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 

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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.

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.

The history of caftans for women dates back to ancient times.  A caftan is a loose fitting garment that mixes ancient tradition wear with modern style.

In the early 1900 Paul Poiret a highly acclaimed Parisian designer opted to begin a movement to alleviate those highly designed tight fitting corsets of the late 1890’s by introducing caftan’s.  As a result, Poiret’s early 1900’s designer collection caftans became a high fashion statement.

Nowadays you can find caftans offered in many different fabrications, with different embellishments and many lengths.  Choices can be tee length, full length, with long sleeves or just grazing your elbow.

My go to favorite caftan right now is a silk burnout velvet (glorious to wear against your skin).  It has a cotton high turtleneck and cotton push up sleeves.  A perfect combination of luxurious fabrics to wear indoors or pair with leggings and boots when venturing out.

Is a caftan right for you?

Is a caftan right for you?  I’d say yes, as a wide range of body types can wear caftans with ease and comfort because of their loose fit.  It is your indiviudal, magical style that you project that will carry off the design.

With the onset of covid, many women and men alike are opting to wear caftans around the home, by the fireplace and soon to be outdoors by the poolside.  It’s a current trend that you don’t want to miss.

Editorial Publication in Elegant Magazine

My constant need for luxurious fabrics can now be found in my limited edition caftan choices.  We recently did a photoshoot of some of my offerings.  The editorial piece was published in Elegant Magazine for the New Year.  Here are some of those caftans.

Photographer:EJCarr/Makeup:Tiaja Pierre/Model:Samantha Joseph/Fashion:BrooksLTD

These  photos were taken on the streets of Denver, but it feels like a Mediterranean seaside scene.

We all are longing for those days when we can travel again to warmer climates and sit seaside. Even think Arizona or Florida.

Until then, a caftan is a good choice to add to your already full closet.

See these and more on my shop page here.

Do you want to keep in the know with everything fashion?

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The post Caftans for women appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Brooks LTD is featured in Denver Life Magazine.

The magazine calls it  “Brooks LTD rules Denver Fashion”. How cool is that?

Read the article here:BROOKS LTD’S – May 2020 issue copyJPEG

Artisan designed playful sophisticated clothing with creative twists so that ageless women can look and feel comfortably chic.  This is my new tagline!

Yes, these women are ageless beauties.

Photo:  Ricardo Meija

The post Brooks LTD/DenverLife Magazine appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Alicia models the Brooks LTD Maize Jumpsuit

If one thing can be said for Spring 2020, it’s exuberance.  Perhaps it’s the general feeling of dis-ease in the world; the stress of political instability at home and abroad, climate change… you name it.  But fashion has decided to provide the antidote, and that antidote is FUN.  It’s as if the collective industry is saying, “Let us help you take your mind off of this negativity, and bring some JOY into your wardrobe!”

The Clementine Kimono Jacket in Kantha print cotton

Loving the drape of the Clementine Kimono Jacket cut! It’s a Brooks LTD classic, which can be made to order in any fabric of your choosing.

Among other things, the exuberance that were the Spring 2020 runways translated into wild, brilliant color palettes, and bold, over-the-top prints.  Happiness ebbed from all angles…. primary blues (the Pantone color of the year, in fact), sunny yellows, and a kaleidoscope of floral prints layered one on top of another.  Taking cues from this playful mood – which frankly I tend to gravitate towards anyhow – my Spring 2020 designs likewise utilized a fun-filled color palette.  Favorites include a banana-yellow jumper, a Kantha-print kimono jacket, and a blue-and-white tie dyed dress.  All coming soon to BrooksLTD.net, so stay tuned!

Brooks LTD Maize Jumpsuit with the Everly Short Jacket in Kantha cotton, on model Alicia

Back details of the Brooks LTD Everly Short Jacket

Another variation on the Kantha fabric – a long vest, layered over jumpsuit

Versatility is key! Reversible Brooks LTD Kantha print vest can be worn multiple ways.

