Here’s an idea on how to avoid rising tariffs in your wardrobe.  In a world of shifting supply chains and rising tariffs, it’s time to look closer to home for unique solutions. While businesses dependent on offshore sourcing are scrambling to adapt, we’re embracing a different approach—one that transforms forgotten textiles into bespoke treasures.

Your Hidden Gems Deserve New Life-Resist Tariffs

Do you have beautiful textiles tucked away in drawers? Perhaps a hand-woven shawl from your travels or a cherished fabric passed down through generations? These special pieces shouldn’t remain hidden—they deserve to be transformed into something you’ll use and love every day.

Why Choose Our Custom Textile Transformation Service and Tariff Hikes:

• Sustainable – Give new purpose to existing materials instead of contributing to more production
• Personal – Each piece carries its own history and meaning
• Unique – No mass-produced items, only one-of-a-kind creations
• Tariff-Free – Bypass supply chain challenges by using what’s already here

Click here to see a good example of what we do

Another example of our repurposing textiles:

Not your mother’s jeans, but my husband’s (handmade by me)

How to avoid tariff restrictions:

We collaborate with you to understand your vision and needs, then apply our design expertise to transform your textiles into functional, beautiful items perfectly suited to your current lifestyle.  Reach out here.

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 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.

Enjoy go-to unique pieces when you open your closet doors.

Collaborating

Collaborating wearable art is inspiring, eye-opening, and fun. Lately, fun has taken the top spot on my list. Let me introduce you to Madeleine from Madeleine O’Connell Art.  Madeleine is a creative and talented painter and illustrator.  A mutual friend thought we would make a great team. Collaborating for a May 2024 pop-up at my Denver atelier and continung with another seasonal pop-up.

Hand painted on eco-friendly textiles

We enliven eco-fabrics with art and fashion, creating wearable masterpieces that are sustainable wearable art.  The result is a collection of whimsical, one-of-a-kind pieces that not only stand out for their distinctive designs but also for their commitment to environmental responsibility.

Collections

Our collaborative efforts have yielded a captivating autumn/winter collection that embraces the essence of cooler seasons, blending comfort with style in a harmonious array of pieces. These Artisanal hand painted designs range from delicate brushstrokes to bold splashes of color. Wearable art qualities  that captures the imagination and elevates the entire collection.

The collections are thoughtfully designed oversized silhouettes that embrace and flatter a diverse range of body types, creating a truly inclusive line. Generous cuts and strategically placed drapes offer comfortable ease without sacrificing style, allowing wearers to adjust the fit to their liking. Relaxed shoulders and armholes provide freedom of movement, while adjustable waistlines allow for personalized shaping.

Our creative synergy as kindred spirits ignites a boundless exploration of imagination and style. As a result, this collaborative journey not only pushes the boundaries of our artistic vision but results in pieces that radiate an infectious joy. Each garment we create is infused with the excitement of our shared creative process.  The  designs spark that same sense of delight and wonder in those who wear them.

In addition, we don’t want to show up wearing cookie-cutter clothing.  We are ageless beauties showing up in our own purposeful style.

We have unique voices that need to be heard, and expressing ourselves through how we dress is a perfect way to make an impression.

Madeleine and I showing off our second collaborative designs.  She creates her art on fabrics and I design and make the garment.

Reach out if interested in the collection currently not on the web site, DM is best.

Brooks Luby/BrooksLTD

Madeleine O’Connell/MadeleineO’ConnellArt

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Let us help to transform your keepsake textiles into our Legacy Jacket.  Perhaps you have a beautiful tablecloth you love and never use. Or maybe there’s a textile you couldn’t resist buying tucked away in a drawer. You might even have an actual piece of clothing from a loved one holding wonderful memories but isn’t something you’d wear.  We have a way to transform these keepsake pieces into something truly unique and totally wearable.

We are excited to share with you our ‘Legacy Jacket’ made from transforming keepsake textiles.  The  design features reworking vintage pieces that are perfect for those who love retro and vintage fashion and keeping memories alive. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and made to order, making them truly wearable works of art. The Legacy Jacket is also sustainably made in Denver, Colorado and completely eco-friendly.

Each jacket is made even more special with our creative use of visible mending and patchwork techniques.  These techniques add beautiful details and unique accents. Our slow fashion approach ensures that every Legacy Jacket is crafted with care and attention to detail, so you are enjoying  it for years to come.

Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or just want to add some color and personality to your wardrobe, our upcycled heirloom Legacy Jacket is perfect for you.

