During my time at Halston Heritage, Neiman Marcus approached us with an exclusive pitch just as we were wrapping up the season's development. The concept was complicated, and we had just a couple weeks to make a sample for their line review. The patternmaker and I spent long hours developing the dress together. I coordinated the sample making team to make the protos, scheduled emergency fit meetings, and scraped together the raw materials needed to execute the sample.
To get a strapless dress to look so airy and flowy, it needs a structured bodice beneath. There is reinforced inner construction complete with boning and interfacing. The gown has two zippers at the side seam - a heavier duty one for the bodice that does not show, and a lightweight invisible zipper on the outside to maintain the delicate look. There are also thread chain loops holding the hanger tape in place so the dress doesn't flop over when hung. The wearer can pull the tape in from the loops when wearing the dress.
