Mallory Dunn is on a big mission! On the heels of launching a plus size pattern making course and conducting an in-depth size research project, SmartGlamour founder Mallory Dunn is also working on a special project to accompany this Friday’s event.
Smart Glamor’s new haute couture collection will be making waves in New York on November 1, 2024, when designer Mallory Dunn presents a capsule collection of evening dresses in size 10. This event not only marks SmartGlamour’s exciting step into haute couture, but also brings excitement to inclusive fashion.
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From thoughtful inspiration to intricate craftsmanship, Mallory’s vision is a big call to make everyone, no matter their size, able to participate in the art and luxury of high-end fashion.
Mallory Dunn’s vision for this collection centers around who is “allowed” into the space of “gallery-worthy” dress. Her commitment to reinventing the world of fashion and her attention to detail set the tone for an intimate yet powerful experience. “I hope this presentation and work sheds light on who can and cannot participate in conversations about gallery-worthy fine clothing and fashion,” Dunn says. And she put her heart and soul into creating a collection that is as special as the statement itself, slowly designing each piece over the course of a year to ensure that every detail is dazzling and commands attention.
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Behind the scenes of the SmartGlamour Couture collection
Mallory’s use of flowers as a primary inspiration provides a softness and romanticism that contrasts beautifully with the collection’s underlying bold statements of inclusion and rebellion. She weaves her love of flowers, an inspiration she truly enjoys, into garments that are as empowering as they are poetic.
Through oversized peonies, delicate embroidery, and luxurious silks, Mallory encourages wearers to embrace their style and strength while celebrating their individuality.
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One of Mallory’s favorite pieces from the collection is the Expanse, a red ball gown that celebrates unapologetic presence. Adorned with giant, faithful peonies, this dress is breathtaking.
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With over 50 individually handcrafted petals and a generous oversized sash, Expanse is more than just a dress. A statement that occupies space and questions the narrow beauty standards that have long defined haute couture. A hidden embroidered message awaits the wearer inside the bodice, creating a personal connection between the garment and the wearer.
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Then there’s the exquisite navy silk charmeuse dress, “The Sisters,” an homage to Mallory’s own family, featuring unique custom embroidery celebrating her and her sisters’ birth flowers: lily of the valley, cosmos, and sweet pea . The addition of gladioli, which represents strength of character, brings strength and feminine elegance to the overall design.
The process of embroidery is an art form in itself. Mallory’s hand-painted florals were transferred to the meltable fabric and “drawn” by machine with lurex embroidery thread before the lining was melted away, leaving only the florals. result? Delicate, organic embroidery adds movement and sentimentality to the dress, celebrating the designer’s roots and her path in fashion.
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In the age of hyper-fast fashion and digital filters, Dan chose “classic fashion photography from the 1940s and 50s” as the inspiration for the photographs in this collection. We reimagine them in an inclusive and modern model,” Dan tells us.
A major contribution to realizing this vision is thanks to the partnership between SmartGlamour and PeerSpace through the “Space for Change” initiative. Winning this opportunity will allow Mallory to secure a unique venue in New York for both the photoshoot and upcoming show, a space that perfectly complements the elegance and thoughtful artistry of her collection. It’s done. These locations provide the perfect backdrop for wearable artworks that go beyond mere couture and challenge the exclusive norms of the fashion industry.
Are you in New York and want to attend the SmartGlamour: Couture for Everybody event?
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Event details are as follows:
Date: November 1, 2024
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: 545 8th Avenue Suite 1410 New York, NY 10018
Price: Free
Learn more and get tickets to this free event at Eventbrite.com!
As it turns out, SmartGlamour’s first foray into haute couture is more than just a fashion show. It’s her love letter to inclusive fashion, a challenge to tradition, and a breathtaking example of what happens when haute couture is created with care, passion and purpose.
Join SmartGlamour on November 1, 2024 to witness fashion moments that promise to be as powerful as they are beautiful.
