bellissimacouturefashions

A full skirted party dress in the palest shell pink silk.  This silk is almost sheer and has a crisp hand, similar to organza.  The dropped waist bodice flows into a crisp skirt made full with four layers of pale pink tulle.  A band defines the bust, which is sprinkled with tiny sequins in shades of pink, rose, gold, and peach.

This fashion fits Silkstone Barbie, Fashion Royalty, and Victoire Roux.

Now on Etsy!

A party dress in a delicious aqua silk woven with silver.  This silk has a beautiful crisp texture and rustle.  The strapless bodice has a dropped waist that flows into a full skirt.  A band and bow beneath the bust is the perfect accent.

This fashion fits Silkstone Barbie, Fashion Royalty and Victoire Roux.

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A perfect dress for summer, this cute bubble dress is made of black and white gingham silk embroidered with cherries.  Bright red silk bows decorate the shoulders.

This fashion fits Silkstone Barbie, Victoire Roux, Fashion Royalty and Vintage Barbie.

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Hello my friends!  A reminder that the silent auction for this one of a kind Dior gown is ending in 8 hours.  If you are interested in owning this unique gown, please email me with a bid before 7 pm Pacific time (10 pm Eastern time).

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

I took a few additional photos yesterday, this time using Victoire Roux as the model.

Since Sunday, I have been consumed with a single project; to re-create the iconic gown Miss Dior in 1/6 scale (see my previous post for details of the process).  My days have revolved around sewing hundreds and hundreds of tiny petals and flowers onto panels of white silk.  Then I went back and sewed pearls and tiny beads onto the petals.  The resulting gown is a meadow of spring flowers.  While I do not pretend that this is an exact copy, it is my homage to the original.

The gown is completely handmade, in the true couture tradition.  It is made of white silk, flowers and pearls.  There is not a drop of glue.  The gown will fit several types of dolls, such as Silkstone Barbie, Victoire Roux, and the new Fashion Royalty dolls.  It closes in the back with metal snaps.  It is completely lined in white silk.

Included with the gown are the pink gloves.  The model is a Red Moon Silkstone doll, repainted and restyled by Maryann Roy.  The doll is not included in this auction.

I cannot put a price on this gown and how much it meant to me to create it, so I am offering it to you in a Silent Auction format.  Beginning now, I will accept your bids via email at hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Bids will be accepted until 7 pm Pacific time (10 pm east coast time) on Sunday, June 15.  If you choose to bid, you will be notified via email whether or not you have won the gown.

Thank you so much for all of the interest and encouragement that I have received during the course of this exciting project.  Enjoy!

Those of us who love vintage fashion have been ogling the videos and photographs that have been circulating on the internet in preparation for the Le Petit Théâtre Dior exhibition, now in Chengdu, China.

This miniature version of the gown Miss Dior, which was made in 1949, immediately caught my eye and I fell in love.  I just had to try it for myself.  This is a brief look into my project.

I began the process on Monday, assembling my materials and planning my strategy.

And drafting a pattern…

Every journey begins with a single step…or flower petal.

I made two skirt panels, stitching on the petals by hand and sewing on pearls and beads.  After a trial assembling, I decided it needed another panel, so I did one more, in two pieces for the back.

The next step was cutting out the pieces and sewing them together.  The seams then had to be covered with petals.

Now came the moment of truth…would these skirt panels come together with a bodice to form a dress.  The answer is YES!

Here is the dress attached to its bodice.  It does not yet have the lining for the bodice and skirt, and there are still beads and flowers that need to be sewn on, but a dress is beginning to take shape.

Tomorrow, I will put the finishing touches on the dress and on Friday I will offer it for sale via silent auction.  I hope that you have enjoyed my creative journey!

 Red Charm is a deep red double peony.

This gown is the final installment in the La Pivoine series.  A dark red silk makes up the bodice, which has a gathered and beaded bustline and dropped waist.  The skirt is a bubble of deep red chiffon petals.  A red silk bow belt defines the waist.  This fashion fits Victoire Roux, Silkstone Barbie, and Fashion Royalty.

Now on Etsy!

Hydrangeas grow beautifully here in the Pacific Northwest and they come in gorgeous colors.

This dress, with its full bubble skirt and blue color, reminds me of the voluminous blooms of the hydrangea.  The bodice is made from iridescent blue silk dupioni and has a ruched and beaded bust.  The full skirt is made of chiffon rosettes in a gorgeous coordinating blue color.  A blue silk bow belt defines the waist.

This fashion fits Silkstone Barbie and similar dolls.

Now on Etsy!

A vibrant sheath dress for the office in bright green silk noil.  The sheath has cap sleeves and a square neckline.  A dark purple silk noil belt with buckle sits under the bust and a green enamel daisy brooch (removable) decorates the shoulder.

This fashion fits most 12″ fashion dolls.

Now on Etsy!

The Felix Supreme peony is a favorite for its rich dark pink petals and sweet scent.

This dress has a pale pink dupioni bodice with a ruched bust, embellished with beads and pearls.  A pink silk bow belt decorates the waist.  The skirt is an exuberant array of deep pink chiffon petals.

This fashion fits Silkstone Barbie and similar dolls.

Now on Etsy!