Wearing a face shield, and no idea what I was doing.

A block of wood turned into pieces to create my conceptual design. Band saws, electric sanders, drill presses, and blow torches — a real departure from my sewing machine capabilities.

First step was to sketch the idea, of course I had to bring along supplies for what I thought I wanted to create.  Just like when I create a garment, I typically sketch first.

The tools, a simple block of wood which would turn into many blocks, then shape and create.

The end result needed to rest. Her entry into the world was a bit challenging.

When I got home to my own workroom, I adjusted her more to my liking.

Note the details, lazer cut metal belt adorned with vintage buttons, 3D handbag, sunglasses made from photographic negative circa 1980, vintage kid gloves, and vintage fur buttons, 

As the President of Anderson Ranch put it — this was about the experience, not the product. I’m embracing that thought. After all, my thought process has changed and I’d bet what comes after it will too.

One of the interesting parts of the workshop was when the teacher asked me to help 2 high school students create their marionette’s pants.  I took to the task by showing them how to cut the shape, thread the sewing machine and stitch them together.  It is my hope that both of them took away new knowledge that will affect their future whatever that may be.

Here I am with both high school students.  I loved helping and educating others.

Appropriate sparks flying, suggesting how with freedom of art anything is possible, especially the week before July 4 in America.

That’s me

When you hit challenges in your own work, how do you deal with them? I jump in…….

The post Meet Sylvia, from conceptual design to my handmade marionette appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Upcycling is not recycling. It is not thrifting. It is not alterations.

Upcycling is taking something that already exists — something worn, forgotten, or unused — and transforming it into something of greater value. Greater beauty. Greater purpose.

It is sustainable fashion at its highest form. And at Brooks LTD, it is deeply personal.

No new fabric required — or when it is, it comes from my curated collection of sustainable textiles. Just vision, skill, and intention.

That means a pair of pants becomes a custom jacket. A vintage tablecloth becomes a botanically dyed summer dress. Something you stopped reaching for becomes the thing you can’t stop wearing.

Every Brooks LTD piece is one of a kind. Handcrafted. Designed with a deep respect for textile and craft. Because upcycled fashion is not a trend here — it is the foundation.

Upcycled from a pair of pants. Because she loved the fabric more than the pant.

That is a Vision Session.

The Vision Session is my reimagining service — bringing fresh creative vision to something you already own. You bring what you have. I bring the design.

This is not alterations. This is redesign.

Craft is the design.

Interested in yours? DM me.

The post What is upcycling? appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

“The Art of Simplicity is indeed an art. It appears effortless but requires tremendous expertise to execute well. In design, true simplicity is a refined skill. It comes only through deep understanding and disciplined practice.

Stripped to essential elements, good design maintains purpose and beauty. It achieves timeless quality. I confirmed this thinking during a Kintsugi exercise at a retreat. This Japanese art repairs broken pottery with gold. It embraces imperfection as part of an object’s beauty.

My philosophy creates simple designs with just the right flair to last a lifetime. It’s about knowing what to keep and what to remove. Each element must serve a purpose while celebrating imperfection’s beauty.

Read more about my philosophy: it’s never too late to make imperfection beautiful. 

Thank you to The Lotus Network Experience to have me as one of the Lotus Ladies.

Photo: Jennifer Lord Photography

The post The Art of Simplicity: A Design Philosophy appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

 Evolving from its 1990’s origins, Brooks LTD creates memories to modern designs, transforming a treasured gown between mother and daughter.

This story beautifully illustrates the power of reimagining a piece of clothing for a new chapter in it’s cherished life. It demonstrates how quality garments can transcend their original purpose, adapting and evolving just as we do. Each piece carries memories while opening doors to fresh possibilities, bridging past and present in deeply personal ways.

This Brooks LTD custom dress bridges generations, read on for the shortened version…..

In 1990, the bride Carrie made a dramatic entrance on horseback wearing this stunning, custom-made gown by Brooks Luby.

Unconventional themes

While traditional venues were typical at the time, Carrie’s entrance was anything but conventional. This story likely resonates with those who appreciate unconventional wedding themes, venues, and attire.

Carrie circa 1990

Meet Zoe

Fast forward to 2023, and Carrie’s daughter, Zoe, got engaged. As athletic as they come, Zoe and her now-husband are avid travelers who seek out high mountain ranges for their adventures. Their lifestyle is exotic and always on the move, reflecting Zoe’s passion for health, fitness, and constant motion.

