King & Allen Photo Competition Winner 2026: Shayne & Danny's Wedding Story

Shayne's suit featured an oversized statement bow and a dramatic detachable train, embodying everything bespoke tailoring should be: personal and one of a kind. In celebration of his win, we sat down with Shayne to talk about his incredible wedding to Danny, the inspiration behind this iconic suit and ideas for the new one.

Q: How Did You & Danny Meet?

Shayne: "We actually met on a dating app and arranged to meet for a coffee. It sounds simple, but from that first date we both knew there was something special there. We clicked immediately and pretty much decided straight away that we wanted to be together

 Danny is originally from Italy and had only been living in the UK for about two years when we met. About 16 months into the relationship he moved in with me, we got engaged after two years together and eventually married on the seventh anniversary of our first date. We've now been together for eight years, which feels amazing when I look back on how quickly everything fell into place."

Q: What Was The Proposal Story?

Shayne: "The proposal happened during a family skiing holiday in Méribel, France, and it's probably one of the funniest stories from our relationship. My brother and I love skiing, but Danny had never been quite as confident.  After taking a tumble one day, he'd completely lost his nerve and somehow managed to get himself stranded at the top of the mountain.

My brother and I ended up going to find him because he was refusing to ski back down. Eventually I persuaded him to get onto the ski lift with me and come down that way instead. As we were travelling down the mountain, he rested his head on my shoulder and asked me to marry him.

The problem was that I genuinely thought he was joking. He asked me multiple times and I just kept casually saying 'yes' without really reacting. Eventually he got frustrated and said, 'For God's sake, your mum has your ring!' That's when I realised it was actually happening."

Q: What Made You Choose Your Wedding Suit Style?

Shayne: "I've always known I wanted something different. I never imagined myself wearing a completely traditional wedding suit and I definitely didn't want to look the same as my husband. Throughout our relationship Danny would often send me unusual fashion references and runway looks as a joke, as he knew I loved bold clothing. One day he sent me an image that featured a large statement bow and I instantly fell in love with the idea. Around the same time, one of my friends joked that with a bow that big I'd end up looking like a present. Instead of putting me off, it actually made me want to lean into the concept even more.

From the beginning I knew I wanted a train incorporated into the design as well. It had to be dramatic, but still feel like tailoring rather than costume. We chose a merino wool cloth because it offered the structure needed to support the shape of the bow, while still draping beautifully. The bow itself became detachable, as did the train, which meant I could have comfort later in the day. My consultant Stephanie also incorporated beautiful curved lapels, and these gave it a really elegant silhouette. By the end of the process the train had grown to almost three metres long. Looking back, some people have compared it to Bad Bunny's 2023 Met Gala look, but at the time it was simply about creating something authentic to me."

Q: Why Did You Choose King & Allen?

Shayne: "Before finding King & Allen, I'd spoken to several designers and tailors about the concept. To be honest, some of the reactions were quite disappointing. A few people rejected it outright, while others questioned whether the design was really necessary. There was a lot of 'Do you have to do that?' and it left me feeling like my ideas were being judged rather than explored.

I specifically started searching for tailors who had experience working with gay couples, as I wanted to work with people who would understand what I was trying to achieve. That's when I found King & Allen. From the very first conversation, Stephanie's reaction was completely different. She wasn't questioning the idea or trying to tone it down; she was excited about it. She immediately saw the potential in the design and started thinking about how to make it even better. That enthusiasm was what convinced me.”

Q: How Would You Describe Your Bespoke Experience?

Shayne: "If i could describe the experience in three words they would be; effortless, incredible and friendly

A moment that stands out most was the second-to-last fitting, as It was the first time I saw the suit looking almost exactly as it would on the wedding day. I remember standing in front of the mirror and genuinely feeling like a million dollars. 

I specifically remember Stephanie was looking closely at the train, and  I noticed her expression change and immediately thought something was wrong. Instead, she turned to me and said she wanted to make the train even longer. We decided to change the original 2 metres to 3 metres, and her excitement was so encouraging. Another lovely touch was that Stephanie was also creating a suit for one of my friends attending the wedding, so we both collected our suits together just before the big day.”

Q: Did You Have Any Concerns About The Suit?

Shayne: "My biggest concern was always being laughed at. When you're doing something unconventional, there's always a part of you that worries people won't understand it. Even members of my family were concerned that the design might be too bold, or attract the wrong kind of attention.

What made the difference was the support I received throughout the process. Stephanie was constantly reassuring me and helping me trust my instincts. Whenever I had doubts, she reminded me why we'd made certain design decisions and how incredible the finished result was going to be. At one point she told me she wasn't going to let me walk out of the showroom without feeling amazing, and she absolutely stuck to that promise. By the wedding day, all of those worries had completely disappeared."

Q: How Did You Feel On Your Wedding Day?

Shayne: "Honestly, I loved every second of wearing it. If I could wear that suit every day, I probably would. It was exactly what I'd hoped for and more. The fact that both the train and bow could be removed throughout the day, meant I was really comfortable.

The reactions were incredible. But what surprised me most was how much some of my more conservative family members loved it too. People who I thought might question the design, ended up being some of its biggest supporters. We got married at a historic manor house, and the venue provided the perfect setting for such a unique suit.”

Q: How Did You Feel About Winning The Competition?

Shayne: "I felt incredibly proud. The suit was such a collaborative effort between my own vision and Stephanie's craftsmanship, so winning felt like recognition for both of us. It was lovely to see people responding so positively to something that had started as an idea in my head years earlier.

I work as an air steward, so I probably became everyone's least subtle colleague for a few weeks because I was asking passengers, friends and family members to vote for me whenever I got the chance. John Scofield did a phenomenal job. He was brilliant at directing us while still capturing genuine moments, and the final images perfectly reflected how special the day felt."

Q: Do You Have Anything Planned For Your Next Suit?

Shayne: "Absolutely. I've already started thinking about it. I'd love to take elements of the wedding suit and evolve them into something new. I'm particularly drawn to the idea of curved lapels again because I loved how elegant they looked. I'm also thinking about removing the jacket pockets entirely and introducing much more colour.”

Teal and pastel tones are high on the list, as well as a peacock-inspired lining. I want the overall look to be bold and colourful, so winning the competition has given me the perfect excuse to have some fun with the next design."

Q: What Advice Do You Have For Others Designing a Non-Traditional Suit?

Shayne: "My biggest piece of advice is to always stick to what you want. Have confidence in your vision and don't let other people's expectations dictate your decisions. There were moments where it would have been easier to compromise, but I'm so glad I didn't. 

Every positive comment I've received since the wedding has made me realise that. Most importantly, find people who genuinely want to help bring your ideas to life. That's exactly what I found at King & Allen. The support and enthusiasm I received made the entire experience unforgettable."