Babies to Brides

One of the fun things about designing a wedding gown, is to look at the past and toward the future.  I love to incorporate sentimental items into the gown (see previous post), but I like brides to think about the future of their gown.  Not every daughter is going to want to wear her mom's dress (like we all think they will).  It's very fitting to use a portion of the wedding gown, or re-style the wedding gown into a design appropriate for the trend at the time of use.  Many gowns are timeless in style (i.e. Grace Kelly, Princess Kate), but they must fit the personality of the bride to be perfect for her day. 

Think about other ways to make your dress an heirloom.....perhaps someday you'll want a beautiful Christening gown for your child (or grandchild).  A wedding gown is the perfect way to get heirloom quality to pass down from generation to generation.  Styling a Christening gown from a wedding dress is a creative way to recycle, reuse and re-purpose. 

The picture I've posted today is a new dress made for a dear friend and her first baby girl.  The fabric and lace are all new, but I'm hoping someday she'll ask me to use some of this little baby dress in the design of her wedding gown.  It may just be a bow or embellishment somewhere on the dress, or maybe the lace and fabric will be used to make the garter.  Regardless, it is a keepsake that she can use as it is, or re-create it into something else to be passed along in her family.  I can't wait to see photos of this sweet baby in her dress.

Even though neither one of my daughters will wear my wedding gown, I think that we will be sharing pieces of our weddings with each other - sister to sister, mom to daughter, aunt to child.  It's giving tangible evidence to the love that we share for each other.  Something to touch, hold, see, and most of all, feel.