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.

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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Photo:  Fred Langer

Classic Little Black Dress

The Turner Tank Dress is our latest take on the classic little black dress. Style it for warmer weather with bare arms and legs. Or layer it, for the cooler months, over a button-up, a turtleneck or a long-sleeved t-shirt. Heels dress it up, while sneakers or Birkenstocks make it casual, but chic. You could even wear it over jeans or leggings for a completely different look. The options are endless with this incredible piece.

Photo;  Fred Langer

Slow Fashion

As with all our clothing, this dress is made locally in Colorado by a small group of creatives. It’s the product of ‘slow-fashion’, a movement that honors and values products created by hand and not mass-produced in a factory. It’s quality over quantity. Adding to its artisanal essence, The Turner Tank Dress features unique hand-stitched details and a subtle peek-a-boo slit on the skirt that adds style and sexiness.

Timeless Design

You’ll reach for this dress again and again. Wear it to the theater with a heeled boot or toss it on over your yoga clothes so you look chic at a post-workout lunch. It’s perfect for travel too – so comfy on plane rides or long car trips. Timeless and terrific…that’s the Turner Tank Dress, shop it here.

The post How to Style The Turner Dress, our ‘Little Black Dress’ appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

As I reflect I see how Covid changed my direction. My designs are reflective of the times. To slow down and enjoy the process has been  memorizing.  From those of you who have visited the online shop or in person you have responded positively to the final pieces.  Thank you for the encouragement.

I am honored to have been interviewed by Voyager Magazine about my current design career. The article explains more of this new direction.

Read the full article here

Collection of cherished textiles

Moreover, many of us we have collected textiles from our travels or from past generations and do not have a clue what to do with those pieces.  It is our intention to help so as to avoid having special textiles end up in the land fill. Much of the trash that ends up in landfills can also be recycled or reused in other ways, I choose textiles to help improve our planet.

Rules that no longer serve

Rules no longer serve me.   I execute designs with fresh eyes and new techniques. The results are something I never thought I could create.   It has me engaged in an entirely different way.  I have since created a collection based upon these beliefs.  It is called The Attic Gem Collection.   Vintage textiles that have been gifted to me as I turn them into wearables by mixing them with modern fabrics.  If needed I will stitch together these pieces to create another unique cloth to then create with.

The post How Covid Changed my direction appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

The DAM(Denver Art Museum)  just received a $25 Million Dollar annomyous donation for the textile and design department.   As The Denver Post headline says, “This gift could turn the Denver Art Museum into a fashion powerhouse.”  Read the article in The Denver Post  about the annomyous donation here.

  As a longtime member of the Denver Art Museum, and a respected fashion designer for over 45 years here in Denver I couldn’t be more excited.

Fashion in Denver Colorado

The curator Florence Müller has accomplished so much for our city and I trust with this large donation The Denver Art Museum will have an effect on the global fashion community.

Florence Müller’s first large exhibit at the DAM in 2012 of Yves Saint Laurent  was one of many more exhibits to follow.  She fell in love with our city and accepted a job to forge ahead as DAM’s in-house fashion expert.  Not only a fashion expert, but an avid lover of the out doors and a hiker, she has embraced Colorado lifestyle, as well as fashion and art.  Consequently I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the fashion and textile department of The DAM.

I think this article from March 2020 (just as the pandemic had started) in Cherry Creek Fashion Magazine sums up her story, read it here.

Photo:  EstherLeeLeach for Cherry Creek Fashion Magazine.  Florence Mueller interview March 2020

Our city is lucky to have her part of the whole of the community.

 I was honored to also have an interview in that same magazine edition in March 2020.  Read it here.

Photo: EstherLeeLeach Cherry Creek Fashion Magazine

Shop this Dress

See this dress and more on my online shopping site here.

Moreover, if touring in our city, be sure to make The Denver Art Museum one of your stops.

In conclusion, a must see will be the newest addition to the DAM  which opens in October 2021.

The post Fashion News in Denver Colorado appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

What is Slow fashion?  It is a term that has been talked about for a long time.  The fashion industry has been amping up the awareness for slow fashion brands.

I googled the term and this is what came up: “Slow fashion is the movement of designing, creating, and buying garments for quality and longevity. It encourages slower production schedules, fair wages, lower carbon footprints, and (ideally) zero waste. —”

Let’s look at these three terms, quality, longevity, zero waste.

Quality

Investing in quality over quantity is something that will help our environment.  Look inside a garment before purchasing it.  At a young age, I remember my Mother buying me a dress when I took it home, I looked inside and saw the seams were already raveling.  I took the entire dress apart and re stitched all of the seams including finishing the seams so they wouldn’t ravel.  That was about 50 years ago!

TIP: seams need to be finished to prevent raveling.

Longevity

Longevity, from Webster’s dictionary this means  “long existence”.  We are seeing a large trend in upscale recycling stores becoming at the forefront of retail.  This is because quality vintage items can withstand the test of time, in other words, have a long existence.  It pleases me that some of my clients still have pieces I’ve created decades ago.

