Behind the Seams

Bentley + Lace & Finnegan and Lace

Luxury couture gowns rooted in family, crafted with intention, and designed to turn meaningful moments into heirlooms.

Founder & Creative Director

Elizabeth Copeland is the founder and creative director of Bentley + Lace and Finnegan and Lace, two couture brands redefining custom gowns and rentals for children, teens, and families nationwide. Known for her eye for unique fabrics, meticulous attention to detail, and timeless silhouettes, Elizabeth has built a reputation as a leader in luxury, made-to-order fashion.

"Every gown begins with imagination — and ends with meaning."

From Corporate Marketing to Couture

Elizabeth’s journey began with childhood dreams of designing and took shape after she earned her degree in Marketing, PR, and Advertising in 2007. After a successful career in corporate marketing, she stepped into entrepreneurship—first launching a consulting firm and her debut fashion line, E COUTURE DESIGNS, and later founding Bentley + Lace and Finnegan and Lace, the brands closest to her heart.

At the core of Elizabeth’s work is family. A proud wife and mom to Bentley, Finnegan, and Grayson, she wove her children’s names into her brands as a reflection of the love, legacy, and purpose that inspire her daily. Her designs empower families and photographers alike, transforming meaningful moments into one-of-a-kind heirlooms.

Beyond design, Elizabeth is deeply committed to community service. She regularly uses her platform to give back and has partnered with organizations such as Leia’s Kids, bringing joy and confidence to families facing childhood cancer. Her work continues to create opportunities that uplift beauty, resilience, and connection.

Elizabeth’s artistry and advocacy have been recognized through multiple press features, celebrating her entrepreneurial spirit, creative vision, and lasting impact as both a designer and community advocate. Through Bentley + Lace and Finnegan and Lace, she seamlessly blends fashion, family, and philanthropy—proving that couture can be both deeply personal and widely accessible.

A Family Dream, Stitched Into Reality

Bentley + Lace and Finnegan and Lace are more than couture brands — they are the work of a small, family-owned business built with love, dedication, and teamwork. What began as Elizabeth Copeland's creative vision has grown into a family effort where artistry and everyday life intertwine.

Elizabeth pours her heart into each design, while her husband manages the behind-the-scenes operations that ensure every gown moves from sketch to shipment with care. Their children — Bentley, Finnegan, and Grayson — are the heartbeat of the brand, inspiring its name, purpose, and passion.

Running a family business means balancing design work with school runs, sports practices, and family dinners. It is a rhythm of creativity and commitment rooted in resilience and intention. Every gown carries not only couture craftsmanship, but the story of a family building something meaningful together.

At its core, Bentley + Lace is not just about fashion — it is about legacy, connection, and beauty stitched with heart.

Image credit: JC Photography & Design LLC — DFW + Beyond, Family & Portrait Photography

The Design Process

Every Bentley + Lace gown begins with a vision. From inspiration to final stitch, each piece is thoughtfully designed to feel personal, timeless, and beautifully made.

The process flows from concept and sketching to careful fabric sourcing, precise pattern drafting, and meticulous handcrafting using couture techniques. Each gown is finished with a final quality review before being prepared for delivery.

From imagination to heirloom, every gown is created with care, intention, and heart.

From Concept to Couture

See how each Bentley + Lace design evolves from an initial idea into a finished couture gown.

Illustration of a woman in a detailed gown on a light background

Woman in a pink dress standing in front of a floral arch with pink and white flowers.

Concept

Finished Couture

Giving Back, With Heart

At Bentley + Lace and Finnegan and Lace, giving back is woven into the fabric of our work. We believe couture can be more than beautiful — it can be meaningful, comforting, and deeply human.

Elizabeth regularly uses her platform to support families and organizations aligned with her values. This includes partnerships with Leia’s Kids, where couture moments are used to bring joy, confidence, and light to children and families navigating childhood cancer. Our community also comes together through initiatives such as Secret Santas of Little Elm, helping provide holiday support to local families in need, and through donation efforts supporting flood victims in Kerrville, offering aid during times of unexpected hardship.

Through intentional collaborations, charitable giving, and hands-on community involvement, our goal is to create moments that uplift, encourage, and remind families they are seen and supported. These acts of service matter just as much as the gowns themselves.

Giving back is not an add-on to our work — it is part of the legacy we are building, rooted in compassion, connection, and purpose.

Press & Recognition

Bentley + Lace and Finnegan and Lace have earned recognition for their couture craftsmanship, creative vision, and meaningful community impact. Under the direction of founder and creative director Elizabeth Copeland, the brands have been featured on respected fashion platforms and stages including New York Fashion Week (NYFW), Los Angeles Fashion Week (LAFW), Houston Fashion Week, and Austin Fashion Week, with designs showcased for editorial presentations, red carpet appearances, and celebrity styling.

Elizabeth Copeland’s work has also been highlighted across multiple publications and media outlets, recognizing her entrepreneurial leadership, family-led business model, and commitment to intentional, purpose-driven design. Her approach to couture blends refined artistry with accessibility, creating garments that resonate with both the fashion industry and families nationwide.

In 2025, Bentley + Lace was selected as the 2025 “Empowering the Heart of Texas” Grand Prize Winner, presented by Lenovo in partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, chosen from more than 1,900 applicants across North Texas. This honor recognized the brand’s innovation, resilience, and leadership as a women-owned business making a meaningful impact through creativity and community engagement.