Introducing the String of Pearls Collection

I am so excited to reveal this collection of designs to you all and hope that you will not be shy in giving me feedback!! 

The name of my collection is "String of Pearls." It was inspired by my love for classic vintage silhouettes with a cinched waist and full skirt, and my admiration for Grace Kelly. In particular, it was inspired by a picture of Grace Kelly wearing a string of pearls. 

I began to consider how pearls are so timeless and classically elegant. In many ways, pearls are similar to women in that each one is unique and irreplaceable; no one is like another. They are elegant and beautiful in the way that a woman longs to be. They are so utterly feminine and every woman has that feminine mystique somewhere inside of her. They have to be searched for and sought after by men who go to great lengths to dive for them and retrieve them from the shelter of their clam. Similarly, a woman longs to be sought after and enjoys a certain degree of mystery of her own that is so alluring. They are beautiful, which is what every woman in her heart would like to feel. 

I appreciated the color spectrum that pearls come in, and so designed the dresses using the color palette of dark charcoal grey, lightening through the grey spectrum, into soft pinks and creams. The "String of Pearls" collection is most geared towards the fall, although would be acceptable for the spring and summer also. These dresses are ideal for women between the ages of 16 - 35 from all backgrounds, who appreciate feminine elegance but enjoy garments that are simple enough to go from work to evening and weekend without a fuss. I wanted to capture the vintage classic vibe while crafting the dresses in such a way as to give them a modern edge. I incorporated zipper detailing to contrast with the soft feminine ruffles, inspired by the hard crusty clam shell hiding the delicate feminine pearl within. Although a couple of the designs appear to be skirt, shirt sets, they are in fact dresses and would have a side invisible zipper to help the wearer put them on. The fabric of choice would ideally be dupioni silks, although the ruffles on the cream dress would be delicate chiffon.  

Without further ado: 

So, dear readers, please sound off! 

Which dress do you like the best? What do you like about it? What could be improved? 

Would you wear any of these designs? If so, where?

I appreciate your feedback!!

A Good Hat-itude

A fascinator; a chapeau; a beret; a top hat; a beat-up shapeless cowboy hat; a bowler hat; a derby hat; a stocking hat; a cap...

Hats have been making quite the spring debut into the fashion scene of late, generating a conversational stir amongst fashion enthusiasts both young and old. These lovely accessories have made no understated appearance as some ladies have seemingly planned their entire wardrobe around these delightful ornaments. They truly can be the icing on the cake, the cherry on the sundae, the pièce de résistance. 

Take, for instance, the Royal Wedding.  Princesses and socialite ladies seized the limelight with their sophisticated, or perhaps unexpected, fascinators.

How fascinating!

Shortly following the Royal Wedding, there was another main event. Ah, the races. A great occasion for hats! Growing up, my family always took a yearly vacation to the horse races, so an event like this one holds a special place in my heart.  With the recent Kentucky Derby, hats once again entered the public eye as attendees sported creations that were the epitome of art and beauty.

Consider Churchill Downs on a warm spring day. Southern belles dressed to the nines and sipping fruity drinks, sport their most glamorous and feminine frocks. The Kentucky Derby is a chance for ladies to channel their inner belle without reserve. The result is a dazzling display of sophistication and color.  Their hats are brilliant frames for their visage, keeping them sheltered from the hot sun while adding glamor to an ordinary afternoon. Here are some of the most striking toppers from the Derby:

Any conversation about hats, however, could not be complete without a nod to the bygone era: Who can forget the moment when Liza Doolittle stepped out in her fabulous hat and gown for an afternoon at the races? 

Finally, lazy days await our bidding with summer just around the corner. Now is the right time to consider what perfect wide-brimmed hat will be framing that lovely face of yours.  Take the plunge and try a hat! Some might say "I am not a hat person", or "My face shape isn't right for hats." But, really, hats can work for almost anyone, if you know what to look for.  Pair a straw floppy hat with a fun bathing suit or dress for a day on the boardwalk, perhaps.

Courtesy of ShopRuche Unending Love Look Book 2011

A hat can be such an artistic fashion statement, signifying confidence, a keen sense of style, and a glamor that sets the wearer apart. The hat wearer will likely be the recipient of comments and compliments alike from passersby who welcome the hat comeback.  In colloquial jargon, we might also speak of someone "wearing many hats" to signify the many varied roles they might play in life - a wife, a mother, a nurse, a sister, a friend... 

