top of page
OTHER LIVES LOGO VECTOR SM.png
Site Menu button.png
Search

It started, as most of these things do, with a closet cleanout. My infrequently sorted accessories tray was overflowing with mismatched gloves, hand-me-down caps, impossibly tiny sequinned pouches for carrying one lipstick and a credit card, and a stack of silk scarves. These, I thought, could be transformed! I went through a period of wearing headscarves to cover my peach-fuzzed scalp, but once my hair grew back, I forgot about the lushly printed squares of silk. 


Inspired by a vintage Vogue Givenchy pattern (which I had already used once, and loved the shape of), I drew out my favorites and pieced them together to create squares large enough for the generously swirling bias-cut dress. 


I love the end result; each scarf holds memories of the person I received it from, or the last time I wore it, or who I was with. The beauty of clothing is its ability to hold the past and present in perfect suspension. 


Here’s a great visual post on the series of patterns Vogue created using Alexander McQueen’s designs at Givenchy, including this dress. 


I’ll wear it partially tucked into trousers, or over tights with a cropped fuzzy cardigan. 



THE WORK IN PROGRESS


Scroll down for more inspiration - the possibilities are truly endless. I’m eyeing the delicate ruching of the Comme des Garçons dress next. If you are inspired to create something of your own, please send us a note! We would love to see what you create.


COMMES DES GARCONS
COMMES DES GARCONS
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD FW 2016
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD FW 2016
SARAH JESSICA PARKER IN JEAN PAUL GAULTIER ON SATC
SARAH JESSICA PARKER IN JEAN PAUL GAULTIER ON SATC
MARINE SERRE
MARINE SERRE
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SS 2002
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SS 2002
RICHARD QUINN FW 2018
RICHARD QUINN FW 2018
MAISON MARGIELA 2014
MAISON MARGIELA 2014
CYNTHIA ROWLEY 2000
CYNTHIA ROWLEY 2000
BETTINA BAKDAL
BETTINA BAKDAL
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SS 2002
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SS 2002
CELINE
CELINE
UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN

 
 

Updated: Feb 10, 2025

Rosettes have long been a sartorial flourish, an emblem of romance and power stitched into the fabric of fashion history. From the elaborate, beribboned court dress of the 18th century—where silk roses adorned the gowns of Versailles—to Elsa Schiaparelli’s surrealist takes in the 1930s, the motif has been endlessly reinterpreted. Today, designers from Marc Jacobs to Comme des Garçons, Christian Dior to Prada, are once again embracing the sculptural bloom, crafting rosettes in satin, organza, and silk faille that unfurl across runways with dramatic effect.


The beauty of the rosette lies in its versatility. Whether fashioned from a swath of chiffon, a crisp shirting scrap, or a length of grosgrain ribbon, it can be as delicate or defiant as you choose—an adornment that transforms the everyday into something extraordinary. Scroll for a trove of inspiration, and consider where you might pin, drape, or stitch your own.


ANN DEMEULEMEESTER SS2018
ANN DEMEULEMEESTER SS2018
Simone Rochas SS2024
Simone Rochas SS2024
Prada SS2023
Prada SS2023
Magda Butrym
Magda Butrym
Richard Quinn
Richard Quinn
Chloe SS2024
Chloe SS2024
Paloma Wool
Paloma Wool
Yuhan Wang FW2023
Yuhan Wang FW2023
Valentino SS2024
Valentino SS2024
Marc Jacobs SS2019
Marc Jacobs SS2019
Victoria Beckham SS2020
Victoria Beckham SS2020
Gucci
Gucci
Valentino
Valentino

Join us for an upcoming Rosette and Bow workshop at Circular Library on March 15th and 16th, 2025. Details to come!


 
 

Updated: Jan 14, 2025


Sandy Liang


Bows are such a classic way to express femininity and romance in design. We love them on everything. This trend is inspired by hyper femme brands like Simone Rocha, Cecilie Bahnsen and Sandy Liang. Whether it be entirely decorative or a functional design detail, we find them to be such a playful, romantic and very re-creatable. Here are some of our favorite pieces for bow design inspiration:

Prada


Cecilie Bahnsen


Jacquemus


Simone Rocha


Sandy Liang


Dior


Simone Rocha


Sandy Liang


Sandy Liang



A bow worskhop is in the works as we speak. We are teaching you to create bow embellishments from things you already have, teaching you how to make them from scratch and how to use them to recreate old pieces in your wardrobe and fix functional or fit issues with them! Haven't sewn a day in your life? We'll teach you hand sewing basics... we got you!



















 
 

All rights reserved Other Lives Studio LLC © 2025

bottom of page