From Wardrobe to Couture
Fashion is more than just trends—it’s about transformation, self-expression, and sometimes, reinvention. Recently, I took one of my favorite dresses and gave it a high-fashion makeover, turning it into a custom-made, Givenchy-inspired piece. This project was personal, exciting, and taught me so much about the art of couture. I even made a video about it, which you can check out here.
Here’s the full story of how I brought this vision to life.
The Original Dress: A Sentimental Piece
The dress I chose to repurpose had a lot of sentimental value. It was something I’d worn for special occasions, but after some time, it felt like it needed a fresh look. Rather than letting it sit at the back of my closet, I decided to take inspiration from one of my favorite fashion houses—Givenchy.
Why Givenchy?
Givenchy is known for its bold, sleek designs that balance timeless elegance with modern flair. Whether it’s the architectural shapes or the luxurious fabrics, the brand always exudes confidence. I wanted my dress to reflect that same energy—something iconic, yet personal.
Step 1: Reimagining the Design
The first step was envisioning what my dress could become. This purple sequin was already quite elegant, and I wanted a simple project to give it a Givenchy vibe. I studied some of Givenchy’s signature designs and identified the elements I wanted to incorporate, such as clean lines, structured silhouettes, and subtle but impactful details.
Step 2: Deconstructing and Planning
Next, I carefully deconstructed the original dress. This part of the process required patience, as I needed to preserve the fabric and seams while planning how to add the new elements. I opted for an elastic lace to create an athleisue style to a flary baby doll fit.
Step 3: Adding Custom Touches
To truly make the dress Givenchy-inspired, I added the unique elastic lace onto the seam of the arm, where it creates a bell sleeve at wrist, as well as the hem of the dress.
Step 4: Matching Handbag
The final step was ensuring the handbag matched the outfit. I had an old Antigona damaged handbag, and found a way to cover up the damaged leather. I chose a bunch of laces including the same one as the dress, and stacked them as straight lines around the entire bag. You can check out the video here
The Result: A High-Fashion Piece with a Personal Twist
What I love most about this project is that it blends my personal history with the art of high fashion. Repurposing my own dress into something Givenchy-inspired wasn’t just about creating a beautiful garment—it was about giving new life to something meaningful, and I was able to use my handbag again!
Hope you guys enjoyed!
