NYE 24
Each New Years for the past four years, my friend group loves to celebrate in a big way. it's the event of the year. We dress up, throw a big party, watch the ball drop, and have the time of our lives. This New Years, I wanted to create a dress fit for the occasion. It was to be sleek, sexy, elegant, a little bit retro, and dance floor approved.
The Inspo
This look was inspired by the desire to be modest while also being hot. With my style and dress, I usually always go for something a bit more covered up, especially in colder months. But I wanted to explore an alluring look for this occasion, something outside my comfort zone, something I want to be comfortable with every once in a while. I tightlined my eyes, I wore my Versace Medua's (Target's Version), I embodied everything I wanted this look to be. I have strong feelings for the first photo, stylistically speaking. the silhouette of this backless gown is so undeniably gorgeous. I wasn't that brave with the openness, however, but this image was certainly the focal point of the design, waist chain and all. And it's sooooo French, it's from a French film, but still. If you know me, I'm a diehard francophile. The gathered skirt of the second image was also an element I wanted to incorporate. Because I wanted a slit, I placed the most gathered point at the point of the opening, and added a silky flower.
I've come to the conclusion that this brazen look was heavily, subconsciously, brought by the film Saltburn. I am in love with this movie. The set, the costuming, the symbols and filming decisions, and of course it's ties to a Midsummer Night's Dream. It's a film that's set the stage for my confidence entering 2024. It's high society, but it's so grunge. It's scandal without being scandalous, it just is the life of these people, and I couldn't get enough of it. So this film made me want to dress unapologetically bold, and to live everyday like it's the special occasion it's meant to be.
Constructing
I was on a bit of a tight deadline for this dress, the inspiration struck me a bit too hard too late. I didn't have time to go out and find something, and I wouldn't have been satisfied if I didn't make this dress. I began by draping some scrap knit on the stand, trueing and tracing to create a paper pattern, creating a toile for the first fitting, making pattern revisions, quick traced a sleeve from a knit top of mine, trueing it to the armhole, creating the waist band pattern, as well as the mock neck, and going for it in the final fabric, a chocolate shimmer knit Joann's only had two yards of (just barely had enough). I patted myself on the back, however, for justifying cutting a second back panel out of a basic black knit fabric, and taking 1/4 inch off the seam allowance so the backless edge would have a hidden seam. A little bit more work for a gorgeous payoff.
Partying
I was hesitant at first to wear it, actually, because the skirt was not as full as I wanted it to be, but I was working with limited yards, I ended up having to flank either sides of the opening with black knit, which no one seemed to notice anyways. Hopefully Joann's will restock and I can do the skirt right. But other than that it was perfect. It was the right balance of modest elegance and grunge party girl.
