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.

“The Art of Simplicity is indeed an art. It appears effortless but requires tremendous expertise to execute well. In design, true simplicity is a refined skill. It comes only through deep understanding and disciplined practice.

Stripped to essential elements, good design maintains purpose and beauty. It achieves timeless quality. I confirmed this thinking during a Kintsugi exercise at a retreat. This Japanese art repairs broken pottery with gold. It embraces imperfection as part of an object’s beauty.

My philosophy creates simple designs with just the right flair to last a lifetime. It’s about knowing what to keep and what to remove. Each element must serve a purpose while celebrating imperfection’s beauty.

Read more about my philosophy: it’s never too late to make imperfection beautiful. 

Thank you to The Lotus Network Experience to have me as one of the Lotus Ladies.

Photo: Jennifer Lord Photography

The post The Art of Simplicity: A Design Philosophy appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Step into a realm where creativity knows no bounds. Our brand is a symphony of design, technique and meticulous attention to detail. Each piece I create is a unique masterpiece tailored to your individual style.

Designs from Brooks LTD in Denver, Colorado set you apart from the crowd.

For this reason, I created several showstopping looks for a Bastille Day fashion show in Denver, Colorado.   Vintage textiles combining with modern fabrics to create these breezy, one-of-a-kinds frocks.  Here you see where creativity knows no bounds.  Seriously, think table napkins!  Elegant, pristine and very rare from collectors of fine linens.

Photo:  Bahar Samani

Currently I am using tabletop textiles: exquisite napkins and tablecloths from vintage collectors. The quality of these materials is unmatched in today’s marketplace of fast fashion.

Sometimes I create the accessories that go with the designs, completing the looks.

Fast Fashion

You may wonder, “What is fast fashion?”.   It’s a business model that mass-produces cheap, poor-quality items meant to replicate recent high-end trends and designs. It’s considered ‘fast’ fashion because the production is fast and the life spans of the items are fast.  Consumers quickly discard the low cost made items for whatever the next season offers.

Fast fashion also has devastating consequences on the environment and the people who make the items.

Because of this, workers’ rights are eroded during the production process and the discarded clothing ends up in landfills.

Slow Fashion

In contrast we proudly embrace the concept of slow fashion. Slow fashion honors craftsmanship and quality materials. Our pieces are meant to be treasured and enjoyed, then passing down from generation to generation.  I like to call them wearable art work.

Experience personalized consultations

Finally, experience the luxury of a personalized consultation and our bespoke pieces that speak to your soul. Embrace the unexpected and infuse playfulness into your wardrobe with our timeless creations that promise to bring joy into your life. Celebrate the art of dressing authentically in a wearable art dress.

Discover the perfect artisian piece to elevate your style. Shop now

Reach out to schedule a one on one zoom call here.

Photo:  Bahar Samani

The post Creativity knows no bounds appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

I never really thought much about the Barbie craze until I saw the movie. The New York TImes describes the movie Barbie and is well titled On the Road and Out of the Box.

My vintage Barbie

Below you will see my real vintage Barbie dressed in a taffeta gown with a fur wrap. Yes, I had to dig her out of storage after I saw the movie.  I added the sunglasses to give her a more casual vibe.  From gowns to sunglasses I began to relate to how she affected my life and how Barbie shapes imagination.

Dreams do come true as Barbie shapes imagination

One thing Barbie has tried to show girls is that dreams do come true. And making those dreams a reality requires persistence, drive and the will to experiment.

Some of my childhood dreams was to create pieces for the red carpet and for high profile stars.  My most recent ‘red carpet’ moment -I was honored to create a bodice for the Grammy’s Red Carpet one year ago, read about that HERE

In addition,  I also had the honor to create a custom jacket for Shania Twain, it was intended for her to wear as a lifestyle piece and I did see her on Instagram wearing it.  What a thrill!

Now Shania is being recognized as a Barbie role model @shaniatwain  said,  “All I’ve wanted to do my whole life is tell stories of empowerment, independence and self-expression through my songwriting. Getting to do that and inspire women and girls along the way is the dream. It means a lot to expand my responsibility as a role model into the Barbie world, thank you @barbie and Mattel for creating this reflection of me.”

I feel the same about the pieces I create. The garments I’ve made for my clients are all pieces from my heart. My hope is that they will always give my clients a feeling of empowerment, self-expression and independence every time they wear them.

So thank you, Barbie, for inspiring us all to reimagine the many ways our lives can be well lived.

The post Barbie Shapes Imagination appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Details Matter

This beautiful one-shoulder design has a see-through waistline and embossed details on the skirt. Hand-stitching is a feature of slow fashion adding a unique, artisanal quality to clothing. The layered see-though skirt has a horsehair hem that creates incredible movement as it appears to float around your body.

Compact for travel

The Morgan dress is a beauty, in addition, she’s also tough.  Thanks to the unique materials this dress can be rolled up and packed away for traveling. Just pop it out upon arrival and you’re ready for a glass of champagne!  Moreover, the color and design are perfect for summer garden parties, guest cocktail wear, social occasions, or even as a youthful Mother-of-the-Bride.

Watch for new neoprene pieces in the fall season. This material is taking off as a great option for everyday wear like dresses and jackets.  Exciting designs await the arrival of the new fabric.

Check out this find along with other unique pieces, looking for their forever homes.  As a matter of fact these are special, marked-down prices found at From The Vault.

Model:  @dorotka777

Photographer:  @Hardysphotos

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Everything “From the Vault ” is inspired by red carpet looks, bridal, social occasion dressing and guest list dressing.  Opening the vault is ready for you.