TIP:  recycle your wardrobe by putting a piece in the back of your closet and bring it out a few years later. It becomes new to you again.

Zero Waste

“The Zero Waste philosophy attempts to encourage a lifestyle that ensures as many products and materials are reused, rather than ending up in landfills. The clue really is in the name – ‘zero waste’ means trying to prevent anything from ending up in landfill or incinerator. The overall goal is to keep materials in circulation for as long as is possible, by ensuring numerous valuable lifecycles. Instead of discarding resources, the aim is to create a system whereby all of them are able to be reused again.”  (excerpt taken from google)

This is a large scale term for many items-plastic bottles for instance. However,  for the clothing business it means repurposing fabrics.

Repurposing fabrics into new garments, or new accessories has been a goal for my brand, using zero waste.

Here is an example of one of many pieces that I have used slow fashion in my designs.  I had the fabric in my stash for a few years as it was on the end of a roll.    I came up with this design for the ‘leftover’ fabric.  I didn’t quite have enough so I recreated the pattern design to include the yoke at the front of the garment to make it work. The creative juices produced a new design based on  zero waste.  The hand stitching slows me down, keeps me accountable in order to give you a unique piece that only you will have, a one of a kind!

Teodora Pogonat Photographer

See and purchase this piece in my new shop page here.

Thank you for the following, 2021 will start out as a continuing challenge, I am grateful for your ongoing support as we all filter through how to maintain calmness in the middle of a panemdic.  If you have any topics you would like me to address, please leave them in the comments below.

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Attending FIT in 1970 and graduating that summer- I never looked back.   Fashion school was a rewarding experience and I was able to continue on a fashion path ever since.  Whenver my travels take me to NY I am able to find my way to the fashion district to shop for fabric for my clients. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be making masks for protection as well as for fashion.

Science has reported that covering your face during the pandemic of 2020 is a safe way to be in community situtations.

Mask making has enabled me to carry on most of this summer 2020. Dress fabric became the fabric of my soft but stylish cotton knit masks.  It’s keeping my hands busy and helping so many people feel safe.  I am happy to be able to help for that protection.  Here are some of the masks that were featured in the video:

Photographers in order:  EJCARR/EJCARR/STYLECRONE/CAROLYN FINERON/HARDYKLAHOLD

Preview the FIT video here

With the ongoing pandemic I will continue to make masks, one at a time because that is how we do things, one at a time as I believe in slow fashion!

See more of my masks here.

Please wear a mask when in public, I protect you, you protect me!

Stay safe out there.

A collage of my first masks made in early March 2020.

Want our free download of helpful tips for adding clothing to your already full closet?  

Click here

The post Masks as Fashion? appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

I hope this finds you healthy and dealing with this pandemic as best as can be expected.

Yes, fall is upon us. I feel like the change of seasons is a good start to elevate an otherwise confused mood.  I’d like to share a beautiful virtual fall presentation of a new collection from Valentino.  It’s in compliance with social distancing and has a beautiful message.  See it here.

All summer long I’ve been quiet, isolated and wondering if I should and when I should reach out to you, my clients to come visit my atelier, as most of you are nearby. I respect your privacy and know that when you are ready you will venture out.  Until then, I’ve added a shop page to my site to help you see what I’m up to.  See it here.

The industry is reporting that retail and clothing have taken a big hit.  My atelier is somewhat different, as it always has been.  I see people by appointment only, control the environment and help women express themselves in their own magical style.

This is an overview of the current layout inside the atelier!

I keep changing it up.

To help spread my message.I am begining to reach out to the local fashion community.    I will be working with a stylist in Denver showcasing my current collection which also includes sale merchandise.  Photoshoots are always in my bag of tricks, as I love the end result and it challenges me to create new products.  The latest shoot was called Mask Up and VOTE, see it here.  I am currently working on putting together an interesting location outside of Denver with my newest ideas.  Stay tuned, all of these shoots are social distanced and with PPI.  It’s been challenging to work like this.  Everyone is wanting to create and get back to the new normal, whatever that may be.

I am grateful that you continue to show interest in my brand.  Thank you for following me. I have some interesting designs that will be featured soon.   If you have any requests please leave them in the comment section below.

Here’s to a hopeful future.

The post Fall is upon us appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

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

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Confused, Caring, Time for Change

Downtown Denver boarded up on a Friday afternoon.

“Black Lives Matter”

These few words of expression on this photo has ‘Black Lives Matter’ painted on the street leading to White House speaks to the ongoing support.

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Women of Color

In my everyday dealings I am very connected to women of color that I call my friends and colleagues.  I am proud and honored to feature many women of color in many of  my designs.

Expressions in my shadow

More than a few words of expression on how I’m feeling seen through my shadow.

“To contemplate is to look at shadows”…..Victor Hugo

Learning to be wiser, better prepared, to listen, to help, to contemplate.

These short words can express my feelings and will help me understand better.

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