bellissimacouturefashions

Some of you might not know that my new city of Portland, Oregon is named the Rose City.  This little cocktail dress is an homage to our new home.

The dress is made of palest pink silk taffeta with a black tulle rose fabric over the skirt.  A wide silk belt and bow decorates the waist.  The dress includes the flirty fascinator hat!

I made a few of these dresses for the Integrity Convention, but they went so fast that I promised that I would make more.  So here they are!  This is an open edition and can be made to fit any 1/6 scale fashion doll.

$75.00

If you are interested in ordering a dress, please send me an email

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Now that the leaves have mostly fallen and there is a distinct chill in the air, I chose to make a suit from this gorgeous wool plaid that I have had in my fabric stash for quite some time, waiting for the right moment.  I love the shades of rose, cranberry and charcoal and the way they blend together to create new colors.

The peplumed jacket has a rounded collar, bracelet length sleeves and tiny faceted gunmetal buttons down the front.  A large bow in cranberry silk is nestled in the small of the back.  The jacket and pencil skirt are both lined in the same cranberry silk.  A jaunty tam o’ shanter hat with a cranberry silk bow and feather tops off this cozy, elegant suit.

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

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$110.00 SOLD (edition of 3)

I was in a blue mood the other day…not sad, but rather I wanted to sew with this stunning Kingfisher Blue silk taffeta.  Black and blue has been all over the runways for Fall.  So I made not one, but two fashions.
First, a coat ensemble in an Asian floral print in blue and black touched with gold.  The coat has bracelet length sleeves, a funnel collar and faceted cobalt blue buttons.  It is fully lined in Kingfisher silk.  The coordinating cocktail sheath is made of black silk dupioni with a ruched silk cummerbund and bow detail in Kingfisher silk.  A band hat of feathers provides the dramatic finishing touch.

$120.00

Second, a chic little lace cocktail sheath in Kingfisher Blue silk taffeta overlaid with exquisite black lace.  A large taffeta bow and brooch detail adds interest and bling to the shoulder.

$75.00
If you are interested in purchasing one or both of these fashions, please email me at

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

COAT ENSEMBLE: $120.00

LACE COCKTAIL SHEATH: $75.00

There is nothing like a touch of leopard to add pizazz to a black silk suit.  Veronique is ultra chic in this elegant suit in black silk dupioni.  The jacket has a peplum, wide collar and faceted jet buttons.  It is fully lined in leopard, which peeks out at the neckline and decorates the waistline in the form of a bow belt.  A slim pencil skirt completes the suit.  An extravagant black hat sports a leopard bow and elegant black feather curls.

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

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$110.00 SOLD

All around us the leaves are turning from green to shades of yellow, orange and red.  This inspired me to turn to this glorious iridescent russet silk damask for my latest suit.  Jacket and skirt are fully lined in deep burnt orange silk taffeta, which is used for the pleated sash.  A tiny vintage Swarovski crystal brooch gives a touch of bling to the collar.

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

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$110.00 SOLD

Some of you may not know that Bellissima Couture Fashions recently moved across the country!  On October 3rd Phil and I, our two cats, and our dog moved to Portland, Oregon.  We then waited more than two weeks to receive our possessions, and then the unpacking began.  The first thing I set up was my sewing machine  Inspired by the gorgeous, myriad shades of green in the Pacific Northwest, the deep purple of our neighbor’s concord grapes, and the onset of Autumn, this outfit resulted.

The style “Bellissima Loves Dior” is done here in a color palette of black, dark purple and forest green.  The silk brocade jacket has a wide collar, bracelet length sleeves and a flared peplum hem.  A bow belt highlights the waist line in dark purple silk dupioni.  The same dark purple silk makes up the skirt and black tulle peeks out from the hemline.  A dramatic black hat trimmed with green feathers and a large purple bow completes this elegant ensemble.

