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.

At the age of 40 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had to have a mastectomy.  I chose not to undergo reconstruction, instead opting to embrace my body’s new natural shape.  After 6 months of strong chemotherapy, the cancer receded and has not returned.  I am happy to say my life has continued on as a healthy, joyful journey since this time.

Breast cancer changed my outlook on life.  It’s made me more aware of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle – like exercising and eating well – as well as giving me a newfound appreciation for day-to-day things, and a desire to embrace life as I age.  It’s amazing how oftentimes (or all the time?) life’s obstacles can bring blessings in disguise.  Along the way I have met some incredible women that share the same feelings.  Luckily most of them are still with us.  Unfortunately I have also lost some loved ones to this disease.

My breast cancer survivor group gathering at the Lotus Network inaugural luncheon, 2017.  

I am honored to be part of a small group of women that have been instrumental in my healing journey.  We gather periodically to discuss our lives and experiences, with conversations about health and medicine at the forefront.  We are supportive of each other’s stories, and through our gatherings learn about the latest medical technology, new procedures, and different ways of approaching selfcare.

Triumphant as survivors on the runway! Sue Miller, Charlie Blosten (also a survivor) and I at the Sue Miller Day of Caring fashion show 2016. Sue wears a custom lace kimono I designed for her.  Photo by Hardy Klahold.

Sue Miller (1934-2017) was my mentor for many years, and was at the center of this group.  She pioneered transparency about breast cancer over 40 years ago by organizing a fashion show of women that were going through breast cancer, or who were on the other side of it.  Her nonprofit organization was called “The Sue Miller Day of Caring,” and continues as a part of the Cancer League of Colorado.  The luncheon and fashion show that Sue started took place in cities across the country, and included an educational experience, with vendors helping the audience discover new, healthy ways of dealing with this disease.  I was lucky to be chosen to dress women for these shows for 5 continuous years – an experience that had a profound effect on me, and which continues to bring happy memories.  I was also honored to receive the Sue Miller Survivor Award in 2014.

A shot from the 2015 Sue Miller Day of Caring runway featuring custom Brooks LTD on breast cancer survivors. Image by Hardy Klahold.

The 2015 Sue Miller Day of Caring runway lineup all wearing Brooks LTD.  Image by Hardy Klahold.

2016 Sue Miller Day of Caring survivor lineup, wearing Brooks LTD.  Image by Hardy Klahold.

2017 Sue Miller Day of Caring lineup.  Survivors wear custom couture Brooks LTD, as photographed by Hardy Klahold.

Behind the scenes of the 2018 Sue Miller Day of Caring runway. Captured by Hardy Klahold.

The 2018 Sue Miller Day of Caring lineup in my latest couture Brooks LTD creations. Photo by Hardy Klahold.

I’ll leave you with one very touching story that I feel compelled to share:  Recently I was chatting with the husband of a fellow breast cancer advocate (who unfortunately didn’t survive).  He told me that his wife was buried in her Brooks dress that I had designed for her to wear in one of the Sue Miller Day of Caring fashion shows, because she loved the experience and loved the dress.  I know this isn’t your normal conversation, but it touched me.  I am proud that I was able to bring positivity to her and to so many other women during what is otherwise such a difficult time.  Art, fashion, and creative expression can have a positive impact on our lives, and that is what drives me forward.

The post A Week of Gratitude: Celebrating 30 Years Cancer-Free appeared first on Brooks Ltd.