Black Dress and the Cherry Tree

Inspired by Japanese photography, Oscar de la Renta alum Adam Lippes interpreted far eastern culture into western fashion at its best for his eponymous label's fall collection. From swirling full length skirts reminiscent of kimonos to sequins galore on regalia befitting a samurai warrior, Lippes left naught for want for the modern jet-setting bohemian. Among the superior sportswear pieces were silk dresses and draping tops embellished with delicate cherry blossom branches. The Orient is having a big moment in fashion right now, but better don this LBD for the holiday season because just like the cherry blossoms, trends bloom and die in the blink of an eye.


What You'll Need:
Little black dress (preferably cotton)
Silver beads
Black thread
Red thread
Needle
Scissors

First, make the branches off which you'll sew the cherry blossoms. It is helpful to lightly sketch an outline of the branches in pencil on the fabric. Knot a long strand of black thread through your needle and come up from the underside of the dress. Thread one silver bead on your needle, then go through the fabric and back up again, securing the bead. Continue threading the beads in a row, being sure to loop through the fabric each time.


Once the branches are complete, thread your needle with red string. Begin at the bottom corner of the dress and begin scattering leaves and blossoms up the branch. To sew a petal, bring your needle up through the fabric right next to the branch. Make a stitch (approximately 2 inches long) with the thread and come back through the fabric right next to where you began. About 5 to 7 stitches like this will create a petal. See the diagram below for a simplistic version of how the thread should be sewn. The center stitch should be the longest, with stitches decreasing in length on either side.


To make an entire blossom, simply sew five petals in a circle, creating a "star" shape. Add petals all over the branches, or just at the ends for a bare look.


xx,CC