Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Carolina Herrera Dress Knock-Off - Finished!

Remember the inspiration dress?
Well here is my knock off. All finished, yeah. I am surprised how much it looks like the inspiration dress.
It took lots of research, planning, samples, ripping out (oh yes) but overall it was enjoyable. I missed completing the dress by the contest deadline. No long holiday weekend for me. I work in IT for a company that regards holidays as an opportunity to work. My employer moved their data center from NY to NC this weekend. I helped and I have the cup to prove it.
Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for having a good job that finances my hobbies. No matter, I use the contest end date as a self-imposed deadline. Here are some closeups of the details.





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63 comments:

  1. KID, MDJune 1, 2011 at 10:03:00 PM EDT

    This is just gorgeous!! Fabulous knock-off of an amazing dress.

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  2. katherine hJune 1, 2011 at 10:06:00 PM EDT

    Just gorgeous! You look absolutely stunning. What a rewarding and interesting project.

    You don't need to win a contest, you have already ended up with THE DRESS!!!

    Thank-you for showing us your process and also for sharing the detailed photographs of the neckline. As always, your blog is a pleasure to read.

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  3. AnonymousJune 1, 2011 at 10:12:00 PM EDT

    What a perfect reproduction! I love it and I'm so impressed with how you methodically brought it to fruition. Sorry you missed the deadline to enter this into the contest but you did end up with an amazing dress!

    Carolyn
    Diary of a Sewing Fanatic

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  4. kbencoJune 1, 2011 at 10:25:00 PM EDT

    Your dress is wonderful, and you look stunning in it.

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  5. UnknownJune 1, 2011 at 10:33:00 PM EDT

    Loving it!!!

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  6. RebeccaJune 1, 2011 at 10:39:00 PM EDT

    The dress looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the construction methods!

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  7. ShannonJune 1, 2011 at 10:53:00 PM EDT

    This looks fabulous! I am so impressed- what a cool project with awesome results! You are going to have so much fun wearing that gorgeous dress!

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  8. AnonymousJune 1, 2011 at 10:53:00 PM EDT

    Audry, i am absolutely drooling over your knock off. Not only is it drop dead gorgeous but it looks fantastic on you

    Tina in northern va

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  9. CrystalJune 1, 2011 at 11:11:00 PM EDT

    That is SO beautiful! Such a perfect knock-off. I love the exposed edge ruching detail around the neck.

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  10. Beth (SunnyGal Studio)June 1, 2011 at 11:11:00 PM EDT

    You look fantastic and so does your dress. Impressive and you will have many compliments wearing it.

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  11. DillianderJune 1, 2011 at 11:33:00 PM EDT

    Gosh, that's amazing! It looks fabulous on too, so an all-round winner. You have my vote (even though you are not in the contest).

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  12. centrallyisolatedJune 1, 2011 at 11:50:00 PM EDT

    Your version is simply amazing, very inspirational! Thanks for taking the time to show us how you reverse engineered the dress. I'm definitely going to bookmark this page for my inspiration folder for when I feel like a more challenging project.

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  13. VickiJune 2, 2011 at 12:01:00 AM EDT

    So gorgeous and so like the original. Wonderful addition to the wardrobe. Shame about not quite meeting the deadline ;(

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  14. LakshmiRPJune 2, 2011 at 12:30:00 AM EDT

    Wow! It looks amazing and so close to inspiration, really knock off. Job well done!

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  15. AllisonCJune 2, 2011 at 12:57:00 AM EDT

    Wow fantastic job, it looks so much like the inspiration. I'm sure the very generous souvenir cup made up for working the weekend!!

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  16. Valerie S.June 2, 2011 at 1:04:00 AM EDT

    Lovely! Great job!

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  17. Peggy's ClosetJune 2, 2011 at 1:30:00 AM EDT

    What an absolutely stunning dress! It looks so much like the inspiration dress! ~ Peggy http://peggyscloset.blogspot.com/

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  18. Summer FliesJune 2, 2011 at 3:14:00 AM EDT

    WOW!!! I love it! It is beautiful... a fabulous job done. It looks fantastic on too, as my 7 yo would say "are you proud of yourself?"

