I’ve long been a fan of gingham fabric. Aren’t most girls, if they read the Little House books?
A periodic serving of gingham is so refreshing.
But the gingham in the top you are seeing today was incidental to a larger imperative.
While sifting through the Barney’s end-of-year sale after Christmas, I happened upon a garish, but irresistible dress made of sunflower gold lace, denim, and purple/indigo gingham. It pulled me in, but I declined to buy it because I could not envision a way to make it wearable.*
Instead, I looked for other things by the designer, CF Goldman.
How had I not known of CF Goldman until December 2018? Think of all the time lost.
The label is defined by layering, emphatic shapes, bustiers. Doesn’t it seem as though I could be CF Goldman’s muse?
Here, it seems important to tell you something.
This top was not actually a top when I saw it. It was a ballgown. Full length, with a dramatic skirt. But it was marked down 85%, which made it the price of a top.
Making the front a little shorter than the back was my idea, but bringing the back to an asymmetrical point was Fatima’s inspiration. I brought the dress to her and she snip, snip, snipped the skirt off while I was changing. She is fearless.
Perhaps you are saying aloud, “Directrice, tell me what I’m seeing.”
I am wearing a tissue-weight cotton turtleneck under the top.
The black ballgown tank is made of a luxurious silk-wool blend. It has the most beautiful, sculptural hand and a light sheen. The tank is very full and is cinched by a flannel, gingham corset.
The pants you know and love: my stowaway stripe cropped wool trousers that you’ve seen here and here and here.
CF Goldman shows these corsets done up and partially undone — a look that I told The Photographer made me think Blowsy Milkmaid.
Top: CF Goldman; Turtleneck: JCrew tissue tee; Pants: JCrew; Shoes: Taryn Rose; Bag: Barbara Bui
* This is the gold/denim/purple dress. I couldn’t wear something under the dress because of the lace. I thought about buying two of the same dress and having Fatima meld them into one dress . . . and then closed my laptop.
A final tip! You may want to check out these JCrew dresses.
Your altered top is a vast improvement over the original gown. Fatima is talented indeed.
I like restyled fashion myself and purposefully make things over only to fall in love again with something interesting I own or want to enjoy anew. Bravo!
Very creative and surprisingly effective as a top. Good work!
Did you have Fatima whip up something with the leftover fabric? It looks sumptuous.
I thought about asking her to make a full skirt for me and then realized that I didn’t really have a need for one and that it would take about 6 inches (horizontal) in my closet to store it properly. So I left the fabric with Fatima to use as she chooses (or not). The fabric really is beautiful.
Again, super fan of the black and white. The gingham is a favorite pattern… I do love me some Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Two very interesting dresses! I love the gold/purple/denim dress from the front, especially the purple gingham, but it really does take backless to a whole new level. And I’m so glad you described the black/gingham dress, as in the photos the sheen of the black fabric made me think it was leather!
I think you should buy the gold lace/denim/purple gingham dress, and have Fatima create a customer panel to fill the back. From what fabric, you wonder? Why, the rest of the former ball gown, of course!
I do love your top, too!
* custom.
That’s terrific!
I actually love it as a dress, too, but your top is just great.
That was truly a stroke of genius. I need to get a Fatima into my life!