The Crystal Gown
Hand-embellished silk georgette column with crystal scatter
Each crystal in The Crystal Gown was placed by hand, one at a time, over the course of approximately thirty hours. This is not an approximate figure — it is the reality of what embellishment of this density requires.
The gown beneath the crystals is deliberate in its simplicity: a clean column silhouette that gives the crystals maximum surface to catch and refract light. The effect is less 'sparkle' than something more geological — the way light behaves in a cave of quartz.
- Silk georgette foundation
- Hand-placed faceted crystals
- Silk organza inner layer
- French seam construction throughout
- Reinforced shoulder structure
The Crystal Placement
Every crystal is individually threaded and knotted at two points before being affixed to the fabric surface. This double-anchoring method means that the loss of one crystal does not loosen its neighbours.
The Foundation
The georgette base was selected for its light-handling properties. It absorbs light rather than reflecting it, creating the contrast that makes the crystals appear to glow rather than merely glitter.
The Weight Management
A gown of this crystal density carries significant weight. The shoulder seams are reinforced with a silk-twill stay, and the lining is attached at multiple points throughout the skirt to prevent the outer layer from distorting under load.
- Dry clean only — specialist embellished-garment cleaning
- Store flat in acid-free tissue
- Do not hang — crystal weight will stress the shoulder seams over time