What you wear says alot about how you live and Zoe wanted this reflected in her gown with ease of movement in elegant fabric choices.

Fascinated by her mother’s wedding story, Zoe became enamored with the idea of wearing the same art wearable dress for her own wedding. Together with her mother, they opened the heirloom storage box that had preserved the gown for over three decades. To their delight, they discovered the original Brooks LTD label still intact, which led them back to me, the original wearable art designer.

Heirloom dress revealed

During our consultation, Zoe tried on her mother’s dress. It fit her like a glove, but she wanted to update it to suit her active personality and modern tastes. We lowered the neckline, removed the sleeves, took out the petticoat for a sleeker silhouette, and added a pocket for her vows – all changes that reflected Zoe’s style while maintaining the dress’s essence.

Zoe in her Mother’s gown after 30 years of storage, note the neckline, the fit and the sleeves, all about to change.

Transformation

New neckline, armhole and pocket details.

The Wedding Day

The result is captured perfectly in a photo that truly showcases Zoe’s personality. The image reveals the impeccable fit of the updated dress and her husband’s adoring look. Their smiles radiate joy and happiness, a testament to living a life together as a couple, the success of our collaboration and the dress’s transformation.

Wearable Art Clothing Designer

As the designer, I am forever grateful to have met Zoe after 30 years of knowing her mother. It gives me immense pleasure to help women attain the dress of their dreams. Working on my original dress was a treat, allowing me to appreciate its excellent construction from the inside out. The hand-stitched elements, luxurious fabric choices, and attention to detail – both in 1990 and now – make me proud to know that the dress has been passed down and worn with great pleasure.

For anyone inspired by this story or looking to breathe new life into a treasured garment, I encourage you to reach out. Together, we can transform any meaningful piece – whether it’s a beloved jacket, a family heirloom, or a vintage find – into something that honors its history while celebrating your present self. I specialize in creative transformations that break conventional rules, helping you showcase your authentic self through reimagined clothing that tells your unique story.

Zoe’s infectious smile

Connecting in a personal way

Zoe and I at the final fitting

Memories to Modern: Transforming Treasured Clothing

Quality garments can transcend any purpose, adapting and evolving just as we do. Maybe you’re entering a new phase of life and want your wardrobe to reflect who you’ve become. Whether you’ve embraced your natural gray hair, shifted to a more relaxed lifestyle, or simply want to express yourself differently, your clothing should be a true reflection of who you are.

For anyone looking to breathe new life into a treasured garment, I can help transform any meaningful piece into something that honors it’s history while celebrating your present self.

Together, we can create unique transformations that showcase your authentic self through reimagined clothing that tells your story.  I encourage you to reach out,

This concept includes any cherished garment, I’ve been known to recreate pieces into wearables that break the rules and let you showcase your true newly discovered self where authenticity takes center stage.

The post Memories to Modern: Transforming Treasured Clothing appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

In fact Betty will wear both pieces again, which is a testmament to the timeliness of my pieces.

Betty is a bad ass and we had a great time collaborating.

Timeless jacket style will be worn again and again with wardrobe choices already in her closet.

Working with Betty to create this look gave me so much joy.

Meet Betty

Betty is an avid traveler, very athletic, likes to swim with the dolphins, follow Bruce Springsteen wherever he may land and is curious about many things.  She has many hobbies and is an artist in her own right.  When her son announced his engagement, she was thrilled.   Since she is athletic, she wanted to emphasize her good form, posture and cover her arms as she gets cold.   One of the requirements was a certain color of blue.  Moreover, when you are restricted, it becomes a daunting task not to mention dresses are hard to fit and a bit confining for those who like to move with grace and ease.

After much research Betty reached out to me, came to the atelier and tried on several prototypes.   She asked if a full tulle skirt would be appropriate for a Mother of the Groom for a luxurious Chicago wedding venue.    Of course, I said yes and we were off and running.  She chose a short, cropped jacket(part of my prototypes) with a back flared detail in a specific color of blue silk shantung.  For the skirt (another prototype) we worked together to determine the layers of colors of tulle to create depth and interest when she walked down the aisle.  It was like layering paints on a canvas to come up with just the right mixture.

New Look, custom artful wearable

I like to think of this ensemble as a spin-off of Dior’s 1950’s design called the New Look 

.

My design is different as I am a firm believer in comfort first.  Betty’s jacket was tailored to her figure, and skimmed her body in just the right places so when she moved the jacket moved with her.  If she lifted her arms to hug her friends, the jacket moved with her.  When she danced the skirt was a delight to maneuver in.  It was playful and whimsical.

