Upgrade a Dress

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Issue 46

The Food Issue

Make a meal to die for
Make wine crate cabinets
Learn to screen print

Upgrade a Dress

Since Kyung Lee opened her boutique Albertine in 2003, the designer has been keeping New York City women in feminine, fresh classics while introducing them to fashion’s emerging talents. At her sewing machine, Lee is capable of spinning straw into gold or, more likely, turning a floor-length gold-sequined dress into something you would actually wear.

by Ariel Ramchandani

Photos by Laura Moss

We tasked designer Kyung Lee with converting a vintage sailor dress into something more sophisticated. Apply similar techniques to any dress in your closet that needs some love, and watch your castoffs come alive.

Before: A ¾-sleeved foppish number with nautical stripes, red bow, and detachable collar (hello, Sailor, or your 6-year-old self).

After: The “after” dress is a verifiably more versatile approach to early spring fashion. To complete the transformation, Lee (above, seated) pulled out things you probably have—a simple black blazer (cuffs pushed up and rolled), strappy black heels, a thin belt, and a chunky necklace.

Remove the bib collar, or any ornamentation, if necessary. Put the dress on.
Pin straight around the bustline and under the sleeves, to mark where you want the top of the dress. Factor in a 1-inch seam allowance.
Remove garment. Cut in a straight line along your pins. Sew the seam closed.
Put the dress back on. Find the middle of the top of the back of the dress. Gather in the excess fabric from either side and pin a 4-inch piece of elastic to the center (2 inches on either side of the center). Remove dress and sew.
Check to make sure the dress is snug on the body. Add tiny pleats in front if not.
Tie coordinating ribbon around bustline; bow in back.