Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Couture Alice

My latest project is by far the largest to scale and most difficult I have ever attempted.  I am in process of creating a midnight blue ball gown, that features layers and layers of black-blue tulle as well as a delicately embroidered bodice.  Below is a picture of the lining o the ball gown skirt and its first few layers of tulle, which I continued to layer and build into a full petticoat.


   
      
The embroidery on the bodice was originally white, and I hand dyed it to my desired dark blue color.  I than arranged it and drafted it to my dress form.  I mounted all of this embroidery on a thin layer of nude colored tulle, in order to give the effect that the embroidery is clinging to the wearers body.  

The ruffle on the shoulder of the dress form is an example of the style of ruched organza that I am going to lay in a petal like style over the top of the ball room skirt.  Below is my initial drawing of the dress, the skirt will remain the same but the bodice has obviously changed.




 The dress was inspired by Alice in Wonderland, particularly the color and whimsical inspiration.   Part of the inspiration for the skirt design however came from a beautiful dress that Sarah Jessica Parker wore in the France episode of Sex and the City.  I have done much hunting but can not find the designer of the dress!  No matter it is astounding, and its fluffy over sized nature, very appealing.