A Garden of Dresses

April 07, 2019 in African/Dutch Wax Prints, Couture Studio, Art

“ Sometimes, with exquisite delicacy, a touch of pink was added to the uniform gray of sea and sky; and at the very bottom of the Harmony in Grey and Pink after Whistler, a tiny moth asleep on the windowpane seemed to lend its wings to the favorite signature of the master from Chelsea.”

á L’Ombre des Jeunnes Filles en Fleurs - Marcel Proust

new Dutch wax print dresses in progress in my studio

visit from my niece, Lucy, wearing pontè knit butterfly sweater

Judith Linhares Flower paintings recently at PPOW Gallery in Chelsea

Happy Spring Everyone!

Working Women's couture

February 17, 2019 in Art, 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

Happy New Year!

January 01, 2019

In the Pink

December 29, 2018 in Dance, Art Dance Couture

Cecily Campbell in a recreation of Trisha Brown’s performance piece, “Ballet” at BAM October 2018

I puckered stretch lycra/spandex to simulate the original fabric in the bathing suit + tutu Trisha wore in the 70’s when she performed this piece on a soho rooftop

Pink tweed jacket with Ponté knit skirt for client

Ponté knit cardi with appliqué worn with Bamboo knit leotard and lace overlay silk/wool skirt

Magpie Jewelry made from scavenged bits of this and that

Looking back on Summer

October 08, 2018 in Art Dance Couture, Weddings, inspiration, African/Dutch Wax Prints

It was such a busy summer I haven’t really had time to post, so I am just now transitioning into Fall and wrapping up some projects from the months before.

June was wedding month and I made the wedding dress for my beloved niece (and model!)

The wedding was in Cooperstown New York with a beautiful lake as backdrop on a gorgeous late Spring afternoon. Of course everyone danced and celebrated well into the night.

We worked on the dress for a whole year which was a fabulous luxury.

detail of French Lace (sequined beadwork) on wedding dress

Trunk show in May

My trunk show, given by 2 of my dear clients and friends was a big success and a lot of fun.

2 of my new cardigans in ponté knit with appliqués modeled by the 2 hosts

African Dutch wax-print dress with kimono sleeve

New Dance Costumes!!

I was invited to design new costumes for an older Trisha Brown work called “Working Title”. With very little time I used as my starting point fabrics I had already in the studio. After receiving a green light from the 2 artistic directors of the company I felt free to compose the costumes by instinct using as reference everything I learned from working with Trisha and her style of movement and playful spirit.

An Antique Dress

I was asked to work on a dress and revive it as much as possible for inclusion in the beautiful upcoming catalog of Cora Ginsburg

Cora Ginsburg where I worked restoring a dress from the 1800’s

The dress I was asked to restore was a “Fancy dress” most likely worn for a Ball at a private house in England in the 1820’s

I replaced underskirt with tea-dyed silk tafetta, repaired torn net overskirt with silk crepeline and added original silk band to underskirt

In Memoriam

My beloved Father passed away just 10 days after we celebrated his 97 birthday in August. He was able to attend the wedding of his granddaughter and reunite with his 93 year old brother who he hadn’t seen in 20 years. He was my biggest inspiration and fan. A man of boundless heart and imagination. His brother, my uncle passed away just 2 weeks later. we Miss them.

End of Summer Sale on all remaining Dutch Wax Prints

September 01, 2018 in dresses, Couture, Sale Dresses, African/Dutch Wax Prints

I have a few dresses and other items left over from a very busy summer. If you have had your eye on something, now is the time! Please contact me with any questions you may have. These are all one-of-a kind hand-made items.

Bamboo Wax Print - sz 10 - waist 32" bust 38" was $425 - now $275.100% Cotton - machine washable - SOLD — Bamboo Wax Print - sz 10 - waist 32" bust 38" was $425 - now $275.
100% Cotton - machine washable - SOLD

Qipau Dress - size 8 - waist 28" Bust 36" Hip 38" was $475. now $300100% cotton - machine washable - sold — Qipau Dress - size 8 - waist 28" Bust 36" Hip 38" was $475. now $300
100% cotton - machine washable - sold

Butterfly Wrap Dress - sz 8 - 10 - waist up to 34" - Bust 37" was $475 - now $375.100% Cotton - Machine Washable - SOLD — Butterfly Wrap Dress - sz 8 - 10 - waist up to 34" - Bust 37" was $475 - now $375.
100% Cotton - Machine Washable - SOLD

Blue / white Tunic - sz 6 - Bust 34 waist 28 - was $285. now $175.100% Cotton - Machine Washable - sold — Blue / white Tunic - sz 6 - Bust 34 waist 28 - was $285. now $175.
100% Cotton - Machine Washable - sold

