Painted Lilies

"MY LILY DRESS IS SUPER SPECIAL to me as it’s the first one I made using fabric I designed myself! It was inspired by a trip to the V&A museum in London, where I saw a beautifully simple waterlily jug from 1848 in the glass section. I loved how around this time the artist Ruskin started to create designs with 'appropriate ornament: water vessels decorated with waterlilies, or a sherry decanter with bunches of grapes.' My name, Suzanne, derives from the Hebrew name for Lily, meaning 'to be joyful, bright or cheerful'. So, I decided that an 'appropriate ornament' for me would be a dress decorated with lilies.

I drew sketches of several waterlilies from photographs, then coloured them in digitally using Photoshop. I layered them over each

other and then created a repeat 'tile'. I also experimented with scale and decided on a large repeat, 60s style, which was very me!

I ordered my design to be printed on silk crepe-de-chine, a beautiful, flowing fabric with excellent drape. I cut and sewed up my printed fabric into a dress from a pattern that I drafted myself, in a loose, relaxed shape, with flowing angel sleeves, and side seam pockets, of course! Inspired by a beautiful beaded Tudor jacket I also saw at the V&A, I added some sequins and beads to the neckline of the dress as a finishing touch, stitched by hand. It is an absolute joy to wear this dress! And, even though it’s not made perfectly, I will treasure it forever."