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 ❤️

Dressing Up for the New Year

December 30, 2023 in Couture, Couture Studio, dresses, Sale Dresses

It’s been a harrowing and unsettling time for many and the future feels uncertain. It is good to connect in person and perhaps indulge in some sartorial fun. My winter sale was the setting for much good cheer and an oasis from the outside world.

Artists Mary Jones in Silk Satin stripe organza dress and Jill Levine in Silk cheongsan dress with flower embellishment.

Caroline wearing silk velvet “Confetti Dress” from 1995 show with Mary Heilmann “Crimson and Clover”

Joelle Reilly in Wax print skirt with silk paint splatter sash

The Twi proverb written on this dress says ‘Dua Kur Gye Enum A Obu” which means “A Tree Alone Cannot stand the Wind”

Wishing everyone a Healthy Peacfull and love-filled New Year❣️

Working with Couture Fabrics

March 11, 2023 in Couture Studio, couture clients

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

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

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

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

August sale!

July 30, 2020 in Sale Dresses, Couture Studio, African/Dutch Wax Prints

I will be having a sale for the entire month of August. Usually I would hold a sale in May and part of the fun is social- trying on dresses in the company of other women, while chatting and having a glass of wine. . .

This year is obviously different, so I will be seeing people individually, by appointment or in small family units of 2. . . I’ve been working hard and have lots of new items as well as older ones very enticingly priced! Come have a look, or a peek online. Please reach out to me with any questions-

Stay safe, healthy, and hope to see you!.

A visit to my studio

May 07, 2020 in Couture Studio, Couture, dresses

I ventured out last weekend to make a citibike trip to my studio where I haven’t been since early March. I was greeted by a lovely sunny view of everything in place just as I left it. I collected some fabric and things I could use to work from home. I am making a limited edition of masks and samples. To this end I have set up a page called “Shop” where you can view items that I have for purchase. In the spirit of couture, you may contact me directly to inquire about any items that you are interested in. I can send additional information/ photos on most items and answer questions as to fit and construction. I take many forms of payment including PayPal, Venmo, Zelle and regular credit cards. I hope you are all well and manginging to stay safe in our altered reality.♥️

Colorful Couture Fall

November 03, 2019 in Art, Couture Studio, dresses, inspiration

The Chelsea Galleries are full of color and inspiration this month. I only have to leave my studio and walk a few steps to enter whole other worlds .

Nicolas Party has transformed the Flag Art Foundation into a stage set for pastel works by various artists including Degas and Mary Cassatt. His Rococo- inspired murals cover whole rooms in the lavishly colored 2 floor space.

Pastel wall painting by Nicolas Party with painting by Edgar degas

pearl silk and wool suit w/ cloisonné buttons

green silk jersey, wool Pierre Cardin -inspired Mom’s bat mitzvah dress, black chiffon, japanese cotton ikat dresses, white silk and wool jacket over silk shantung - chantilly lace overlay skirt

Elisabeth Kley has teamed up with Tabboo! to create an enchanting environment of wall-painting and ceramic fountains at the Gordon Robichaux Gallery in Union Square reminiscent of a Roman Courtyard.

Verdant Green silk Jersey top with African cotton wax print skirt

Black English wool jacket with flower and lace adorned silk shantung skirt

Karen Kilimnik’s French-inspired small paintings and sculptures at 303 Gallery

Indian Kantha quilt made into a Frock coat

Philip Taaffe at Luhring augustine Gallery

Japanese Cotton double-sided coat and dress ensemble made for client

Stitching Spring

March 25, 2018 in Couture Studio, Art

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.

Barbara Haskell, my wonderful client, was recently profiled on NY1  speaking about her Grant Wood painting survey currently on view at the Whitney museumshe is wearing a custom red wool pants suit and black silk camisole with lace appliqué — 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 showit is silk Gazar with lace capelet sleeves — 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 — 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 — Barbara Haskell profiled in the *NYTimes*

red and blue Dutch Wax  dress in progress — red and blue Dutch Wax dress in progress

blue and fushia Dutch wax Qipau dress — 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

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

Happy Spring Everyone!

Celestial Suiting

January 13, 2018 in Couture Studio, Couture

Since the solstice and a very busy November and December I have been ensconced in my atelier meditating and working on new designs. It is always so informative to interact with the array of women who come to my sales and see their reactions to the samples and what they end up going home with. Their needs and desires ultimately influence what I come up with in the coming months. I am happily surprised to see that many of my patterns work on different sizes and shapes of bodies. This is an ever-evolving pursuit- to come up with figure flattering and flexible shapes. I have replenished my stock of Wax-print fabrics and I find it very cheering to have a bit of color around me and to think ahead to warmer weather.

Tailored suit in a silk/wool blend, inspired by Dior

This "Raj" jacket is convertible into different configurations- a simple fitted style or the pull back beribboned version shown here.

wax-print jacket with optional silk tartan bows

a blue version of my "poppy" dress in wax-print cotton is an example of a figure-loving dress

wax-print cotton - with selvage-edge finishing-    size 4  -  12     in various prints -  $475. - $575.   depending on customization — wax-print cotton - with selvage-edge finishing- size 4 - 12 in various prints - $475. - $575. depending on customization

This was a magical December night of the super moon (which I didn't manage to capture) but it seems to be reflected in this taffeta moirè fabric which I made into a Qipau. . .

I met this bright young student on New Year's Eve who wanted to try on my flower crown-  Happy New Year everyone!  Let's try and stay positive! — I met this bright young student on New Year's Eve who wanted to try on my flower crown- Happy New Year everyone! Let's try and stay positive!