Custom Designs by Brooks LTD

Looking to add joy to your wardrobe?  At the Brooks LTD atelier, I design one-of-a-kind, custom couture, and limited edition ready-to-wear garments for special occasions, or just for every day.  Every piece is made to last the wearer a lifetime, balancing a sense of timelessness with current trends.  A thoughtful, well-crafted piece of clothing can be a great investment for your wardrobe, offering tons of “mileage” for years to come.  Let’s chat about how we can transform your wardrobe in simple, easy ways with just a few custom designs – visit the Contact page of my website to get started.

The post Spring 2020 Color Trends: Putting Joy Back in Fashion appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

A one-of-a-kind bride along with her mother and twin sister in custom ensembles by Brooks LTD.  Photo by Erin Lassahn.  Flower arrangement by Bouquets.  

A couple weeks ago I blogged about a special bride and her family whom I had the pleasure of working with last year.  Specifically, I wrote about the family heirloom that I transformed into a headpiece for the bride.  These ladies were such fun!  Not only did I get to create the bride’s unique headpiece for her wedding day, but I also custom designed her rehearsal dinner dress, along with her mother and sister’s wedding day ensembles.  Now, these were not your average rehearsal dinner, mother of the bride, or maid of honor dresses.  This crew was far too creative for that.  And, after all, every custom design I make is a reflection of the wearer and their personality.  What we ended up creating together were three bold outfits that paid homage to the colorful personalities of the women, along with the location they were being worn in.  Plus, as an additional challenge, each look was intentionally created using multiple layers that could be worn all together, or mixed and matched for a whole new look at future occasions.  What appeared to be a gown was actually separates, including pants!  How’s that for long term, sustainable use?

The bride wore purple. Custom rehearsal dinner look by Brooks LTD.  Photo by Erin Lassahn.

A multi-layered, convertible look is a great option for a non-traditional bride seeking versatility and mileage.  Photo by Erin Lassahn.  Flowers by Bouquets.

With her rehearsal dinner taking place at a Colorado Rockies baseball game, the bride and I knew that purple (the team’s color, for those unfamiliar) was the obvious color choice.  As an avid Rockies fan, the bride wanted to make sure that her outfit showcased her team pride.  We chose a sheer purple fabric with tonal purple embroidered accents to use for a jacket and pants, and a purple silk charmeuse cami and shorts as the under layers.  Sheer pants layered over shorts is a trend that has been making waves lately, and I thought this was a fun occasion for just such a look.  Particularly for a nontraditional bride with a sporty vibe.  It was quite the showstopper, and the bride’s radiant smile in her custom ensemble made me a happy designer.

A happy mother of the bride in her ruby lace ensemble.  Photo by Erin Lassahn.

Mother of the bride posing in custom Brooks LTD.  Photo by Erin Lassahn.

For the wedding day, the bride’s mother and sister chose bold jewel tones – one ruby, the other turquoise, respectively.  The mother of the bride’s dress featured a full length lace layer, again over a satiny silk charmeuse slip.  A wide silk belt inspired by a Japanese obi belt accented her waist and broke up the length of the ruby lace overlay.

The bride’s twin sister wears a convertible turquoise lace look.  Photo by Erin Lassahn.

Two happy twins wearing their unique, custom designed outfits.  Photo by Erin Lassahn.

The bride’s twin sister sported a bright turquoise ensemble, which included lace pants underneath a smooth silk charmeuse skirt.  The lace pants peeked out from a split in the skirt, subtly showing off this unique detail when she moved.  We paired these with a lined lace cap sleeve top.  The beauty of this ensemble was that the bride’s sister could wear her matching lace-pant-and-top look without the skirt at a later date, making the outfit multifunctional.  I do love a good convertible style!

One fabulous looking wedding party, all wearing custom Brooks LTD.  Photo by Erin Lassahn.  Flowers by Bouquets.

