4 years in the making

At one point, probably towards the end of my freshman year in college, after Ive been in a few competitions already. I really wanted to make a gold colored latin dress for dance competitions and I have always liked the look of black lace with basically anything. Fabric bought and pattern set, I began the project. All the pieces cut and altered, I began to put the dress together only to realize that it was a bit too small for me in the bust! I must have miscalculated something! So I began to figure out ways to expand it, hence the side inserts of sheer black. I also wanted a more flared skirt so I cut slits in the bottom of the front panels with plans of inserting black lace godets, triangle shaped pieces of fabric to widen the skirt. But the moment I made the cuts I realized I made a mistake and the inserts just did not work and looked pretty bad. The two fabrics did not merge and flow well. So in exasperation and not knowing what to do about the whole situation I left the dress in my "unfinished projects" or "to do" pile. From then on the dress has been sitting in the box for quite some time, being taken out maybe twice to no avail, until this past summer when I finally took it out, determined to fix and finish it, I put my mind to work as to how to complete its imperfections. I considered putting a whole new layer of sheer all around the dress underneath the gold so some peeks out underneath, but discarded that idea, because I didn't have enough sheer at that moment and I was a bit lazy to go out buy some and take the dress apart before putting it back together. The side inserts were way too see through so I added another layer over the first. then I slit the slits all the way up to the bust and put in the lace strips. Long before I finished it I realized it would never be a latin dress because of unfitting colors and design but it would make a very cute cocktail dress. Unfortunately I haven't worn it yet and don't know when I will. It is a bit risque' with all of its see-through slits and sheer layers. It would have to be a fitting party and occasion and people.

I look forward to the day.

Lace experiments

This skirt was conceived when I made a similar skirt for a friend of mine out of just a soft pink fabric from a simple pattern. I wanted to make a skirt just like the one I made for her but unfortunately did not have the pattern to go off of so I made it up and it turned out quite similar but not exactly copy and once again I though that the addition of black lace paired with the soft lavender would make a vivid contrast similar to what is done with lingerie. I had this scrap piece of lace that I decided to use with it. What I did not take into account was that the lavender was stretchy while the lace was not... Fortunately I was sewing for myself and the fact that it just barely could slide up over my hips was just fine, otherwise I or anybody else may have had a hard time putting it on, the purpose of stretch was kind of defeated. Also, since I was into dancing at that time I decided a slit would be just the thing and added the lace at the bottom to balance the top! This skirt isnt as flowy as I prefer but it definitely works for practices and dance parties. I am really a fan of the contrast of black lace in contrast with a more softer lighter fabric.

Lets Scrap...skirt?

So Im not quite sure if its a good or bad habit but every time I go to a fabric store I always go through the remnant pile and find some piece I really like but I have no clue what I will be using it for a the time, but Ill get it anyway. There are several pieces in my fabric collection waiting for their time. That was the story with this silky grey sheer print material. Then one day after another skirt I made with the lavender material I accidentally saw them next to each other and since the grey draped and flowed so nicely I really wanted alot of it kind of bunched together...actually I have no clue how I came up with this design except that I had two pieces of fabric and I just combined them. This was quite a while ago too, one of my first non pattern followed pieces. The two fabrics complement each other quite well, I think, despite the different colors and feels. Turned out quite fun...but again, hard to match. I like to wear it to dance parties or socials as it can pass for both latin and standard skirt, although I consider it more latin. Scrap materials can be the most fun sometimes!

Victorian elegance

This is the skirt piece to the 2-piece prom "dress" set I made myself Senior year of high school. At this point Im still learning and this was the "biggest" project that I had made at that point in time. The top, a corset, broke and was not ever perfect to begin with so it was taken apart and I began to put it back together and now it has been in my "Unfinished business" box for over 4 years, I still plan on bringing it to completion, when is a different story. I really wanted to make my prom dress that year and really liked the mixture of 17th century nobility and victorian so I picked a red fabric and black lace trim, but unfortunately I could have chosen a different better fabric, something rich and smooth for the occasion. Instead, I chose a stretch dance fabric that is better suited for latin dresses or skating costumes than a prom dress (probably part of the reason the corset didn't turn out as I planned, as it was my first corset attempt basically as well.) Anyway, I still love the skirt style and the red with black lace combo, but unfortunately don't have many occasions to wear it to, as you cannot really dance in it, or find tops to match it. Besides prom, I think I wore it one other time to a new years party. All is a learning experience.

