Working with Couture Fabrics

I’ve been working on outfits for clients near and far - here is a peak into my studio these first months of 2023 -

a spectacular textured silk and wool from Italy with Fleur de Lys 3-D embellishments -

I made a rosette pin as an embellishment

The complete outfit for an ambassador dinner with Ottoman coat and 4-ply silk splatter lining and scarf

Iridescent silk dress in a color I call Absynthe with puckered details borrowed from the V& A antique costume collection

Tweed jacket with gold trim, silk chiffon blouse and corduroy skirt

Surprise pink silk lining

Lightweight wool challis brought to me by client

blue wool and mohair coat with fabric given to me by above client

Continuing the blue theme- a blue velvet dress I made as a sample

Dark Navy cashmere coat with appliques made for fun as sample - inspiration taken from dear friends I’ve lost and hold near me

This summery chiffon dress came to visit for a touch-up

Anticipating Spring! Fun was had at my Winter sale

Love and good health to all! Keep your heart open

My littlest client and grandniece in her polka-dot Christmas dress with chiffon collar

Working Women's couture

Artists need clothes too. A few years ago I made this velvet 3 piece suit for Deborah Kass. Here she is at her opening at the Paul Kasmin Gallery following her knockout retrospective at the Andy Warhol Foundation. Her success has only increased. Her OY YO sculpture is now on display at the Brooklyn Museum after gracing the Brooklyn waterfront for 8 months.

3 piece cotton velvet suit - photo by Billy Farrell Agency courtesy of Paul Kasmin Gallery

Stitching Spring

Winter doesn't want to leave, but Spring won't be deterred. . .the first buds are sprouting and the birds and small animals are celebrating the advent of warmer weather to come.  i always love color and it is never lacking in my studio.

threads and roses

Barbara Haskell, my wonderful client, was recently profiled on NY1  speaking about her Grant Wood painting survey currently on view at the Whitney museum

she is wearing a custom red wool pants suit and black silk camisole with lace appliqué

Barbara wore a dress of mine to the opening of her Grant wood show

it is silk Gazar with lace capelet sleeves

My husband, Artist Taro Suzuki, in front of Grant Wood's most famous painting - American Gothic

one of Grant Woods's oddly narrative paintings at the Whitney

Barbara Haskell profiled in the NYTimes

red and blue Dutch Wax  dress in progress

blue and fushia Dutch wax Qipau dress 

A client brought me some beautiful Irish Tweed that she bought in Ireland in the 60's - there was just enough to make this coat with only tiny scraps left over

client wearing finished coat

For my sister's 60 birthday her husband arranged a surprise dance party and I made her a surprise dress

red, yellow and green wax-print dress 

it fits!!

Indian block-print cotton Voile

Happy Spring Everyone!