Gathered Duster Dress
A Study in Proportion
The Story
Inspired by Edgar Degas’ The Bellelli Family, this duster is a reimagining of the garment worn by the central figure in the painting. It is the result of a deep immersion into the architecture of antique dress—a meticulous study of historical proportions, complex gathering techniques, and the hidden construction details that allowed garments of the past to endure.
There is no blueprint here, only an intuitive dialogue with history. Cut from antique French linen, the duster is deeply gathered at the shoulders and back to create a voluminous, fluid silhouette that carries the weight of its origins while offering a contemporary ease.
The Artistry of the Detail
Textile & Trim: Crafted from recovered antique French linen and trimmed with intricate antique lace at the collar and shoulders, honoring the textile's previous life.
Hand-Worked Closures: Every buttonhole is finished entirely by hand using 100% silk thread, ensuring the garment moves with a flexible, living strength.
The Ceramics: Adorned with handmade ceramic buttons, sculpted by hand in my studio and fired in the ceramic workshop next door to serve as earthy, intentional anchors.
The Silhouette: Generous in length and volume, the piece is designed to be versatile—worn as a structured shirtdress or layered as a protective, airy duster.
Living Color & Textile Variations
These pieces are available in rare, small-batch textile finds, often botanically dyed to order to age beautifully with the wearer.Antique French & European Linen: Recovered linens hand-stitched into a voluminous, fluid silhouette.
Vintage Kimono Silk (Logwood Grey): A roll of vintage silk purchased in Kyoto during the Gion Festival 2024. The silk features original, delicate paintings of trees and houses, which are then overdyed with Logwood to achieve a deep, nuanced grey.
Sea Almond Sand: A muted, parchment-like washed brown derived from plant tannins.
Ryukyu Indigo: A vibrant, layered blue rooted in tradition, dyed in collaboration with master artisans in Okinawa.
Bringing it Home
Each Gathered Duster is a custom commission, balanced between the weight of history and the rhythm of modern wear.
Materials: Antique French Linen, Antique Lace, 100% Silk Thread, Hand-fired Ceramic.
Care: A gentle hand wash or professional archival cleaning is recommended to preserve the antique lace and hand-stitched silk details.
Lead Times
Undyed: 4 weeks.
Botanically Dyed: 8 weeks.
Ryukyu Indigo: 16 weeks.
The Investment
Undyed Antique Linen: $1,750
Vintage Kimono Silk (Logwood Grey): $1,950 (Ready to Ship)
Naturally Dyed (Cutch Brown / Sea Almond Sand): $1,950
Ryukyu Indigo (Okinawa Collaboration): $2,150
Overdyed Black (Almond+ Ryukyu Indigo): $2,350
To Begin Your Commission
Due to the rarity of the antique lace and the intensity of the gathering work, I accept a limited number of these commissions per year. To secure your place in the studio schedule, a 50% deposit is required.
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