From Blackpool to the Gatsby, a Trip Back to the 1920's

My friends Joe and Deanna compete quite a bit. However this year seemed to be all about going back in time to one of the most fashionable and ostentatious periods in history: the 1920's; perfect for ballroom costuming.

For Blackpool Deanna wanted her favorite. I threw this dress together on one of those fabric whims — you're dumping scraps, two colours fall together and they are a perfect match. I think it is one of my favourite impromptu dresses. So far it is Deanna's best and she just shines in it. Hard to top that.

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Next I wanted something as art deco as possible, but not too busy for her. She needed something clean and yet bold. I wanted it to be a green dress, but fate had other plans. I just had this uncontrollable desire to go wander downtown one day. I walk into a shop and there it is smiling at me. Hot pink. How can you resist that? I mean it was smiling.

I also knew dolmen sleeves were going to happen and I wanted to continue with this year's experiments in modesty, so not too low of a back. The dress put most of itself together, but I had to consult another artist to come up with the "art deco" stoning. Thanks to Joe Hidalgo, we came up with a cool colour and design that would pop against that eye blinding pink.

Then it was off to the dances and a little bit of time travel.