Fashion Returns

A sort of wildness in my mind stirred as I decided to fully commit to the Elsa Fitzgerald house. I know it would require a tough love action that would be to shutdown elements of SEW BROMO the fashion education incubator that I had built for many years. "Burn your ships" they say, to prevent the option for retreat. I felt the pang of guilt for our students.

But I realized that I have got this one life to live and if I keep hiding behind teaching I will never sew the most beautiful gowns that live in my heart. After closing some digital accounts that include the online learning portal that took me so much time to build, I sent a light farewell to the SEW BROMO community and invited them to follow along with the Elsa Fitzgerald fashion house adventures.

I proceeded to update the Elsa Fitzgerald website, there in the inbox was a lovely message from a prospective patron inquiring about two of my painting with lace dresses and a museum dress design I have been longing to make. I have time now to dedicate to sewing dresses, and designing a new collection. Thrilled to have cleared the way for the path to be made.

We have a responsibility to be our most full and complete selves. This was in the Mawar Bali workroom in Denpasar, Indonesia where the Elsa Fitzgerald fashion house was born. I am here chatting with the head sewing machine operator, while wearing the Mary dress.

I love this elegant Elsa Fitzgerald dress featuring a nude stretch lining and black mesh overlay, highlighted by intricate lace details along the neckline, with potential for added flowing sleeves.

These methods I learned with working with lace in Bali still influence my way of making today. I Intend to return to Bali and continue other travels through Indonesia to weave elements of cultural heritage through textiles and artisanship into my design work.

I almost forgot about this photo on the island visiting a butterfly sanctuary. I am not sure how I did it, but I would walk on the beach and do yoga from 5AM-8AM before starting my fashion design day. Although I guess when you live in paradise it is easy to get inspired by being alive.