As evidenced from the photos, everyone loved their custom designs, which helped make the happy occasion even more special.  They fit each woman like a glove – both literally, and figuratively.  The looks were playful, colorful and unique, just like the wearers themselves.  And in the end that’s what couture design is all about.

Custom Occasion Dresses by Brooks LTD

Wedding season is coming up, which means that it’s time to start thinking about bridal, mother of the bride, and bridesmaids’ gowns!  I specialize in custom designing unique, one-of-a-kind ensembles that are tailor made to fit you and your personality.  If you’re getting married and are looking for something bespoke, please visit the Contact page of my website to schedule a consultation.

The post Unique Wedding Ensembles For Creative Women appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

A Brooks LTD original shirtwaist dress in royal blue silk taffeta, as seen on StyleCrone. Photo by JJ Constantine.

According to FIT (hey, that’s my alma matter!) and the Wall Street Journal, the origins of the shirtwaist dress actually began with the “shirtwaist top” (aka what we now know as the “blouse,” originally fashioned from men’s shirts), which emerged in the 1890s as a uniform for the “New Woman, who demanded the same educational and professional opportunities as men. Rather than wearing fussy dresses bedecked with yards of the over-the-top trim beloved by Victorians, she preferred progressive, menswear-inspired clothes.” (via The WSJ, June 15, 2018)  Coinciding with the advent of mass manufacturing, and thus ready-to-wear fashion, the shirtwaist top, along with skirts and other separates, were easy to produce, as they did not require precise, custom fits – making them a hit with working and middle-class women (via LovetoKnow).

Shirtwaist dresses found in a 1944 catalog. Image via UploadStars

By the 1930s, the shirtwaist-top-and-skirt combo merged to become the shirtwaist dress, with designers such as Claire McCardell and Christian Dior making their own versions.  Technically speaking, a shirtwaist dress is defined as a dress which features a shirt top, combined with a skirt bottom.  Most often, and especially in the 1930s – 1950s, the top part buttoned up, though oftentimes the buttons extended all the way down the skirt for a look that was both decorative and functional (via The Vintage Dancer).  Typical shirtwaist dresses feature a notched, pointed collar, though experimentation with collar styles, waists, skirts and sleeves began early on.  Dior’s post-WWII “New Look” in particular promoted a highly feminized take, with a cinched waist and full skirt lined in crinoline, whereas designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Halston later in the 1970s preferred more relaxed styling. (via Wikipedia)

A Dior “New Look” shirtwaist dress in lace. Image via Pinterest

These days there are many riffs on the design… my own included.  I love the balance between the feminine and masculine that this classic design offers.  And – always a fan of the unexpected – I especially love making a shirtwaist dress in a formal fabric such as a silk taffeta, which gives this traditional ‘day dress’ a glamorous evening look as well as elegant structure.  My version also tends to forgo the buttons, instead opting for a clean, open V front.  Modifying with a kimono sleeve or extra ruffle detailing also lends some intrigue.

A favorite look from my recent Brooks LTD couture collection – a red taffeta shirtwaist dress with kimono sleeves. Photo by Hardy Klahold Photography

Aside from its storied history, what makes this style a fan favorite time and again?  I believe it’s the fact that it’s such a flattering style on any body type.  It’s comfortable and freeing, yet can be cinched in the middle for an hourglass effect.  It’s functional and simple, yet the possible iterations are endless really.  It’s a thoroughly democratic style, and there’s something just fundamentally American about that.

My modified take on a shirtwaist dress, in flowing silk satin. As seen at Latin Fashion Week Colorado. Photo by Ricardo Mejia.

Custom Designs by Brooks LTD

Looking for your own take on the classic shirtwaist dress, or another style?  I live for designing unique couture gowns and other creative, bespoke ensembles.  If your next holiday party, wedding or other special occasion calls for standing out in a one-of-a-kind dress, please think of Brooks LTD.  Visit the Contact page of my website and we can schedule a time to sit down and discuss your needs.

The post Brooks LTD Fashion 101: The Shirtwaist Dress appeared first on Brooks Ltd.