Custom Octopus Gown for a Charity Gala

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Hi friends,

When I first met Amber, she told me her greatest fear was to show up to an event where someone else was wearing the same thing as her: "I love to not look ordinary." Since she regularly attends charity galas with "dress to impress" on the invite, this is no small thing!

One of her most important events of the year is the Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island's annual gala, which she attends to honor her mom. So last year, we got together to create something truly unique for her to wear there.

Two women in elegant dresses pose and smile against a black backdrop. One wears a floral headpiece. The other wears an octopus gown. Text reads "Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island." — *Rocking the photo booth with a friend at the gala*

It all started with a raid on her closet...

For someone who goes to multiple black tie events a year, it comes as no surprise that Amber's wardrobe was already full of elegant outfits. This was a prime opportunity to achieve that amazing feeling of getting something brand-new and totally unique, yet promoting sustainable fashion choices at the same time: we chose a gown from her closet to transform!

Two people posing in a mirror selfie; one in a suit with a purple tie, the other in a black dress. Bathroom setting, smiling, and relaxed. — *Amber had previously worn this plain black off-the-rack piece to other events. It was time for it to get a custom refresh!*

The First Consult: What should it become?

Amber and I met in my studio to chat about ideas for her design. Inspired by a custom glass-blown necklace of hers, and some previous dress designs I'd made that were hanging in the studio, she loved the idea of painting the gown with an Octopus in her favorite colors: purple and lime green. It would match her tattoos, her hair, and the brand colors of her small pet sitting business, Pet Care by Amber!

Based on our conversation, I got to work putting together Amber's design package so she could choose a look that she loved.

Dress sketches with colorful paint pots above. A pencil and eraser lie nearby. Each dress features a different Octopus design. — *A design package includes a few options for features like layout, style, and colors. Elements can be mixed and matched between options, or new ideas can be requested. Everything is customizable!*

Smiling person on stairs wearing a dress inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night. The setting is a dimly lit interior with carpeted steps.

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Cue the makeover scene (but with a dress, not a person)

Design finalized, the real fun could begin! The painting took me about three months to complete. For me, the best part of every project is giving the client photo updates and hearing their thoughts throughout the process. Because this one happened during the summer of last year, the second best part was getting to have the Olympics on in the background as I worked.

Person paints a purple and green octopus dress indoors. Surfing video on monitor, laptop, keyboard, and colorful notebook on desk nearby. — *How appropriate that I was creating an ocean-themed piece and my favorite sport to watch is surfing.*

A gown getting painted is kind of like a classic "makeover" transformation scene in movies, only way more satisfying because I don't really think people need makeovers. Plain black dresses, on the other hand...

Purple and green Octopus painting on black fabric, with paintbrush and palette knife and dried sea sponge on a wooden table, sunlight casting shadows. — *In addition to paintbrushes, I used sea sponges and a palette knife to achieve the textures of an Octopus.*

The Octopus Gown Reveal

The piece featured a swimming iridescent Octopus wrapped around the entire gown, plus a sparkly ombre effect on top created with tiny dots of shimmering paint.

Finally, Amber knew for a fact that no one else in the world would be able to walk into a room with the same dress on. Even better, this was something to wear that was 1000% her and celebrated her uniqueness. Something special for all the many important causes she shows up for. For Amber, it's more meaningful when she shows up feeling like her best self!

Amber's review?

"Kendra made me the most amazing dress ever! I wore it to a charity event and had non stop compliments! Even more than the compliments I felt so special knowing I had a unique custom piece that I could feel completely myself in! All I knew going in to the process was that I wanted an octopus with green and purple and she knocked it out of the park! She was very collaborative during the whole process, gave me multiple versions to choose from, and her attention to detail is spot on. I screamed when I opened the bag and saw how stunning it was! The best part is that this is totally washable and I can (and will!) wear it again and again! I can't help but smile every time I see it in my closet and I'm gonna be wearing it to as many events as possible!"