‘It allowed me to embrace my disability rather than hide it’ – print experts create prosthetic leg cover for bride

Print experts from UWE Bristol developed an innovative solution for a bride-to-be – by creating a bespoke covering for her prosthetic leg to match her wedding outfit.

Staff from the Centre for Print Research (CFPR) designed the unique patterned covering after being approached by Gabrielle Couch, who sought help for her daughter Shannon.

Gabrielle called on the printmaking specialists to create a customised cover to match the outfit Shannon planned to wear for her wedding ceremony and evening reception.

Following consultation with Shannon, the team produced the personalised wrap-around covering by screen printing a colour blend of oranges and pinks (matching the wedding colour theme) onto very thin pink Japanese tissue.

Shannon was delighted with the result, wearing the new cover during the day under her full-length gown, then pairing it with a shorter dress and Converse trainers for the evening dance.

Laura Clarke, a Senior Research Technician in Multidisciplinary Print at CFPR, said: “We are always looking forward to finding new ways to innovate printmaking, and to have the opportunity to apply our creative skill sets and expertise to come up with practical solutions to new challenges and projects.

“This one was particularly exciting because it was so personal and significant to the client - we really wanted all of her ideas to be considered.”

Gabrielle approached CFPR for help to create ‘something special’ for her daughter’s wedding in April as she was aware of the centre’s reputation for print-based problem-solving.

The CFPR team – Laura Clarke, Julia Kowalska and Professor Carinna Parraman – looked at the wedding dress and colour scheme during an initial consultation and began discussing creative solutions, particularly a paper-based printed decal as the cover.

In the following weeks, they scanned a portion of the lace from Shannon’s dress, used photo editing to create a repeat pattern, and applied pattern-cutting techniques so the paper appeared to be 'tattooed' to the surface.

Once the design was produced, the tissue was applied to the surface of the plain white leg cover and protected with a matt varnish to prevent it from becoming wet or torn.

Shannon said: “Before my wedding, my prosthetic cover was a plain white plastic shell that reminded me of a Stormtrooper. While it served its purpose, it never felt like part of me or reflected who I am. The team transformed it into something beautiful, inspired by my wedding dress and the colours of the day, which allowed me to fully embrace my disability rather than hide it.

“My prosthetic became part of my outfit. Wearing it on my wedding day gave me confidence and made me feel proud. It wasn’t just a cover anymore; it was a piece of art that helped tell my story and allowed me to celebrate every part of myself as I danced the night away.”

Professor Carinna Parraman, Director of the CFPR, said: “This was the first prosthetic cover we have made, and the positive response has inspired us to explore even more bespoke designs.

“We look forward to developing unique solutions, from custom poems to intricate patterns, for future clients.”