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Nicola later said she had wanted to, telling the Times Victoria realised her atelier couldn't make it in time so she had to pick a different designer.

"She wasn't the person toiling away with pattern-making back in the atelier, but she really did prove herself, and more credit to her."

Inside, the atelier is showcasing a meticulous couture bridal collection in a museum-style exhibition.

Lii is Chinese-born, has ateliers in Shanghai and Paris and is now based in Antwerp, Belgium.

One part of that journey was establishing a design atelier outside of Paris eight years ago, where up to 70 craftspeople may be working at any given time.