November 2, 2009

Dress Designs for Shabby Apple Dresses.


Dress Designs for Shabby Apple Dresses.

Please click the drawing to enlarge the image so that you may view the dresses in full detail.

1. This dress was inspired by a scene from "Alice in Wonderland" in which Alice is given an impromptu concert by a chorus of flowers. It is a fetching frock for a mother and her daughter alike, while they sip on Mad Hatters tea in their own personal quaint garden.

A blue cotton poplin dress with an ecru ruffled sleeve/neckline. The dress is cinched at the empire waist with a ecru sash, constructed from the same cotton poplin material found on the sleeve/neckline. The dress is accented with antiqued lace at the decolletage and hemline.

2. This dress is also inspired by tea in a garden, only I have gathered inspiration from the fascinating life of the Beale's at Grey Gardens dashed with the innocence of the literary masterpiece The Secret Garden.

The under sheath of this dress is made from a periwinkle cotton jersey, which is topped by a grey lace overlay. The dress is elegantly gathered at the waist by a coordinating periwinkle sash fabricated from cotton sateen, which is also used for the ribbon detail at the neckline.

44 comments:

Decor To Adore said...

Both of these dresses are just magnificent! I would happily wear them both.
Your attention to detail is just exquisite.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I am speechless. You are so very talented! Where do I start?

The prose so aptly describes these lovely dresses. I would be happy wearing either of these to tea in a garden. They are just lovely. Congrats to you for expressing yourself so beautifully with these designs. Applause! Applause!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

Your designs are beautiful. The detail is exquisite and I could see myself drinking tea in these dresses with my mother, sister, best friend, etc. Bravo!

Anonymous said...

These are delightful!
I love the one inspired by Alice in Wonderland, its a fairytale fused with a modern view of chic fashion. No doubt I would wear both of these dresses.
LUV, hms

lizzard72 said...

I'm in love with the dress with lace and appreciate the mix of colors. Both remind me of simpler times and are quite feminine.

I would definitely add them to my wardrobe.

Linda said...

I am so in awe of you!!! You have been blessed with a wonderful talent for sure! I LOVE both of the dresses.

Are they being considered by Shabby Apple? I just gave my husband a hint of a dress that I want for my Birthday from Shabby Apple - they have the cutest, unique items.

I always anxiously await your next posting, because you have the most interesting, fresh ideas. Keep em' coming.

♥ Linda

Anonymous said...

Lovesit! I'll take them both. :) More designs, please...

Anonymous said...

you Have So much Talent and I have no doubt you will go far with you're eye for fashion. these dresses are elegant and simple and absolutely stunning. Keep up the amazing work :)

Unknown said...

Very Romantic! I love them both! Do you have plans to make them? I hope so. If you do I hope you'll post about them. Is Shabby Apple Dresses going to be your company? I love it!

~Liz

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! I love both of these designs! I hope Shabby Apple sits up and takes notice!

Dawn @ alteredartists said...

tres chic! nice design elements. I would buy for sure.

~Dawn

Anonymous said...

I love the dress inspired by tea in a garden... I can't wait for all our dreams to come true and you can dress me everyday! I just love all of your designs and feel confident that you will be my personal designer one day.
<3Harrison

Cardigan Empire said...

I heart the color on the alice in wonderland inspired and the lace in the grey gardens piece. Lovely work.

C. said...

these are beautiful!

-xo, C.
http://owl-wings.blogspot.com

Mimi said...

HI!!!
As a Mother of 2 daughters, now age 30 and 27!!! I too love anything girly and frilly and of course Alice in Wonderland(my oldest daughter's baby shower theme for her little Princess) and of course my second daughter is a Manager at Walt Disney World so we are always inspire by anything Disney!!!!!
Oh HOney, please do not give up on your dream, follow your heart and you will make the right decision, but your drawings are beautiful and yes, I think they should have been selected, I looked at the 15 chosen, yes, some of those dresses are stunning and quite unique, but I think yours is too, especially the Alice in Wonderland one!!!! I love that design, keep drawing, another chance will come along and you will win next time!!!!
Hugs,
jamie--mimi

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Here through your mama's blog. Your designs are beautiful. You are tres talented lady!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Okay sweet Alice...
I am so in love with your beautiful drawings. I am one of your Mom's blogger friends here in AZ. (we met at the luncheon recently). I have to tell you sweetie these are spectacular. I so love them.

