Do you know the difference between vintage vs thrifted?  Let me explain…..with rising costs and new tariffs affecting retail prices, many of you are discovering the world of thrifting and vintage shopping. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there’s an important distinction worth understanding.

Vintage is about age and style—items that are at least 20-30 years old and represent the fashion, design, or cultural aesthetic of a particular era. These pieces are sought after for their quality, craftsmanship, and iconic style.

Thrifted describes how you acquired something—by shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, or secondhand retailers. Thrifted items can be any age, from recent pieces to genuine vintage finds.

The distinction matters because vintage usually implies higher value due to age and style significance, while thrifted emphasizes affordability and sustainable shopping practices.

My Journey with Vintage Textiles

I’m passionate about the vintage side of secondhand textiles. There’s something magical about finding a special fabric that has been cherished by its past owners—people who also understood the importance of saving and reusing beautiful things.

I’m fortunate to have clients, friends, and family who appreciate this philosophy and want to be part of the journey. That’s why I created The Attic Gem Collection— modern designs made from vintage textiles that honor both past craftsmanship and contemporary style(be sure to click on the link to see the original collection).  Each piece tells a story. These aren’t just clothes; they’re heirlooms in the making—items you can cherish and pass down through generations, continuing the cycle of appreciation for quality textiles.

Below is a piece that I made in early 1970 that a friend/client, found while she was vintage shopping. Funny story we had lunch one day and she was wearing it wondering if I would recognize the piece!  Of course that is the first thing I noticed.  You can imagine my face lighting up when I saw the piece on her!!  These moments are what make what I do so worth it.   See a post here.

Here is a piece that I’ve repurposed into modern jacket that my client is now wearing from her cherished textiles.  See the video here.

Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together

Do you have a special textile waiting for new life? Whether it’s a cherished family piece or a vintage find you’re not sure how to use, I’d love to help transform it into something perfect for your current lifestyle.

No project is too small. Every unique piece of cloth deserves to be touched, understood, and transformed into something as beautiful as the fabric itself.

Ready to give your vintage textile new purpose? Reach out today and let’s discuss how we can honor your fabric’s history while creating something uniquely yours.

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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.

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

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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.

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” 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

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What are you learning during this pandemic? From my business perspective and as a fashion designer I always thought I wanted to learn and be part that larger industry when I was just starting out.  That was over 45 years ago.  Now I am learning more than ever.

Do you want to learn to be in the fashion world as a professional?

This is the time for learning from the best during the pandemic.  Those of you interested in the industry should listen and learn from all the information floating around the internet  during this time.  Check out both my instagram and instagram stories (which change every 24 hours).  Below is some of my current work, one of a kind mask included:

Learn in the virtual world

In our virtual world we have the opportunity to visit and interact with the best of the best in the fashion industry. Actually in any industry right now, everyone is willing to open up with honesty and authenticity.  This is what is bringing me joy during isolation.  I am learning so much.  Those of you who are interested in any industry should be listening and learning from all the information out there while you are staying home and staying safe.  I feel like I am part of the whole without the stress and management that it takes to sustain a large scale operation.

I’ve been in the audience while Rebecca Moses (illustrator extraordinarie) interviews her stayhomegirls(I am one of 310). Interviewees include Amy Fine Collins, art historian, award winning journalist, muse of the late Geoffrey Beene, Nicolefischelis, design & art creative advocate and many more. Today while going through the drive through at the bank I had the pleasure of being in the company of Monique Lhuillier, fashion designer extraordinarie chatting with Kendra Scott.  They were discussing dressing up wearing Kendra’s jewels and Monique’s beautifully executed gowns.  Yes, these people are real and have emotions and concerns that we all have.  It’s so enlightening to listen to them.  It’s like a free class.  Do it!

Where will fashion go from here?

Small, slow fashion is going to overtake the industry and I’ve been doing that the entire time.  Not large scale, but baby steps and that has given me joy.  If you are in need of a joyful ensemble, reach out here and let me help you be your best self in how you communicate through how you dress.  Your closet with thank you for adding some timeless designs that will last your lifetime.

The post What are you learning during this pandemic? appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

I started sketching some creative ideas one winter day. I paid close attention to the rounded sides and triangular windows of the conservatory, and was intrigued by the window panels of the gallery where the exhibit was going to take place.

As I began the sketches, I had a specific fabric in mind that I was going to incorporate into this project.  Based on the instructions for the Doors Open Denver exhibit and my fabric choice, I began to think of a dress design.  You will see that these sketches are only the beginning of the final result.

The most difficult part of my wanting to emulate the building was trying to get the sleeve to shape like the peaked windows at the top of the conservatory.  It took a lot of patience, wiring, tulle, stretching, ironing and more patience! I used wiring around the inside edge to help maintain its shape and several draping experiments to get the two layers just right. 

