We loved the way Kasey Coates looked in her own special design. After spending hours gown shopping with her mom, they decided that having a gown custom-made would be the only way she could get the exact look she wanted.


Kasey knew she wanted an all-lace gown, but with a tiered skirt and lace at the neckline. The gown we designed was made of a heavy ivory silk charmeuse and two distinctly different, but beautiful, imported French Alencon laces. We added a pleated silk taffeta wrap just below the bust, and touched it off with a small soft organza flower. An ivory cascading veil puddled on the ground.


Steve and Kasey's photographer, Michael Bambino Studios, michaelbambino.com presented them with an amazing selection of about a thousand images to choose from. We had a difficult time chosing ourselves. We're sure Steve and Kasey will enjoy them for years to come. The couple were married on October 22 at the Hyde Park Community Methodist Church in Cincinnati. Michael Bambino is located in Glendale, Ohio.


Kasey's mom came to all of her fittings. The three of us enjoyed working together to create their dream dress, and we loved watching it come together throughout the process. They were so wonderful to work with.

Our Pat Gawlik [pictured left] and Bonnie Daws worked on a collaborative effort to create an evening gown for Pat's friend Caryn Mathis [right] who works for the Washington DC affiliate of NPR. Caryn wanted something special for the station's 50th anniversary celebration in October. Since it was the "Fiftieth," Caryn thought a gold gown would be most appropriate, but couldn't find anything after searching all the stores and boutiques in and around the Washington area.

She called her friend Pat, and asked if she would be willing to make her a dress considering that Caryn could only make one trip to the Detroit area for fittings.

Once we got Caryn's measurements, Bonnie went to work creating the muslin from which the gown would be cut. Caryn arrived in Detroit on a Friday, came directly to our studio for a fitting, and while she and Pat took off for an afternoon of trim shopping and an evening of meeting with friends and old acquaintances.

Caryn returned to our studio for her first gown fitting the next day [Saturday], and Bonnie spent the rest of the day cutting out and sewing together the outer dress and lining.

On Sunday, Caryn was ready to try on her actual gown for the first time. Pat pinned in the alterations and took the dress with her to take Caryn back to Metro Airport. Pat worked tirelessly finishing up on the alterations, boning, hemming and sewing on the beaded trim.

A few days later, with the assistance of UPS, the completed dress was on its way to Caryn. She was thrilled with the result. As a "thank you," Caryn offered to take Pat to the Gala as her guest. Pictured here were the two ladies just before they left for the evening.

Incidentally, to wear for the occasion, Pat made herself a lovely purple shell and skirt to go with a jacket that she made a few years ago.

We think both ladies took on that star quality and "sparkle" that only a custom garment can give.