URBAN LOVE STORY : A DREAM IN COUTURE WITH GALIA LAHAV’S CAMPAIGN
From a Viral Image to a Global Campaign: The Magic of Galia Lahav
“A dream that once felt unreachable became a moment I’ll carry forever — a reminder that love, artistry, and vision will always find their way.”
What a dream — and something I could have never imagined.
When Galia Lahav reached out to me after my Made With Love image went viral, I had to read the message twice. To be honest, it was one of those pinch-me moments — the kind that leaves you speechless for a second before the realization sinks in. My photograph had been seen by millions, and suddenly, I was being asked to collaborate with one of the most renowned couture bridal houses in the world. For years, I had admired Galia Lahav’s artistry from afar — their gowns had always embodied a rare fusion of opulence, femininity, and emotion. And here I was, being asked to create part of their “Urban Love Story” campaign. It was, and still is, one of the most defining moments of my career.
What I’ve come to realize through this experience is that nothing is truly out of reach when you pursue your craft with patience, passion, and relentless love. The opportunities that once felt impossibly distant slowly start to find you when your work reflects the fire behind it.
When the call came through, I was entrusted not only as photographer but also as Art Director for the launch of Galia Lahav’s Spring/Summer 2022 Collection, titled Urban Love Story. The campaign was envisioned as a blend of modern romance and cosmopolitan energy — a reimagining of bridal couture against the poetry of movement, architecture, and light. Galia Lahav wanted to expand beyond the studio, giving each photographer across the globe the creative freedom to interpret love through their own lens. It was both liberating and thrilling to bring this story to life.
For my vision, I assembled a team of twenty — from hair and makeup artists to floral designers, stylists, and assistants. Each creative was chosen for their eye, their energy, and their ability to bring emotion into motion. We gathered at Wotton House in Dorking, a venue that felt like stepping into a storybook of old-world grandeur. Originally a 17th-century estate, Wotton House was once the ancestral home of the Evelyn family, famed for its exquisite architecture, Roman-style temples, and manicured gardens that whisper of timeless English romance. Its history, layered with elegance and artistry, was the perfect stage for the campaign’s narrative. From the ivy-draped stone walls to the symmetry of its corridors, the space felt alive — a setting that didn’t just hold beauty but became part of it.
The dresses themselves — The Blair, The Jules, and The Mimosa gowns — left me utterly captivated. To unzip a Galia Lahav gown from its garment bag is to unveil art. Every bead, every hand-stitched lace appliqué, every silk thread woven into the design spoke of couture craftsmanship at its most refined. The House of Galia Lahav is known for its extraordinary detail — the signature illusion backs, corsetry that sculpts with precision, cascading tulle, delicate embroidery, and embellishments that shimmer like light on water. Holding these gowns felt almost ceremonial, a moment of reverence. And though I wasn’t the one wearing them, the experience of photographing them was equally transcendent. Each gown told its own story — The Blair with its modern minimalism and sculpted bodice, The Jules shimmering with intricate crystal beadwork, and The Mimosa fluttering with romantic grace, light as air yet commanding in presence.
I carried forward a few trusted creatives from my Made With Love shoot — people whose vision and energy aligned perfectly with my own. Collaboration, after all, is where magic truly happens. When we reached golden hour, the light turned to liquid gold across the gardens, and that was when everything aligned. Together with Dale Rooks, our filmmaker, we captured movement — Christine, our model, running through the light in one of the gowns, her veil and train trailing behind her like a whisper of wind. It was cinematic and free, reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice — unrestrained, elegant, and powerful in its simplicity.
Behind the lens, it was one of those moments that reminds you why you do what you do. Every frame carried emotion; every detail felt alive. From the shimmer of Lily Arkwright jewels to the soft texture of Iris & Co. Flowers, from the elegance of Charlotte Mills bridal shoes to the refined suit by Cookham Formal Hire, everything came together with seamless grace. Even the classic cars — courtesy of RNG Classics and Tom Horna — added a cinematic layer to the story, gliding through the scene like symbols of timeless sophistication.
Looking back now, four years later, I still feel a wave of
Creative Art Director @violettevioletta_
Photographer @violasworldweddings
Photographer @violas_world_photography
Photographer @violasworldvisuals
Designer @galialahav
Veil @galialahav
Planner and Coordination @clairedomonteweddings
Models @christineandross
Videographer @dalerookfilms
Event @wotton_house_hotel
Hair and Makeup @chloeghbridal
Hair and Makeup assistant @abitaylorbride
Dresser @niamhsmithersx
Cars @rngclassics
Cars @tomhorna
Cars videographer @upandaboveltd
Floral design @irisandcoflowers
Jewellery @lilyarkwrightuk
Bridal Shoes @charlottemillsshoes
Suit hire @cookhamformalhire
