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.