LED Fairy Gown

This gown uses LED technology to illuminate the dress and convey an angelic effect over the blue silk.

In my brainstorming process I realized I wanted the dress to light up, taking inspiration from the photo above or rather the cartoon character I kept thinking of: the blue fairy from pinocchio, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to match the color scheme of the light blue silk as well as creating an almost angelic look.

For this project I upcycled one of my grandmaś favorite old nightgowns. I wanted to reuse the beautiful blue silk while adding a technology factor. I used white tulle that used to make wedding veils as well as some crystal chandelier fringe. I set my dress form to my body measurements so that I could pin the design rather than trying it on repeatedly.

Using a seam ripper or scissors, cut the sleeves off and neckline. Remember: this cut will leave you with a base so only cut what is necessary.

Now the I have a base of fabric, I pinned and took the waist in and pinned the new neckline into heart shape. These pins reveal how the dress would look if more fabric was taken in.

I cut the excess fabric around the waist and hemed the top neckline and back pannels.

Next, I pinned the draping fringe to the neckline and arranged the lights around the neckline with pins. I also did this with a larger strand of lights around the bottom hem line of the gown. The transparent tulle I pinned around the entire dress to create a lighter, floating look.

Then, a machine can be used to sew the fringe in place along the neckline hem.

Using a needle and string thread, I hand sewed the lights in. I did this by sewing particular points repeatedly to hold up the wire. Note: A machine should not be used for this, it could break the LED wire or the machines needle. For the holders I hand sewed a a box around the switch to hold it in place.

Similar to sewing the wire in, I hand sewed the tool in by picking points around the waist and neckline to hold the tulle in place.

For the straps, I cut strands of pearl beads and hand sewed them into place. To keep make sure they hold, I would sew about 10-20 loops through the fabric and beads.

Using white glistening, buttons as a back apparatus, I cut a slit for the button on the left panel and hand sewed the buttons on the right panel.

The finished gown looked amazing in the light but even more surreal in the dark. I paired it with jewelry and an underskirt for more volume. Wings can be easily made from wire and tulle for a better fairy look.