Problem Solving

I am in the business of helping humans with solving problems in how they want to dress.  Betty had some ideas, I listened and with that we came up with the most comfortable appropriate ensemble where Betty got compliments all evening from both peers and her son’s friends.

At her son’s wedding reception, Betty was touched by an unexpected compliment in the ladies’ room. A friend of her son’s stopped her, and commented:  “Betty, your outfit is stunning,” the young woman gushed. “When I get married, I want my mother to look as cool and comfortable as you.” Betty felt a warm glow of pride by this kind gesture.

It’s always nice to feel that age is not a factor when dressing for important events and still achieve comfort and style along with elegance wearing classic designs.

Reuse

I trust Betty will separate the pieces as an additional way to include them in her wardrobe.  Her exuberant display when we had our fittings is apparent in the photograph below.

We believe that to reuse is an important feature to cherish pieces while keeping them out of the landfill.  Its a win win situtation.

Working with Betty and others who appreciate attention to details with an artistic flaire where collaborating and having a creative experience is what we have become known for.

Reach out here if you are interested in working with us.  

The post Custom Wearable Art Fashion appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Step into a realm where creativity knows no bounds. Our brand is a symphony of design, technique and meticulous attention to detail. Each piece I create is a unique masterpiece tailored to your individual style.

Designs from Brooks LTD in Denver, Colorado set you apart from the crowd.

For this reason, I created several showstopping looks for a Bastille Day fashion show in Denver, Colorado.   Vintage textiles combining with modern fabrics to create these breezy, one-of-a-kinds frocks.  Here you see where creativity knows no bounds.  Seriously, think table napkins!  Elegant, pristine and very rare from collectors of fine linens.

Photo:  Bahar Samani

Currently I am using tabletop textiles: exquisite napkins and tablecloths from vintage collectors. The quality of these materials is unmatched in today’s marketplace of fast fashion.

Sometimes I create the accessories that go with the designs, completing the looks.

Fast Fashion

You may wonder, “What is fast fashion?”.   It’s a business model that mass-produces cheap, poor-quality items meant to replicate recent high-end trends and designs. It’s considered ‘fast’ fashion because the production is fast and the life spans of the items are fast.  Consumers quickly discard the low cost made items for whatever the next season offers.

Fast fashion also has devastating consequences on the environment and the people who make the items.

Because of this, workers’ rights are eroded during the production process and the discarded clothing ends up in landfills.

Slow Fashion

In contrast we proudly embrace the concept of slow fashion. Slow fashion honors craftsmanship and quality materials. Our pieces are meant to be treasured and enjoyed, then passing down from generation to generation.  I like to call them wearable art work.

Experience personalized consultations

Finally, experience the luxury of a personalized consultation and our bespoke pieces that speak to your soul. Embrace the unexpected and infuse playfulness into your wardrobe with our timeless creations that promise to bring joy into your life. Celebrate the art of dressing authentically in a wearable art dress.

Discover the perfect artisian piece to elevate your style. Shop now

Reach out to schedule a one on one zoom call here.

Photo:  Bahar Samani

The post Creativity knows no bounds appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Details

I add stitched details by hand or with my sewing machine. Sometimes it’s the combination of stitching on the machine and hand stitching that adds the dimension I desire for a piece. Take my classic berry jacket or duster, for instance.  It’s a design I’ve created and used for many years, but now it’s morphed into this collection as a stitched piece.

The berry jacket can take you out on the town, to yoga class or cozied up by the fireplace with friends.  Did I mention it’s a perfect wrap to wear to a wedding? Made of eco-friendly ponte fabric, it glides over your body like a comfortable piece of sleepwear.  It moves as you move, draping beautifully, whether you pair it with fuzzy slippers or over-the-knee boots.

Stream of Consciousness

As an artist I need to create and express my stream of consciousness.  It relaxes me in a world filled with lots of noise and confusion. And as a clothing designer, I’ve always had a desire to look different than everyone else. This element of stitching on garments has proven to be a rewarding way for me to explore unique dimensions in fashion while finding inner peace as well.

Each of us chooses how we present ourselves to the world. Perhaps a versatile, but original piece of clothing is just the thing your wardrobe and you need.

The post Hand stitching with pizzazz appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Four Ways to Support Independent Artists on Social Media

Hi there, it’s nice to meet you! We are McLernon & Co., a social media agency, and we’re also friends with Brooks Luby here at Brooks Ltd. She invited us to write an article for her email newsletter about why  engaging in social media with your favorite creators can elevate their prescence.

