Gala Dressing

October 26, 2024 in Couture, couture clients, Couture Studio, Special Occasion dresses

A week before the 2024 election it is safe to say we are suspended in time- holding our breath, or perhaps working like crazy on behalf of our candidate. Personally I say VOTE - VOTE BLUE - and elect Kamala Harris!

n the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to George Washington’s home Mt. Vernon- I created this blue ensemble for a very valued client.

Jacket with “faux bow” attaches with inside coat hook

Client’s own heirloom pin on moiré ribbon

Jacket and dress cuffs lined in ochre moiré - Bolero follows line of seam in dress

Occasionally a client will find a dress that has been in my studio for a few years and it is love at first sight- with a few revisions the perfect outfit for an upcoming Gala

Silk satin stripe organza gown with beaded detail

A visiter to my website wanted an outfit recreated for a nephew’s lavish wedding in Rome. I was able to find the same corded Alençon lace at Gelmore Lace. The swarvoski crystal Buttons are from M & J Trimming- saddly due to close at the end of this year.

Silk chiffon blouse w/ swarvski buttons and sleeve bows - Alençon lace skirt lined in crepe back silk satin

New addition to the family- grand neice Ayla - daughter of neice Ellie and wife Shy with Ellie in matching couture- never too young❣️

Ellie and Ayla in matching cotton wax print dresses - fabric from Eliebea

stay sane and dont forget to dress up and Vote ! Thank you for visiting ❣️

Lace Calme Et Volupté

September 08, 2024 in Couture, Weddings, Special Occasion dresses, mother of the bride dress

This summer I had several projects which involved lace. A young client wanted a top for a skirt she had bought for a “cottage core” wedding. The wedding was to be held at Babbington House in England. I found the perfect lace at Gelmor Lace - a family owned company dealing exclusively with authentic french lace for 3 generations. They also had the lace trim which I used to finish the neckline and sleeve edges.

french alençon lace with half bralette in silk charmeuse

The bride wanted to incorporate elements from her mother and grandmother’s wedding dresses. The buttons on the back of the top were from her grandmother’s dress. I used eyelet trim from her mother’’s dress to finish the seams on the inside of the top.

back - lace wedding top with satin-covered buttons

A client came who was to be a guest at her nephew’s lavish wedding in Rome. She wanted me to replicate an outfit from my website. It was from a trunk show 10 years ago which proves that classic design never goes out of style!

Blouse - Silk chiffon with lycra. crystal buttons - skirt - Aleçon lace with silk crepe-back satin lining in blush

A very dear and loyal client needed a dress for her daughter’s wedding. (I had made her maternity clothes when she had been pregnant!) She wanted to wear a dress she had gotten from one of my sales a few years back which needed some alteration.s. She also needed a jacket to go with it.. The very talented Michael at B&J Fabrics found the flower motif chiffon-embellished net to which I added the blue details to further coordinate the 2 elements.

Silk shantung puff skirt dress with Navy embroidered design - silk chiffon on net bolero jacket

back view - silk shantung dress with net and silk jacket

front - silk shantung strapless dress with flower appliqué and silk ric-rac trim

A client who was made princess of 2 Indonesian islands receives many gift from the royal family of fabric and clothing manufactured in their country. It is expected on her return that she will be wearing them incorporated into her wardrobe. I made this lilac ensemble to go with an embroidered vest of a material akin to plastic. (in picture below)

Irredescent cotton voile shirt using fabric selfvage at center front and unraveled edges as decorative elements. Gimp trim was also applied. skirt is a vibrant cotton. Fabrics from B&J.

Detail of cotton voile irridescent cotton blouse.

Fabric brought back from India by client- Indigo-dyed cotton paisley

Cotton Vlisco fabric brought to me by a client for a dress she wore at the Gordon Parks Foundation Gala. When I held the fabric up and draped it on her she said she wanted a dress with that exact look of casual draping.

