Wilde Love Styled Shoot in Mayfair, Central London

With nods to Oscar Wilde, this “Wilde Love” styled shoot in London puts a modern spin on typical aristocratic settings placing Black Love at the forefront.

Luxury meets playfulness in this intimate shoot at the Mayfair Townhouse in Central London. Depicting a couple spending a relaxed afternoon at the hotel getting ready for an intimate wedding dinner at The Club, the hotel’s private event space, the shoot “playfully showcase[s] black love in a traditionally British aristocratic setting.”

Conceptualized and coordinated by Haus of Helen, she explains, “The shoot is a soft nod to Oscar Wilde whose work, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,’ was set on Half Moon Street where the hotel is located. By modernizing and redefining the traditional English Gentleman with a dapper black groom, I wanted to show a touch of English eccentricity but not in the way we usually see it on display.”

The resulting photo session is a non-traditional visual feast with modern attire, unique decor, and moody architectural florals.

More details & insight into this gorgeous shoot from Haus of Helen below!

Event Designer: Haus of Helen
Photographer: Mariola Zoladz Photography
Location of shoot: Mayfair Townhouse, Central London
Date of shoot: March 2, 2022
Theme: Wilde Love

A Vision of Wilde Love…

The shoot depicts a black couple spending a relaxed afternoon at the hotel getting ready for their intimate wedding dinner at The Club, the hotel’s private events space. It revels in that place where luxury meets playful. I wanted to playfully showcase black love in a traditionally British aristocratic setting where you might not normally expect to see it.

The Venue…

The Mayfair Townhouse loves the joy of the unexpected and deviates from traditional expectations. This was kept in mind at all times.

The Details…

Oscar Wilde was not a romantic and this in itself added to the wit of the shoot and the whole notion of it being non-traditional. I took some lines from his work and incorporated them into the wedding invitation suite designed by Velvet May Designs, as well as the wedding cake by Meera Makes, and the printed white and mirror cake tabletop.

Modern Meets Traditional…

Throughout the process, I was very keen to combine the modern and the traditional. The tablescape, which is a beautiful contrast of fine dining against a backdrop of modern, architectural floristry designed by Mos London, ties into the idea of the unexpected.

Bringing in some tradition to the feel of the scape are the tasseled menus with the handwritten calligraphy in white ink by Velvet May Designs. The beautiful hand-painted mural of Green Park was a perfect backdrop for this warm, opulent yet pared-back wedding dinner table.

The Cake…

Fashion & Attire…

From a fashion perspective, I wanted the bride to be bold with modern, architectural pieces that still felt grand and worked with the luxurious setting. The voluminous after-party looks were the perfect finish to a chic selection of modern, bridal pieces. It was important for the groom to be dapper but in an understated, modern way. This was achieved with a simple navy suit and velvet bowtie, as well as a simple, tweed green suit by Abitto.