Commissions Gallery

A look at some of the commissions I've made through the studio.

Every commission begins differently. It might be a wedding dress that has been in the family for years, a vintage kimono, a worn textile, or simply an idea someone brings into the studio.

A wedding shirt, made from his mother's wedding dress.

For his wedding, Adrian gave me a piece of family history: his mother's wedding dress.

I used part of the dress to make a one-of-one kimono shirt, piecing it together with antique silk kimono textiles. The lace from the original dress became part of the shirt, and I left the fabric visible throughout the construction.

I also embroidered a small sunflower inside the collar, his favorite flower. It was a detail meant only for him to find.

His mother's dress was the heirloom textile at the center of the piece.
Fabric and pattern pieces laid out and labeled before cutting began.
The original lace incorporated into the hem.
Antique silk kimono and dress fabric pieced together at the cuff.
Adrian and Sydney on their wedding day, with Adrian wearing the finished shirt.
A sunflower embroidered inside the collar.

An obi pouch, made for the Gold Gala.

For the Gold Gala, Maia wanted to wear something that reflected her heritage. She paired our hand-stitched wrap dress, made from antique and vintage silk kimonos, with a red/white Falling Flower accessory, and commissioned a matching pouch made from an antique silk obi. The pouch is lined and finished with a removable braided wristlet. Photography by Alex Shibutani, courtesy of Maia Shibutani.

The vintage obi selected for the pouch, patterned with pine, plum blossoms, and clouds.
Pattern pieces and hardware, laid out before construction began.
The pouch pieced from the vintage obi and finished with a zipper closure.
Each piece carries a numbered edition label, made for Maia. Photo: Alex Shibutani
The dress, Falling Flower accessory, and pouch, styled together ahead of the event. Photo: Alex Shibutani
The finished pouch styled with the flowers. Photo: Alex Shibutani

A ceremonial piece for the MAD Visionary Award

Cristina commissioned a one-of-one piece to wear in honor of her Visionary Award from the Museum of Arts and Design. It was made entirely from a kurotomesode, a formal black kimono traditionally worn at weddings and other celebratory occasions, a fitting foundation for an evening honoring a lifetime of work.

The original kurotomesode, a formal black kimono traditionally worn for weddings and other celebratory occasions.
A fitting in progress, ahead of final construction.
The kimono's woven landscape, preserved in the finished piece, and visible mending.
Each piece carries a numbered edition label and a hand-stitched pressed flower exclusively for Cristina.
Cristina at the MAD Visionary Award, wearing the finished skirt.

A custom suit, shirt, and two brooches for a wedding.

Joe came to the studio to make a suit and shirt for his wedding, along with two coordinating Wilted Flower brooches.

The suit and shirt were developed in the studio and made with a local atelier in New York's Garment District. The brooches were made for Joe and his brother, who was his best man.

He and his brother wore the finished pieces together on his wedding day. Photography by Basil Vargas, courtesy of Joe Perri.

The suit and shirt during a fitting.
Hand-stitched label and pressed flower.
Wilted Flower in ume red, size M, and ivory/cream, size XS.
The Wilted Flower brooch before final stitching.
Joe wearing his custom suit and brooch. Photography by Basil Vargas, courtesy of Joe Perri.
Joe and Rebecca on their wedding night. Photography by Basil Vargas, courtesy of Joe Perri.

A bouquet ribbon and pouch, made from a vintage silk obi.

For her wedding to Jack, Meg wanted to include a piece of his Japanese heritage in her bouquet.

I made a ribbon and matching pouch from a vintage silk obi, then hand-stitched glass and seed beads onto the ribbon. I also sourced vintage ribbons and hand-beaded some of them to create a matching set.

The ribbons were carried in her bouquet on the wedding day.