The Perfect Pink for Zhuojing

We are really pleased with the beautiful photos that Zhuojing's daughter Jessica took and will let them do most of the speaking in this post. I was sad to be out of town for Twin Cities Open, when the gown debuted, and so very happy to have a chance to see how it looked and moved.

Briefly, with respect to design, Zhuojing is not a large dancer, so visibility on the floor is always one of the most important considerations for her gowns.  She knew she wanted the gown shaped similarly to her recent Rhythm gown.  She wanted to look feminine, grown-up, and beautiful, and she wanted a pink gown.  But... WHICH pink?  Not anything pastel, which would not be sufficiently sophisticated and "grown-up."  Not too hot a pink and not too neon. Subtle, but bright pink, to keep her small body visible.  We looked a a multitude of pinks, and finally decided on one called "Electric Pink."  The coolness in the pink calmed the look.  It was bright and super visible, but still had the potential for elegance. 

Then we chose details that helped support elegant and feminine.  Satin.  Flower imagery. And LOTS of sparkle.
One of my favorite things about working with rhinestones is the fact that something simple can become something amazing.  Take for example, this pretty embroidered floral applique motif.  It's a nice shape and has an interesting edge.  The use of the light and dark implies that the petals are open wide, and the edges are curling back away from our eye and the light.  But the color is pretty subdued, and a little muddy for our vibrantly electric pink.

BUT, if we add the right rhinestones, the applique transforms to become the perfect accessory and accent point for this gown.

Improved intensity, support for the shading already in place, and now, the perfect color! Plus it has a elegance and subtlety it did not have before, support our design goals needed.  We used the flowers in three places, on her front left hip, right shoulder and at her right hip in the back.

Zhuojing did her own rhinestone application to keep her gown cost reasonable, as many of my clients do, and she did a great job of it!  In addition to bringing the flowers to life, she encrusted the bodice of her gown with Light Siam AB stones in three sizes. 

 

I am really pleased with the back of this gown.

And these are our suits on Jay, by the way.  Congratulations on a beautiful new gown, Zhuojing!