I designed and constructed this dress for Laie May Day Queen Jordyn T. It was inspired by the dress worn by the actress playing Princess Ka’iulani, from the Disney movie of the same name (2009), costumed by Kathryn Morrison. Changes were made in fabric choice and skirt design to accomodate and emphasize Queen Jordyn’s hula.

I chose to make the dress with off-white taffeta and a gold lame contrast. Other fabrics in this dress are polyester lining, interfacing, netting, and lace. The bodice lining is boned. There is an invisible zipper at center back. The skirt has a built in netted petticoat and the hem is finished with horsehair braid. The large rosette at the front neck, and three small rosettes at the center back waist are hand wrapped and finished with diamond look beads at their center.

Jordyn gave me the above pictures (4 & 5) as inspiration. I hand drafted the pattern to Jordyn’s measurements. We had 3 fittings, the first being a muslin fitting of the bodice and off-shoulder sleeve detail. Total time spent on the project was 52 hours. Cost of materials was $150.

Launch Gallery