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  19. GabrielleJune 2, 2011 at 3:31:00 AM EDT

    Well done, that's such a special dress, and you've really got it looking like the original. The bonus is it looks great on you too!

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  20. KarinJune 2, 2011 at 4:38:00 AM EDT

    What a shame you missed the contest deadline! Surely you would have won. You really nailed it, and it is such a beautiful dress too.

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  21. Ana StepalicaJune 2, 2011 at 4:53:00 AM EDT

    It looks amazing, and suits you like a second skin! Job well done!
    I've had my eyes on this dress for quite a long time, and I might knock it off too, you've just inspired me!

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  22. MyselfJune 2, 2011 at 5:05:00 AM EDT

    From Portugal.....ADOREI!!!!

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  23. RobynJune 2, 2011 at 5:14:00 AM EDT

    What an amazing job - you always look gorgeous, but you look stunning in this dress.

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  24. ElarayJune 2, 2011 at 5:48:00 AM EDT

    Excellent knock off! The dress looks good on you.

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  25. SuzanneJune 2, 2011 at 6:45:00 AM EDT

    I cant tell the difference~

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  26. JoanneMJune 2, 2011 at 7:39:00 AM EDT

    GASP!!!!!!
    It is stunning.
    You look wonderful.
    Well done!

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  27. Maria (viola33)June 2, 2011 at 8:08:00 AM EDT

    Fantastic job done, the dress is absolutely gorgeous!!!

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  28. LisaJune 2, 2011 at 8:27:00 AM EDT

    You look great! Nice job on the knock off!

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  29. MaryJune 2, 2011 at 9:17:00 AM EDT

    What a great project! Also great was the way you thought it through.

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  30. Jane MJune 2, 2011 at 9:41:00 AM EDT

    Wowser, this is definitely a winner. You look fantastic and this dress is astonishing. Bravo, bravo, bravo. It's been so much fun to read your whole journey with this project. So thanks for blogging it so carefully. You may have finished sooner without entertaining and inspiring so many of us out here. You've got my vote for dress and thoughtfulness.

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  31. LisaJune 2, 2011 at 10:45:00 AM EDT

    What a gorgeous dress , a sure winner .

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  32. SewingadictaJune 2, 2011 at 11:21:00 AM EDT

    That dress is really awesome! You are a teacher and I greatly enjoy all your process to get the final product. Congratulations!

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  33. JoyJune 2, 2011 at 11:37:00 AM EDT

    This is a beautiful dress! The details are great!

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  34. gwensewsJune 2, 2011 at 11:38:00 AM EDT

    Wow--that is a terrific knock-off! Nice job.

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  35. Bonnie O.June 2, 2011 at 11:41:00 AM EDT

    WOW WOW WOW! You look amazing in this dress. I love how you nailed the knock-off.

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  36. Claire (aka Seemane)June 2, 2011 at 11:43:00 AM EDT

    Wow! Your dress is amazing :)

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  37. ReethiJune 2, 2011 at 2:36:00 PM EDT

    You missed the deadline? That sucks! I think your dress is amazing, and I really appreciate the detail you've put into the posts that describe the process.

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  38. RachelJune 2, 2011 at 3:05:00 PM EDT

    That is STUNNING!!! It looks fabulous on you.

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  39. RemnantJune 2, 2011 at 6:24:00 PM EDT

    From knock-off to knock-out!

    Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You are truly an inspiration and I appreciate that you take the time to share your methods with us.

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  40. GailJune 2, 2011 at 6:59:00 PM EDT

    Now that is absolutely beautiful. I love the neckline treatment, but confess I don't think I could wear such a low rise! Would you believe your word verification is goodish, it should be PERFECT!

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  41. SewBarbieJune 3, 2011 at 2:14:00 AM EDT

    Wow! You did a fabulous job, a real work of art!