Could it be that hats are bound up with one's sense of identity as well? 

Link Love:

For some vintage hats and fascinators, check out Unveiled Bridle Designs. 

A Graceful Nod to Royalty

The world stood still and took notice this morning when the long-awaited moment arrived...

Catherine Middleton took the first step out of her chauffeured vintage Rolls Royce Phantom and into fashion history, revealing her sumptuous yet timeless wedding dress.

According to Tim Gunn, "The dress in my view is beyond anyone's imagination. Kate could not look more princessly or queenly."

How apropos.

Ideal for her new role as the Duchess of Cambridge, the flawless and elegant ivory satin gazar and lace sleeved wedding gown by Sarah Burton of the late designer Alexandre McQueen fitted the poised and classy bride to perfection and was by all estimation exquisitely breathtaking.  

Many young girls while away their afternoons dreaming of their wedding day, envisioning each detail with careful precision. No element receives quite so much attention as the wedding dress, however. The choice of dress holds pride of place in her mind; it seems to encapsulate a sense of power, the ticket to a fantasy romantic fairy-tale ending that is so often the subject of little girl dreams.  For one middle-class "commoner", she seems to have gotten her wish.  On her father's arm, walking up the aisle flanked by such guests as David and Victoria Beckham, Elton John and the Prime Minister, Catherine met her Prince: "You look absolutely beautiful", he whispered.

And yet, the pleasant afternoons of imagination may have come to include a note of gravity as Catherine's wedding day approached. For Catherine, the dress was not only a delightful selection made while surrounded by family and friends, but a iconic symbol of royalty and a reflection of great cultural and even political significance.  As someone marrying into a royal family, she will be projecting an image and embodying a persona that is of no small importance. While the royal lineage has largely lost its political influence, nevertheless, there still remains a sense of prestige they possess; their opinion may effect how others perceive standards of beauty. In this case, I couldn't be more pleased.

Catherine has been the object of attention in recent months for her simple and chic fashion sense, and yet she is far from boring. On the contrary, she knows that in many cases, less is more, and brought her strong interest in fashion design to work closely with the designers in the crafting of her unique dress. Interwoven into the design, from the fabric choice, the silhouette, the careful hand-embroidery and French chantilly appliqued lace was a history of ideas and social significance.

Its... emphasis on 'best of British' materials, recalled Queen Victoria's decision in 1840 that her bridal gown should promote the nation's skills, while the classic and graceful lines could have been inspired by both the modernist Princess Margaret, who in 1960 also married in Westminster Abbey, and the more romantic style of Princess Grace, whose wedding had taken place four years earlier. The latter reference could be also be seen as a very sensitive and sympathetic homage to Diana, Princess of Wales, who had had an instant rapport with the former Hollywood film star and saw her as a style icon. -- Fashion Telegraph, UK

from nydailynews

Another "commoner" who married into royalty, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco went on to become a style icon for her timeless elegance. With her dress, Catherine gave a graceful nod to the past and a confident gesture to the future. This dress will likely influence the fashion industry for decades to come and future brides will have the delightful experience of ascending the altar to hear their prince say those words: "You look absolutely beautiful."

Canon in D-light

A thing of beauty is a joy forever:

                                                         Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep 

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep 

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. 

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing 

A flowery band to bind us to the earth, 

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth 

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days, 

Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways 

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all, 

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall 

From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon, 

Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon 

For simple sheep; and such are daffodils 

With the green world they live in; and clear rills 

That for themselves a cooling covert make 

'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake, 

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms: 

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms 

We have imagined for the mighty dead; 

All lovely tales that we have heard or read: 

An endless fountain of immortal drink, 

Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink...

Nor do we merely feel these essences 

For one short hour; no, even as the trees 

That whisper round a temple become soon

Dear as the temple's self, so does the moon,

The passion poesy, glories infinite,

Haunt us till they become a cheering light

Unto our souls, and bound to us so fast

That, whether there be shine or gloom o'ercast,

They always must be with us, or we die...

Therefore, 'tis with full happiness that I 

Will trace the story of Endymion.

The very music of the name has gone

Into my being, and each pleasant scene

Is growing fresh before me as the green

Of our own valleys: so I will begin

Now while I cannot hear the city's din;

Now while the early budders are just new,

And run in mazes of the youngest hue

About old forests; while the willow trails

Its delicate amber; and the dairy pails

Bring home increase of milk. And, as the year

Grows lush in juicy stalks, I'll smoothly steer

My little boat, for many quiet hours,

With streams that deepen freshly into bowers...