An autumn day in Spring

This dress was also one of my beginning projects that started with me buying fabric that I really liked and not knowing what to do with it. It is one of those learning projects. Its a mock brocade, and this was the result: very simple, not really fitted but giving a light summery feel without the weight of real brocade (I absolutely love real brocades as much of a pain they are to work with. Such a rich feel!) Ive worn this dress several times, to a wedding, to open dances, to semi-formal parties, on a nice summer date. My favorite is to pair it with red heels and some small red jewelry. Gold goes great too though.

A step in the right direction

Im not starting a design business just yet and or in the immediate future but I did decide to make a portfolio of sorts of most of the more presentable wardrobe pieces that I have made in the past 5 or more years as it would be a good start and push in the direction of my desired career of designer. Although most of my past pieces have been day wear it has slowly transformed into a specified direction of ballroom and latin dance wear.

I wont put them all in one post but Ill keep it to one article per post to get feedback and keep it organized... But well start with a fall theme... This skirt was one of the first things I ever made. One of my mom's friends helped me with the pattern and the fabric was very unique. Back when I was first starting to sew I didnt really know much about what fabrics go well with what designs but I would say this was a success even though its quite a challenge to match this skirt with tops.

Photography by Anna Alekseyev.

The power of heels

I love shoes! I was just randomly browsing a site, and found these gorgeous pieces of art for your feet. Men and woman alike often wonder why some women willingly go through that torture of a new 5inch shiny pair of shoes; shoes are the ultimate fashion accessory. Its amazing what a pair of shoes will do for a woman. A gorgeous pair of heels not only enhances the ideal curve for the female body but also gives a woman that extra bit of confidence that few other things can achieve. A pair of heels is a power. A secret weapon of outwardly femininity. And thats besides what they actually do for the body, like "put the booty on a pedestal", arch the back, tuck in the tummy, slim the shiluoette, accentuate the bust, and most importantly of all extend the leg line, curving the foot to produce a most elegant line from head to toe, with an additional sexy swaying of the hips when walking. But, one must remember that although they bring out a confidence and grace, and can help emphasize it, a hunch or stumbling can ruin it if you are not careful. Please please be able to walk in the shoes if you are going to wear them and please don't pigeon toe. It breaks all those amazing lines that heels want to create naturally. Your legs may still look great but the poise of the body diminishes and its all about straight legs and a head held high with a radiant smile. A shoe does not even have to be that fancy, take that simple black pump, simple yet provocative with the red sole. Of course the ultimate pair of heels is not only beautiful but also comfortable, because a comfortable woman is a confident woman, and the confident woman is a beautiful woman, but as the quote goes, "Beauty is pain"; sometimes sacrifices must be made, the intention just must be clear. And for a fun fact, the first stilletto (italian for small dagger) was invented in 1954 by Roger Vivier for the house of Dior.

Being on a tight budget for most of my life I cannot afford the glory of a real italian shoe regularly. But when I was able to get my hands on a good pair of shoes (not chinese made), well made and selling for more than a pretty penny (always bought on sale of course), those are the shoes that last me the longest and give my feet the least amount of suffering. It seems that my feet just feel so at home in them. Take for example my Juicy Couture boots that Ive been wearing for 4 winters now and counting, that have provided me with comfort, waterproofing and unique elegance every time, whether on a casual day in class or a night out (I just have to polish them off once in a while). Nothing compares to trying on a pair of nice italian shoes. Without even looking at the price or the brand you know you are wearing something special. Your feel meld into them. The leather is perfectly supple, strong and soft at the same time and you can feel the magic that the shoes are infused with.

Well, happy shopping! Just be wise. A woman is a beautiful woman without the shoes as well.

Refer to http://www.lifeinitaly.com/fashion/high-heels.asp for more information and history.