Every December, like clockwork, I make the same promise to myself: “Next year I’m starting my holiday dress early.”
And every December, also like clockwork, I lie.
So here we are — H’s black-tie holiday party in Texas is one week away, and not only is it formal… it’s a masquerade. Because apparently I needed another layer of chaos on top of my already questionable time-management choices.
But let’s be honest: designing under pressure is my brand.
🎭 Texas, Black-Tie, and Now a Masquerade? Sure, Let’s Add That Too.
If you’ve never been to a Texas black-tie event, imagine glamour… with a side of “Go big or go home.”
People show up ready to shine, shimmer, and sparkle like the state depends on it, which if you've been here for any amount of time, you know the shimmer and sparkle part isn't my thing . And now that it’s a masquerade, we’ve officially crossed into the “May the best overdressed human win” territory. We won't even discuss the lack of diversity, so you know I have to show up and show out.
No pressure.
💡 My Creative Process: Structured Panic With a Bustier Center
Look. I may not have a finalized design…
And I may or may not have ignored my sewing machine’s cries for attention for the last month, yes it's making a new noise…
But I do have a bustier planned.
And honestly, that’s enough emotional support for me right now.
My process always starts with one anchor element.
A structured, couture-style bustier that will hold my upper body together even if the rest of the look is screaming in procrastination.
I also have three types of boning sitting on my table. Why three? Because indecision is part of the artistry and Wawak's pricing was too good.
📌 Pinterest: The Land of Delusion and Inspiration
My Pinterest board for this dress is… overly ambitious
On one side:
Old Hollywood satin gowns. Soft draping. Dramatic trains. Metallic glow.
On the other:
Avant-garde silhouettes. Architectural corsets. Draped tulle explosions.
Basically outfits that require four months and a small team of interns.
And yet here I am… with seven days and a dream.
Pinterest is a liar, but she’s my girl.
Check out my board here
✂️ At Least I Have the Fabric
One solid victory: I have the fabric.
It’s sitting on my table looking expensive and judgmental, like it knows I’m on borrowed time.
But fabric has a way of telling the truth — once I start draping it, the dress always reveals itself. Either that, or I just wasted 6 yards of Mood Fabric and if you know, you know.
✨ But Here's the Truth…
Designing my own gown is always part chaos, part magic.
Somehow, the panic fuels creativity.
Somehow, the last-minute decisions end up being the right ones.
Somehow, the dress gets finished — usually with me hemming it the morning of the event, but finished nonetheless.
And this year?
With Texas glam, airline flight, black-tie pressure, masquerade drama, a bustier, three types of boning, and a very questionable timeline…
It might just be my most iconic creation yet.
Stay tuned.
Either I’m about to design the dress of the year…
or I’m showing up in a bustier and prayer.
