A transgender bride has a ‘butterfly moment’ as she finally embraces her shape in Say Yes To The Dress Lancashire.
In tonight’s episode of the TLC show, bride-to-be Sophie, who is a transgender woman, confesses that part of her believed that this day would never come.
‘There’s a lot of baggage that comes with being a transwoman, so to be in this position is quite amazing,’ she says.
With her wedding to fiancé Sandi just around the corner, and with four appointments already under her belt, Sophie is falling out of love with wedding dress shopping, so the pressure is on for her to leave the boutique happy.
Sophie, who is a transgender woman, finally learns to embrace her shape in tonight’s episode of Say Yes To The Dress Lancashire. Pictured, in dress one
The bride-to-be confesses that part of her believed that this day would never come. Pictured, in dress number three
But for her mum Rachel, it’s so much more than just dress shopping.
‘It’s not just about the wedding dress, it’s about the journey that she’s on, that she should feel like a beautiful, young lady,’ an emotional Rachel says.
Sensing how low on confidence Sophie is, Gok knows he’s up for a challenge in finding a dress that makes her feel comfortable and, more importantly, like the woman she is.
‘If you asked me to list the parts of my body that I was confident about, I wouldn’t be able to list very many,’ Sophie says, stressing that she’s keen on something big that she can hide in.
‘When you look in the mirror and your body is all wrong, it can be really, really distressing.’
After being given the Gok treatment in dress number one, Sophie’s confidence starts to grow, and the super stylist wants her to try on something more fitted to help her embrace her shape.
Super Stylist Gok Wan sets to work in the hope of finding Sophie her dream dress. Pictured, with a consultant
Rachel agrees, and is pleased to see the influence Gok is having on her daughter’s confidence.
‘It is good to see that Gok’s influence is having an effect on Sophie and broadening her outlook and horizons,’ she says.
Agreeing to try on a glamorous, fishtail dress favoured by her mum, Sophie makes it clear that she feels out of her comfort zone – But true to form, Gok gives the bride-to-be a much-needed confidence boost.
‘You look so beautiful, and so statuesque, and gorgeous, and demure, and feminine,’ he says. ‘All of sudden, you’re seeing your figure where you are up close and personal with your body.’
Coming around, Sophie starts to really look at herself.
‘The more I look at this dress in the mirror, the more I like it,’ Sophie says. ‘Even I admit that I look beautiful, I can’t stop smiling!’
With her confidence growing even more, Sophie asks for something with a similar fit, but with a bolder skirt.
Duly delivering, Gok presents her with gown number three – which combines the blingy top of dress two with a princess skirt.
‘This dress is everything I’ve asked for,’ she beams, bouncing with excitement.
Sensing how low on confidence Sophie is, Gok knows he’s up for a challenge in finding a dress that makes her feel comfortable. Pictured, with a consultant
Back downstairs, a radiant Sophie flaunts the stunning gown in front of her entourage, before taking a second to reflect not only on the day, but the incredible journey she has been on for the past five years.
‘Today I’ve had an epiphany, or a transformation, or whatever word you want to use, that has changed me as a person significantly,’ she says, in an emotional speech addressed to both Gok and her entourage.
‘It’s been an amazing day. I was here to find a wedding dress and, in a strange way, I found myself.’
‘We’ve tried on so many dresses and I’ve never been able to look past my own body. You’ve given me that. And now you’ve given me two b****y dresses!’
Torn between dress two and three, Sophie has a decision to make. Deciding on just one of the gowns, Sophie prepares to walk down and show her entourage for the final time.
‘Sophie has fought so hard for her body, for her identity,’ Gok says, as Sophie emerges from the staircase in dress number two. ‘I think for the first time in her life she feels beautiful and sexy, and I think she’s chosen well.’
‘I do feel beautiful,’ enthuses Sophie, while a tearful Rachel says: ‘She looks proud and happy and confident.’
With that, a delighted and emotional Sophie says yes to the dress!