Ode to my best friend: The Ruffle (Part 1)

Ruffles: can't live without them... can't live without them. Or so at least I think. For all those people who despise ruffles, look away; this entry is not for you.

Why are ruffles my best friend you ask? Where to start...

Ruffles can be: dainty. feminine. soft and innocent. playful. flirty. structured and sculptural. sexy. scandalous? So versatile- you can find ruffles on everything from a first communion dress to your most provocative undergarments...

Looking at the ruffle itself, I enjoy the negative spaces and shapes created through the gathering of fabric. Ruffles can add volume in areas that seem empty, they can transform shapes and silhouettes. They can make a dress or blouse look modern or vintage, old or young. Oh how I love ruffles!

If you are anything like me and find that your body measurements are disproportionate ( for me, I am 2 sizes smaller on top than on bottom) you often need to add volume to the smaller areas to even yourself out. You may notice that a lot of what i make has ruffles and details on the top with a simpler bottom. That is because this is what is most flattering for me.

If you find that you are more triangular in shape with wider shoulders and smaller hips, you may look better with ruffles on the bottom half...

In my next blog, I will show you how to make different types of ruffles....

My last custom project for 2009 was a wedding party; the wedding dress itself and 6 bridesmaid dresses. I have known Kim (the bride) for years, in fact she modeled in my very first fashion show in 2003. Half anxious, half excited, I decided last minute to drive to Fond Du Lac, WI to help Kim and her bridesmaids get dressed, and to make sure everything looked perfect for her special day.

You would think that I would be able to relax once the dresses are done and out of my studio, but for me, the nervousness does not actually pass until the event the dresses are made for is over. And on the other hand, it's very rewarding to actually see your creations in the special moment they are made for. Being able to experience such a happy affair makes all the hard work and extra hours worth it :)


I asked my friend Amelia to tag along and photograph the process. Amelia is new to photography...I believe she has only been shooting for 6 months or so and has no formal training, but there is a softness and sweetness in her photographs that I really enjoy. I have never worked with her before, and in order to make it as low pressure as possible, I asked her to shoot whatever comes naturally for her....

To see more of Amelia's work, please visit http://www.ameliacoffaro.com/

I would also like to mention Kim's wedding photographer Libby who has some beautiful images up on her website: http://www.studio32.photographyblog.com/ . (the couple is Kimberly and BJ, blog post Jan 9).

First blog entry! 10% off custom wedding dress orders until the end of February!

For those of you that do not know me, my name is Shanel Regier and I am a dress designer in Milwaukee, WI. My background is in sculpture, which may help explain why I am drawn to dramatic silhouettes and voluminous shapes. I believe that the side and the back of a garment should be as visually appealing to look at as the front.

I am new to the blog world, so if my blogs start of a little shaky please be patient; I promise they will get better. I hope to use my blog as a place to share with you the processes of designing custom dresses, sewing techniques that I use or enjoy, and inspirations that help me create what I create.

Last but not least, I will use this blog to share with you any special promotions that I will be running, like this one: In celebration of my first blog entry ever, I am offering 10% off custom wedding dress orders until the end of February!

For more information or questions, please email me at shanel@shanelregier.com