When I first laid eyes on the Charlotte gown, I was smitten with its exquisite French re-embroidered lace. The intricate detailing was breathtaking, but the dress's stiff lining, high neck, fitted sleeves, and boxy silhouette left something to be desired. I knew I had to deconstruct this 1960s vintage dress to bring out its potential and create a more feminine shape.

As a designer, putting pencil to paper is my way of exploring design options and visualizing a transformation. When redesigning, my goal is to showcase the original vintage flair of a gown while flaunting a more modern silhouette. I was determined to create a dress that would make the wearer feel beautiful and confident.

One of the first changes I made to the Charlotte gown was dropping the empire seam to the waist, which allowed for a softer, more flowing shape. I then added sheer bodice draping, which led to off-the-shoulder sleeves and back streamers that added movement and complimented the lace perfectly.

To make the dress more comfortable and practical to wear, I revamped the inner dress. A boned bustier was added for support, while a double charmeuse lining ensured the dress would move fluidly with the wearer's body. I also switched out the metal zipper for an invisible one to give the dress a seamless finish.

As a designer, I'm always inspired by the challenge of reimagining old garments and bringing them back to life. And the Charlotte gown is a perfect example of how even the most outdated pieces can be reworked into something fresh and new while still honoring their vintage roots.