How To Have A Successful Ballroom Makeover

This is a ballroom dress makeover story.

Start Your Remake With Honesty

I am going to paint you a picture. Imagine now a not too crowded ballroom dance competition. Everyone is tearing up the floor in latin, great moves great music, great energy. But the music slowly dies as your eyes find themselves drawn to a figure not far ahead. He dress is a black sort of bodysuit, that does not flatter any of her shape. Not enough stones. Fringe that looks like it was thrown on in random places to emphasize areas it shouldn't. This woman looks at you and her eyes scream help and your designer doesn't hesitate to climb into her designer sparkly seat.

The competitor meanders over to you after he heats are over and instantly recognizes you before you can even open your mouth. "You're the Sury Designs woman, right? ! I have seen all the beautiful dresses you have made online. You have so much talent!" she said excitedly. "I would love to wear one of your designs one day."

Your mind is already awash with the beautiful outlines that will compliment her figure. It's going through the spectrum comparing the various hues of colors to her complexion to see what would pop out. Taking in the hidden aspects of her dance personality that could be expressed if given a chance. But you come back to reality. Remember , you had promised to quit sewing for others again. It was time to send her on her way. Here, compose a story of how gruelingly busy you are and how you have retired from professional sewing work for others.

"Your dress is ugly, and definitely does not suit you." It escapes like a horse at the races that has been caged too long. "I am not technically sewing anymore, but I'll make an exception for you. I can see you being so much more with a dress that emphasizes your unique look."

Relief spreads across the woman's face. "I was going to ask. Thank you so much! It is always so hard to find something I really like."

"Well you came to the right place." I said handing her a card. "Give me a call, we should meet up to talk about your dance dress makeover."

Narrow Down What You Really Like

My assignment: sexy and revealing, but covered arms.

She did call me back and we had a nice talk to narrow down her interests and colors. Keywords were sexy, a little revealing, feathers and mesh sleeves. Got it.

I went with long lines to lengthen the figure and give the illusion of more of a waist - so plunging necklines and backlines. An angular skirt to lengthen the legs. Stoning that is also asymmetrical to create a slimmer look. I always give my clients two choices but they always choose the first one I create of the two.

Build Something Fabulous

Floral Frippery

Appliqués was the reason I wanted to do this dress. At first I was going to simply put a large gathering of different sized stones in the wave of decoration. Upon further thought I decided to push myself a little more and build flowers with my rhinestones. It adds a feminine touch, but also is an amount of detail that sets the dress apart.

The Final Result

Voilà! Another masterpiece to put in the books. Thank you to my client for taking this journey with me. She looks fabulous on the floor! In her own words:

"Thank you for my beautiful dress!"