A on-line friend from burdastyle.com, PrutsPrinses, saw my post and let me know his name is Hussein Chalayan. http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/chalayan.html you can see his coffee table dress here from his collection in 2000.

I can remember the designers name, there's a coffee table book on his work. I the late 90's he made a coffee table dress similar to the last one in the article, I'm wondering if he's her inspiration? He was also know for his chair slipcovers that turned into dresses. I personally have made a jacket out of bottle caps http://www.flickr.com/photos/8675738@N04/755245352/in/set-72157616634494998/ and want to make a dress eventually.