Cotton wax print Vlisco fabric- printed in Holland

Wax print dress from studio - now in client collection - I found the same floral motif in a tablecloth my husband’s mother made in the 60’s

Vlisco wax print dress with pockets in traditional pattern

in client's collection - vlisco print of hand holding flowers - I found the pattern more appealing and less obvious when placed upside down and at an angle on the body.

vlisco wax print cotton one shoulder dress - hands holding a bunch of flowers

Vlisco wax print skirt with designer's own blouse - japanese cotton with selvage detail- after Matisse-

moving into early fall- a 2-tone denim jacket with antique Austrian buttons over a linen dress-in-progress for client - jacket also has coordinating brown denim trousers.

Cotton denim jacket with zip front - linen dress with front buttons

The summer went by fast! Lots of work and also new grand nieces, visits with friends and family and lots of bike rides

Thanks for stopping by - Remember to Dress for pleasure❣️

Flowers of Spring

May 15, 2024 in Couture, Couture Studio, couture clients, Dance, Dance Costumes, Drawings, Special Occasion dresses

I can’t help but be inspired by the growth and renewal all around us- even as the world feels uncertain and brutal in so many ways, Spring has always been a symbol of hope and new life-

Fil Coupé silk organza blouse w/ flowers and butterflies

Silk tweed skirt and vest with gold trim and Oscar (de La Renta) buttons

I looked everywhere for the buttons to tie this outfit together and finally found these perfect cloisonné ones at Mood. The silk organza blouse fabric is from B&J fabrics. Tweed was brought to me by client

Found this incredible cotton print a few years ago at Beckenstein Fabrics and not sure what we would do with it. .

Elephants on orange clouds among multi-colored plaid and decorative motifs

The idea coalesced when we looked at this Kantha print- also bought a few years ago during Covid- and decided the two were meant for each other!

Short Kantha cotton quilted jacket over Elephant print dress.

Mother of the Groom - wedding in Germany

Cotton print dress with silk and wool coat

Around town

Central Park Conservancy Garden in April

New Grandniece - Elizabeth - born in April

Thank you so much for visiting! Please stay safe and be kind ❤️

Tweeds, cowls and dancers

February 11, 2024 in Couture Studio, couture clients, inspiration, Special Occasion dresses

This year has started with lots of work. - outfits for clients’ events near and far - new African fabrics from Vlisco waiting to be cut and some new dance costumes for a piece I designed in 2019.

Trisha Brown dancers in “Working Title” photographed on French tour by Delphine Perrin

There were some new dancers in the company since I made the original costumes- The dancer on the left is the 4th one to wear this costume with a bit of tweaking. The middle costume is entirely new and the fushia orchid pants are a new addition. I didn’t use any stretch in the fabics (all cotton & silk) The pants must accomodate a wide range of movement and stand up to many wearings and washings! The first thing the dancers do when trying on the pants is a deep plié. I am always so relieved when they perform well.

Coming to the Joyce Theater NYC March 26 - 31

I was contacted by someone from my website who wanted to give a gift certificate to his sister. It took about a year for her to contact me, but when we met she ordered a dress and chose fabric of which I had a small piece in my studio. The fabric was a block print from India, I didn’t remember the vendor. After a google image search I was able to find someone in India who printed the exact pattern for me. She was very happy with the dress and buttons that I found . her brother also bought her a mohair coat from my studio as a second gift .

Both of these tweeds were brought to me by the client. I had the double sided silk satin from Paris which matched beautifully. The velvet trims tied it together and the raw edged ruffled collar was the finishing touch!

multi -tweed jacket over silk satin dress

The fabric in this dress actually has strands of tartan cloth woven into it,

Wool tweed with generous pockets and self fringe detail on sleeves

These blue silk fabrics were brought to me by a different client . She had a niece’s bat mitzvah in February. I made her a dress and coat of a fairly simple shape which let the fabrics speak

Ice blue silk and wool sheath dress with cowl neckline

Silk brocade rhinestone embellished fabric in coat over silk & wool cowl dress

35 yards of wax- printed cotton to inspire and play with all washed and waiting. . .