Many of our favorite local artists, designers, and creators – even those who have brick & mortar storefronts – rely heavily on their digital presence to build their audience, connect with their communities, and as a result, make more sales.

Here are four ways you can support independent artists in your community with social media:

1. Follow them on social media, and like their posts

Show your appreciation for their art and work by following your favorite artists on social media! This helps them achieve more credibility and clout online, and also has the added benefit of filling your feed with beautiful works of art.

2. Comment on their posts

On one level, engaging with posts helps them achieve a higher reach; the higher a post’s engagement rate, the more the Instagram or Facebook algorithm will favor the post. In turn, more people will see the post.

But on another level, the comments section also allows you to connect with the artist on an individual, human level, and encourage them to keep sharing their work by Keeping Social Media Social™! If you don’t want to write a full sentence, even something as simple as a single word or an emoji can be very supportive.

3. Save and share!

Saving posts (by tapping the bookmark icon on an Instagram post) is the best way to tell the Instagram algorithm that you want to consistently see a given account’s posts on your newsfeed. Saving is also a great way to keep track of artists, pieces, or items you love and want to be able to find again, and you can even sort your saved posts into different categories! Click here to learn more about saving Instagram posts.

Sharing (by tapping the airplane icon on an Instagram post)  is a great way to #KeepSocialMediaSocial, allowing you to connect with others on social media by sending posts and pieces that made you think of them. This also helps expand the reach of the artist’s account!

4. Make a purchase

The best way to support the artists you love is to pay them for their work. If you do purchase a piece from an artist you follow on social media, be sure to share your new art on your own social media profiles and tag them so they see it!

If you are an artist or brand who wants help developing and managing your own social media strategy, you can learn more about the Keep Social Media Social™ mission and community at keepsocialmediasocial.com, or work with McLernon & Co. to up your social media game at mclernonandco.com. We hope to see you in our inbox soon!

Thank you for the tips!

Thank you McLernon & Co for these helpful tips. The more we educate how important it is for everyone to help our favorite brands the better .  Engaging instead of just surfing elevates the rank of a brand.  As said above, just one word makes a difference.  If you are social on social media, please like and engage on my page here.  If you are interested in what you see, shop the looks here!

Having fun being social

The post Engaging in social media to help your favorite brands appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

I share our meeting as an opportunity for you to dive deeper into the relationships and connections that exist in your individual world.

EllynAnne Geisel author of The Apron Book and the writer/curator of Apron Chronicles: a Patchwork of American Recollections, her traveling exhibit

Storytelling

EllynAnne’s storytelling begins with the origin of her 20-year apron journey and her discovery of the apron’s connecting threads. She writes:

“In 1999, when my youngest went to sleep-away college, my chosen career as a full-time homemaker and stay-at-home mommy was at its end. I envisioned a second career for myself – a writer. My first article, I decided should be about the apron as the domestic symbol of what I’d just done with 26 years of my life.”

But there was a problem with her subject choice: she didn’t own an apron.

“Visiting several thrift stores before finding an apron in more than rag taggle condition, I spied a skirt of sunny yellow cotton with a wide waistband the color of periwinkles, and four evenly spaced narrow bands of colored bias tape. At a cost of twenty-five cents, this was the apron that set me on an apron journey and changed my life.”

Journey

“In the twenty years since I began this apron journey, I have been privy to hundreds of stories, and I have learned that an apron memory isn’t a scholarly dissertation. It isn’t mired in dusty facts and details. It is a story of life and memory that engages and catches you up in the telling. You need not have walked in the storyteller’s shoes to know the journey.

APRON CHRONICLES: a Patchwork of American Recollections debuted in 2004, 3 years post-9/11. Such was a time when our sense of security was trampled, our trust in one another rife with mistrust. The exhibit then and now offers a respite from a climate of societal outrage and chaos through the unexpected domestic symbol: the apron; the storytellers’ memories triggered by the apron much more about life than fabric, illustrating how much we are more alike than different.

The storytellers’ voices are the patchwork of our America…the stitches uneven in places, but stitches all the same. The aprons’ ties bind them – and us – together, because when it comes to the journey of the human experience, we are all in it, together.”

From Ellyne’s personal collection of Aprons and connecting threads

APRON CHRONICLES is a wonderful juxtaposition of storytelling, photography and aprons. Going along with the theme of connecting threads, one framed apron resonated with me. It’s an embroidered apron, delicately stitched and a beauty within its own right.

