When Alyssa got engaged, I knew I would make her dress. We had already been besties for so long- years as classmates, roommates, and colleagues allowed me to know Alyssa very well. I knew her quirky style and whimsy and that I had to work some spirit and fun into the dress. Alyssa was very trusting and pretty much gave me free reign to design as I wished. I wanted to do something classic and timeless with a twist to make it work in her crazy "Ukrasian" (Ukranian/ Asian) wedding

The bodice and upper skirt base were a soft silk taffeta- not too swishy, and with just the right amount of sheen. I decided to create an embroidered netting overlay on the bodice using the phoenix motif- often associated with weddings in Chinese culture. the phoenix wrapped around the back of the dress with a plum blossom motif that ombréd from peach to rose gold to white. Finally I included a tiny bumble bee- her new last name means "beekeeper" in Ukranian.