The black off-the-shoulder silhouette was made from recycled black velvet, sourced from downtown Los Angeles. It was then trimmed with a variety of different white florals. They worked with local florist Anthony Maslo (of The Boy Who Cried Flowers) to achieve this result. On the day of the event, he and his team hand-placed each flower onto the dress, including four different types of Phalaenopsis orchids, two types of Dendrobium orchids, and two lilies (Nerine and Gloriosa). For volume, Maslo also used baby’s breath and broom mixed with linoleum.

For Watson and Ellner, it was this slow process of putting the frock together that made it intentional and meaningful. “Because the flowers could not remain exactly as they were, they became a reminder to be fully present and appreciate beauty while it is happening,” says Watson.

Photo: Mack Breeden

The thoughtful touches didn’t end with the dress either. Watson’s bag and jewelry for the night were also made of hand-blown, reclaimed glass—“a material that can be melted down and made anew repeatedly without losing its quality,” noted Watson.

Hair stylist Daniel Moon and makeup artist Katie Mellinger, meanwhile, crafted a glamorous beauty look that complemented the look in a softer, subtler way. “I wanted the hair to feel whimsical and romantic to match the energy of the dress, but also the ephemeral nature of actually making a garment in real time, as we were doing the hair all in the same room,” says Moon. “That kind of organic collaboration was so unique. As I was putting bobby pins in the hair, the florists were pinning the flowers into the dress, and it was such a surreal, cool moment to be working side by side with that team at the exact time.”

Photo: Courtesy of Emma Watson