Made with love and hope

I finally completed a dress for the Project HOPE Art dress drive, a sewing initiative aimed providing girls living in an orphanage in Haiti with handmade dresses.

As suggested, I used the Oliver + S Popover sundress pattern. The pattern was simple to follow, making it accessible for even the beginner seamstress. And perfect for this project. The tie-straps make the dress adjustable, suitable for a growing girl.

When I first came across the Project HOPE Art dress drive, I was really moved.  I loved the idea of providing girls with new, culturally appropriate clothes.

But I had no idea how much joy it would bring me to sew a dress for a little girl I didn't know.

As I was cutting the fabric, pinning the pieces and sewing the seams, I imagined a little girl running around in the sun wearing the dress. The image warmed my heart. So much so, I felt compelled to glue a little heart in the inside of the dress. I hope who ever wears it, knows it was made with love.

This experience has made me realize why so many people (myself included) would rather donate something they've made than donate money.

When you make something, like a dress, you are holding something that you know the receiver will also hold. Making an article of clothing connects you, almost physically, to the person who will be wearing it. For me, and I think a lot of people, this sense of connection is powerful and meaningful.

Sew into a new season

Winter must be over because Oliver + S have released three new summery sewing patterns.

We have the drop-waist Croquet Dress, perfect for hot days and iced-T. For April showers we have the Secret Agent Trench Coat. And for running around the court, we have the playful Badminton Skort, Dress and Top.

Thank you Oliver + S.

Happy sewing!

DVF can now empower your little girl too

You might not be able to afford a DVF wrap dress for yourself, but now you can buy one for your daughter. Diane von Fürstenberg, iconic Belgian-American fashion designer, is launching a punchy, bright line of clothing for girls ages 0-14 at the Gap this week.

Her easy-to-wear designs feature high-chroma, bold prints. "This collection is about celebrating life and colour," VonFurstenberg said in the Gap's sneak-peak trailer. "The minute a little girl is born, she is already the woman she will be. So to empower a little girl is to empower the woman she will become."

Diane's sentiments are a little highflautin for me. As much as I love clothes, I think it's a stretch to say that a green, petal-printed, wrap dress can empower young girls. Her lofty aspirations aside, I do like her collection. It's fun, vibrant, and relaxed, just like a childhood should be.

DVF joins an ever growing list of designers collaborating with low-priced clothing and department stores to bring style and light to mere mortals.

The DVF / Gap collaboration goes on sale March 15.

I bet die-hards across North America are already bunkered down for the next 24 hours in their portable, folding lawn chairs, wrapped in sleeping bags outside their local Gap. I think I'll just watch from the sidelines.

Pop into spring

Have you noticed what every clothing retailer is pushing this spring?

(image: http://blog.denimtherapy.com/tag/color-jeans/)

Yep, denim in non-traditional colours, red, mint, turquoise, cobalt, yellow. This is not news to Italian men. When I was in Italy a couple of years ago, every self-respecting man over the age of 25 wore red jeans. I loved this trend then, and I love that it has broken geographical boundaries now.

Don't worry, your kid can jump on the bandwagon too. Coloured jeans for your trend-setting 4 year-old at Gap Kids.

Children's clothes done right

When Pud grows into a little girl and I decide to spend my clothing allowance on her, she'll only wear Talc, a new French label for kids.

Talc was featured on Les Culottes Courtes and I had to feature it here too. When I think about timeless, but practical, kids clothing, I'm thinking about Talc. They're clothing manages to be innocent and sophisticated at the same time, playful versions of adult clothing.

Did I mention that they design baby clothing too?!