Join us in our commitment to sustainable fashion and get your own wearable art today!

Contact us here  or at designroom@brooksltd.net.

The post Our Legacy Jacket appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Photo: Hardy Klahold

Custom Jean Jacket

When Ball Arena approached me to design a super custom piece for a super-secret client, I could hardly believe it. After all, the custom piece was for THE Shania Twain. As in, the country crossover star who transcended genres to dominate the pop music charts, too. As in, the Canadian singer-songwriter whose tunes were the soundtrack of the 90s and early 2000s. THAT Shania Twain.

Needless to say, I wanted to impress her much.

Creating a custom jean jacket especially for Shania Twain meant designing a personalized piece both inspired by her and featuring my signature Brooks LTD elements. I watched her interviews and pulled out specific words and phrases Shania used. It is my sincere hope these words resonate with her and that she enjoys the personalization as much as the jacket itself.

Design Details Matter

Using a Japanese technique called Sashiko stitching, I created hand-stitched details. Sashiko, a traditional way of mending and decorating textiles to further their life span to prevent them from going into the landfill, has captivated my spirit as it is relaxing and therapeutic to slow down and stitch where the thread takes me. Sashiko is also in my current collection, with rivers of thread stitched on easy to wear garments.

Shania’s custom jean jacket is made from recycled denim, including functional pockets on the frayed-edge stylized sleeves. Even the former belt loops were upcycled to hold sunglasses! The jacket includes a custom printed silk charmeuse lining and backside fringe created from tasteful sequins on cotton chainette thread for some Western flair. I wanted the front to be classic, chic and tailored, so that Shania could accessorize as needed. As you turn, she shows off a playful vibe from the color changing sequins.

Jacket Spotted on Instagram

I noticed she recently wore the jean jacket on an Instagram video with Billy Ray Cyrus announcing a reissue of one of her iconic albums. It’s thrilling to see Shania Twain as a walking piece of art in a Brooks LTD custom made jean jacket!

Proud of Pieces: Custom or Not

As a Colorado-based clothing designer, I love getting to design and create custom pieces for women across the globe. After 45+ years of making unique fashions, my designs are typically worn by women right here in the West. It is a joy whenever women happily wear Brooks LTD fashions — both custom pieces and from my ready-to-wear collections!

Brooks Luby wearing her own upcycled jacket showing off Shania Twain’s custom denim jacket

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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.

Handmade lace with astounding touches have played a part in fashion worldwide since the 16^th century. Lace making is a time-consuming process to make which made it expensive and even more special to wear. European rulers put restrictions on wearing lace from other countries, but that only added to its allure. Everyone wanted clothing with lace detail, so the laws became futile and lace smuggling took off.

Nowadays, dealing with the black market is necessary to acquiring lace. It’s still considered a luxury fabric though. Even with the advent of machine-made lace, the process of lace making remains technical and challenging. As artisans ourselves, we truly respect all the effort that goes into making lace.

Luxurious Fabrics for Clothing

Our use of handcrafted lace touches with details comes from over 45+ years of working in the industry. We’ve made many a lace wedding dress and mother’s lace dress too. Now, at Brooks LTD., we create fun everyday sundresses with beautiful lace details. We also take bits of lace from handmade lace vintage textiles to add interesting accents to jackets and tops. We even make a black lace belt  (or corset as you may know it today), that makes a strong lacy statement to any outfit.  It takes a delicate hand to hand make each of these pieces, I am lucky that I have had experience for over 45 years in nuturing that creative soft hand.

Examples of our work:

White Lace Slip dress

Lace Duster Kimono

Lace belt

 Photos:  Hardy Klahold

Lace has always been a favorite textile of ours. We currently work with lace from cherished textiles that have been gifted to us.  And we utilize things from people’s attics – like Aunt Mae’s  lace vintage cloths, to create fun pieces one can enjoy now and pass down to those who appreciate saving the landfill from these textiles. Many people don’t want to part with their antique lace heirlooms unless it’s for a worthy cause.  Finding a way to make that lace a part of something beautiful to wear is easy for us to do. See more of our lace applications on our web site.  Our pieces are one of a kind, because you’re one of a kind.  See our full collection of repurposed vintage textiles HERE.

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Our team of creatives consists of 3 models, 5 Clydesdale horses, photographer, jeweler, myself and an assistant.  The photos are an awesome visual that is based on our vision of lifestyle choices on a ranch, Colorado style. With collaborative efforts one encounters unique ideas, whose combination always results in something great.  This is our somethiing great! 

