Excellence in Design—Sashiko Bride

Abstract

A non-traditional wedding dress, Sashiko Bride was custom-designed and hand-made for a Japanese-American wedding. The design draws from Japanese culture through asymmetrical balance and the incorporation of nine traditional sashiko quilting patterns. The primary fabric, silk satin organza, is reminiscent of translucent Japanese paper. The design focuses on garment structure by integrating silhouette, structural seaming, unusual pattern shapes, and fit to form a unique asymmetrical design. Sashiko Bride was created through complex patternmaking and assembly of unusually shaped garment parts to form a well-fitted and -designed garment that enhances the physical features and cultural background of the bride.