bellissimacouturefashions

While fabric shopping the other day, I came across a group of Liberty of London fabrics that I had never seen before.  In a slightly heavier cotton than their traditional Tana Lawn, these fabrics have a striking, rustic quality that immediately appealed to me.  Each is in vivid colors and patterns reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints.

Cornflower is the first sheath in a series of three.  Bright blue cornflowers pop against an inky black background, sprinkled with white polka dots.  An aquamarine blue silk dupioni sash highlights the waist.  The deep v-neck of the bodice is accentuated by a lavish silver chain necklace, dripping with Japanese Magatama glass beads in black and shades of blue. 

This fashion is modeled on a Silkstone, but will also fit Fashion Royalty dolls.

If interested in purchasing this fashion, please email me

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$75.00

I have been working in a lot of black and white lately, so yesterday I indulged myself and chose three of my favorite brocades from which to make a trio of glamorous cocktail dresses. Each dress is subtly different in details, but all made from shimmering, iridescent silk brocade.

I hope that you enjoy them!

If interested in purchasing a dress, please email me at

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$75.00 each

Blue Brocade has beaded shoulder detail and blue silk dupioni sash. SOLD OUT

Pink Brocade has bright pink silk dupioni sash and bow detail and Swarovski crystal brooch. SOLD OUT

Green Brocade has a ruched fuchsia silk cummerbund and rosette detail with green Swarovski crystal flower. SOLD OUT

This glamorous cocktail suit is made from a delicate silk metallic brocade from India.  The color is reminiscent of spring hyacinths, woven with silver.  The elegant sheath is highlighted at the waist with a deep lavender silk taffeta sash and  bow with a Swarovski crystal buckle.  A cropped jacket tops the sheath, glittering with Swarovski crystal buttons.

The suit is being modeled by an FR2 doll, but will also fit Fashion Royalty and Silkstone dolls.

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

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$110.00

People have been asking me to make something for Poppy, so today I had a look at my models to see who inspired me.  This is the beauty who appealed to me, and I chose this favorite Liberty of London Tana lawn in Rosa to make her a lovely dress for spring.  The style is a drop-waisted bubble dress with a rolled collar in bright pink silk.  A large pink silk bow decorates the waist.

Although I made this dress with Miss Poppy in mind, it will also fit Silkstones and Victoire.

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

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$75.00

An elegant new suit, with intricate seaming, peplum and contrasting shawl collar.  The fabric is a pale pink silk satin brocade scattered with tiny flowers in black, white and dark pink.  A jaunty black silk bow decorates the waist and an extravagant black floral picture hat finishes the look with style.

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

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$110.00

I have been waiting for months for the new Cocktail Silkstone to arrive.  I knew exactly what I wanted to make for her.  She came on Friday, and I took a quick break from making Swan dresses to make these two fashions, inspired by her sparkling makeup and platinum hair.  The colors are black, silver and lavender, which also happen to suit my other current favorite model; Boater Silkstone.

The suit is made from a striking silk tussah fabric in the black and white color scheme that is so popular this Spring.  A silver thread woven throughout adds sparkle.  Tiny faceted silvered jet buttons lend shine to the front of the jacket and a Swarovski crystal brooch in smoked crystal decorates the collar.  A lavender silk dupioni bow belt accents the waist.  A pillbox hat with point d’esprit veil and lavender bow is a stylish finish to this glamorous suit.

The companion cocktail dress is made from the same lavender silk dupioni, with a black and silver lace overlay.  A large bow accented with an Aurora Borealis Swarovski crystal brooch accents the shoulder.

If you are interested in purchasing either of these fashions, please email me at

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Suit: $110.00

Cocktail Dress: $75.00

I realized yesterday that it has been a long time since I have shown my Monograms any love, so this suit is for them.  I am using Jubilation Monogram as my model, who visited the spa of Maryann Roy for a new hairstyle.

This stylish little number is made of a vivid chartreuse silk brocade.  The sash is made from a deep purple silk dupioni.  The purple of the sash is picked up in the cluster of purple violets decorating the pillbox hat.  Rhinestone buttons add sparkle to the front of the jacket.

This suit fits the smaller busted dolls such as Monograms, Poppy Parker and  Nu Face.  If you would like one made to order to fit the larger busted dolls, I am happy to do so. 

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

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$110.00 (edition of 3) SOLD OUT

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