MIXING IT UP WITH LACES

 Question: Would you mix up offbeat cotton style laces we'd term casual with a traditional beaded Alencon?  Pair up informal with the opulent?  You'll find the answer in these images of some of my new collection pieces--all separates.  I found this absolutely wild and wonderful cotton lace that would have made any flower child from the 1960s Summer of Love envious with all these swirly-Q designs around doily patterns. Check out the bodice below; I used it for backing a very traditional Alencon lace, loved the effect and went on to design a couple more pieces mixing it up . . . .
Above: This three-piece dress is a salute to late and great Mexican artist, Frida Kalo.  The novelty lace I used for the bolero does hint a bit of  Latin American folk wear.  The Alencon lace bustier is elaborately beaded pairing up nicely with the tulle skirt. Below: Close up shot of the handiwork on the bustier.
 Above: My Salute to Audrey, Grace and Jackie, those fashion icons still inspiring us today  The bodice style is clearly 1950s-60s matched up with a tulle skirt.  I call this dress, AUDREYESQUE but it actually has a bit of each woman in the design as well as overall look.  Below: I backed this bodice with the outside the box cotton lace and placed beaded Alencon lace over it, creating an almost quilted effect. The belt is hand beaded and accentuated with an organza rose.
Above:A silk chiffon slip dress becomes a 1930s Hollywood gem with this easy to wear cape of cotton and light as air Chantilly lace on the border.