There is a certain old world elegance inherent in a ball gown — a statement making confection that compels one to glide onto the dance floor with the most lilting of steps like a debutante of seasons past. And then there is the promise of magic and make believe, of transforming into a fairy tale princess even for just a brief night. Such I think is the beauty and power of fashion, it gives us the power to dream and become whoever we want to be. Girl power at its finest, if I may be so bold as to say.
Such was the ethos behind this pale pink gown for seventeen-year-old beauty Sofia Lopez for her senior prom. Even at first glance, she exuded a mix of teenage girly and fresh, sporty energy. For the Poveda Ball, she wanted a feminine gown that was fluffy, but not too much, and had just a touch of sparkle . We decided on a graceful an off-shoulder gown with a sweeping skirt and train, and a low back accented with a statement bow.
I couldn't help but be inspired by the vintage gowns that figured prominently in the work of society photographer Cecil Beaton, who was a regular contributor to Vogue and Vanity Fair in the '40s and '50s. In fact, one of my favourite fashion images was that of a tabluea of models all resplendent in satin gowns by Charles James. The pastel hue, the grand silhouette, and the playful ribbon were all in homage to that uncomplicated and most feminine era of haute couture.
The first fitting we had was just of the toile. The open neckline and deep back required a bit of contouring to get it to lay flat on the body. The sleeves which angled down also had to be tested, and revised to get it to drape properly but also with a bit of insouciance. Lastly, we draped the bow to make it look like it was oh-so-casually tied up behind but nonetheless retained its shape and gave the dress a bit of drama.
For the beaded belt we created for her a shimmering floral motif, with a bit of dimension to accent her gown and her trim waist. We tested a few samples but ultimately decided on a more elaborate version.
In this day and age of normcore and fast fashion, rarely do we find the chance to really dress up. So when the occasion does pop up when we can don a twirl-worthy frock, then I think we should! Embrace your inner Cinderella, take risks with fashion, wear something you think might be a bit too much (but of course, really isn't because we checked with all our friends and they're all dressing up too). Life is but for making memories, and we can do it whilst being pretty, why in the world not?
