Shell Belle Couture: For The Beautifully Undressed

Can you imagine lingerie and nightwear pieces that make you look and feel confident, sensual and elegant? Shell Belle Couture, a brand founded 15 years ago by Michelle Blenkinsopp-Guild, creates pieces that make the customer feel seen and beautifully undressed. The brand was born on the shores of the idyllic island of Mauritius, a stunning paradise where Michelle lived and worked with her family for several years. From a love of the 1920’s-30’s and the desire for an endless summer.

With over 35 years of experience in intimate apparel, the designer set out to create precious intricate pieces —using vintage, heritage techniques fused with modernity. The pieces are nostalgic, evocative and timeless. Today, she lives and runs Shell Belle Couture from a restored chapel dating back to 1882, on the devastatingly romantic North Cornwall coast in England.

From Mauritius to Cornwall, these landscapes — and the quiet rhythm of the ocean — continue to inspire her. She also draws inspiration from actress and author Elsie de Wolfe, who once said, “I am going to make everything around me beautiful. That will be my life.” Michelle embraces this philosophy wholeheartedly, weaving it into every creation and into the way she lives. Curating the most beautiful lingerie wardrobe to take you through life’s precious moments.

Shell Belle Couture takes great pride in building long-lasting relationships. The brand still works with its very first boutiques, including Tallulah in London, since 2010. Michelle also shares a close, enduring partnership with her atelier owner, Shoba; for the past 19 years, they continue to supported one another as women in business.

Shell Belle Couture is also carried by retailers such as Maison SL in London and Journelle in New York City and Chicago. Relationships with stockists are consistently strong and collaborative, built on trust, respect, and shared values. Annabel Beeforth, founder of Love My Dress, has shared the following about the brand:

“We truly adore everything about Shell Belle Couture. This is a deeply personal brand that has been created with integrity, beauty, and purpose. These are true investment pieces that are sensuous and feminine to wear. On your wedding day, your honeymoon, during romantic time away, or intimate moments at home. We say treat yourself.”

A slow-fashion, sustainable luxury brand, Shell Belle Couture creates intimate pieces so intricate and meticulously crafted that they cannot be mass-produced. Designed to endure, each creation becomes a lifelong treasure. While already captivating in Michelle’s creative direction with stunning photographs, the pieces reveal an even greater beauty in person, brought to life through the finest materials sourced from the same suppliers as Dior, YSL, and Chloé.

Uncompromising quality lies at the heart of the brand. A rigorous seven-step quality control process results in fewer than 1% returns, reflecting an exceptional standard of craftsmanship.

Through her creations, Michelle seeks to empower women, inviting them to feel beautiful, desired, and deeply feminine. Shell Belle Couture operates exclusively on a made-to-order model with a quick turnaround, allowing for flexibility, personalisation, and monogram embroidery. Styles can be tailored to meet each retailer’s needs, with options for exclusivity.

While the garments are designed for intimate moments — from wedding nights and honeymoons to romantic escapes or simply feeling wonderful in your own skin — they are equally suited to be worn beyond the bedroom. Paired with jeans, a cashmere knit, or simply heels, these pieces transition effortlessly into everyday elegance.