The Joy Dress

The Joy dress  is so springy and full of, well, joy. This dress features a bright, embroidered tulle overlay with an under slip and the rare full-length sleeve. The unique detail of a horsehair hemline also means the dress falls away from the body without creating a lot of movement or requiring an excess of fabric. The multi-color embroidery inspired this layered look, especially the decision to put the contrasting color underneath so the details on the overlay pop.

Moreover, the fabric inspired me to make this piece right away, but the dress found its name once model Joy Curtis , pictured here, put it on for a photo shoot. Joy, a talented actress, first modeled for me in the 1980s. Though we lost contact over the years, we reconnected thanks to social media. Seeing her in this dress was inspirational; how can you look at this and not feel JOY?!

This dress could be many things, even a wedding dress for a non-traditional bride, and was created for a fashion show. Those in the know see fashion show pieces for the special treasures that they are—truly unique and one-of-a-kind. In this case, the fashion show itself adds an extra touch to the story of this piece because it was created for a nonprofit event near and dear to my heart.

Breast Cancer Models pieces from opening the vault

For five years, I was the exclusive designer for a fundraiser where breast cancer survivors were the models. As a survivor myself, seeing the empowered models strut down that runway in my original designs made my year.

The Joy dress  is not the only thing on sale. See what else we’ve pulled From the Vault  and remember: Once these lonely onlys are gone, they’re gone forever.

Dress: Joy by Brooks LTD

Model: Joy Curtis

Photographer: Tom Lupton

The post The Vault is Open: One-of-a-Kind Pieces On Sale Now appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

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.

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.

The post How we use handmade lace with astounding touches appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Fashion West is a newly developed and well curated fashion show featuring designers from the West.  Often one thinks of Fashion in the West as purely western style.  Think cowboy boots, hats, bandanas and other such traditional things.  Additionally western can mean many things to many people. The range of talent in this show will be very modern and nothing like one expects. Above all, I am honored to be a part of the whole and I am excited to show you my vision of Fashion in the West.

It’s more than western style, or western dress, it’s an attitude.

Additionaly, In preparation for the show I was recently  interviewed by Charlie Price for the upcoming Fashion West Fashion Show in Denver Colorado.  There are alot of insights as to the tranformation I have recently gone through being in isolation for the 2020 year of Covid.  If in the Denver area, the show is August 16  doors open at 5PM at the Exdo Center.

Cow Punk? Absolutely.
Cow Chic? Indeed.
Cow Town? Not on your life.

From the interview in Fashion West:

You have such a range of work in your showroom, how would you describe your design style?

My aesthetic radiates a sophistication that is attained by using interesting textiles, handmade qualities, patterned with a semi tailored effect.  My design style is consciously curating perfectly made garments that have a sense of whimsy, artful details with a flair for femininity.

Why are you – and – what is the thing you love most about being a citizen of The West? 

I am forever grateful of my environment and it is constantly influencing my design and color choices.  The noise of the fashion industry is tempered by my choice to live, play and work in The West.  Being a creative has its advantages not necessarily where you live – as the world has become smaller. Things are more attainable with the Internet being so easy to adapt to.  Of course the fashion mecca’s of the world also has its advantages. I choose slow fashion where I can be the Creative Director and maker of how and why my brand remains sustainable.

Your creations are often quite fluid – is that something you specifically intend and what are your favorite fabrics to create with?  

Fluid fabrics enable the wearer to move seamlessly and joyfully. Women adore feeling feminine and being able to move in their clothes.  I love to drape designs and let each textile speak to me. I am using my instinct and intuition rather than traditional methods learned. Fluidity has always been as aspect of what I achieve…now even more so since I have recently let go of many rules. As I create I am becoming one with each piece that is a new exploration of design with confidence and quality. Every piece has a story and people are very interested in listening to those stories and working directly with the creator. My voice is being heard!

You are a trailblazing business woman in Denver – and have been working as an independent designer for decades in Denver – a city some say disregards fashion – What made you launch here – how has it been and has the business and your clientele changed in recent years?  

As a native after attending design school at Fashion Institute of Technology (1972) I made a conscious decision to take lifestyle over career.  I always felt that executing and creating my craft could exist wherever I chose to be, all I needed were the right tools and equipment.  Being in Denver has had its challenges and I have had to adapt to paring down some of my outrageous design aspects in order to maintain a sustainable business.

Being in business for over 45 years has made me adapt, pivot and recreate my business model and my clientele. More so this year (2020-21), than ever before.  I am proud to say that some of my clientele is multigenerational. My designs have proven to trickle down from generation to generation as I am continuing to meet daughters of women I have worked with as far back as the beginning.  With the influx of people moving to our Mile High City people have brought with them their sophistication but with a sense of comfort and ease.  Environments have a tendency to change desires in how one presents themselves to the world when they dress.  I say “Welcome to Colorado, embrace our sense of style, ease and comfort while living your best life”.

What fashion trend do you loathe and what fashion trend do you love?

As I look back at many archives I see a reflection of a continuous flow of a tailored effect mixed with a flair for creativity and whimsy. It just comes out that way; the mixture keeps it wearable for many women, conservative or edgy. I love that mixture, unexpected and definitely something I strive for in my designs so that they are a recognizable brand. I loathe garments that are not made with care and attention to details, seams that pucker, insides that aren’t finished and hanging threads (unless it’s intentional). Quality fabrics and workmanship are just as important as the design.

View the entire magazine HERE.

Interview by Charlie Price

Edited by Tiaja Pierre

©2021 Fashion West | Design by David Rossa Design

If in the Denver area, the show is August 16 at the Exdo Center.  Tickets available here.

View my designs

I am keeping my newest designs under rap until the show,  however, you will be able to see them after August 16th.

 For those of you in the Rocky Mountain Region I will have an open studio August 20-21 11-4 each day.  Save the date!

In the meantime check out my new page on my site HERE.

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