A woman in a sleeveless, fitted, pink and cream lace dress with intricate patterns, standing against a dark teal paneled wall, wearing high heels and jewelry, with short dark hair and makeup.

The Nita

The Nita is one of those pieces that came together from a mix of ideas, inspiration, and pure instinct. It was made for Fashion Redux 2025, an exhibit put on by the San Diego History Center and Mesa College. This year’s theme was Grand Occasions, and the whole idea was to create a modern look inspired by pieces from their historic collection; clothing worn to iconic, over-the-top events in San Diego’s past.

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Vintage wedding dress embroidered with floral and star details, displayed on a mannequin, with a photograph and informational plaque beside it.
Two women standing together, dressed in elegant dresses, posing outdoors under a covered walkway with columns and hanging lanterns.

The silhouette is simple on purpose: a clean, fitted column dress with princess seams that follow the body. Down the center is a beaded fabric that adds texture and weight. On the sides, I added crinoline-style panels made from Free People shopping bags (yes, the actual bags), ruffled for volume and movement.

There’s lace at the collar and hem to soften things up, and every fabric was chosen to play off the next. It’s bold, but balanced.

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The Nita is currently on display at the San Diego History Center as part of Fashion Redux 2025: Grand Occasions. The exhibit runs through Fall 2025 and is full of fashion history, reimagined through fresh perspectives.

https://sandiegohistory.org/exhibition/fashion-redux-2025/