Monday, April 25, 2011

The Daily Dress: Nanette Lepore Eyelet Sheath

Given that this morning's post was about New York's Garment District, it seems fitting to look at a dress designed by Nanette Lepore this afternoon. Nanette is one of the biggest voices in the fight to save the Garment District and to keep fashion jobs there. For a little history on all this, see her op-ed piece in the Huffington Post. 80% of her pieces are made right here in New York!

This eyelet sheath is from a couple years ago, and I just love it. It has a very early 60s vibe, and I like how the eyelet is played up by binding the edges rather than fully lining the dress. There was an attached slip made of acetate inside the dress. (Have any of you sewn with acetate? I notice that it's common in vintage dresses too.) The bow is a detachable belt that fastens in the back. The dress also came in navy.
Look at the little bows on the sleeves and the lovely v-back. The hair is perfect too.
I was just at Mood and saw this red eyelet for sale. Perfect for recreating this little number, no? They have it in a bunch of colors if (for some crazy reason) you're not keen on red. (Update: Hey, it's online too!)
The basic pattern could be something as simple as this, with maybe a couple waist darts added for shaping.

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Just the thing for spring!

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25 comments:

  1. Claire (aka Seemane)April 25, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    [Swoons] Eyelet fabric is my fav for summer - but I never seem to be able to find it in over here :(!

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  2. reneeApril 25, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Fantastic dress. I love the V back and the little bows at the sleeve. And now for a fashion moron question. What makes the interior piece an attached slip rather than a lining? Is it because it isn't exactly the same as the dress? Is it just attached in a couple of places, the shoulder seams for instance, and that's what makes it a slip? Thanks!

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  3. LeighApril 25, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    OOooh that's cute! And it just SCREAMS Emma Pillsbury!

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  4. joenApril 25, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Nanette Lepore is one of my favorites - love the sheath dress. The red fabric is a great match to Nanette's design know you will rock out your version.

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  5. PaulaApril 25, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Yes, I have worked with acetate - I usually line jackets with it. I really like working with it.
    I'm not a big fan of navy, but for some reason I LOVE that dress in the navy!

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  6. AshleyApril 25, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Oh, I love it; the designer, fabric, and that particular garment design. Just perfect!

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  7. lapApril 25, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Ah! They have it in orange!

    I love sheath dresses, although they shouldn't flatter me, somehow they do.

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  8. VApril 25, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    LOOOOVE this!! So inspired. I wish I had your sewing skills! I dont even know how to line this fabric! Maybe I can attempt a skirt. LOL

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  9. PippaApril 25, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    I've made a slip from acetate, and it's mostly the same to sew with as a synthetic habutai, but a bit more delicate feeling.

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  10. reneeApril 25, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    For those of you who've used acetate, how does it compare to bemberg or silk for comfort? It makes me think of polyester, which is not my favorite lining. Am I totally wrong about that?

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  11. TiffanyApril 25, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    I rarely comment, but I just wanted to say that although I wasn't so keen on the Daily Dress feature at first, I really like how it has morphed with the addition of pattern and fabric thoughts to go along with the dress. Makes it much more enjoyable for me to read. Loving the v back on this too. <3

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  12. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    I like Lepore. Her criticism of Michelle Obama for wearing designs by furriners not so much.

    http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/02/fierce_garment_district_suppor.html

    I once tried to use acetate for a lining. It was very unpleasant. I prefer Bemberg.

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  13. AlessaApril 25, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Oooh, very pretty! I have a bit of black eyelet saved for a skirt, but that red eyelet dress is truly inspirational...

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  14. Toby WollinApril 25, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    Ahem. If I can put in a good word here, make this dress in black eyelet. Yes, black. Why? Because you never know when you will need 'the funeral dress' between the months of June and September and you do not (I repeat, do NOT) want to have to stand outside for a graveside service in the summer, in a black long sleeved dress made out of something that does...not...breath. Trust me. To stock up the 'just in case' dress bag, I made a black eyelet dress (with a black slip and a light blue one just for kicks) and two months later, we had a death in the family. In August. In Florida. And he was being interred at the National Cemetery where there are these teeny weeny shelters - enough to stand about 15 people and at least 100 people showed up, most of whom stood outside under the blazing sun, quietly melting. A black eyelet dress - do that. Oh, and while you are at it, get a smart black straw with a black ribbon with it - you can get colorful fabric flowers to dress it up for other occasions but with a black eyelet dress with a black underslip, black pumps, and a black straw, you are set for any emergency event in the summer.

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  15. Jodi WadeApril 25, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    I bought some acetate lining fabric not so long ago. I was doing burn tests to find out what fabric it was. In my research I found out acetone dissolves acetate... So be careful with your nail polish remover!

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  16. TeaApril 25, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Love this dress! The bows, the v-back - perfect touches! And I agree it is SO Emma Pillsbury :)

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  17. AlexApril 25, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    I love that dress - the eyelet fabric and the bows are just so sweet. Just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying the daily dress feature :)

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  18. KristaApril 26, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    I like this post and the mix and match of fabric and pattern ideas. I feel back on track with a sewing vibe.

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  19. Jen OApril 26, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    I have had a nearly identical true vintage version of this dress. Here's how they made it:
    --the bodice had an attached slip in black cotton that fit close to the body, while the eyelet shell was looser.
    --eyelet edges around neckline and sleeves were finished in a narrow double fold bias tape.

    here's a look at that dress to show details: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjuz1Uko

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  20. AnonymousApril 26, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    I JUST came from Joann's and I bought a see & sew pattern (yeah, I know) B5407...it's very similar. I couldn't believe it!

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  21. Jane EliseApril 26, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Ohhh, I love this dress. I have had an eyelet cotton dress on my wishlist. I just bought some fabric in a mauve colour which isn't my favourite colour but it was all they had and when I got home I was like "Why did I do that?" but that red is divine. I think my daughter is going to get a mauve eyelet dress and I'm getting a red one!!

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  22. Jane EliseApril 27, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    I'm now thinking this McCalls pattern would be great in eyelet...http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m5845-products-10057.php?page_id=108 It has a self bow belt and a nice low square back.

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  23. little loveApril 27, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Ahhh! I have that exact pattern!

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  24. ErinApril 27, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    I just finished McCalls M5845 and I was thinking the same thing as Jane Elise. Although it is hard to see on the pattern cover, it has a very similar bow belt and although the low square back is quite flattering, it would be easy to modify into a higher v-back. P.S. I ♥ eyelet!

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  25. JenMay 1, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    Love the eyelet. Now I'm really inspired to finish my Chantilly dress that I'm planning - black eyelet lined with hot pink China silk.

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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