The Charmeuse Alberta Ferretti Dress

© Francesca Belluomini / MFb

Claudia S. Is an artist at heart and a fashion stylist by trade. Originally from Colombia, she studied fashion in her home country as well as in Miami. The perfect depiction of a chic bohemian, Claudia she paints, draws, and designs clothing. Before getting settled, married and having two adorable, whimsical girls, her life revolved around her studio. Working, designing, reading and entertaining - it was party central. Mostly, she wore here ready-to-wear clothes. She bought the Ferretti gown for a red carpet event, she was, as she explains it, "forced" to attend. And now, of course, doesn't know what to do with it.

It is a halter gown with spaghetti straps in the back and with pleats at the bustline that almost make it an empire waist in the front. Being cut on the bias, it almost has a light fish tail that makes it perfect to show off some sexy toes. Like most evenings gowns, this one has been spending most of its time in the back of her closet. Claudia would like repurpose it into something that would fit her lifestyle: styling jobs, long boutique hours, going to the park with the girls, or heading out to Bardot at night with her friends. We had fun creating "excuses" for her to wear it while looking through her closet to see what she could wear it with. 

© Francesca Belluomini / MFbOn Point for a Styling Assignment

Funky jewelry like a long wooden beaded necklace with semiprecious stones and a pointy agate arrow (a sort of a protection mala from Silvana Danies), can help tone down the black tie attitude of the dress. Combine with a cotton gauze pareo (the one pictured is from Street Couture) wrapped around the lower part of the dress to dress it down even further. A hand-woven hobo bag by the Colombian Wayuu tribe carried as a slouchy clutch and some Havaianas finish off this outfit that screams effortlessly dressed and eclectically styled.

Taking the Girls Back to School

Claudia will look like the hippest Mom on the block when she pairs her Ferretti dress with her a classic McHintosh jacket, or even a simple khaki trench coat. Charcoal colored Havaianas and a silk vintage Emilio Pucci scarf will set off the outfit and create a vivid focal point for first-day-of-school pictures. No bag needed – the two backpacks will be a handful anyway.

Save it for a Special Occassion

If she doesn't want to get it wet from the rain, Claudia could always settle for using the dress as it was intended – saving it for a special occasion (instead of buying something new, which we all know, is where we gravitate when we have somewhere fun to go). Pair with sparkling silver high heels and a dark gray lizard clutch from Adriana Castro, and she'll be the queen of the ball. After all, the dress is gorgeous, in mint conditions and timeless above all.  

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