Follow along to see more of the day, I will post more weekly as there is so much to share, I created many looks for this shoot.

These new artful jackets can be found on my shop page.  The red dress is here. 

I’ve made sure they are available to you, but remember they are one of a kind!  Once gone they are gone!

The creative team

A shout out to Hardy Klahold for the photos, Christine Marguerite Designs for her custom made jewelry, models Aidana Tokenova, Danshay Martinez and Alyssa Wahr and Suzanne Hagmaier with her friendly horses.  A portion of the sales of these items go back to Hope Held by a Horse a non profit organization for breast cancer survivors.  Support local artists and look fabulous doing it!

I miss my community but am hopeful that reaching out by blogging keeps us connected.  Having these creative photoshoots are my way of also staying connected in an interesting way.

Any comments are greatly appreciated.  I am learning that your interaction with my posts helps me stay in the virtual world game, so don’t be shy, please comment!  Help me be visible to that huge virtual world!  It would be much appreciated.

Here’s to your health and well being,

Brooks

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It’s summertime and it seems like entertaining during covid is good thing to do, with the current restrictions in place of social distancing and few people.   My lovely yard is large enough where social distancing would be very appropriate.  So far we have only had one couple over for dinner.  We have enjoyed our evenings alone in our yard.  Isolation has been calming and creative for me as I love the peacefulness of my yard.  I am lucky as I realize that alot of people are in different situations and I acknowledge that.

Guest Writer

Dressing while enteraining can be fun.  I reached out to the wonderful Tammy Abramovitz and asked her to write a short blurb about tablescapes,  entertaining during covid and how she dresses for the occasion.  

 Tammy Abramovitz was named a Top 100 Hostess in 2018 by Salonniere Magazine alongside Oprah and Reese Witherspoon. She writes a monthly manners column for the Castle Pines Connection, the community she calls home.

Tammy’s personal passions include entertaining, community engagement, philanthropy and free range junking. You can find her camping near Pike’s Peak most weekends at the family cabin.

“I am thrilled to share my thoughts and insights for entertaining during the covid crisis. First and foremost, one must surrender any thoughts of perfection and embrace all thoughts of comfort and compromise. I’ve had a few very small gatherings with social distancing in mind, being out of doors and lots of good food and cocktails. I can assure you that you will be grateful to see your friends. You may or may not hug, but the stories can still be told and you’ll be glad that you made the decision to gather.

I’ve found that dressing is a gift AND a curse. If you wait until the last minute, you may or may not still fit in that fabulous column dress. But a breezy Caftan is always go-to for Summer entertaining!

And lastly, I have found such great pleasure in reveling over the party, reaching out to my guests after setting the date, making the invitation and having the dinner. A genuine gratitude for them, for coming to the table to laugh and eat and nourish ourselves in a difficult time.”

A Brooks LTD verison of a breezy Caftan.

With all of the stay at home orders, I too have become kin to caftan dressing. I find that they are comfortable while hanging around home and can translate into a fun dress when going out and about.  Add leggings and a tank underneath to make it alittle more casual and better for cooler days/nights.  This look will go way into 2021, and when the time is right, it’s a great beach cover up.

Yes, we will go beaching again.  Keep the right attitude. I believe that attitude helps in creating calmness and joy.  We have little control over the larger picture.  We need to be vigilant in our actions and stay safe.

I am hopeful that if you need some new trend to add to your current wardrobe a caftan would be the answer.  Below are my most recents, and there are more on the cutting table.

Retro Mesh Print on my shop page.

Photo:EJ CARR/Model:Rielly Blake

Navy mesh print, on the cutting table.  Last one!

Thank you for connecting with me.

There are all sorts of new ways of communicating and learning new paths of doing business is challenging me.

It’s been a wild ride and it’s just beginning, who would of thought that after 45 years of being in business I would still enjoy these challenges?  I am currently working toward a new collection that has me jazzed.  I think you’ll be suprised as to that direction.  It’s a thoughtful, fun way to add clothes to your already full wardrobe.  Stay tuned!

Here’s to your health and well being, thank you for following my brand.

Brooks

The post Entertaining during covid appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Fashion and Relevancy

I believe that taking care of yourself especially during times of crisis is self healing.

Chic clothing for well being.

My clothing can be described as Artisan designed playful sophisticated clothing  so that ageless women can look and feel comfortably chic.  At home or otherwise.  Here is our basic white shirt with a fun mask as seen in Malvie Magazine, June 2020.

‘Henry’ blouse available here

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