Wednesday, December 29, 2010

♥ Video-The Making of 15 Cocktail Dresses!



I just wanted to say THANK YOU for supporting and encouraging me during this project, it was a great learning experience!!  It was humbling, challenging, but also a joy!
The Designer's Tip of the Day will resume mid January. I wish everyone a VERY Happy New Year!
Cheers!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #15!

Dress #15 Absinthe

Bodice Detail

Illustration
Dress #15 A dichotomy- a modern twist on a vintage style, sweet details on an edgy fabric .....only an Absinthe cocktail will do.

This dress is a Silk blended with a Lurex-like fiber.  The color is all black but the combination of shiny threads on a matte background give the appearance of leather.  The ruffle is Silk Chiffon and the bottom has a Tulle underskirt. 
The bottom hem is raw, cut with pinking shears.  Size M $175.00 (Necklace not included).

Hope everyone has a FABULOUS Holiday season!!
Cheers!! 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #14!

Dress #14 Green Leaves

Bodice Detail

Illustration
Dress #14, A fancy New Years Eve cocktail- Green Leaves!

This dress is styled in a simple elegant fashion to show off the colors and drape of the fabric.  The fabric is a Silk/Lurex Velvet Burnout imported from France and the waist is a 100% Silk Chiffon in solid black.
It is undecided who she will kiss at the stroke of midnight, but she is certain she will be wearing
this dress! Size M $200.00

Cheers!

Friday, December 10, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #13!

Dress #13 French 75

Front Detail

Side View

Illustration
Dress #13!   A French 75.... sure to draw attention!

This dress is 100% Silk Organza with a 100% Cotton lining.  The print is a mixture of black, grey and ivory "scribble" pattern. The peplum is cut in an almost full circle so that it stands all on it's own and creates a cute and flirty shape.  The bow in the center is attached with a single rhinestone button.  Size M $145.00

Happy Friday!
Cheers!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

♥Cocktail Dress #12!

Dress #12 Classic Martini

Flower Detail

Illustration 
Dress #12  A classic Martini please....  for the lady with a lot of class and a little sass!

This dress is made of a Hammered Satin  (100% Acetate) combined with a Linen Voile (Linen/Rayon blend).  The color of this dress is truly silver and would shine on any dance floor!  The belt has a rhinestone flower button in the center and I think she would look great with over sized fishnets!  Size M $110.00

Cheers! 
PS. only 3 dresses left!

Monday, December 6, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #11!

Dress #11 The Ambrosia
Pattern Detail
Back

Illustration
Dress #11 This dress is simple in styling, but the fabric says it all.....

Made out of a Silk Velvet Burnout- 55% Silk 45% Rayon. the colors are amazing and the pictures do not do it justice. The neck and back are delicately trimmed with a silk chiffon ruffle and the closure is a vintage rhinestone button.  The waist is gathered by a thin elastic, but I think a vintage belt would be the perfect accessory. Size M $175.00

Cheers!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #10! SOLD!

Dress #10 The Cherry Blossom

Back

Peplum Detail

Illustration
Dress #10 Brandy and a dash of Grenadine, a cocktail that requires a dress that is sophisticated with a dash of sweet!

This dress is made of a Burn-out Velvet 18% Silk 82% Rayon.  The styling is 1920's inspired with a more modern silhouette.  The front is gathered in the center waist, the back has a plunging neckline that meets the added peplum at the lower waist/hips.  This dress would look great with a few strands of black pearls (letting them hang low in the back). Size S $165.00

Cheers!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #9!

Dress #9 The Parisienne

Bow Detail

Illustration
More than halfway there!  This calls for a nice classic cocktail like a Parisianne!

 The waterfall of ruffles are layed out in a way that really shows off the sheen and drape of the fabric. Made of Silk Charmeuse (98% Silk 2% Lycra), with a light cotton lining, this dress drapes beautifully.  The bow has three rhinestone buttons hand sewn in the middle just to add a little more "glitz" for this time of year. Size M $175.00

Cheers!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #8!

Dress #8 The Mimosa

Neck Detail

Side Detail

Illustration
Dress #8 For the girl that is fabulous even at brunch! 

This dress is a Silk/Lurex Jacquard, fully lined.  The neck has a cute keyhole detail, sides are gathered just at the waist and.... a ruffled hem, to keep it flirty of course!  Size M. $125.00

Cheers!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #7!