Thank you for visiting! Please check back soon❤️

Winter Sale

December 03, 2023 in Couture, Couture Studio, African/Dutch Wax Prints, Sale Dresses, Special Occasion dresses

Weddings!

July 21, 2022 in Couture, couture clients, Special Occasion dresses, Weddings

Over the last few months I have been working on several projects for weddings. I was lucky to design 3 Mother of the Bride/Groom dresses, a wedding dress for a Cathedral wedding and a wedding reception dress for my lovely niece and model. The last was a fairy tale wedding in Sintra Portugal which I also attended.

Sintra wedding - Ellie is wearing green silk peony dress- hand-painted by Eve Vaterlaus

The large floral print silk was chosen for it’s vibrant greens for a wedding in Ireland.

Mother of the Bride dress in silk shantung - with half cummerbund belt.

Large flower print bursting with vitality, as is it’s owner - for a wedding in Bermuda - the body and weight of the fabric leant itself to a simple figure-flattering shape.

Mother of the Bride dress in 6-ply organza

This wedding dress was a challenge to construct. The Bride was inspired by a Halston dress designed for Liza Minnelli. I love the contrast between the shimmering silver sequins and the fragile slightly irridescent silk chiffon. Luckily, Michael at B and J Fabrics was able to find the gorgeous chiffon which was super light, yet able to bear the weight of the dress.

virtual wedding at St John the Divine - silver metal sequins on silk chiffon with silk chiffon bodice/sleeve

This dress was draped on the client out of a single length of silk chiffon

Silk Chiffon burnout Mother of the Groom dress

The wedding of my niece was held in a fairytale castle on a perfect moonlit night in Sintra , Portugal.

Dressing for pleasure

October 26, 2021 in African/Dutch Wax Prints, Couture, Couture Studio, dresses, Special Occasion dresses

Say goodbye to summer and it’s indolent airs , but not to the concept of dressing for pleasure. Dites Bonjour to mixing and layering prints, textures, colors or whatever you like- make dressing an adventure.

Orange Lampas Brocade coat over cotton print dress

The coat is lined in silk charmeuse and has antique filigree buttons collected in Southern Germany concealing hook and eye closures that fasten the coat - shown here also before buttons were added - coat sz 12 - $750. Dress sz 14 - $375.

A cotton wax-print frock coat can be layered over pants or dresses - to stylish effect - Letters and numbers Ankara print is a traditional African pattern - lined in rayon bemberg - sz 6-8 - $650.

Nothing says VIP better than a dress that actually says vip . . Cotton wax print button front dress with semi-belt tie. sz 6-8 - $550.

We got out of the city for the first time since the Pandemic- Had a lovely weekend visit with old friends at the beach.

Back in the studio. . . .

A full cotton print skirt with a belt and dark top has been my wardrobe choice for bicycling along the Hudson River to and from my studio feeling free as a bird!

Continue to stay safe everyone and dress for pleasure! ❤️

detail Peonie 1.JPEG — detail of Peony - painted by Eve Vaterlaus

Peonies on Silk

September 01, 2021 in Art, Couture, Couture Studio, dresses, Special Occasion dresses

I recently asked longtime friend and collaborator Eve Vaterlaus to paint whatever she liked for me on two pieces of silk.. I chose a heavy weight silk charmeuse with a luxurious hand.

Eve Vaterlaus with the fabric pieces she painted

I knew I wanted to drape the dresses directly on the dress form and on the bias without making a pattern.

It is scary, but exhilarating to make the first cut - I ended up using almost every bit of the fabric.

The dresses modeled by my two favorite models - my nieces. . .

