Finally, a spritz of Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray helped to keep my make-up remain fresh-looking and long-lasting.”
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Nars Blush in org*sm
Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
On training her skin for the big day…
“My skincare leading up to the wedding was very important to me to ensure a perfect glow. Starting a few months before my big day, I went to Santi London in South Kensington, for a course of bespoke facials.
“Santi Spa is my go-to place to recover and relax after any of my performances at the Royal Opera House; their massages, as well as their beauty treatments, are perfectly tailored to my recovery needs as a ballerina.”
On booking in other bridal beauty treatments…
“Before the wedding I had some microblading sessions to enhance my brow shape, and a deep hair-conditioning treatment so that my hair was shinier and less frizzy, and could withstand the Tuscan humidity.
“On the day before my wedding I visited the same salon who looked after my hair, together with my mum and sister, to have pedicures and manicures. It was a very special moment to be together just the three of us. I chose a translucent light-pink nail varnish for both my fingers and toes.”
On choosing her wedding day perfume…
“I chose Chantecaille's Tiare eau de parfum, a fragrance that will now remind me forever of my wedding day. It is a very seductive smell – the tiare known as ‘the flower of love’. It is also an energising scent; it's subtly sweet. It evokes the soothing feel of the tropics: calm seas, balmy breezes, and lush foliage. It is a fragrance that totally suits, and complements, my personality.”