Many and many a verse I hope to write, 

Before the daisies, vermeil rimmed and white,

Hide in deep herbage; and ere yet the bees

Hum about globes of clover and sweet peas,

I must be near the middle of my story.

O may no wintry season, bare and hoary,

See it half finished: but let Autumn bold,

With universal tinge of sober gold,

Be all about me when I make an end!

And now at once, adventuresome, I send

My herald thought into a wilderness:

There let its trumpet blow, and quickly dress

My uncertain path with green, that I may speed

Easily onward, thorough flowers and weed.

~John Keats 

These photos are the fruit of my delightful travels during the height of springtime 

accompanied by my trusty Canon.  

C'est marveilleux!

Express Myself: Mission Accomplished

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, I embarked on a journey into unknown lands.  Never before had I attempted to create a ruffle-trimmed t-shirt, reminiscent of my beloved (all too expensive) $40 shirt at Express.

The Forbidden Fruit

Different color shows detailing.  The shirt I wanted was blush pink.

After falling completely in love with an item that was never meant to be, I put my thinking cap on.  On a whim, I determined to make a shirt of my own, exactly like the Express shirt... for $20 or less.  When I typed that bold statement on this fledgling blog, I must confess that a little inner voice was whispering in my ear:  Are you sure you can actually deliver that?  That is a tall order and you've never done anything like it before...

Fast forward 4 months, a few holidays, and a couple of sewing machines later,  I am happy to say that

I have been victorious!  

This project has been a lot of fun, but it's been a learning process as well.  Such lessons as how to sew such stretchable material and create ruffles with ribbons was simply trial and error.  Nevertheless, it has all been worth it.  I am now the proud owner of a blush-rose-pink ribbon and ruffle-trim tank top just in time for the spring season!

The best part of it all??  

My total sum cost for the shirt was $19.50!!  

Recipe for success:

2 tank tops, Black Friday sale at Target = $9 ea. 

1 spool of ribbon, blush rose pink, Black Friday sale = $0.50

1 spool of thread:  already owned

Dash of love

Pinch of Determination

Voila!

~how divine~


What do you think?  Did I succeed?

This project was actually quite manageable. It's shocking how simple it is to take a simple tank top from shab to fab in about 10 easy steps!

1.) Purchased two tank tops that were durable, yet affordable.  Wash them first so that they are pre-shrunken and clean.  

2.)  Cut one of the shirts into strips approximately 1.5 - 2 inches wide. 

3.) Use a seam ripper to separate the strips, creating twice as many. 

4.) Lay flat over the front of your intact tank, slightly overlapping.  These will be your ruffles.  

5.)  Cut one strip with a curvature side and sew this to the neckline, gathering evenly.  

6.)  Take your ribbon and trip some of the strips by sewing them on.  The ribbon will gather naturally, creating a slight ruffle.

7.)  Remove the strips from the front of the shirt, setting them aside.  Take a seam ripper and unstitch the sides of the tank, enabling you to work with the material more easily.

8.)  Begin sewing the strips on one at a time, ensuring that each new strip or layer completely overlaps the stitching on the previous strip.  Alternate ribbon-trimmed strips with rough edge strips of the jersey material.  This will create depth and interest to the tank.

9.)  Sew the strips up to the neckline.

10.)  Turn the shirt inside out, gathering both sides together.  Maneuver the strips/ ruffles so that the rough edges peak out of the sides.  Re-sew the sides of the shirt together, gathering the ruffled edges this time.

11.)  Turn right side out.  Wear and enjoy!  Perfect for pairing with a cami or draped cardigan.  

Hope these pictures were helpful, but if you have any questions about creating your own look, let me know!  I'd be happy to help.

PS.  I was first inspired by -- and frequently consulted -- this Tutorial on How to Make a Ruffle Shirt  while happily sewing away!

The Grace of Lace

Feminine elements are everywhere this season; women are proudly channeling their inner lady with ruffly shirts, feminine colors, and full skirts.  In keeping with the season, what could be more feminine and alluring than soft, delicate, intricately-woven lace?

