A dress for the generations.

Jun 28, 20243 min read

In full disclosure—I'm not particularly fond of alterations.

The notion of unpicking seams and deconstructing garments, is about as thrilling to me as…visiting the dentist (nothing personal, Dr. Thomas)!

So when Laura Lee reached out about the possibility of altering her wedding gown for her daughter Sammy’s wedding, I hesitated. Given our longstanding friendship though, I agreed to meet up before making a decision.

And am I ever glad I did.

Early into our meeting I discovered that this was no ordinary dress.

For starters, it hailed from a generation of dressmakers who valued quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Every aspect of the dress emanated old-world elegance—from the flawless stitching, and perfectly aligned row of covered buttons, to the hand-appliquéd decorative trim, and the luxurious drape of the bias-cut satin.

The dress was crafted circa 1948, and was first worn by Laura Lee’s mother, Alice, on her wedding day to Ben, on August 1, 1948 in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Fast-forward 33 years, and that same gown—with a few ‘speckles’ and alterations—adorned a beaming Laura Lee, as she married Nigel on August 28, 1981, in Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto.

On a side note—the dress was not the only thing the brides held in common. As I later learned, Laura Lee and Nigel’s first date at the Jubilee Boat Club, also happened to be the VERY same place where Alice and Ben first met at a dance! Both couples were also married by the VERY same uncle Jim. How’s that for a ’coincidence’? =)

I digress!

It was the ‘speckles’ on Laura Lee’s dress, however—remnants from her childhood days of playing ‘dress-up’—and Sammy’s willingness to embrace them, that tipped the scale for me. I realized that this was so much more than just a dress! It was a cherished piece of Laura Lee’s and Sammy’s family history, a beloved memento, and a tribute to the people whose memories it preserved.

So I said ‘yes’ to the dress with one stipulation—no alternations! I would create a new design ‘from scratch’, provided there was enough fabric to materialize Sammy’s vision.

Now anyone who knows Laura Lee and Nigel is aware that if Vancouver had a ‘best dressed’ award, the dapper duo would win every time. No contest. So naturally, I had high hopes for Sammy—and the girl did not disappoint! Sammy’s style is an effortless West Coast chic, with an affinity for bright colours and classic silhouettes. We quickly zeroed in on a few key design elements, and three fittings later the toile (draft dress) was complete!

I may have said a Hail Mary or two before cutting into the dress—after all, I had Laura Lee’s sisters to answer to if, heaven forbid, anything went wrong with the family heirloom! (Thank you for your vote of confidence, ladies!) With only a few inches to spare once the pattern was laid out, there was no room for error—and there’s a photo below to prove it.

The final dress fused Sammy’s vision with my design—it featured a bias-cut A-line skirt, cowl-neckline, pleated V-neck back and straps, a small belt to accentuate the waist, a handful of covered buttons from the original dress, and a silk charmeuse lining for the finishing touch.

There was likely not a dry eye in the house when Sammy walked through the clearing, on her father’s arm. The radiant bride was a vision in white, infusing new life into a treasured family heirloom, and attesting to the timeless value of honouring the lives and memories of generations past.

Never underestimate the power of a dress—I know I certainly never will.

Congratulations, Sammy & Ryan!

S.K.

Ben & Alice (August 1, 1948, Pictou County)