Monthly Archives: January 2012

Welcome to Bellissima Couture’s second online event, A Whirlwind Romance!  For this event I was inspired by the themes of Love, Romance and Fairy Tales.   I hope that you enjoy these fashions as much as I have enjoyed making them.

All of the fashions you see here were fitted to the Silkstone Barbie body, but will also fit many different body types, as you can see.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these fashions, please send me an email at hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Fashions will be sold on a first come, first served basis.  If you have a first and second choice, please let me know so that you have a better chance of getting a fashion that you want.  I will try to update the website as quickly as possible.  Fashions are made to order and will ship within 2 weeks.

Kiss from a Rose: Sold Out!

This vintage styled coat is made from an exquisite fabric of pink roses touched with lustrous pearl tones.  It is fully lined with pale pink silk and sports pearl buttons.  A slim, boatneck  sheath in creamy silk eyelet is lined in pale pink silk, which shows through the eyelet.  A pleated pink cummerbund decorates the waist, and pearls and pink beads embellish the shoulders.  Edition of 2

$120.00

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle: SOLD OUT!

A classic swing coat with a nehru collar in a whimsical print of luxurious truffles, lined with raspberry pink silk.  Touches of gold are picked up by gold filagree buttons.  A full skirted chocolate brown silk party dress is decorated with a raspberry silk bow belt.  A raspberry sparkle tulle petticoat peeks out from the hem of the dress.  Edition of 2

$120.00

Briar Rose: SOLD OUT!

This fairy tale fashion is made from a whimsical Japanese fabric that is covered with charming motifs of shoes, castles, crowns and woodland creatures, all intertwined with the rose vines that cover the castle of the Sleeping Beauty.  The colors are chocolate brown, rose pink and red, touched with gold.  The coat is lined with rose pink silk shot with brown and gold buttons decorate the front.  The classic sheath has the fairy tale print for the skirt and a pale pink silk top.  A red silk belt with a gold buckle decorates the waistline.  Edition of 2

$120.00

Be Mine:Sold out!

A rich, iridescent red silk taffeta cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline is topped with a white lace organza over blouse trimmed with a red silk bow.  A perfect Valentine!  Edition of 2

$65.00

My Funny Valentine: SOLD OUT!

Adorable!  I love this navy blue cotton print with swirling red ribbons and tiny Valentines and it works beautifully for this classic vintage day dress.  Deep red silk taffeta makes up the rolled collar, which dips to a deep V in the back, and a red silk belt and gold buckle trims the waist.  Edition of 2

$55.00

Barbie Girl: 2 available

Another day dress in pale pink cotton sprinkled with vintage shoes in black and white.  Black and white checked silk taffeta for the collar and bow belt.  Classic Barbie!  Edition of 2

$55.00

I’m in the Mood for Love: SOLD OUT!

Black cotton sundress covered with vintage makeup and dressing table accessories in white.  A deep red silk rolled collar sports a jaunty bow, while a red silk band accents the waist.  Edition of 2

$55.00

Poppy in Wonderland: SOLD OUT!

Another adorable Japanese fairy tale fabric in robin’s egg blue covered with silhouettes from Alice in Wonderland in black and white, touched with gold.  The front of the bodice has a placket with tiny pearl buttons.  A white vintage eyelet apron finishes off the outfit with a touch of whimsy.  Edition of 2

$55.00

Pink Champagne Sparkle: SOLD OUT!

A white silk brocade cocktail dress is richly beaded at the neckline in pink, silver and pearls.  A pale pink sparkle tulle overskirt ties in the back.  Intoxicating!  Edition of 4

$65.00

Kir Royale: SOLD OUT!

Cocktail dress in silk brocade in shades of pink with a raspberry sparkle tulle overskirt.  Luscious!  Edition of 4

$65.00

Unforgettable: SOLD OUT!

This classic fitted suit in pale pink silk noil is truly special.  The jacket is fitted through the waist and flares out in a peplum.  Both the jacket and skirt are fully lined in pale pink silk satin.  Gold and pearl buttons decorate the jacket and pale pink satin bow nestles in the small of the back.  Edition of 2

$110.00

Please join me for a Whirlwind Romance on Wednesday, January 25th at 12:00 EST!  I have been having a great time making fashions for you!

SOLD

Peonies are a symbol of good fortune, as well as one of the most beautiful and extravagant flowers found in gardens all over the world.  They have a sweet, delicate fragrance and come in many shades, including cream, pale pink, and peach.  All of these colors combine in the fabric of this elegant coat ensemble, made to celebrate the new year.

People often ask me if it is difficult to find fabrics in a scale that works for such small garments.  While finding tiny prints is challenging, I don’t hesitate to work with large prints as well, especially when they are as beautiful as this fabric.  When a large print is used in this way, it takes on a different character entirely and becomes more about abstract shapes and beautiful colors than the actual pattern of the fabric itself. 

I love the rich colors of the holidays, but when I sat down with my fabric stash to find a fabric for my first outfit of the new year, I was immediately drawn to this one.  It brought to my mind the warmth of the sun in spring and the faint and elusive scent of peonies.  The colors are subtle, but so lovely together.  I chose a pale pink silk satin to line the coat.  Large, creamy pearls are used as buttons and a vintage pink flower brooch with a pearl center adorns the coat’s shawl collar.  The coat can be worn open or closed.

For the sheath, I wanted a simple, but elegant fabric that would complement the coat without competing with it.  I chose a very special fabric, a cream silk eyelet, the color and luster of which picks up the shade and sheen of the large pearl buttons on the coat.

Finally, the hat!  Made from silk peony petals, the center is decorated with a simple pearl, to match the coat’s buttons.  The hat is attached to a flexible pink silk band that can be adjusted to fit your doll’s head.

While modeled on Betty Draper, a silkstone Barbie, this fashion will also fit similar dolls such as Monograms, Poppy Parker, and Fashion Royalty dolls.

La Pivoine includes the shawl collared coat, silk eyelet sheath and peony hat.  Also included are cream gloves and pale pink slingback shoes from Dressmaker Details.

If you would like to add this fashion to your collection, please email me at

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$120.00   Sale Pending