SAUDADE
a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for an absent something or someone that one loves. it means missingness. SAUDADE was made in a mere 4 months, during the summer after i completed INTO THE ROSE GARDEN. it was inspired by the cathedrals and architecture of Spain, and the longing and missingness of the friends of mine graduating high school that year.
ALONE
How funny - a wedding dress named Alone. A perfect symbol for the harmony you felt like you once had with a group of people now lost in the mix of moving away. She's a somber bride - left out in the rain...alone. The creamy tones of the embroidery and embellishments washed away what could be a stark white to reveal a richer, fuller color. A veil, vintage with memory, added to with flecks of gold. She is a somber bride. She is Alone.
​
A veil, passed down by my grandmother, was redone and beaded with a new cathedral train, also beaded by hand. the massive skirt comprised of an embroidered jacquard is trimmed with pearls. Over the bodice sits a separate doily top, hand sewn together and covered in pearls.
The rainy streets of Madrid, Spain fill with dark tones and grungy features. Texture and freshness fill the brick streets and small alleyways with color and mood. Madrid lives in a small house on the hill; the outside filled with vines and wildflowers. She is wistful, but she is sad, for she lost the people closest to her.
​
Paired with jewelry from Greece, the bodice emulates the neckline of ALONE, further tying it in with the others. Covered in a beautiful rose jacquard, it's a note to the last collection. Embellished with an applique from New York City and beaded by hand along the trim of the peplum. The skirt emulates MELODRAMA, but lined with the materials found in the men's looks THE RAIN and THE FLOOD.
MADRID
THE RAIN
The Rain fell like stardust on a cool summer night. He was dark and illusive; calling out like he was still there. But the voice is far away, yet, The Rain still waits. He sits in puddles and tatters on your roof as you sleep. He is comforting and calm. You've always liked the rain, you just never knew it.
​
A textured satin and brocade button up is paired with a brocade cross vest. The burgundy dress pants bring the color down throughout the ensemble.
History. Glamour. Sheer beauty. Toledo is like nothing you've ever seen. She is vibrant and full of detail. She captivates and audience with her scenery and textures. She incapsulates history as it was, and continues to tell her story from generation to generation. Great Grandmother wore this dress on her wedding night in 1930. Now I re-make the same dress and show it to you in 2018.
​
A direct remake of my Great Grandmother's wedding dress from 1930, the original came in a peach tone with the softest satin I've ever felt. I remade the dress in a blue silk, embellished with rhinestones, and paired with a gold lace hand beaded shawl and hand beaded necklace. Headpiece made by Grace Tieg.
TOLEDO
DRENCHED
Sparkling like the water, richer toned than a fine satin, she is Drenched. Though her beauty shines through, she is weighted. She feels like there is no good way to get back up from this tragedy; nowhere to turn. She fills with darkness and the richness consumes her like a bath.
​
This singular dress is made from the remaining brown satin from INTO THE ROSE GARDEN and paired with a beautiful champaign brown square sequin fabric. With a neckline custom cut for the diamond teardrop necklace, it forms and moves with the body as if the model was a fountain with water running down her. This dress was first worn by the designer on the runway at Omaha Fashion Week during the final flood of INTO THE ROSE GARDEN months prior.
Melodrama: a sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions. They'll talk about us, all the lovers, how we kiss and kill each other (Lorde, Melodrama) If we are all meant to be together we will be. If we're all apart soon, we will be. That's just life.
​
This hand beaded ombre lace dress was actually worn to to the designer's senior prom that would be just a few months after the showing of this collection. The silhouette clings to the body as if it were wet, and sparkles like a lake.
MELODRAMA
THE FLOOD
The Rain turns into The Flood. The sky cracks with lightning. The night unveils its precious terror and the colors are dramatic and fluid. Gold streaks the sky and burgundy haunts me. We don't think about that anymore.
​
The signature duo fabric button up makes another appearance underneath a rose brocade suit coat jacket faced with the brocade from The Rain. The thick 2 ply satin dress pants are fitted with a brown sequin stripe going down both side seams.
BARCELONA
Pure bliss. The storm is gone. The stress wiped away. Hearts filled with gold. Barcelona takes me to a place where she can forgive and forget. She has calming waters and metal art. She is filled with surprises down alleyways and street corners. I walk through the gate to almost be welcomed by her presence. I will always love you, Barcelona.
​
The sequin shawl drapes over the top of a corseted bodice with a massive hand beaded applique paired with a high waisted skirt with yoke all made from the rose jacquard. Headpiece made by Grace Teig.
SAUDADE
Longing for that one thing missing. But hey, who will ne lost will always be remembered. Saudade will always look to her past nut will hope to move on to the future for what she has to come. She is strong and willing to fight fo the ones she loves. They brought her out of the rose garden, and into the light.
​
Made from nearly 5 yards of velvet, this dress flows beautifully because of it's gored skirt cut ( just like Drenched) and fitted with the collection-wide v-neckline. Hand beading can be found across the abdomen and on the capelet made from a doily and vintage brooch. Headpiece made by Grace Teig.