This is the first dress I made (this time around) which began my fascination, or re-infatuation, with African wax-print fabrics. I first encountered these fabrics in Paris sometime in the 1980’s in one of the fabric shops at the base of Sacrè -Cœur. I hadn’t really thought about them for a while, when a few years ago I was given a salesmans’ swatch book from AK Fabrics, one of my favorite fabric stores. This was comprised of square pieces of various sizes. One day I decided to open it up and I just began to pin each one onto a dress form in the order that they came in. It was entirely serendipitous, and became the dress you see here. Each side is so different, I wanted to show them all and the pieced-together patchwork, born of necessity. Underneath it all I added a structure of a cotton dress with boned bodice and horsehair hem skirt. Though this dress has been sold, you can view other dresses for sale here.
August sale!
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 surreal moment in time
We are living in a time that feels both alien and familiar. It is a time where we have the opportunity to make change and reconsider the way we live with our planet and each other. We will have and have had much pain and loss, but we can grow and we can learn. Searching for beauty and working on problems is what keeps me going - I would love to share a bit of my process these past few months. . .
This is the way my studio looked in early March I took the black silk blouse home to work on as I felt I was becoming ill and may not be back in a while. . .
Luckily I had just ordered a new foot pedal for my only sewing machine at my home.
silk tulip scarf Hand-painted by Eve Vaterlaus, Red cotton gauze dress, black chiffon blouse, cotton quilted Kantha coat
1st dress I made at home with no dress form, no cutting table or pattern- I used 2 interlocking squares and added straps and a cross piece in the back
My old singer sewing machine- the first thing I ever bought with money I earned from babysitting..
Dress can be pulled up with 2 loops and buttons to make a shorter length
2nd Dress made from geometric shapes- 2 interlocking squares - it also buttons to shorter length and has generous pockets
I ordered some fabric from a business I found online- Elliebea - actually, they advertised to me on instagram, and I was very happy after an initial disappointing order from the wholesaler I usually use in New York , because new fabric shipments had stopped due to coronavirus and their selection was very limited.
Vlisco wax prints- the Twi Proverb says “Dua Kur gye enum a obu” “A tree alone cannot stand the wind” meaning there is strength in unity.
Meanwhile- a darling client gave me an order for 2 “house dresses” that she could wear and feel wonderful in - in confinement. . .
I was able to work with her long distance and some back and forth with drawing and swatching from wonderful BandJ fabrics.
Of course the whole time I have been making masks and filling orders. . . .
Next came bicycling down 60 blocks to my studio and carrying lots of supplies back and forth between home and studio. I quickly found that using our dining table for cutting fabric was causing great pain to my back. .
dress I made at home and later revised paired with coat from studio
I began a routine of bringing fabric downtown that I had washed at home and cutting the patterns at my studio and then sewing at home-
Here I am in my “Citibike” dress that I made for cycling ( minor bike scape on shin.) . .waiting for my blue Bell bike helmet
Print from Elliebea fabrics - this is my very popular Poppy dress named after Clare McCardell’s Popover dress, because it is so easy for many people to wear. . .
Client work has haltingly resumed- I am working on several new projects and looking ahead with intensified focus as we do not know what the future will bring.
This post is dedicated to my dear brother, John Thomas Cannon Jr. March 4, 1957 - April 10, 2020
A visit to my studio
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.♥️
Stay Safe !
Life in the time of social distancing
in Art, Couture, Couture Studio
Like many of you whose professions do not require you to be on the front lines helping to fight the corona virus, or feeding and caring for the population- I am working as best as possible from home. I’ve been doing some drawings which I hope you find diverting. I will be back to work on my client’s projects as soon as it is safe. in the meantime I am creating a page on this site for items I have currently available- Inquiries are always welcome!
Thank you for taking the time to visit and stay safe!
with love, Elizabeth
Ha pp y Va l e nt i ne s Day!
Draped silk 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.
Winter Sale !
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!
Colorful Couture Fall
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
Draped cotton wax -print dress
Philip Taaffe at Luhring augustine Gallery
Japanese Cotton double-sided coat and dress ensemble made for client
Full Moon Friday the 13
It’s that time of year when the weather turns chilly- One day it’s summer and the next day is sweater weather. What to wear? It’s been a busy summer with lots of client work and some projects involving antique dresses. I’ve been making under slips for centuries old dresses so they can be brought back to life. My new ideas are still floating around my head waiting to be brought to life. Here is a glimpse back on what I have been doing . . .
Spring Sale coming soon!
Please check the Dresses page to view some of the remaining sale items which are still available and feel free to make an appointment to visit the atelier in person by visiting the contact page -
Marrekech Dress - multi cotton dutch wax African Prints
A Garden of Dresses
“ 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!
Judith Linhares
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
Happy New Year!
In the Pink
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
Cache Maquillage
Magpie Jewelry made from scavenged bits of this and that
Looking back on Summer
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
Yves Klein blue silk and wool suit
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.
At rehearsal
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
Detail of bow on 1820’s dress
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
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
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
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
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 $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
Trunk Show May 23!
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
Lin/Noir
Other Laces for skirt
Marine/ prune
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
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 available
top sold - can be custom ordered
checking out prints!
I hope you can come!
Stitching Spring
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.
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