I also was inspired by the blossoms in bloom that spring when I started researching the project, which is how I came up with the name Snow Blossom. There was still white snow on the ground outside even with the first few flowers blooming, and the idea took off from there!

I love to create three-dimensional silk flowers that set my designs apart from the masses. I twist and turn, place them, replace them and stitch them down, then press them so they float on the fabric and are not flat. Here is only one of many flower photos next to the hem of the dress.

The sleeves are representational of the diamond shaped glass windows, peaked, and triangular.  The black mesh is an interpretation of the windows. The black lined details at the midriff is inspired by the outside of the building’s interesting window panes.  The shape of the skirt (especially the side seam) represents the rounded edge of where conservatory windows come together. The hem of the dress is indicative of flowers blossoming inside the building, each flower is twisted, turned and stitched in silk organza and tulle.

The neck accessory was the last detail and so much fun to make. I’ve created similar neck accessories for daywear and think it is an unusual item to add to one’s wardrobe to pair with a tee shirt or a silk blouse. Snow blossom was a perfect design to incorporate this similar idea. I think it ties the entire look together. Here is the real snow blossom on display at the exhibit:

And of course, at the opening exhibit of Doors Open Denver I got to pose with Snow Blossom.

Lifestyle Clothing for Fashionable Women

Brooks LTD is based in Denver, CO and designs lifestyle clothing for women, including artistic tops, unique dresses to wear around town, and more. Contact me online or call 303-573-3801 to learn more about our atelier and custom clothing design process!

The post Snow Blossom Dress Inspired by Denver Botanic Gardens appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Over the last 40 years, I have experimented with several different clothing categories to brand my company with, from bridal gowns and mother of the bride dresses to lifestyle designs and custom party ensembles. Choosing a specific niche in fashion is one way to define and attract clients. But with the modern way of communicating through social media today, I now believe that categorizing your brand is not as beneficial as it was when I first began.

I love being diverse in my designs and seeing women of all ages and shapes wear my aesthetic. It’s so gratifying that I can dress women across the board, not just one body type or style.

This newspaper print in the images below is one of those fabrics. I found it in New York and fell in love instantly. It’s the perfect choice for my timeless tunic designs. Women of all ages are fond of the newspaper print fabric, and the style is so easy to wear in a variety of ways. The fabric also travels well and feels luxurious, even for more casual outings and lifestyles!

Below, you can see several women all wearing the same classic tunic design in their own unique way — it’s not about age, it’s about style!

Artfulcitystyle influencer , Photo by Denton Taylor

Meet Mallory (on the left) Stylecrone(on the right), fashion influencers living in Denver, Colorado having coffee at The Maven Hotel.

 Photo by JJ Constantine

Meet Hannah, at the time she was a graduating High School Senior.

Vanessa wearing the tunic during New York Fashion Week, 2019.

Love the shirt? Tell me in the comments how you’d wear it! Or view this item in the shop online!

Lifestyle Clothing Designer in Denver, CO

If you’ve found a beautiful fabric or textile but aren’t sure what to use it for, talk to Brooks LTD. We may be able to collaborate together to transform your unique material into something you can wear and love for years to come. Contact me online or call 303-573-3801.

The post One Design, Multiple Lifestyles appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Sometimes when we are out of our element exploring new places and a beautiful textile appears, we can’t resist the temptation to purchase it even if we’re not sure what we’ll use it for. But then it sits in our closet, while we wonder what to do with the exquisite find. Eventually, it somehow gets pushed to the back of the closet or the bottom of a drawer, only to be re-discovered years later.

This is where I can help. Based on years of experience, trials and experiments, I have a collection of perfected patterns in original Brooks LTD designs. In our collection we can translate a woven textile into a beautiful wearable garment no matter what the fabric is. We’ve made countless ensembles out of Indian Saris, batiks and various other hard to find textiles.

One of my latest creations is from a beautiful fabric that was printed as panels. A client brought it to me wondering what we should create with this textile. At first, I wanted to try a luxurious vest design and thought it might work in her fabric. I would line the vest so she could have different looks because the fabric is so intriguing.

But as I thought more about the fabric she brought, I changed my approach. Sometimes I need to concentrate on looking at the fabric and draping it on a mannequin before I cut into it. This fabric had so many unique characteristics to it, I wanted to highlight the printed design and make it free spirited and loose instead of tailored. At the final fitting, my client didn’t even bother to take off the blouse she was wearing, and look how nicely it all looks layered together!

As you can see from these photos, each focal point has a different dimension. I love working with interesting fabrics that create a challenge. This Brooks LTD original design works well with the lightweight silk twill that my client purchased many years ago. In fact, she was ready just to give the fabric away until I suggested I make something out of it. It was a win-win collaboration.

Contact a Custom Fashion Designer in Denver, CO

If you’ve found a beautiful fabric or textile but aren’t sure what to use it for, talk to Brooks LTD. We may be able to collaborate together to transform your unique material into something you can wear and love for years to come. Contact me online or call 303-573-3801.

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