While we were putting together my wedding, Kimberlee mentioned the idea of a reception dress. Vintage brides would have changed out of their long, heavy gown into something more suited to socializing. It offered a way to preserve the wedding gown itself and to de-constrict the bride. Reception dresses were popular as far back as the 1800′s (farther, possibly?) and have (relatively) recently declined in popularity.   These days, the reception dress seems extravagant when the gown itself often rings up well into the thousands.

The wedding dress design

Though my dress didn’t have nearly that price tag, it very well should have. The silk was silvery gray, $35-a-yard silk crépe-backed satin, and I’m sure Kimberlee put at least 20 hours into it (and probably much more than that). Much of the dress was hand sewn – the hem, hand rolled. It was gorgeous for a formal event but definitely not a dress to party in – it wasn’t heavy, but it was hot. I love the dress so much, though, that I couldn’t think of wearing anything else on that day so Kimberlee (the GENIUS) suggested we alter my gown pattern to make a shorter party dress. It would be easy – the pattern was already cut and she’d assembled it once so it wouldn’t take long to construct. In fact, she told me I could probably assemble it in a couple hours – and I did.

Kimberlee had this amazing and gorgeous “granny lace” that she’d used for the little bed jackets last spring. We decided to use that because we wanted my dress to be light – being the bride and all. We still had to line it and since my shoes were a seafoam green (I swear they weren’t that color on the website!) it made sense to put a green cotton or linen underneath. Kimberlee sent me to Joann’s for zippers and a me-sized swatch of green cotton.

The Thursday before the wedding, my friend Raishawn (one of my bridesmaids) and I showed up bright and early at Kimberlee’s house. I laid out the pattern pieces from my gown, Kimberlee showed me how to pin them down and cut them. Per her instructions (because we all know it can be difficult to read sewing patterns), I assembled the bodice and skirt separately. Then Kimberlee took over. I didn’t see the dress for another couple days.

We arrived on site the Saturday after. I hadn’t tried on the dress at all and had been battling a horrible case of nerves all day. The wedding went well and I only remembered the reception dress after dinner- before we busted out the pinatas. I snuck off into the dressing room and then thought to myself “Oh crap. I never tried this on – I hope it fits.” I sewed the bodice a little smaller than the pattern asked for. Kimberlee had put the two parts together, given it straps and a zipper. Not only did it fit PERFECTLY, but the way I’d cut the pieces out made the lace pattern line up – an apparently amazing feat for not having paid much attention. And girls went wild for the design.

From L to R – Kimberlee (dress design), Scarlet (hair), Laura (Birdie Royale), and Raishawn (decor)

After the party, Kimberlee and I got to talking and decided that it was a simple enough party dress to make, and it’s practical – enough that we decided to keep it in our pocket for a possible Deco Modiste Spring 2011 release. The best part? I came back from my honeymoon, not registering that fashion week had happened. Kimberlee informed me that lace had been big on the runways for Spring. Keep an eye out for replicas of this little number (sorry – small photo…)

Dancin in my reception dress.

BE STILL MY HEART! These designs by Arosha have me salivating for Egyptian-inspired jewels!

Isis Ring

Isis was a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshiped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the matron of nature and magic. She was the friend of slaves, sinners, artisans, the downtrodden, as well as listening to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats and rulers. Isis is the Goddess of motherhood, magic and fertility.

The goddess Isis (the mother of Horus) was the first daughter of Geb, god of the Earth, and Nut, the goddess of the Overarching Sky, and was born on the fourth intercalary day. At some time Isis and Hathor had the same headdress. In later myths about Isis, she had a brother, Osiris, who became her husband, and she then was said to have conceived Horus. Isis was instrumental in the resurrection of Osiris when he was murdered by Set. Her magical skills restored his body to life after she gathered the body parts that had been strewn about the earth by Set. This myth became very important in later Egyptian religious beliefs.

Isis is also known as the goddess of simplicity, protector of the dead and goddess of children from whom all beginnings arose. In later myths, the Ancient Egyptians believed that the Nile River flooded every year because of her tears of sorrow for her dead husband, Osiris. This occurrence of his death and rebirth was relived each year through rituals. The worship of Isis eventually spread throughout the Greco-Roman world, continuing until the suppression ofpaganism in the Christian era.

Anubis Ring

Anubis is the Greek name for a jackal-headed god associated with mummification and the afterlife in Egyptian mythology. In the ancient Egyptian language, Anubis is known as Inpu. The oldest known mention of Anubis is in the Old Kingdom pyramid texts, where he is associated with the burial of the Pharaoh. At this time, Anubis was the most important god of the Dead but he was replaced during the Middle Kingdom by Osiris.

He takes names in connection with his funerary role, such as He who is upon his mountain, which underscores his importance as a protector of the deceased and their tombs, and the titleHe who is in the place of embalming, associating him with the process of mummification. Like many ancient Egyptian deities, Anubis assumes different roles in various contexts, and no public procession in Egypt would be conducted without an Anubis to march at the head.

Black Gold Ring

Those are a few of my favorites, but the artist uses gold, silver, plastic and wood if you’re interested in jewelry in other media.

You can bet I have my eye on the Isis and Anubis rings though!

Check out Arosha on Etsy, or through the Artist’s design portfolio.