MoD Birthday
When starting Manner of Design, it was small; only 3 guys shirts and 3 women shirts. Of course, it then became what people requested; which led to people wanting the tangible in a more immediate manner when I started to do some local shows. One of the growing collections was Wee Lads & Lassies. At one of the local shows, a friend came that had a little one that was just under a year old. Ronice bought an outfit for MJ's first birthday outfit; a tutu and coordinating headband. Ronice took the year 1 pics and were too cute! Year 2, she came back and bought a whole outfit was perfect for a little one born around July 4th. Year 3, we took a different route; custom created specifically for MJ. She started to have an opinion and wanted to have input on what her birthday outfit looked like. She loved red & purple that year.
Year 4, she loved pink. I would take pics of the fabric options and send to Ronice for MJ to tell me what she liked. When we narrowed down the fabric, I would then come up with designs that I felt like the fabric could work well with. I started to create pieces that could all be worn with other things and reversible. So the top could be worn the way it is in the pic, or with jean and flipped "inside out" to change it up.
Year 5 was a special project in that there was a family member that had passed, and I found this special butterfly fabric that MJ picked because butterflies are the sign of the family member coming to visit after her passing. Again, separate pieces, a fun combo of fabrics and reversible parts to all allow for MJ to get creative with her fashion and show her own personality. Year 5 also had a coordinating little sister outfit as there was a new family member (we will call her A).
Year 6, I sent a smattering of fabric options, but it was back to pink. I made a reversible skirt for both MJ and A, along with a reversible outerwear vest in a fun print that really surprised me that MJ picked when we sent the fabric options.
Year 7, Ronice and I started to brainstorm with MJ early that year. A wrap around skirt that was reversible and a coordinating top for both girls was created in a more elegant but playful manner. I love how MJ even posed in this pic cause you can tell that she felt pretty.
Year 8, we went a fun and flirty look as MJ picked the fabric that she loved and I created designs that I felt like we could bring together most of the fabric options that she picked. The dresses are reversible allowing the girls to either match or coordinate depending on their mood.
This year, year 9, due to corona virus, all of us were a little behind in even thinking about our annual birthday outfit for MJ. MJ allowed for me to come up with the design and fabric options without knowing what I was going to do. I found these super cute denim vests and immediately knew where the design was going to go. I found coordinating fabric for the girls that reflected their current likes and personality. Added a snap waist to the vest and "skirt" so that the girls could reverse the "skirt" or even wear the vest without. Then came some paint to make the denim vest a MoD original for each girl. Also, added their names/initials just under the collar for that extra personal touch. Oh, and because it is 2020, I created reversible masks in the matching fabric of their "skirts" for both girls and momma.
Because the girls really didn't have input on the outfits this year, I was a little nervous on their reactions, but the girls loved them! I know that I shouldn't have been nervous about it because, by now, I should know or have a pretty good idea as to what they are going to like, but there is still a little pressure. I love the relationship that I have been able to create with this family. I love that there is this fun outlet that I get to use every year and each one is a different experience. My hope is that this doesn't end, but there will probably come a time that MJ might not want a MoD original design, and so, for now, I love being able to do this and that Ronice documents with annual photos.
The images below are just the sneak peeks of the outfits for this year. I can't wait to see the finished product in the perfect photos.
Year 4, she loved pink. I would take pics of the fabric options and send to Ronice for MJ to tell me what she liked. When we narrowed down the fabric, I would then come up with designs that I felt like the fabric could work well with. I started to create pieces that could all be worn with other things and reversible. So the top could be worn the way it is in the pic, or with jean and flipped "inside out" to change it up.
Year 5 was a special project in that there was a family member that had passed, and I found this special butterfly fabric that MJ picked because butterflies are the sign of the family member coming to visit after her passing. Again, separate pieces, a fun combo of fabrics and reversible parts to all allow for MJ to get creative with her fashion and show her own personality. Year 5 also had a coordinating little sister outfit as there was a new family member (we will call her A).
Year 6, I sent a smattering of fabric options, but it was back to pink. I made a reversible skirt for both MJ and A, along with a reversible outerwear vest in a fun print that really surprised me that MJ picked when we sent the fabric options.
Year 7, Ronice and I started to brainstorm with MJ early that year. A wrap around skirt that was reversible and a coordinating top for both girls was created in a more elegant but playful manner. I love how MJ even posed in this pic cause you can tell that she felt pretty.
Year 8, we went a fun and flirty look as MJ picked the fabric that she loved and I created designs that I felt like we could bring together most of the fabric options that she picked. The dresses are reversible allowing the girls to either match or coordinate depending on their mood.
This year, year 9, due to corona virus, all of us were a little behind in even thinking about our annual birthday outfit for MJ. MJ allowed for me to come up with the design and fabric options without knowing what I was going to do. I found these super cute denim vests and immediately knew where the design was going to go. I found coordinating fabric for the girls that reflected their current likes and personality. Added a snap waist to the vest and "skirt" so that the girls could reverse the "skirt" or even wear the vest without. Then came some paint to make the denim vest a MoD original for each girl. Also, added their names/initials just under the collar for that extra personal touch. Oh, and because it is 2020, I created reversible masks in the matching fabric of their "skirts" for both girls and momma.
Because the girls really didn't have input on the outfits this year, I was a little nervous on their reactions, but the girls loved them! I know that I shouldn't have been nervous about it because, by now, I should know or have a pretty good idea as to what they are going to like, but there is still a little pressure. I love the relationship that I have been able to create with this family. I love that there is this fun outlet that I get to use every year and each one is a different experience. My hope is that this doesn't end, but there will probably come a time that MJ might not want a MoD original design, and so, for now, I love being able to do this and that Ronice documents with annual photos.
The images below are just the sneak peeks of the outfits for this year. I can't wait to see the finished product in the perfect photos.