GARDEN PARTY

I have two passions in life, books and silks! When I was in NYC I had a large collection of fashion books, some I have keep after I move to Miami, others I sold or gave to the library. It broke my heart parting with them, but I just could not bring them.

One of the books I’m glad I keep with me is “The Opulent Era” by Elizabeth Ann Coleman. The book is a rare look at the early haute couture houses in Paris. It gives the reader an inside of the houses of Worth, Doucet and Pingat. I love the dress on the cover, it is an evening dress from the House of Worth [1902] designed by Jean-Philippe Worth. I love this dress and always wanted to design something base on it. The dress is so feminine, light and airy so unlike the other dresses from the era.

The opportunity to do something inspire by the dress is finally here, I found a print with the feel of the dress. It is on Charmeuse and Chiffon, I got them both, just have to have them. I will be using also one color Charmeuse in both the pink and the violet.

The fabrics had arrived today and I’m very pleased to see the print is just perfect. I will be making several dresses out of these fabrics, but I’m still not made up my mind about trims, or technique I’d uses. I’d let the fabrics talk to me. In the mean time, here are some pics of fabrics and a lace, I might or may not use, I hope you love them as much as I do!

JUNGLE COLLECTION PRINT BLOUSES

Blouse made out of Poly Georgette; this is a peasant style blouse easy to wear. The neckline and cuff are sewn with elastic thread on the bobbin, making it easy to fit and slip over the head.

Charmeuse top cutout on the bias with invisible zipper on the left side for easy fit.

Low rise poly crepe pants, the pants might be part of a suit

JUNGLE COLLECTION "IVORY" DRESS

This dress is part of the collection I called “The Jungle”. It is made out of Poly crepe with bias charmeuse piping. The piping was cut from a leopard print that would be use in other piece on the collection. This is the same print, but on poly georgette, used for the blouse and dress shown on the last post. I still have to finish some details on the georgette dress; I’d be posting that with other pieces.

Design detail;

facing cut from printed fabric.