Behind the scenes: Let’s make a dress
I’ve spent the past few weeks meticulously planning and executing the launch of my wearable art brand. About two weeks ago I decided that I needed to create a dress suitable for this launch party.
So I went about contacting a superb dress maker, and set to designing fabric to suit my vision and taking into consideration her feedback and input.
The Sketch
The concept of my wearable art is about storytelling, authenticity and joy - all made sustainably and ethically. I have painted a piece for the gallery to assist the viewer understand my process, demonstrate how the art starts as a drawing and is transformed into silk, designed to be taken off the walls and worn.
I’ve painted the artwork, digitised it and created a repeating pattern to suit a bolt of absolutely gorgeous silk twill. I sketched out my ideas and shared them with my friend and dressmaker Felicity Westmacott.
Once we agreed to a design, budget, fabric and pattern matching, I was measured and got to work on finalising my fabric design. I had already created the artwork for the dress but needed to make a few edits to the file. I really wanted this to be perfect so I edited the file in Photoshop because my laptop kept crashing due to file size.
I want to maintain the authentic watercolour look and feel to my work, so it is really important that I get it right.
Iteration One
This is the edited artwork, scanned from my Epsom, edited in Corel. I decided to subscribe to Photoshop again so that I could easily manipulate and create a repeating pattern. I have worked with Adobe CS since the early 00’s so I am much more confident with CS than I am designing in Corel.
I took this original artwork and dropped it into the actual size we would need to create four metres of silk twill. We had considered crepe back satin, but I really love the fabric for my wearable art. I can’t wait to wear a dress made from this fabric with my design on it.
I love collaborating with my partners and team. Working with people who care and are values led like myself make all the difference in the world.
This feels like a dream and I am grateful I am living it.
I should have the bolt of fabric in a few weeks.
Want to be there in person to celebrate the launch with me and my dress? RSVP here.
The Art of Wearing Stories
Day 1: Friday 25 April 2025
Location: Great Pulteney Street Gallery
36 Great Pulteney Street, London, W1F 9NS
12 - 4pm: Invite Only Launch & Press Preview
5 - 8pm: Evening Reception Canapés & Bubbles
Day 2: Saturday 26 April 2025
10am - 5pm: Open Day