Do not be discouraged because your drawings were not selected. Let me tell you something. Everything, everything in this world is about politics. It is not that yours were not the best, it is all in who you know when it comes to a contest. I truly believe that. We know that in most cases the best person for the job is not chosen, and after looking at the finalist, we are wondering: "What glasses were you all looking through?" Do not doubt your capabilities because you are GREAT sweetie, just GREAT. If nothing, this should make you made enough to go on, move up and crawl out of that rabbit hole, and show them who the best is. Someday you will be standing by the Queen of Hearts as she says, "Off with their Heads".

I have signed up to follow your blog sweetie. I am going to keep up with your fashions, and what you decide to do with your education. Don't make any rash decisions, but don't let them discourage you. Reach for the stars sweetie. Reach for the stars.

Country hugs, Sherry

The Dutch Girl said...

Your designs are lovely, both of them. They are beautiful, playful, and elegant. Don't let anyone tell you differently. You have a talent. Enjoy it!

LiLi M. said...

I love your designs and the ideas behind them and remember:
Dreams only come true if YOU make them!
Have a great weekend!

Lady Dorothy said...

You are so very talented! Not only great designs, but darling artwork! Don't give up on your dreams!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I had to come over here from Decor to Adore...I love your sketches, and now reading the inspiration behind them makes them come to life all the more!

Don't give up...on your designs, or on anything. Fashion is a tough field to break into. But you know what? So is finance, engineering, culinary, human resources, acting, publishing...I think you get my point. :-) I wish I wasn't in such a rush to get out into the "real world" when I was in college...'cause the real world is kicking my behind. And I'm not doing what I love. Do what you love, give it time (hard, but you have to) and the rest will fall into place. Even if you wind up doing something totally different down the road, you don't want to look back and say "could have, would have, should have." Take it from someone who knows!

Best of luck. And if you'll make that Grey Gardens dress I'll send my measurements asap. ;-)

Best of luck...
Laura

LuLu Kellogg said...

I love both of these dresses! What a talent you have!

LuLu~*

The Boston Lady said...

Your renderings of these dress designs are absolutely lovely and the dresses themselves are beautiful.

Your talent is obvious and your apt inspiration descriptions show the depth of your love for what you do. Always reach for your dreams!

heather said...

You are amazing! :)

Pamela said...

I really like both of these. I feel like they are very wearable for the "average/normal" woman. I love the fact that first one has antique lace on it, really would make me feel feminine! I would love to see the actually dress, you should totally make it! Can't wait to see more designs from you!

Anonymous said...

It is unfortunate that the powers at Shabby Apple do not know screaming talent. Your designs are far more beautiful, sophisticated and conceptualized than ANY pick they made. Onward and upward! The door at Shabby was not opened for you because you are so far beyond the Shabby door. Keep knocking--the right door WILL open, I promise. Ah, well, c'est la vie, ma cheri...promise me you'll remember to blow Shabby a kiss from the runway of your first Paris show.

Linda said...

I read the update on your Mom's blog and I'm so very sorry they didn't select the designs!!! I think they are fools.

Honestly, your designs are sooooooooo good, I already thought they were selected and I even mentioned them recently on my blog because you are so VERY, VERY talented!!!!!!!

Please remember, as disappointing as this is, that the measure of creativity is highly subjective!

I have to remind myself of this very thing, OFTEN, when it comes to my writing. When I worked as an Editorial Assistant, I would see two referees review the SAME paper - one reviewer would rave about the paper and approve it, whereas the other reviewer would hate it and reject it. Same paper- Entirely different views.

That's how it is when it comes to our talents and the opinions of others....

That's why we have to hold on tight to our dreams and to those passionate gifts that are OURS ALONE and brush ourselves off when someone shoots down our dream... Pick it back up and aim even higher.

I know you're going to find great success - timing is everything and your time WILL come. ♥

Unknown said...

I saw a comment by Laura Ingalls Gunn on the Shabby Apple blog... they were INSANE not to choose you.
I would pick BOTH your dresses over most of the ones they chose.