Long Yellow/Green Bow Dress - sz 6 - 35" Bust 28" waist - was $675. now $475.100% Cotton - sold — Long Yellow/Green Bow Dress - sz 6 - 35" Bust 28" waist - was $675. now $475.
100% Cotton - sold

VIP Dress - sz 10 waist 34' bust 38" - was $475 now $300.100% Cotton machine washable - SOLD — VIP Dress - sz 10 waist 34' bust 38" - was $475 now $300.
100% Cotton machine washable - SOLD

Kimono Sleeve Dress - sz 6-8 waist 30" bust 34" - was $575 now $375polyester machine washable - sold — Kimono Sleeve Dress - sz 6-8 waist 30" bust 34" - was $575 now $375
polyester machine washable - sold

Spinner Wrap Dress - sz 10 - waist adjustable up to 33" Bust 38" was $475. now $325.100% Cotton machine washable - SOLD — Spinner Wrap Dress - sz 10 - waist adjustable up to 33" Bust 38" was $475. now $325.
100% Cotton machine washable - SOLD

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!

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!

Happy New Year 2018

January 02, 2018

Sale on Tuesday December 5

December 01, 2017 in Couture, Couture Studio

New and old dresses will be on sale at my studio on Tues. Dec. 5 from 5-8 pm and until Dec. 22 by appt.

pleas contact me through the contact page in the menu

Sale extended thru Dec. 22 by appt.
make appt by contacting me on the contact page

Winter Couture Sale

November 22, 2017 in Couture Studio

Prior Purchases from Recent Sales

Some of the items I will have in my December Sale

I will be adding more pictures, so please check back soon. . .

click or tap to move through images

Best Dressmakers and custom Tailors in NYC

November 05, 2017 in Couture, Couture Studio, dresses

The wonderful Linda Dyett originally wrote this article for the online magazine NY City Women from which I have excerpted here.

Custom-Made Womenswear

New York City’s couture-dressmakers, tailors and custom-fitters are on the rebound. Here’s a guide to 10 who make the cut.

by Linda Dyett

We consumers—especially midlife and older Americans—are paring down our wardrobes and shopping less and less these days—but we’re also spending more for higher-quality wearables that express our individuality and suit us to a T. And after a decade of online point-and-click purchases, a lot of us are also eager to return to hands-on service in brick-and-mortar surroundings.

Enter custom-made—the artisanal antidote to fast fashion. Long the province of moneyed elites, celebrities, and mothers of the bride, custom dressmaking and tailoring are today also attracting regular women, who aren’t necessarily in the market for a dress to wear to a black-tie event. These new customers are ladies with style intuition, who know the cuts, fabrics, and colors they want when they see them. And with dozens of hours of pattern-making, cutting, sewing (sometimes by hand), and intricate multiple fittings, custom-made confers an optimal fit that disguises a bulging waist, out-of-shape hips, thighs, and arms, droopy breasts, posture slump, spinal curve, and other figure flaws.

Of course couture dressmakers and tailors come at a price. While I’ve located one who’ll work up one of her off-the-rack $100 to $400 dresses in a different size for no extra fee, most charge $240 and up for custom-made blouses and shirts; $500 and up for made-to-measure (a widely used industry term referring to garments derived from a standard pattern); and $1,500 and up for made-to-order dresses and suits. These are hardly bargains, but they compare so favorably with higher-end, A-list designer ready-to-wear that plenty of women, once they’ve tried New York couture, won’t switch back.

Here’s a rundown of some of the city’s most celebrated as well as off-the-beaten-track dressmakers and tailors who excel in couture and made-to-measure. Just keep in mind: what they offer isn’t seasonal fashion; it’s all about personal, individual style that you can hand down to your daughter or granddaughter, who’ll cherish it as much as you do. Appointments are essential almost everywhere, and finished garments take at least a month—sometimes several—to produce.

Elizabeth Cannon

Ensconced in a ground floor London Terrace studio, Elizabeth Cannon is that impossible-to-find accessible couturière whom stylish, independent-minded New York women dream about. Having honed her trade making costumes for the Paris Opera Ballet, her inspirations ranging from the Commedia dell’arte to Cocteau, she’s been designing made-to-order one-offs with a lyrical urban edge since 1980. Her clients? “Very decisive” artists, musicians, gallery owners, and entertainment executives, as well as members of the Trisha Brown Dance Company. “Nothing has ever fit me so perfectly,” says one delighted customer. “It’s as if Elizabeth were channeling Schiaparelli,” says another.

