The design for the Rosalie gown began with a beautiful embroidered tulle, the fabric which would form the foundation that makes this gown so special. Exceptionally fine tulle that blends discreetly with the skin, scattered with a kaleidoscope of the most petite embroidered butterflies.
Something about the tiny butterflies made me think of sunlight, wings beating, reflecting flashes of morning light on their delicate metallic surface. I choose to pair this stunning embroidery with blush silk interwoven with strands of silver and gold, creating a perfect rose golden shade. A combination which speaks of butterflies gliding above gentle waters, glistening under golden light.
The golden reflections from the base fabric created a warm, sepia like nostalgic tone. I wanted the silhouette to echo this nostalgia, to provide the feeling of an indulgent glimpse into the past, romantic and captivating. A blissful moment in time captured in dress form. This era is echoed by the dropped waist line, densely gathered skirt and button detailing. Whilst the internal corseted dress speaks more to modernity with it’s deeply cut back and plunging neckline.
Both fabric layers combined to create a softly weighted drape, allowing the gown to be create gracious movement, the wearer appears to glide when walking in the piece, shimmering with each step.
The embellishment for Rosalie also grew from within the embroidery, the almost weightless feeling the fabrics created together could not be held down with heavy embellishment. Across the sleeves and bodice each minuscule butterfly is hand embellished with millimetre rice grain pearls and Swarovski crystals, glistening against the skin and lifting the piece.
I was drawn to the thought of feathers creating dramatic but gentle butterflies, each created by hand and uniquely decorated with precisely placed crystals and gilding. Ivory feather flowers with crystal centres create the landscape upon which the butterflies would rest.
The fastenings on Rosalie would become a functional form of embellishment, scores of buttons line the spine and the elongated cuffs, a reference to times gone by where the act of dressing was an art. Each button looped into place a marking a moment in time until perfectly aligned. 
I intended Rosalie to be a gown that is truly memorable, not for being outspoken and shocking, but for being quietly enchanting; playfully alluring but gracious. I hope that spirit is carried to those who choose to wear her. 