It's great that you've had luck with tailor made items, Vix. Who is your tailor?

Hi Angie --

I actually don't use my tailor for anything besides alterations (some more complex than others). Though he does bespoke suits I wouldn't mind owning if I won the lottery!

I've had things made by a variety of people -- indie designers with their own lines willing to heavily customize their design or start from scratch with my fabric, folks recommended by the fabric store, friends of friends.

With one exception most of my custom items are very straightforward, basic patterns done for the fabric and the fit. I am always looking for lightweight wools in unusual colors and interesting-to-me knits for tops or dresses that fit in the shoulder/bust area!

Sewist friends say that if I weren't so lazy I could learn to make them myself but I don't see that happening....

Aha! Interesting.

I hear you. I am not a sewer either.

I thought I commented on this, but guess that was just in my imagination. This is gorgeous! That fabric is stunning.

My custom sewist (me) has about a 50% success rate, so you've hit upon a real treasure in your sewist!

Absolutely gorgeous!

Oh, that fabric really is gorgeous! Thank you for the photo; I can really imagine how divine this dress also *feels* when you've got it on too!

<3

Hi Amy --

Were your ears burning this morning? I typed that I didn't have the patience for sewing but in my head I added, "unlike that #$(# creative overachiever, Amy!"

Thanks for the kind words -- I am so impressed that anyone can sew, let alone fit THEMSELVES, that 50% seems a great rate. Though now I'm curious about these so-called misses. Do feel free to enlighten us here or in a new thread! /nosy

Hi Kristin --

Thanks so much; it's outside my typical choice so I appreciate knowing it has some fans!

ps Jyoti, you're welcome (and it does feel wonderful on!)

Stunningly exquisite, Vix! WOW. Absolutely beautiful fabric, colour, pattern, and cut on you. Perfect taste - and a fabulously talented tailor! I have a feeling she will be lavished (bombarded!) with requests after this.

How did I miss this until now! WOW!
What a stunning dress, and what a stunning you in it! I can almost feel the silk from these photos. It must be so glorious to wear. The sandals are lovely, too.

Did you see Jayne's thread about having a skirt made? The two of you are giving me big ideas for the future. I will never sew....but the idea of having someone else make something up, now that very different. And more and more appealing. As you say, the colour, fabric, shape are all in your control then. Not at the mercy of what's in the store.

Amazing dress, Vix! You truly look gorgeous in this colors and the style is so unique...

That's a fab-U-lous dress! I'm not familiar with Peri...?

Hi Helen --

I thought this might appeal to your sensibilities; thank you!

While my sewist is super-talented she is also super-busy what with job + kids and takes limited commissions. I have reluctantly accepted this may be a one-off from her...but one never knows! Luckily she's not my only resource.

Hi Suz --

Glad you saw it! Of course I just remembered I meant to get back to your interesting post about how your lifestyle change led to an amazing career opportunity BUT forgot about it til this instant. No hard feelings on my end or yours (I hope)...busy times!

And thank you. I saw/commented on Jayne's custom skirt post and am excited she has more planned. Take a look at Abie's custom dress if you haven't seen that post: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....o-sneakers

Excited you may join us.

Hi Sveta --

Thank you so much! I think you were one of the members who liked the blue blouse this is based on when I wore it reigned in, and I have to admit the less blouson-y dress is easier to wear.

You're another tunic expert so I will be refreshing my horrid memory as to how you do your thing.

Hi Rachylou --

Thank you; no doubt it's definitely much more *exotic* than most of my closet/dresses! "Peri" is short for what I call my Periwinkle Pouf blouse -- it's the blue one also shown in the original post

I have more photos of it on my blog -- along with shots/video of TRULY stunning couture dresses by Madame Grès and Balenciaga. [<<< shameless plug to talk about vintage stuff on YLF]

Link in OP or below for convenience.

http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....-y-blouse/

Coming to this really late, but could not *not* remark on that swoon-worthy dress --- you're right about this sewist's talent for pattern placement, especially the bodice and mimicking the swirl of the skirt: it looks like it's in motion even when you're standing still. How could you not twirl in that! Divine dress in sumptuous fabric --- perfect on you.

Aside: am absolutely coveting the shoes in #3, and still remember Peri fondly from my first introduction to her while I struggled with my drawstring tops.

Hi Vix! Chiming in again to apologize for crediting the wrong person for your beautiful dress - I should have said talented *sewist*, not tailor! *blushes at error*. I jumped right from your original post to my reply! Was too gleeful, I guess.

Manidipa --

Nice to hear your voice/opinion since I know you have an appreciation for this general style! Since you live somewhere where the construction/shape is fairly common I hope you find your own perfect version.

And yes, I was super-lucky to have someone with such a great eye for design working on this tricky print. She saved me from having the "eyes" of the feather directly over certain body parts, ha.

[It really is a super-easy general pattern -- now of course she's an advanced sewer, but even with the print placement stuff it took her an hour to whip it up.]

Thanks also for the shoe love.

I freely admit I'm not much shoe person -- and have avoided anything cage/gladiator like because I much, much prefer a loooow vamp on myself a la the DIY metallic ones in the other photos.

However, saw the lavender patent this winter when swaddled in tights/boots and the past-season sale price, blendy-with-skintone shade, and the V in the vamp lured me into different waters.

Surprising weather means I've actually broken them out well before my July estimate -- mostly with pants/jeans, but even with skirts. Luckily my shortened leg line hasn't stopped the world from turning.

Helen --

Oh man, no worries; I somehow feel the need to be hypercorrect since I *have* talked about a tailor I like/us and because I've had custom things done by various people. It's all getting a little complicated to track even for me!