Keep designing because this is amazing.

Tanya said...

The periwinkle and grey combination sounds just breathtaking. I love these dresses because they are sweet without being too "little girlish."

Anonymous said...

Both dresses are absolutely stunning! I would feel so special wearing either one of them! I think with your talent you are destined to create beautiful things!

"If we are ever in doubt about what to do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves what we shall wish on the morrow that we had done."
John Lubbock, Sr

carolyn said...

I found your blog through you mom...and found her via Cote de Texas!

I love your dresses- and am in awe of how those ideas go from your head to paper and then come to life.

Continue to follow your dream!

TheSingingBird said...

Just came over from your Mom's blog to encourage you to keep following your dreams! You have talent and the more you show it to the world the sooner you will be able to expand and grow your ideas. Someone once said that every art piece has a buyer, they just need to find each other. I think putting your ideas online is a great way to make this happen as your designs are instantly international!

My daughter is a few years younger than you and she is also interested in fashion and loves your designs too. She said her favorite is the dress on the left because it reminds her of some of her favorite sailor style dresses. She loves the wide "old fashioned type" of collar and the blue color.

She also loves the dress on the right, especially the see-thru layer because it reminds her of some favorite styles from the 1920s, '30s and '40s.

Please remember that you are the person whose opinion matters most about what you love. When you do what you love you are tuning into the same energy that created you, and that is endless and beautiful.

Although this is a different field of work, here is a link to some famous authors who questioned their abilities early on. I'm so grateful they kept trying:

http://www.inkygirl.com/writers-and-rejection-dont-give-up/

Best wishes♥
Becky

mommy princess said...

I was sad not to see one of your designs in the final 15. Actually I was very surprised to see the dresses that actually made it. I've always loved Shabby Apples designs. Most of the dresses they chose make me a little worried for the spring line this year. Follow your dreams you have talent!

Anonymous said...

I love your style! I especially like the dress on the left. and as far as the finalist in the contest you entered?? Some were very deserving but there were several that I could go to JoAnn Fabrics and buy a pattern today the is the same or very, very similar. One especially I was thinking 'what were the judges thinking?' Anyone could have come up with that!! I have seen patterns just like it!
Go for it girl, you've got what it takes!
Jill

Debi said...

Alice dear,
I read your mom's blog, and had to come let you know that I LOVE your designs!! You are very talented young lady. I hope you keep it up.
I will be back often to see how it is going, I just added you the list of blogs I read. I wish you all the luck in the world. And please do what your heart desires, there is no feeling like it ever!!!
Debi xo
http://whatscookninjunk.blogspot.com/

KeepsakeSewing said...

Your designs are exquisite and very feminine - something I would wear. I too entered the Shabby Apple Design contest and did not get chosen as a finalist - Only 1 of the finalist is a dress I would wear yet I go to the website and find many dresses in their current line I would buy. I was perplexed by the final choices. I graduated with a degree in Apparel design 17 years ago. I never went to NY but have used my talents as a designer in so many ways. Follow your dreams and don't get discouraged.

Mila said...

wow beautiful!!
xx

Jen said...

These are wonderful, retro, frilly, feminine and lovely in an age when many women are ravenously hungry for feminine dresses and tea parties. I love the mother-daughter theme. You are amazingly talented and I hope you spread your wings and fly where your heart takes you!

Sandy said...

Glorious creations! You have some mad drawing and design skills!

"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than you faith."

~Mary Manin Morrissey~

Have the faith of a mustard seed and you WILL move mountains where your design dreams are concerned. Don't let one "no" debilitate your dream. Keep reaching for the stars!

Domestic Bliss & FOUND said...

I LOVE them both! Darling darling darling! I don't know what they were thinking not picking you as a finalist! Don't give up your dreams!
I remember a few discouraging teachers along the way who tried to talk me out of a creative career- just listen to your heart and work hard- you will get there!
xoxo
Kristin

Unknown said...

TWO WORDS. Project Runway!!!!

Rachel said...

Beautiful Dresses! I would love to see you make them!

Linda said...

Where have you been? I'm missing your blog posts!! ♥

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Back by to wish you a most wonderful Christmas! Hope it's particularly merry!

XO,

Sheila :-)