Embroidered and stitched beautifully

Next to it reads:  ” Stitchery was once a domestic art learned through practice and patience.  With its embroidery perfectly stitched and painstakingly tiny, and the silk ribboned waistband and rosettes, this apron was a testament tothe feminine skills of the seamstress.  Of the hundreds of aprons I own, this apron – its sheer fabric the color of a girl’s sweet blush – is the most captivating.”  from the Apron Collection of Ellyn Anne Geisel.

Exhibit of Aprons and connecting threads in its final days

APRON CHRONICLES traveled America for 16 years. The exhibit ends its travels at History Colorado (12th and Broadway in Denver).  The last day of the exhibit is Monday, May 31, 2021.  EllynAnne will present her final curator chat Saturday May 29, 2021 at 9:15 am.  Tickets must be purchased in advance:

https://www.historycolorado.org/exhibit/apron-chronicles.

Or by calling the museum 303/447-8679

Relationships

I’m so honored that I had the pleasure of meeting and connecting before the exhibit closed.  As we discussed, I believe there is a synergy between us that our paths will not only cross again but we will come up with something interesting through our connecting threads energy!  Who knew that aprons and connecting threads, stitching, and relationships would have such an enduring meaning in our lives.

Thank you for our deep rooted common understanding of how fashion and threads became the begining of a new found relationship.

Connections

As you wander through your everyday life remember that the connections you make through your individual passion can have a much deeper meaning than only that  connection.  It may be the vehicle to profound wisdom, shared joy and learning new things.  Keep an open mind where something small may seem insignificant at the time as it could turn into a huge heartfelt experience.

In need of a special ensemble, lifestyle or something for an important occasion we can help.  We’ve got you covered, literally!  Reach out here.

Ties that bind us

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Couture fashion has many aspects.  Firstly, the meaning of couture is: “the design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client’s specific requirements and measurements.” (Dictionary quote)

The piece Gabriela Hearst designed for Dr. Jill Biden’s evening ensemble on Inauguration Evening was couture fashion at it’s finest.  I recently ran into a post that perfectly described the ensemble and the meaning behind it.  Yes, there is always a story line about why a designer designs what they design.  There is a method to the madness.

Storyline

The recent Inauguration was a testment to the democracy of our country.  I will focus on one aspect, the clothes, although I realize there is much more that that.  The evening ensemble that Dr. Jill Biden wore has deeper meaning than just an article of clothing.

This message was copied from the instagram account of Gabriela Hearst which gives you the up close and personal reasons for the creation.  Moreover, storylines are how designers get the inspiration for what they create.

“The message of Unity is the main inspiration for the creation of the Ensemble. Unity makes strength and it is needed for the road ahead. The blooming symbol to represent this message are the federal flowers from every state and territory of the United States of America. The flowers are embroidered into the cashmere coat on the hem line in an pattern that rises organically on the side’s seams. On the dress, the embroidery is placed on the silk organza neckline and arms. The body of the dress is constructed in silk wool cady.

The Delaware flower is positioned at the heart level of The First Lady, from there, all the other flowers branch out.
The pieces were made entirely in New York City. The Embroidery and Coat were crafted in the garment district and the dress was assembled at the inhouse studio. Each flower took approximately two-four hours to embroider. Careful placements and color selections were carefully studied for weeks. Inside of the coat, representing the lifelong calling and service of Dr. Biden as an educator is a hand embroidery on the lining with a quote from Founding Father Benjamin Franklin
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
The materials used were existing available fabrics to minimize the impact on the environment #gabrielahearst Read and view the full post on instagram as there are many photos of the process. Be sure to scroll through the photos, it’s an education in itself!

American Designers

Congratulations to all of the American Designers (of which there are many) that had the honor of dressing the dignitaries.  American fashion as well as sustainable newly discovered brands and fabrics that minimize the impact on the environment will be forefront in the ongoing community of American designers.  Exciting times, the fashion industry has suffered a great loss because of the pandemic and hopefully with this new found awareness will have a positive impact on the future of American design.

In my work I achieve some of the same ways of thinking by sketching, researching and attention to details.  If you have a special event coming up in the future(yes even next fall matters-plan ahead), get on our list here to keep up with how we create unique clothes for magical events. When you sign up you’ll receive a free download about how to choose clothes for your already full closet!

That’s me in my ‘Power’ Jacket adjusting a silk organza jacket that can go to the opera, a wedding or a backyard celebration. One piece, many uses.

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