Collection: The Joanna

So, I bet you're tired of comin' over here

and seein' nothing but black and white, no?

This is the last piece of my collection...

seven looks, nine pieces.

A lot of you have asked whether I'm selling

any of these pieces, and the answer is yes.

Come back on Monday to find out which ones.

The encouragement of you all has been overwhelming,

and it's been totally awesome and completely rewarding

to share these designs with you...can't wait to create the next ones!

--A Collection by Kristina J.--

It's a dress that had to be called the Joanna--

the quintessential look of a classy lady

reinforced by a quiet and polite demeanor.

Never too much, yet always a bit

beyond anything you'd expect.

In her eyes, you can see the silent mysteries of life

interwoven with the rich hues of delight.

The delicacy you see in her lace and short peplum

doesn't make her soft or pliable...if anything,

she is stronger than you can imagine, intricately structured.

Smooth and polished on the outside, the heart of a free spirit on the inside.

She is wildly talented...a learner, a doer...a teacher.

She needs only to whisper a message

that others must yell to communicate--

her future as shimmering as the seed pearls hand-sewn into her lace.

A tutorial for the bow belt is on this page.

Photos courtesy of LookNook.

She is a force of creativity...

she can see a need and filter a thousand ideas

through her genius to bring them into

the crisp, clear air of reality.

She enjoys the beautiful and believes the best,

innately aware of the countless opportunities to share herself.

She possesses a freshness that does not so much flash, it glows.

The Joanna Dress--

she is first-class, a sophisticate...

She absolutely echoes the sentiment of the French,

"If I must die, I am going to do it well-dressed."

Collection: The Megan

--A Collection by Kristina J.--

It's the Megan...

definable only in the sense that she's a chameleon,

never going for the obvious cliches.

There's no one else quite like her,

with such a unique way of expressing herself.

You don't define her--you don't try to put her in a box.

She twists and folds and shares a different side of herself

with you depending on the circumstances.

She maintains the classic silhouettes of a

circle skirt and jewel-neck blouse, but she's different--

coloring outside the lines with trimmed-out

tuxedo ruffles and sunburst pleating.

She's smart and sharp and has more than a vague idea

of what she wants to accomplish in life.

She knows a vague idea is like a snapshot that's out of focus.

She possesses a quiet confidence beyond her years, and focuses

her mental picture until it's crisp and filled with details.

She's the girl most likely to shoot the moon--

go for broke--on your friendship.

When you think she's given everything there is to give of herself,

she wraps her arms around you and

steals your heart with the faith she's got in you.

She's versatile...extraordinary--a starling.

She's elegance and magic and mystery.

She'll never move on from you...she's present...

even when hundreds of miles away.

The Megan...

she embraces the details that make her different and special,

and in doing so, she gives the world a wonderful gift.

Collection: The Amanda

Designing a dress inspired by a girl I've known since I was five

had to be a special occasion dress...bridal, even.

That kind of history requires some extra special treatment.

I wasn't gonna get away with a simple shirt-dress on this one

(though it could be argued that a best friend

brings the same level of comfort as a shirt-dress).

So, I decided to go for it...to go this direction because...

well, because...it's a challenge.

And I love a challenge.

--A Collection by Kristina J.--

Meet the Amanda...the bestie...

the one you want present with you on the most special occasions.

In the jigsaw puzzle of your life, she is in the curve of every piece.

She is the Diana to your Anne, the humor to your seriousness,

and more times than not, the tissue to your tears.

She is complex...an enigma. Her details pull it all together,

but are too intricate for you to figure out--a heady combination of

gold filament woven lace and free-flowing tulle netting...

hints of shimmer and understated glamour.

She, more than anyone, makes you laugh...

all smiles, secrets, tickles, and dreams--

all of your favorite things, wrapped up in one.

In the Sunshine Club, she's the sunshine, and everyone else is the club.

She is rare...not to be found just anywhere.

She's one of the few people you can talk to after years apart

and pick up the conversation right where you left off.

She is the nicest thing you could ever do for yourself.

With her, you never have to laugh when you feel like crying

or be quiet when you need to talk.

She gets you through every emotional crisis by telling you,

"Don't worry what people think...they really don't do it very often."

She can give it to you straight...

She's a master at concentrating on your good points

while helping you improve on your flaws.

She's important in your life and you'd be so much less without her.

The Amanda dress--

Her presence alone makes every day a special day...

the one dress you'll never get rid of,

'cuz it weighty with a lifetime of memories.

Collection: The Holly

I knew this piece would be constructed from merino wool,

but sometimes I get my hands on these really amazing fabrics

and can't decide how I want to work them.

The challenge of editing a look is the most difficult aspect of design for me.

I'm always asking myself, "Is this too much? Is it not enough?"

I originally made a sweater and a skirt, but wasn't

happy with the way the skirt executed and it

didn't really seem to inhabit the spirit of the girl I was inspired by,

so I thought, Wouldn't a sweater dress be even more fabulous?

And that's how this dress came to be.

I included pictures of the original look so you could see the progression.

--A Collection by Kristina J.--

She's known as the Holly--the self-assured athlete...

calm, cool and collected under pressure.

The girl who makes a simple pony-tail look glamorous.

She possesses the uncanny ability to slip

into something simple and completely inhabit it.

The dress adds nothing to the girl.

She is already so clearly defined...so comfortable in her own skin.

You always know where you stand with her.

She doesn't waste time trying to make everyone happy,

instead she embraces the joy of being who she is.

She's not easily intimidated and because of that,

you're free to be yourself with her--

free to be broken or exhilarated or talented.

She's the big sister you always wanted.

When it comes to being a friend,

she's determined and relentless...

as blunt and real as she is empathetic.

She cares deeply and loves generously.

When you most need comfort she'll fold you in warmth and acceptance.

She's as soft as the merino jersey from which she was made.

She's understands that this life, this day,

is not the last inning...it's not the final lap or the last goal.

It's all a journey...the end of one chapter begging the beginning of another.

With her, it's not about being at rest, it's about freedom of movement.

My tutorial for this flower embellishment here.

Photos courtesy of LookNook

The Holly dress--

with her, things are easy and effortless.

She pulls it all together, but the end result is never overworked.