” Now, moms are encouraged to wear a look that makes them feel fashionable and confident (with the bride’s approval of course)” a quote from The Knot by by Sarah Hanlon.

I know Barbara well, she’s been a follower for years.  She loves blue. Pulling out all  stops with a special textile (pleather and tulle) with blue as the accent color.  Working around that theme I  put together different shades of blue in different textiles, all 100% silk.  With my current knowlege of the Art of Japense Draping I began the process which can be appropriate for Mother of the Groom or Mother of the Bride as well as for a speaking engagement, or any event that you may be participating in in the near future.

Documenting the finished product

I choose to make artisan clothing for Mother of the Bride & Groom which has delightful interesting details.  View the front, back and up close in these photos:

The wedding event

Fast forward to the actual event that took place in September 2020, with Covid restrictions in effect.

Barbara, the Mother of the Groom looks very happy in her artisan clothing piece.

Jo Julia Photography

Relationships

With each artful piece I create I’m lucky to say that important relationships are created.  I love working one on one with women helping them to create handmade clothing that speaks to their personal style.  Fashion has no age limits as I believe that age doesn’t matter. Whether it’s for a special occasion or your everyday lifestyle choice, it’s all about how you present yourself to the world.

I  help you with your fashion needs, including a mask that might be appropriate for the occasion. In my newly revised web site I take you through the steps on how easy it is to work with me.  Read about it here.

We are all about one stitch at a time, slow fashion at it’s finest.

 If you have a need for a special garment or know someone in the market, send them our way!

Lastly, we’ve got you covered, literally!  We help you reveal your favorite body parts and conceal ones you’d like to hide.

Here’s to your well being,

Brooks

The post Mother of the Bride & Groom Dresses 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

The post Entertaining during covid 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.

An Indian sari fabric brought in by Brooks LTD customer Lauren, to be made into a one-of-a-kind, custom dress

The muslin fitting at the Brooks LTD atelier

Inspecting your entire roll of fabric is extremely important when creating a custom garment.

Look over the entire length of fabric you choose… sometimes fabric can have flaws down the roll. Lauren’s fabric had some circular marks down the center of the garment, likely from a changing of the thread. However, we were able to work around them based on the design we chose.

Finding the “right” side of the fabric for a custom ensemble is a critical step in the process.

A happy client in her custom Brooks LTD dress, made using her own Indian sari fabric

Back details of the custom Brooks LTD sari fabric dress

One-of-a-Kind Designs by Brooks LTD

As a formally-trained fashion designer with expertise in couture, I design one-of-a-kind, custom garments, as well as limited edition ready-to-wear.  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 Using Fabric as an Inspiration for a One-of-a-Kind Garment 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.

Model Dorotka wears a custom Brooks LTD bias cut silk charmeuse wedding dress. Imagery by photographers Kai Davis, Joel Serrano and John Oh, with Dorotka handling concept, styling and HMU.

We’re lucky to live in a state that many couples travel long distances to for their destination weddings.  Every year Colorado plays host to thousands of mountain weddings, from Vail to Aspen, to Telluride to Estes Park.  As a Colorado-based couture fashion designer, it’s quite often that I find myself designing custom wedding dresses to fit just such a setting.  A truly custom design, however, requires taking both the setting, as well as the individual style, personality and body type of the bride herself into consideration in the design of the gown.  With the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, I tend to find that dresses which reflect a similar natural elegance and ease are most apropos.

Dorotka plays the perfect Rocky Mountain bride at the Dove Inn in Golden, Colorado.  Photos by Kai Davis, Joel Serrano and John Oh.

Recently I had the opportunity to photograph one of my custom bridal creations with not one, but three talented photographers –  Kai Davis, Joel Serrano, and John Oh – and model Dorotka T., who did her own concepting, styling and hair and makeup, all at the Dove Inn in Golden, Colorado.  This charming B & B – with its cozy interior and easy access to the foothills – was the perfect place to showcase the grace of my bias cut silk charmeuse gown.

High atop the mountain in custom Brooks LTD.  Photos by Kai Davis, Joel Serrano and John Oh.

Showing off the train of her silk Brooks LTD wedding dress, as captured by Kai Davis, Joel Serrano and John Oh.

A custom dress by Brooks LTD fits like a glove.  Photos by Kai Davis, Joel Serrano and John Oh.

Dorotka was every part the radiant mountain bride, with the bias cut of the dress gracefully draping around her curves into the train.  The open, cowl back revealed just the right amount of skin, while the hand-appliqued silk at the bust added a tasteful bit of volume as well as coverage.  It’s a pared-down dress, yet does not compromise on its exquisite details, luxury and craftsmanship.  The perfect thing for the Colorado bride!

A cowl back and elegant train sweep the staircase at the Dove Inn.  Photos by Kai Davis, Joel Serrano and John Oh.

Custom Wedding Dresses by Brooks LTD

Wedding season is on the horizon, which means it’s time to start thinking about the dress!  I specialize in custom designing unique, one-of-a-kind wedding gowns 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 A Custom Wedding Dress Fit For a Mountain Wedding appeared first on Brooks Ltd.