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Saturday 18 September 2010

More dress research

Well that's my story and I am sticking to it! Last week I went to the garment district in Sham Shui Po to check out trims - there are a couple of streets of stores that sell trims, buttons and other notions, it's a real treasure trove. However I thought I would just pop into the fabric market first to see what was there and managed to get so weighed down with fabric that I never made it to the trim stores! Here's most of what I bought (there is some other plain stuff), all HK$ 15-18 a yard (around US$2 - 2.50).

These are poly satins but the prints were irresistable, I'm already working on a dress in the pink/grey border print.

Another border print, this one in a sheer fabric of some sort.

Jerseys! The black & white ones were made for White House/Black Market according to the printing on the selvedge. I admit I hadn't heard of them but they have an ad in my September issue of US Vogue.

I did make a return visit to the trim shops on another day, so much inspiration, feathers, crystals, chiffon roses and much much more. I think I have decided on my fabric, a kingfisher blue silk dupion, so I will make a 3rd visit soon and try and decide between purchased trims or my self fabric experiments. You can't really see the colour here but it is aptly named and looks just like the iridescent blue feathers on a kingfisher. I ordered some swatches from Angus International one afternoon and received them the next day, pretty amazing service from both them and the HK post office.


Thanks Kristin for posting a link to the Lacroix dress in your comment, it's easier to see the details in the plain green version. I do actually have the Patrones pattern but it is just too low cut for me and rather than fuss around altering it I decided to start with the Hot Patterns dress (I know, lazy!). As I say, the finished dress will probably look nothing like either!

Up next, my border print dress.....

16 comments:

  1. No visit to Sham Shui Po this time. Now I wish I had!! Love the prints. Very nice.

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  2. So pretty! I love all of your buys. My husband is heading to HKG on a business trip, now I feel really jealous!

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  3. White House Black Market was the source of Michelle Obama's black and white dress that made a big hit during the campaign, which you are I'm sure not aware of. They ended up making another run of the dress because it sold out instantly. Love the blue silk and the dress is a great style.

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  4. I love all your fabric purchases but I'm particularly envious of the jerseys - they look wonderful!

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  5. Very love fabrics - I especially love the black/white!

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  6. You are a border print fiend! I love it and can't wait to see what you create with these fabrics!

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  7. Okay that's it! I'm getting my passport in order and I'm coming to visit you...what you think a week? And I'm not bringing much to wear - so you might see me wearing the same outfit every day - because I will need the space to bring all my goodies back to the US!

    Can we say JEALOUS!! *LOL* Glad you found the beginnings of your dress!

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  8. Another jealous one here, you have a great eye for prints.

    I mistakenly thought you might be using the Lacroix skirt part with the HP bodice, but now I see it was just the bodice as inspiration. Oopsy.

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  9. Love,love love your fabrics. I can't wait until you post a picture using the grey and pink fabric :O)

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  10. Your fabrics are gorgeous!! No matter what you make with them it will be fantastic!

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  11. Oh, those are some nice pieces!

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  12. These fabrics are beautiful -- look forward to see what comes of them.

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  13. You got so many pretty fabrics!! And I love the color you decided on for your party dress - I think it's going to be beautiful.

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  14. Ooooh, so jealous! I loved my visit to the hawker's bazaar. I can see how it is impossible to resist those prints!

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  15. Those prints! I'm feeling weak in the knees....

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