Meet Jill
I bring the tradition of custom dressmaking to modern women: my client is my muse.
Photo by Jackie Borowski
When I was four, my Great Aunt Eula sat me on a stool in front of her old treadle sewing machine.
Eula Zoe Gideon and her sister Jewell were masterful seamstresses, making dresses that were famous in Arkansas. My favorite was a dress of pale green organdy, hand-smocked, made for my mom as a child. Its tiny net-and-lace petticoat and deep hem were so ladylike and delicate. I got to wear it to see Paper Moon at the Little Rock movie theater.
I thought I might grow up to be a seamstress like them. My granny, Jewell Gideon, gave me the Singer Featherweight I would later use to make my first wedding gowns. I was on my way, making doll dresses and dreaming up larger projects. But then a tragic high school attempt at a red-striped romper gave me doubts.
Somehow, despite the romper incident, I found myself moving to New York City to attend FIT. I was restoring a vintage Balenciaga, piecing together yards of black silk tulle, when I decided to work with the world’s most luxurious fabrics.. I dedicated myself to designing gowns.
After graduating from FIT, I found my way to London. I made my first wedding dresses and traveled to Paris every chance I got.
Upon returning to the states, I began building costumes for Broadway, film, TV, and regional theater. I spent fifteen years perfecting my skills and exploring the history of fashion while maintaining a custom business.
As the custom work progressed, so did my love of brides. I found the perfect castle for an atelier—filled with natural light, my collection of vintage chandeliers, and a growing number of dresses.
So I make clothing, like Eula and Jewell did, like they taught me to. I want every woman to feel as special as I did in that green organdy dress. Delicate, feminine, and truly one-of-a-kind, the dress is a family heirloom, now passed down to my daughter Jewell.
This is my story, my passion, my heirloom. Now let’s create yours.
Love,
Jill
Photo by Molly Sydnor