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Masters Workshop
Exploring the Legacy of Two Master Couturiers
Madeleine Vionnet is one of the most influential designers to me. I have spent countless hours studying her work and replicating some of her designs. Her unique bias cuts and fabric manipulation were avant-garde in her time, and her work is still modern and advanced. Madeleine Vionnet also influenced Cristobal Balenciaga, and he similarly knew how to control and shape fabric and patterns to get the desired fit and movement in his designs. His sculptural and abstract designs are more than just fashionable, they are timeless.
During this 5-day course, you will more fully understand the history of these two couture legends and their contributions to fashion and art. If you desire to learn how to sew with silk and on the bias or are fascinated by voluminous, tailored designs, this class is for you. You will learn step-by-step couture techniques and beautiful finishing details to apply to any garment. You will also get to inspect an original Balenciaga coat from 1951. You will spend most of your time honing the craft of couture with your hands, not your sewing machine.
If you would like to make a Vionnet-inspired garment. I have full-scale slopers from Betty Kirke’s book “Madeleine Vionnet,” and the Bunka Fashion College pattern book. You may choose one of the following:
- 1937 “Golden” Skirt and top (#18)
- 1928 One Seam One Shoulder (#11)
- 1935 Quadrant Evening Gown (#12)
- 1933 Day Dress (#25)
- 1932 Shoulder Decollete (#14)
- 1935 Mobius Dress (#8)
- 1919 Squares Dress (#3)
- Your Own Garment Pattern
Or, if you would like to make a Balenciaga-inspired garment, I have self-drafted slopers of some of his iconic designs. You may choose one of the following:
- 1961 “One Seam” Coat with Gusset
- 1964 Curved Seam Coat
- 1951 Square Collar Evening Coat
- 1957 U-Shaped High/Low Skirt and Bodice
- 1950 Pleated Sleeve Coat (Paletot)*
- 1954 Circle Coat*
- 1967 Envelope Cocktail Dress
- 1956 Bubble Skirt-Cape
- 1957 Sack Dress
*Pattern created by Center for Pattern Design (CPD) and may be purchased at L’Etoffe Fabrics. CPD patterns are half-scale. I can assist you in making it into full-scale size in class.
The sloper of your chosen pattern will be available for tracing on the first day of class. The patterns are not for sale individually and for class purposes only. On my Gallery page, you may view images of replicas of these original Vionnet and Balenciaga designs.
The location of the class will be in charming downtown Franklin, Tennessee. I will provide more information upon registration. The class is $1125 and includes the pattern of your choice, fitting, invaluable couture information, and over 35 hours of instruction. With a small class size limited to 5 people, you will get plenty of individual attention.
2025 dates coming soon!
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