Cannon does couture by the book, using custom-padded dressmaker forms, muslins (initial mock-ups in an inexpensive fabric), and sometimes interior boned corsets. She also offers a signature collection of off-the-rack casual day- and eveningwear ($500 and up, though prices can plummet to $100 at frequent sales) that can be altered to fit. Outstanding items: A New Look-style silk shantung dress and jacket for a mother of the bride ($3,500); a silk-cotton blouse and heavy silk floral-print skirt with reinforced corseted yoke for a mother of the groom ($2,800); an African wax-print summer dress ($750); a belted, striped men’s shirting chemise, ($575, readymade; $750, made-to-order) that riffs on the frock Francoise Gilot wore in an iconic 1948 photo strolling along a French beach with an umbrella-wielding Pablo Picasso. Elizabeth Cannon Couture, 460 West 24th St., 212.929.8552.

the full article appears here

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.

Colors! Prints! Openings!

July 18, 2017 in Art Dance Couture

Beautiful Joseph Franck fabric in dress for client

Mary Heilmann wearing Elizabeth Cannon blouse at her opening at the Dia Dan Flavin Art Institute in Bridgehamptonphoto: Jill Levine — Mary Heilmann wearing Elizabeth Cannon blouse at her opening at the Dia Dan Flavin Art Institute in Bridgehampton
photo: Jill Levine

Devin Dougherty in Elizabeth Cannon Wax-print dress in front of Josh Abelow paintingphoto: Taro Suzuki — Devin Dougherty in Elizabeth Cannon Wax-print dress in front of Josh Abelow painting
photo: Taro Suzuki

Spring Sale!

May 17, 2017

Some new things in the studio for the Spring Sale

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.

Navy Silk Faille with Travel patches and continents

We also showed the two continents representing Sadie's birthplace and her adoptive home cut out in wool felt and connected with a red stitched line.

The day of the bat mitzvah was one of the rare sunny days in a week of cold and rainy weather

Otherwise happening in the studio this month

Swatching for clients- choosing silk linings

Placement of print is always crucial- here it is gracefully figure-enhancing

I love texture and design- this piece is reminiscent of decorative stonework

A corner of the studio with blue and orange

Stripe silk pants, cotton shirt w/ embroidery, ponté knit camisole-  silk charmeuse top and skirt w/ barbed wire tie — Stripe silk pants, cotton shirt w/ embroidery, ponté knit camisole- silk charmeuse top and skirt w/ barbed wire tie

Book page from "Love in Venice" at the New York Public Library-  flaps lift up to show the courtesans' undergarments — Book page from "Love in Venice" at the New York Public Library- flaps lift up to show the courtesans' undergarments

Subway mosaic near the Museum of Natural History at 81 street

Wax-Print Dresses

March 26, 2017 in Couture, dresses

A selection of Wax-Print dresses currently available at my studio- will be expanding - please check back and feel free to contact me about prices and sizing

Studio Notes

March 11, 2017 in Art, Couture, dresses

I haven't posted for the last few months, but am excited to share some of what I've been working on. My studio and work have been a refuge. As always, art has been a part of my life and directly inspiring to my couture. Clients have brought me exciting fabrics to work with and some older pieces have returned for a brief visit. Color is always an important factor.

Harris Tweed Wool suit returning for a nip and tuck

Custom decorator wool fabric / outfit for client

Rothko Paintings at Pace Gallery, Chelsea

Amber velvet silk and Rayon dress draped and made from leftover pieces

Amber velvet Dress with a lace Bolero (unfinished) modeled as a tunic by Mary Jones

Taro Suzuki  Tantric painting — Taro Suzuki Tantric painting

Red Wool Draped Dress with asymmetrical hem

The colors in these Ron Gorchov Paintings at Cheim and Read Gallery in Chelsea are so lucious

Ponté knit Jacket  with snap closure for client -  painting by Taro Suzuki — Ponté knit Jacket with snap closure for client - painting by Taro Suzuki

work in progress

Appliqué cotton dress, draped wax-print, wool jacket, silk charmeuse skirt

detail /  cotton wax prints — detail / cotton wax prints

Liberty cotton blouse, Ponté knit jacket, camel wool crepe dress

More to come soon. . .

Artists Choose Designer- from the Archives

November 24, 2016 in Art, Couture, dresses

On Dec 12, 1986- January 4 1987 - Almost exactly 30 years ago- I did a show at the E. M. Donahue Gallery called "Artists Choose Designer" . It was a cheeky title, because I actually chose 13 artists to design fabric for me rather than the other way around.

cotton fabric designed with potato prints by Mary Boochever.       photo: Warren Mantooth — cotton fabric designed with potato prints by Mary Boochever. photo: Warren Mantooth

Garments were displayed on plaster cast dress forms and tension suspended from top and bottom with technical help from Diane Lewis and lighting design by Taro Suzuki