Photo Courtesy of MyPointofView

Lace has been around for centuries, making its first debut into wide-spread use in the 15th and 16th centuries.  Previously used as table cloths, doilies, to embroider petticoats, accent wedding gowns, or provide more coverage -- think Victorian era high necked dresses with a broach at the throat -- lace has served a multitude of purposes and remained a popular favorite.  In early eighteenth-century France and Belgium, lace-makers produced some of the finest hand-made lace in the world, minutely woven with intimate detail.  Consider the role that lace has played in the Spanish culture: mantilla-clad ladies with lace-accented fans immediately come to mind.

Lace is also a favorite for bridal wear.  According to the recent WSJ article The Changing Face of Lace, "Grace Kelly's full needle-lace wedding dress for her marriage to Prince Rainer of Monaco was stitched by an army of MGM seamstresses in four complex parts."

It is distinctly feminine and has largely stayed within the realms of women's fashion, except for the brief historic time period when gentlemen would sport a rather gaudy lace cravat.  Doubtful that it will be making a come-back any time soon!

Why is it so popular?  Lace is alluring to both men and women;  it is both fragile and yet strong, appealing to the eye, mysterious or revealing, depending on how it is worn.  It is as adaptable to the wearer as the individuality of the wearer herself.  Overall, it makes ladies feel gorgeous.

Happily, designers are implementing lace elements with reckless abandon this spring. 

D&G Dress courtesy of Bloomingdales.com

Oscar de La Renta dress courtesy of Style.com 

GUESS lace pumps courtesy of Bloomingdales.com

Photo courtesy of ShopRuche.com

Free People jacket
courtesy of Bloomingdales.com

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie.com

Photo courtesy of ShopRuche.com

Photo courtesy of CupcakesandCashmere

This trend can be worn in small doses whether in a shirt that has elements of lace peeping out under ruffles, or shoes that sport lacy accents (too chic!).  It can also be a bold statement with an entirely lace-layered skirt a la ballerina-esque, or a lacy shirt.  It is rather uncomfortable to see women wearing lace shirts with little underneath.  Spare everyone the awkward moment by pairing the lace shirt with a cute undershirt, possibly of a different color for an added punch.  For an edgy look, layer the delicate lace with a harder material, such as a leather crop jacket or heavy draped cardigan for added dimension and interest.

Back to the Future

So much has changed in the world of fashion since 1950.  Or has it?  Remember the silhouette that defined the age?  Cinched waists, high boat necks, full a-line skirts that flattered every woman's figure were the staple of the decade.   The look was sported by such iconic figures as Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, for example.  Who can forget that basic black dress or the woman who wore it?  

Audrey's looks were effortless, understated, yet unforgettable.  She had an ease about her which could not go unnoticed.  Swing dancing into the 60's, discoing through the 70's, head banging through the 80's and 90's, it seemed as though these looks would be confined to the dustbins of history, a vague but charming memory from a bygone era. 

Yet, in her New York Times article "This Old Thing?  Actually, It's New," Kate Murphy made it official:  vintage is definitely making a come-back.  She outlines the resurgence of popularity for vintage clothing and the steady influx of designers leaping in to meet the desire.  Sites such as Shabby Apple, Modcloth, ShopRuche, and sites that cater to small businesses such as Etsy are experiencing increased attention and are expanding.  Nostalgia has been dragged out, dressed up, and worn all over again.

The signs are everywhere.   Consider some examples from Carolina Herrera's recent "Ready-to-Wear" Fall 2011 Collection that hit Fashion Week in New York last month:   

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Carolina said she designed this collection with the "real woman" in mind; nevertheless it still merited comments such as "lush simplicity" from the critics.  We'll take it.  Although less flashy than the usual collection to make it down the runway, somehow the easy color palette and uncomplicated lines still retain a sense of timeless elegance that is flattering.   Then again, how can one go wrong when they channel their inner Audrey?

Women, moreover, are longing for a more feminine look and enjoy the thrill of feeling girly.  Many women feel confined to a hectic lifestyle spent largely in a small cubicle.  For them, the experience of putting on a dress and jaunting around is a welcome respite from the daily grind.  Perhaps the trend is also influenced by the show 'Mad Men' or it could be that individuals are instinctively longing for a simpler time.  With the economic downturn, many women could be experiencing the need to prioritize and downgrade; in the process, feeling more attracted to clothes that are make them feel good, are uncomplicated, and are flattering.  With so many other entities to address, why spend excessive amounts of time fretting over clothing?

Whatever the reason may be, according to the predictions of many fashion designers, the vintage vibe will be around to stay for a while.   What welcome news!