Pink Peonies on pale green satin modeled by Ellison Mellor

Lu fountain yellow dress.jpeg — Yellow silk Poppies

modeled by Lucy Debernardi

Almost Summer

June 10, 2021 in Art, Couture, African/Dutch Wax Prints, dresses, inspiration, Sale Dresses, Special Occasion dresses

It was a busy and productive couple of months. I always love this time of year and especially this year, with covid numbers declining and some activity returning. I was encouraged that people bought lots of dresses at my Spring Sale, which indicates that they see a future in dressing up and going out again.

Sophie in Peacock blue silk draped gown photo: Liz Hafter

I made this dress in 2005 originally as a costume for Trisha Brown to wear in a duet in Lyon, France. We decided on something simpler and I then sold it to a dear client. Some years later this client recommended me to Sophie and her Mom, one of her best friends, to design a Bat mitzvah dress. Now- Sophie is graduating from high school and the friend leant her the gown to wear to her prom. She chose to wear Doc Martins as footwear, (not pictured) which I love!

SALE was the entire month of may, by appointment, at my atelier

The city was gorgeous and provided much inspiration!

I went to the first art shows I had seen in 15 months- Lee Krasner collages at Paul Kasmin Gallery and Terry Winters Paintings and drawings at Matthew Marks Gallery

Spring sale!

April 30, 2021 in African/Dutch Wax Prints, Couture Studio, Sale Dresses, Special Occasion dresses

May 1 - May 31

460 W. 24 St. 1B NY. NY. 10011

Contact me for more info on how to purchase or to make an appointment to visit my NYC Chelsea Atelier

check below for the $100 section

visit my atelier for more !

Happy New Year 2021

January 06, 2021 in Couture, Art, Special Occasion dresses, inspiration

Virtual travel during time of Covid - collages using images from Chateaus in France including the Chateau Villette a luxury wedding destination -

Bunny Coat! Central Park West - first snow!

Bunny Coat! Fabric painted by Ray Smith - wool Melton - lined in silk satin

Draped silk dresses

February 07, 2020 in Couture Studio, Couture, Art, Special Occasion dresses

4-ply silk crepe is a beautiful fabric with a luxurious hand that can be worn year round

engraving - jean-jaques lequeu - living room at Hotel le Montholon - 1786 - Dress - 4-ply silk with silk chiffon sleeve and lining - size 6 -$950. — engraving - jean-jaques lequeu - living room at Hotel le Montholon - 1786 -
**Dress - 4-ply silk with silk chiffon sleeve and lining - size 6 -$950.**

Winter Sale !

December 04, 2019 in Couture, Couture Studio, dresses, Sale Dresses, Special Occasion dresses, African/Dutch Wax Prints

I will be having my Winter Sale on Tuesday, Dec 10 - there will be new items as well as older couture stock at greatly reduced prices- if you cannot attend on the day of the sale, please get in touch to make an appointment in the following days until Dec 30. Happy Holidays to All!

Trunk Show May 23!

May 17, 2018 in Couture, Special Occasion dresses

2 of my dear clients are holding a trunk show for me at a private home. I will have new samples that can be ordered in various sizes and also one-of-a kind pieces for sale. Please contact me for details if you are interested in attending. The hours are 4-7 pm or by appt at my studio beginning on May 24.

Italian Upholstery Linen "Ganesh" skirt - SOLD

Navy silk chiffon blouse and Nave lace skirt - SOLD

Other Laces for skirt

Indian block print cotton wrap dress -SOLD- — Indian block print cotton wrap dress -**SOLD-**

"Paperbag Dress" in cotton with selvage edge trim- SOLD

Wax-print Cotton Raj jacket and linen wrap skirt-SOLD — Wax-print Cotton Raj jacket and linen wrap skirt-**SOLD**

Ponté knit bird cardi over wax-print wrap dress - sold - can be custom ordered

rayon knit drape neckline top and cotton print wrap skirt- 1 skirt SOLD- 3 availabletop sold - can be custom ordered — rayon knit drape neckline top and cotton print wrap skirt- **1 skirt** SOLD- 3 available
top sold - can be custom ordered

I hope you can come!

