People often ask me what it is actually like to commission a piece. It is far less intimidating than it sounds, and it is genuinely my favourite kind of work. Here is how a costume or gown comes to life in my hands, from the first message to the last fitting.
1. The conversation
Everything starts with a talk — about the occasion, the music or the moment, your body, and what makes you feel like yourself. Whether it is a salsa costume, a bridal gown or a quinceañera dress, this is where the piece is really designed.
2. Measurements and a first shape
I take detailed measurements and build a first version — a toile or a working draft. This is where we see the silhouette come off the page and onto a body.
3. Fittings
I fit in stages. Each fitting tightens the fit and the details, and it is where you get to say "more here, less there." Nothing is final until it moves the way it should.
4. The finish
Last come the details that make people stop and look: hand-set stones, fringe and trims, the linings and closures no one sees but everyone feels.
That is the whole journey — and it happens right here on Long Island. If you have something in mind, tell me about it and we will start with a conversation.