Basso + Brooke Inspired Slinky Black Dress

©Christina Paone
Model - Christina Paone
Illustration by - Christina Paone

Basso and Brooke is a fashion label that became well-know with their use of digital printing in the industry. Although their Spring 2010 collection bears no resemblance to this simple, black dress, they inspired the dress through their various fashion illustrations from the book entitled Fashion Illustration by Fashion Designers by Laird and Borrelli. "Drawing is the vehicle for the big picture," says Brooke in Fashion Illustration by Fashion Designers, "it's the stage of the design process when you can express volume and silhouette without limitations."

It may be hard to see any sort of connection from Basso + Brooke's pristine use of flashy colors and voluptuous use of fabric. Their illustrations pop, this dress does not. But, none the less was inspired from one of their more simple illustrations in the book.

The dress is made of a slinky black fabric that bounces up and down as you walk. It's comfortable and form fitting. More can be made upon request.

Lacroix Inspired Funky Dress

©Christina Paone
Model - Christina Paone
Illustration by - Christina Paone

This dress, was put together in literally 15 minutes. A very fast dress, that was meant to turn out entirely different, ended up working out just fine. My original intentions included a stretchier fabric (this is sort of hard to move in), with black sheer fabric draping one shoulder and a thin strap of velvet on the opposite side.

Of course, not being able to get away from lattice, I tried that, which was messier than I had anticipated it to be. So much so, that I had to tie a black bow in the back in order to secure it in place.

Christian Lacroix, a fashion designer, and a fabulous illustrator, was the inspiration for my design. Some of his fashion designs can be seen here . More of his illustrations can be seen here .