Dress #7 French Champagne Cocktail
Illustration
 Dress #7 is for the sophisticated lady, she's attending a New Years Eve party and has just started with her French Champagne Cocktail!

This dress is made with Silk Chiffon and Gold Lurex.  She has a subtle animal print background in tones of gray with a gold metallic design woven into the fabric.  She's made without a lining, I suggesting wearing a beautiful vintage slip underneath.  However, a lining could be made upon request.  Size M $115.00

Cheers!

Friday, November 26, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #6!

Dress #6 Flirty Martini

Collar Detail

Illustration
Dress #6 is a sweet and simple style, but I think a "Flirty" Martini is just the drink for this little lady!

This dress is made of 100% Silk Charmeuse with an accent of 100% Silk Chiffon for bottom ruffle. The  back is open with a long keyhole and single button at back neck. Size M $135.00

Cheers!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #5! SOLD!

Dress #5 The Shirley Temple

Bow Detail

Illustration
Dress #5!  A Shirley Temple for the sweet and playful girl in all of us!

She is made of an all-over embroidered Taffeta (Acetate/Rayon blend), with scalloped edges, 100% Cotton Batiste lining .  Bow belt is detachable. Size S $135.00

Happy Thanksgiving, Cheers!!

Monday, November 22, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #4! SOLD!


Dress #4 A Shot of Jameson
Bow Detail



Illustration
Dress #4 Is 1 part nice, 2 parts naughty!  She's flirty, sexy and with out a doubt the life of the party!

This dress is made of Stretch Silk Charmeuse 98% Silk 2% Lycra, with a leather waist inset and bow attached at shoulder, exposed metal zipper in back. Color is a dark pewter and the leather accents are black.  Size S. $145.00

Cheers!


Saturday, November 20, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #3!

Dress #3 Old Fashioned


Illustration
 Dress #3 is being named after a cocktail called an Old Fashioned.  This dress is dedicated to my grandmother.  She was a very stylish lady who loved high heels and she loved dancing in them!  She had quite a collection of costume jewelry and I will forever miss sitting with her as she told her stories about each piece, where she bought it, where she wore it and why she loved it....

The dress is made of a burn-out velvet with sequins- 18% Silk 82% Rayon.

Thank you Grandma Georgia for teaching me to be "proper" and always reminding me of what it meant to truly be a "lady".

Thursday, November 18, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #2!


Dress #2 The Manhattan
Back


Illustration

Dress #2 completed!  For the more saucy, yet sophisticated lady, a Manhattan is in order!

This dress is made with a Velvet Burn-out bodice ( 18% Silk 82% Rayon) and a Cotton Lycra skirt, attached at the waist.  The cowl neckline is simple but elegant, fully lined front.  The skirt can be scrunched up (as in picture) or pulled down to the knee for a more elongated look.  The back is completely open with a delicate tie to hold it all together. Size S $98.00

Cheers!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

♥ Cocktail Dress #1! SOLD!

Dress #1 Lemon Drop Dress

Dress #1 Illustration
First  dress is completed and she is ready for a good 80's dance party and.... a lemon drop of course!


Made of  77% Cotton, 21% Silk and 2% Lurex.  Scalloped hem with ruffle underlay, this dress is GOLD.
She's fully lined and bow and ruffle are 100% Silk Chiffon. Size M, $105.00

Cheers!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Albuquerque ARTS!

Owner Leslie Acosta-Isengarder at Panda Robot. Photo by Michael L. Miller.
♥ The Designer's Lounge (me looking goofy!). Photo by Michael L. Miller.
Leather cowgirl boots at The House of G’Larri. Photo by Michael L. Miller.

 AlbuquerqueARTS Magazine is Albuquerque's monthly magazine of the arts.  This month they featured an article titled "Finding ABQ Fashionable" by Kelly Koepke.  The article was centered around local shops selling the wears of local designers.  To read more about the article and the magazine check out their website-  www.abqarts.com
Thank you AlbuquerqueARTS and Kelly Koepke for including us in your November issue!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Walk Your Patterns!




When I was going to fashion school I was the student that the teacher would use as the example of what NOT to do.... one of the steps I would skip, just so that my homework was turned in on time, was walking my patterns.
"Walking" your pattern is an important step in pattern making, it insures that your seams will line up in sewing.  Front side seam to back side seam, front shoulder seam to back shoulder seam and collar to neckline, are a few examples of the seams that should line up equally, by walking your pattern prior to sewing you are guaranteed that your seams will match up perfectly!