If you would like to purchase this fashion, please email me at hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

$110.00 SOLD

Ever since my Springtime in Paris show, I have been dreaming about what to do next.  The English Garden Party evolved from the acquisition of some gorgeous Liberty of London fabrics.  But next I wanted to do a collection that featured some of the amazing fabrics that I have been collecting over the last year, but couldn’t really find a common thread that wove the collection together.  Finally, I gave up and decided that the theme this time would simply be “pretty” and would be an indulgence of my personal favorites; favorite designs, gorgeous fabrics, beloved color combinations.

So here it is, an eclectic little collection for these beautiful days as summer draws to a close.

These fashions are fitted to the Silkstone Barbie body, but fit Victoire Roux, Poppy Parker, Audrey Hepburn, etc.

Fashions are sold on a first come, first served basis.  I will try to update the website as quickly as possible to reflect what has sold.  I will be out this evening between 6 and 8 pm, but will answer all emails as soon as I return.

To order, please email me at hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Fashions will be made and shipped within two weeks.

Domestic shipping: $5.00

International shipping: $18.00

Bellissima Loves Dior

My tribute to Dior’s iconic New Look, this style features a fitted jacket with wide collar and peplum in champagne ribbed silk.  A blush pink full skirt has a black tulle underskirt.  A blush pink bow belt highlights the waist.  SOLD OUT!

$110.00

Petal Suit

The palest embroidered pink silk makes up this classic suit with a fitted jacket with peplum and round collar and a slim pencil skirt.  Tiny faceted jet buttons and a black velvet belt with crystal buckle add some color and shine.  SOLD OUT!

$110.00

Moulin Rouge

Since it debuted as part of the Springtime in Paris show, this style has become one of Bellissima’s most popular.   This is the first time I have tried it in a brocade, but I love how they turned out!  I am offering it today in three different fabrics.

Purple, Black and Green Brocade: SOLD OUT

Turquoise and Gold Brocade: SOLD OUT

Blue and Purple Brocade: SOLD OUT

$75.00 each

Queen Anne’s Lace

A pale, primrose yellow silk taffeta strapless party dress with a creamy floral lace over blouse with a scalloped hem.  A matching belt with crystal buckle accents the waist. SOLD OUT!

$75.00

Starlet

Ice blue silk taffeta party dress with dropped waist and halter neckline accented with a bow and crystal and pearl brooch.  A silver sparkle tulle underskirt peeks out from the hemline.  SOLD OUT!

$75.00

Ladylike

This adorable set is perfect for Miss Poppy.  A charcoal grey ground is scattered with elegant gloves trimmed with flirty bows in shades of pink and strings of pearls.  Pearl buttons decorate the front and carnation pink bows trim the coat sleeves, echoing the gloves in the print.  An embroidered cream silk sheath trimmed with a carnation pink bow and band completes the ensemble. SOLD OUT!

$120.00

Enchantment

Scenes of Romance and Enchantment are sprinkled across the charming print from Japan in rose pink touched with gold.  Crystal buttons add sparkle to the front.  The golden touch is on the sheath as well, made from a delicate embroidered eyelet cotton brushed with pale gold.  A pale pink silk band and bow at the waist matches the lining of the coat.  SOLD OUT

$120.00

In the Garden

A charming print in matcha green with bright pink and rose pattern of flowers and birds.  The coat features a shawl collar and gold buttons and is fully lined with watermelon pink silk.  The same pink silk makes up the bodice of the sheath, with printed skirt and rose pink sash and bow detail.  SOLD OUT!

$120.00

Charming

This lovely print from England is a pale, Robin’s egg blue with rose medallions.  Rose pink silk makes up the bodice and a white silk belt is trimmed with a pale pink rose.  A shawl collared coat in the print is decorated with pale pink pearl buttons.  The coat is fully lined in rose pink silk.  SOLD OUT

$120.00

Dear Friends

I know, it has been soooo long since BCF held an event.  Getting ready for the Barbie Convention is always a big undertaking and other things have to go on hold.   Also, the Integrity Convention is fast approaching in September.

But I know that many fans of BCF cannot attend conventions, so I have been dreaming of holding another online event with all of you in mind. 

