FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Aurora
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Model: Leah M.
Outline the story …
The Aurora gown was inspired by Aurora from the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty. Although her dress alternated between blue and pink, I chose to go with pink and give it a modern twist.
Words are powerful and can either limit or empower the hearer. The words spoken over Aurora stole years of her life, and so did the words spoken over my younger self. The dreams I had as a young blonde-haired girl were discouraged, and as a result, I stopped dreaming. For many years, like Aurora, my life felt as if it were in a dead state. Awake, but merely a shell of whom I was created to be.
After many years, it was love that awakened the sleeping, the living dead of my soul. Like a flower that blooms with love and care, so too did my life. It was those who loved me and saw the best in me that awakened the long lost dreams. Because of those who loved me, my dreams and I came back to life. I create my own fairytales and bring them to life through my gowns.
Aurora's story speaks to me on so many levels, and this gown is more than merely fabric pieced together. It is intertwined with a personal account of cursed words and stolen years, of love that brings life. Yes, this may relate to Aurora, but ultimately, the main character is also me.
Outline the construction…
I originally designed the Aurora gown to eliminate lots of hand-sewing, but famous last words they were.....
The full-circle skirt was cut from several layers soft tulle; using extra-wide width to eliminate seams.
The sleeve I toiled, and for once, my first toile worked! I used two layers of tulle so the colour wouldn't be muted. For the cuff, I used two layers of tulle with stretch going cross-ways to help eliminate warping.
The underbodice I toiled; however, the lace bodice I did not and had to alter the bodice using strategically placed lace to cover darts and seams. (Note to self, ALWAYS toile!!)
I cut the back with the lace's edging used for pleasing pattern placement; however, I found I needed to fill in areas with hand-appliqued pieces to make it more aesthetically balanced.
I cut up the lace fabric, placed it trailing down the shoulders/armhole and waist, and filled in any bodice gaps. I hand appliqued all the lace using invisible thread for the first time.
I had initially planned to have the back zip up found it to be too distracting. I also didn't have time to get custom-made fabric-coated buttons. I ended up cutting away the back and using surprisingly strong clear snap fasteners hidden behind the lace.
This gown took many more hours than I anticipated, but I ended up being very pleased with how it turned out.
Beautiful job! I love the vine look of the lace.
Thank you so much! That’s also what drew me to it; I love vine-like trailing lace.
Oh my goodness, those sleeves are gorgeous, and you look amazing!
Thank you so much for those lovely words!! This is my beautiful friend who generously offered to model it for me. She was so excited and it gave me so much joy!!
Those sleeves are dreamy!
Thank you!! All the whimsy!
The dress turned out beautiful! I love the sleeves and the back. You did a fantastic job!
Thank you so much!! I’m glad you like these features!!
You look like a perfect piece of pink coral. I’m glad you’ve awoken like Aurora and can’t wait to see more!
I love this description, I haven’t heard it quite put like that before!!
I can’t wait to share more with you!! Thanks for the love.
A simply stunning confection of a gown and a moving account of how it relates to you! Well done indeed!
Aww thank you so much for your beautiful words and love!
Wow! This is beautiful!
Tarese this is a breathtaking creation…..
You bring life to these fabrics, such a creative accomplishment! Absolutely beautiful garment, award winning creation. You just get better and better at what you were obviously meant to be…..a very original Designer. And I so love the connection with Aurora💕 Well done 💕
Thank you so much!! glad you like it.
How friggen GORGEOUS is the back of that dress??? The floral motifs and design are stunning!
Thank you so much!! The back is one of my favourite parts too!
The quality of workmanship in the embroidery work complements the overall look of the gown. It reminds me of vines growing on a castle wall. Excellent job.
I love that description! Vines creeping on walls inspire me.
Wow! That is an impressive piece!
The back of that dress is the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen!
I want this as my wedding dress xD
oh yesssss I’d love to see someone get married in this!!
Such a gorgeous gown, I love the silhouette!
Thank you!!
This is just gorgeous, I don’t know what to say. I love this shade of pink, the whole look of the dress, the fact that it is so long… I really like this Aurora!
Thank you so much!! Pink can be hard to do sometimes, but this shade just worked perfectly!!
This is a stunning gown and it shows you put your heart and soul into it. I was also moved by your writing about being discouraged to have dreams and how you stopped for a while. I’m glad you are dreaming again and hope you never stop. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much for those beautiful and encouraging words. I have no plans on stopping anytime soon; designing is my happy place!!
Beautifully done. Thank you for sharing
The tulle gives you such a magical floaty look! Amazing!
I love what you wrote about your connections to Aurora, and beautiful work. Just lovely!
Oh my gosh that is absolutely gorgeous. It makes me think of spun sugar, it’s so delicate and pink!
So beautiful. I would just love to hug this dress and never let go.
This is so delightfully pink and ethereal <3
This dress is like Aurora just woke up in a ethereal nightgown. Absolutely fairytale wonder.
This is so lovely!! Your details are just.. *chef’s kiss*
That looks amazing! Especially the sleeves and the bodice.
This is absolutely gorgeous! I particularly love the lace that you found for it – such a perfect match for the outfit
Tarese, this gown is breath taking. It’s as if whispering fairies gathered together dew covered flower petals and wove them together with gossamer thread to create your gown. The words that brought such sadness to you were a dark veil over such a beautiful creative soul, sometimes people want to supress what they see in others but are totally devoid of in themselves. Only love and beauty from within could create such a beautiful, exquisite gown, a reflection of self and soul. This gown is truly lovely.