The Reimagined LBD

This dress began as a moment of panic — and became a moment of power.

I originally bought the base dress to wear to a wedding. It arrived, and… it didn’t fit. At all.
Two days before the event, instead of sending it back or settling for something else, I did what I always preach:
I upcycled it into something that fit my body, my art, and my story.

I added silk side panels printed with Tremain Smith’s Rainbow Infinity painting to expand the dress to my measurements. Then I added chiffon godets—also printed with the same artwork—to create movement, drama, and the kind of presence you need when you’re showing up for yourself.

What started as a dress that didn’t honor my shape became a garment that celebrated it.
And now, I’m offering that same transformation to you.

This piece isn’t just a Little Black Dress.
It’s a reminder that you don’t have to shrink to fit clothing — clothing can expand to fit you.

A moment of distress turned into a dress of becoming.

Transparency matters — here’s exactly how the $600 price is built:

Base Dress:
The original Lavish Ivy dress is purchased new for upcycling.

Materials:
Custom-printed silk + chiffon panels featuring Tremain Smith’s Rainbow Infinity artwork.

Labor:
Reconstructing the dress takes 3.5 hours of couture-level work, including:
Deconstruction
Precision cutting
Inserting silk expansion panels
Creating & adding chiffon godets
Reshaping, pressing, and finishing
Labor is priced at $45/hr → $157.50

Overhead:
Studio utilities, tools, equipment upkeep, admin time, packaging, and workspace costs — calculated at our standard 48% overhead rate, which ensures we can sustain ethical production in West Philly.

Total Combined Cost = $600 retail
Your price reflects the true value of slow fashion: ethical wages, intentional materials, and expert reconstruction — not disposable, fast-fashion shortcuts.

This dress isn’t “marked up.”
It’s made right.

Every dress sustains: Fair-wage handmade work A zero-waste, upcycling-centered studio Community programs like Mend It Yourself and Emotions in Color Art and healing through clothing A future where fashion honors your body instead of demanding it conform

Each dress begins with the same Lavish Ivy Janai Maxi Dress base and is upcycled to order.

We:

Deconstruct the original seams
Insert custom silk side panels printed with Rainbow Infinity
Add chiffon godet panels in the front and back
Reshape the silhouette for movement and comfort
Because every dress starts with an existing garment and is rebuilt by hand, each one is unique and slightly different — just like the women who wear them.

Production Timeline: 3–5 weeks
(Transformation takes time. And she’s worth it.)

Here at Sarah Tremain, I try to make sure our clothing is size inclusive because everyone deserves to have clothing that fits them properly and comfortably.

How to take your measurements

Images by Moda Labs