When trying to come up with a theme and asking the opinions of friends, the words that kept coming up were “elegant,” “vintage” and “pretty.”  That last word came up a lot.  So the theme of this event is “pretty.” 

I like to think that everything I make is pretty, but there are certain fashions that are just more pretty than others, right?  So expect lots of vintage accents like bows, flowers, lace, sashes, and sparkle.

Please join me on Wednesday, August 8th at 3:00 pm right here!  I hope that you all can stop in to see what’s new and perhaps pick up a fashion!

I was so thrilled to be asked to contribute a doll to the Golden Ticket Bon Voyage event at this summer’s Barbie Convention (for more information on this very cool event, look here).  I had been looking forward to the theme of the Grand Tour for two years, so I immediately knew that I wanted Barbie to have a Stateroom and a travel wardrobe.  The wardrobe, I could handle, but for the Stateroom there was only one place to turn, and that was to Maryann Roy, of Welcome Home.  And boy, did she deliver!  Here are some sneak peeks of the set that we created.  It was such a fun project and we hope that you love it as much as we do.  If you are attending the Barbie Convention this summer you will receive 20 Golden Tickets and 20 chances to win this set!

We start with the Stateroom itself.  It is cozy and elegant with a tufted daybed that also has ample storage space under the cushion.  Two brightly patterned armchairs flank a chic lucite coffee table and a cozy rug underfoot makes slippers optional.  The best part of all?  All of the furniture can be packed away in the Paris-themed storage trunk!

And here is Barbie herself, relaxing in her Stateroom and looking elegant in a Parisian ensemble in cream, figured silk that she has packed to wear to the Moulin Rouge.  The top is trimmed with a pale blue tulle ruffle at the hem and a blue silk bow at the waist.  Barbie’s  makeup and her stunning red hair has been re-styled by Maryann.  Her red leather carry-on bag, floral arrangement, Eiffel Tower and travel brochures are also included.

Here, Barbie models a chic daytime look for site-seeing in London.  She is wearing a sheath dress made from Liberty of London, that city’s most iconic fabric.  Her chic straw handbag, turquoise pumps and stylish sunglasses complete the look.

During her visit to Rome, Barbie plans to wear this casual ensemble of chartreuse silk noil capri pants and a bright, summery floral blouse in Liberty of London cotton.  Her hair is kept in place with a knotted floral headscarf, even if her plans include a ride through the busy Roman streets on a Vespa!

Finally, Barbie models her elegant evening coat ensemble in cream and pale gold floral silk brocade, lined in pale pink silk, that she plans to wear to the ballet in St. Petersburg.  A pale pink silk petal hat tops off the ensemble.

All dolls will be sold on a first come, first served basis.  Sorry, no holds or trades at this time.

I have priced the dolls by checking on recently completed auctions on Ebay, but I am happy to take offers, so don’t be afraid to ask.  Prices do not include shipping, which will be calculated according to location and size of package.

If you would like to purchase a doll, email me at

hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Thank you!

POPPY PARKER

Ask Any Girl Giftset NRFB: $400.00 SOLD

I Love How You Love Me NRFB: $450.00 SOLD

Forget-Me-Not RED HEAD, De-Boxed, but complete and perfect: $350.00: SOLD

Forget-Me-Not BRUNETTE, De-Boxed, but complete and perfect: $350.00: SOLD

Holiday in the Hamptons, De-Boxed and almost complete; includes romper with sneakers, blue shirt and green pants, black dress, blue shoes: $275.00 SOLD

Summer Magic, De-Boxed but complete: $175.00 SOLD

In the Air NRFB: $200.00 SOLD

Reluctant Debutante, De-Boxed but complete: $250.00

The Look of Love NRFB: $200.00 SOLD

Pillow Talk, De-Boxed but complete: $175.00 SOLD

Tears Go By, De-Boxed: Complete except for stockings: $225.00 SOLD

Sunset Rave Ayumi, NRFB: $175.00

Lady In Waiting Dania NRFB: $150.00

2011 Point of Departure Eugenia Giftset NRFB: $275.00 SOLD