Changing Seasons

September 24, 2017 in Special Occasion dresses, Dance Costumes

Although it may still feel like summer, Fall is here and I am looking back and thinking forward.

Summer was an intense work period of costume reconstruction for the Trisha Brown Company.

I was privileged to work with the artist Terry Winters in recreating his costumes for Groove and Countermove (debut Sept. 2000) for which he also created the sets.

checking the pant hems in the rehearsal studio

I found some luxurious bamboo knit in luscious colors for the leotards and then went to Dynemix to have them dye the cotton/lycra twill for the pants to match the tops. They did an amazing job and were delightful to work with on the short deadline that I gave them.

The piece was performed in August at Jacob's Pillow along with another piece for which I did the reconstruction of my original designs "L'Amour Au Theatre"

These pieces will also be performed at the Joyce theatre in NYC in Dec. 2017. To see the calendar of upcoming events and performances click here

Groove and Countermove photos: Christopher Duggan

L'Amour Au Theâtre set : Trisha Brown photo;: Brooke Trisolini

This past March marked the passing of our beloved Trisha Brown who I have been so honored to work with over the past 15 years and through whom I have met and worked with so many amazing dancers and collaborators. Through Trisha I was able to create costumes at the Paris Opera, both the old Garnier and the newer Bastille , and worked in a castle in Germany and the famed Aix-en-Provence Opera as well as creating costumes for Trisha herself in her duets with Steve Paxton and Elizabeth Streb.

This summer a beautiful memorial was held for Trisha at the Whitney Museum.

A still from the film "Slow Dancing" by David Michalek dress: Elizabeth Cannon

New costumes for "Geometry of Quiet" originally designed by Christophe deMenil

fitting in dance studio of Geometry of Quiet one-piece jumpsuit

Also this summer I created another Batmitzvah Dress, a niche I am happy to say I have been acquiring some experience. Like wedding Dresses, it is always very touching to be involved in creating an outfit to commemorate an important life milestone.

SALE ITEMS

I have some lovely dresses in my studio from seasons past that are available at reduced prices. As I work on new designs I invite inquiries about these couture samples. And I welcome visits to my atelier in Chelsea. You may contact me on the contact page to make an appointment.

Devourè silk velvet dress - available

Brown silk charmeuse - available

African Poly-print dress - available

Draped Tissue cotton dress - sold

Faux-pearl necklaces

Dutch wax African print with flower appliquès - sold

Dark Brown silk velvet bias-cut dress - sold

Red wool draped dress - available

Flower print silk chiffon bias dress - available

Black silk velvet with appliquè- sold

20's inspired silk charmeuse and organza dress with beaded lace sleeve detail - available

Beaded back detail of 4-ply silk bias-cut dress - available

summer

Tiffany Lamp at the N.Y. Historical Society

Sique Spence wearing my "Hearts" Tunic and wool pants

Thank you for visiting. Please go to my contact page if you would like to be added to my mailing list for studio sales twice a year or upcoming events.

Mother and Daughter bat mitzvah Dresses

April 24, 2017 in Couture, Special Occasion dresses, Couture Studio

I had a wonderful project to work on this winter - dresses for a travel-themed bat mitzvah for a mother and daughter. They had very developed ideas about what they wanted and had thought through every detail. I helped them execute their ideas and guide them through the process. We were delighted with the results and had a great time working together on this important milestone.

The "world" fabric was printed at Spoonflower who does both custom and stock printing on fabric and paper.

Sadie was born in China and we used a red embroidered line to mark her  journey from her birthplace to her new home in New York city.  Tiny crystals mark all the places mother and daughter  have visited together. — Sadie was born in China and we used a red embroidered line to mark her journey from her birthplace to her new home in New York city. Tiny crystals mark all the places mother and daughter have visited together.

Her Mother also wanted her own dress to represent all the places they had traveled together. She collected travel patches from as many of these cities as she could find and gave them to me to sew on her dress.