Monthly Archives: April 2013

The tale of the beautiful princess Odette who is transformed into a white swan by the curse of an evil sorcerer is drawn from Russian folklore.  Odette is mirrored by her nemesis and alter ego, the black swan Odile.  The two swans are two sides of the same coin; white and black, good and evil.  Both are heartrendingly beautiful.

These special dresses from Bellissima Couture are an homage to this beautiful and haunting folktale.  Each dress is made from pure silk dupioni and feature a close fitting, dropped waist bodice with a halter neckline.  The ruffled skirts are made of silk chiffon roses.  A lavish bow with Swarovski crystal brooch detail decorates the bodice.

If you are interested in purchasing one or more of these fashions, please email me

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Le Cygne Noir: $75.00 (Edition of 8) SOLD OUT

Le Cygne Blanc: $75.00 (Edition of 8) SOLD OUT

We have been enjoying Spring here in Portland for over a month now and the lilacs are out!  Back in New England, we wouldn’t get lilacs until the middle of of May, so this is a call for celebration!  This silk suit pays tribute to the Lilac, one of Spring’s most fragrant flowers.  The fabric is a lilac silk brocade woven with robin’s egg blue flowers, creating a striking color marriage. 

The slim sheath dress has a cummerbund and bow detail in Robin’s Egg Blue silk dupioni.  The cropped swing coat is fully lined in the same blue silk and sparkles with tiny crystal buttons and a Swarovski crystal brooch on the collar.

An extravagant flower hat tops off the ensemble.

This fashion is created by hand from pure silk fabrics.  Any irregularities in the weave of the fabrics are part of the appearance of natural silk and should not be considered flaws.

If you are interested in purchasing this fashion, please email me at

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$110.00 (edition of 4) SOLD OUT

Fresh from Paris, this lavishly embroidered silk dupioni is some of the most beautiful (and expensive) fabric I have ever seen.  I have been dreaming about what to do with it ever since it came into my hot little hands.  The color is the palest pink embroidered with elaborate cherry blossoms in shades of mauve, pale pink and coral.  I have hand beaded the center of the blooms with pearls for an added element of decadence.

The jacket is fitted, with a peplum and shawl collar.  This suit has two skirt options;  the slim fitting pencil skirt or a lavish fantasy of tulle.  The tulle skirt has a dropped yoke waist to prevent bulk at the waist line and there are six layers of pale pink and rose tulle.  Each layer is slashed at irregular intervals to give the affect of petals.

A small coral rose fascinator with rose and pale pink tulle completes the ensemble.

NOTE: The fabric from which this fashion is made is hand woven silk dupioni and has the slubs and irregularities that are characteristic of real silk dupioni. 

If you are interested in purchasing this fashion, please email me

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Suit with either skirt: $115.00 SOLD OUT

Suit with both skirts: $150.00  SOLD OUT