Taffeta Gown

Here's a gown I draped for my final. We had to choose a celebrity and then drape a gown for a red carpet event befitting the celebrity and her style. I was at a quandary on whom I should choose. Finally the form of Busty McBusterson gave me the inspiration of Catherine Zeta Jones. Who else could do justice for Busty McBusterson?? I decided on a simple boustie style top and flared gown using a dark purple taffeta. I'm not sure how well these pictures reflect the color but it was a blackish purple depending on the light. It was to be embellished with this wired piece using aluminum armature wire.


I'm quite pleased with the fit of this gown, which fits like a glove on the dressform. We had a vote on 4 categories in class: best design, best fabric, best construction, and best fit. I actually won best fit in class. I'm very satisfied with the gown outcome

Here's a close up of the wired piece. I took a long time trying to find the right materials to use since I didn't want something too dainty and would hold it's form while being easy to mould. I was also a little worried that it would turn out too much like something out of Xena: Warrior Princess. The front was loosely based off of a Turkish bookmark with Turkish calligraphy and the back was free handed based on feeling. There are places that could use a more polished moulding. I guess that's the best that could be done with just my hands a pair of pliers. For a first attempt at an abstract concept and new material I think it turned out pretty close to what I wanted.