Molly Irelan

This draped princess line gown was inspired by formal menswear. Its silhouette was derived from the late Edwardian gowns.

I designed the bodice to be more blouson and I created a trumpeted six gore skirt to echo the "S"-curve silhouette of the late 19th and early 20th century. I exaggerated the princess seams to enhance the hourglass shape and added the three-tiered bow detail to emphasize the fullness at the back.

The color-blocking of the bodice was meant to suggest the starched bib on a formal menís shirt with faceted black buttons reminiscent of tuxedo studs down the center front. The collar is not winged, instead I chose a softer style line for a more feminine look.

For the skirt I chose a grey blue pinstripe, so classically seen in men's formalwear, which I matched and chevroned the length of the 6 seams. 

Around the waist I pleated a stylized cummerbund which ended in the tiered black satin detail meant to echo the shape of an undone bow tie around a gentleman's neck.

Model: Sophia Soqui

Photographer: Dane Brist