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  42. JacquieJune 3, 2011 at 6:19:00 AM EDT

    Wow! Just stunning. It is a beautiful style, looks fabulous on you and what inspiring workmanship.

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  43. lsaspaceyJune 3, 2011 at 9:21:00 AM EDT

    WOW! If you HAD entered you would surely have won. Just incredible! Great job!

    Weird: my word verification is sadsim, which looks like something totally different at first glance!

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  44. IreneJune 3, 2011 at 9:44:00 AM EDT

    This is truly an amazing dress.

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  45. AndreaJune 3, 2011 at 3:04:00 PM EDT

    Your dress is absolutely stunning. You did Ms. Herrera proud. That knock off is beautiful!!!. Thank you so much for showing your progress picks and resources. You inspired me.

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  46. Virginia's DaughterJune 3, 2011 at 3:53:00 PM EDT

    Oh my....this is BEAUTIFUL. I myself like Carolina Herrera's designs. You nailed it! Nice work!

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  47. AnonymousJune 4, 2011 at 7:48:00 AM EDT

    What an amazing dress. You did a stellar job and look great in it. Thank you for the wonderful inspiration. Too bad you missed the contest deadline b/c you would have won.

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  48. Kitty CoutureJune 4, 2011 at 1:28:00 PM EDT

    Congratulations! This is so impressive. Gorgeous dress.

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  49. Speedy; sunshineJune 4, 2011 at 2:42:00 PM EDT

    my goodness; that dress is fabulous and looks fabulous on you. PERFECT in all respects.

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  50. CaCOYOTE, Las VegasJune 4, 2011 at 7:46:00 PM EDT

    JUst beautiful! What more is there to say?

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  51. Lisette MJune 5, 2011 at 6:46:00 PM EDT

    Absolutely gorgeous!

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  52. SEWNJune 5, 2011 at 9:19:00 PM EDT

    Just one of the many saying what a gorgeous knockoff. Well done!

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  53. AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 8:08:00 AM EDT

    HI There
    I have been reading your blog for a while now. I'm not much of a poster but I had to. This dress is beautiful. It looks just like your inspiration. Bravo to you.

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  54. glaylaJune 7, 2011 at 2:56:00 PM EDT

    such an amazing job! love the inspiration piece and your garment looks just the same, and is so beautiful.

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  55. The Slapdash SewistJune 7, 2011 at 4:51:00 PM EDT

    LOVE. Your ruched chiffon details are so fabulous. I may have to copy that someday!

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  56. LynnebJune 8, 2011 at 1:48:00 PM EDT

    What an amazing dress! It looks fabulous,and you look fabulous in it. Well Done!!!!

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  57. Sharon SewsJune 8, 2011 at 10:10:00 PM EDT

    Wow! I LOVE this dress - you always do such beautiful work and this is no exception.

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  58. liza janeJune 10, 2011 at 10:01:00 AM EDT

    Oh, it's too bad you didn't finish in time! This is absolutely gorgeous. I love the neckline. It's a very contemporary dress but also classic at the same time.

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  59. Summer FliesJune 11, 2011 at 9:13:00 AM EDT

    Audrey I am thrilled you like my sewing from many years ago. I am going to put up my fabric purchases in the next few days so you can have a look ... truly amazing ... lucky I found them many years ago as I wouldn't be able to afford beautiful fabric like that.
    Sofie

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  60. JeanJune 11, 2011 at 9:18:00 AM EDT

    Wow! It is an absolutely flattering dress! All of the details are gorgeous, especially the shape of the neckline and all of the details there. Just beautiful!

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  61. AnonymousJune 13, 2011 at 2:06:00 PM EDT

    Wow. I am totally in awe of your sewing skills to pull this off. Very very impressive.

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  62. DianaJune 13, 2011 at 7:21:00 PM EDT

    Your dress is amazing! Congrats on achieving such a great copy!You look wonderful in it too.

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  63. CennettaJune 17, 2011 at 9:58:00 AM EDT

    Oh my! You look sensational! The dress is a beauty for sure and you wear it well.

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