webmaster, Author at Therez Fleetwood

Bespoke Bride Keepsake Dolls

Posted on August 5, 2016June 17, 2021 by webmaster

Wedding Keepsakes: Bespoke Dolls for the Bride

The oldest collection of dolls dates back to 2000BC. and were found in the Egyptian tombs of wealthy families. These dolls were constructed of flat pieces of wood, painted with various designs and with “hair” made of strings of clay or wooden beads. It is believed that they were cherished possessions.

Doll Collectors today, are still cherishing these collectibles and it is Therez Fleetwood who is creating custom couture fashion doll designs as heirloom gifts that collectors can enjoy. Brides can now capture the essence of their wedding gown attire with miniature doll keepsakes.

With just the aid of a photograph, these exquisite one of a kind dolls are designed to not only look like the bride in skin tone and hairstyle, but are dressed in a handcrafted replica of the pictured dress. All gowns are hand-crafted and made from natural fibers including silk, cotton, and wool. They are fully lined and adorned with a variety of gorgeous beads, trims, and Swarovski crystals.

These miniature gowns are created with the same amount of care, craftsmanship, and pride that go into each of Therez Fleetwood’s couture gowns. These designer dolls make perfect gifts and can be passed down from generation to generation.

Steps to creating your one-of-a-kind doll;

Step 1 – Email us a photograph of the bride in her wedding dress. (Or if you would like to present this to the bride as a wedding gift on her wedding day, then you will send us a photo of the bride, her dress and any other details that for her styling on her wedding day).

Step 2 – We then source for a doll with the same hair and skin color of the bride.

Step 3 – We buy the fabrics, trims, and beads that closest resemble the wedding gown and accessories the client is wearing.

Step 4 – Production begins. The paper pattern is made. The miniature dress is cut, assembled, and tailored. Hair is restyled. Jewelry, bouquet, and accessories are restyled.

Step 5 – Your replica doll is photographed and shipped to you.

*Delivery lead-time is 3-4 weeks.

*All custom dolls starting at $499

A GIFT TO THE BRIDE FROM HER HUSBAND FOR THEIR 25TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

A GIFT FROM THE BRIDE’S HUSBAND FOR THEIR 3RD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

A GIFT FROM THE BRIDE’S HUSBAND FOR THEIR 5TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

A GIFT FROM A WEDDING GUEST PRESENTED TO THE BRIDE ON HER WEDDING DAY.

A GIFT FROM BRIDE’S MOTHER FOR HER FIRST YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

A GIFT TO THE BRIDE FROM HER MOTHER ON HER 1ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

ORDERED BY THE BRIDE TO BE ON DISPLAY AT HER WEDDING.

Books: SURVEY OF HISTORIC COSTUME

Posted on July 13, 2016July 25, 2020 by webmaster

Therez Fleetwood has made history again! Her kente print, shawl-collared swing dresses are featured in the fashion industry textbook used by college students today! – The SURVEY OF HISTORIC COSTUME, A History of Western Dress (Editions 1 thru 5).

Caption: “Colorful kente cloth patterns, like this painted fabric from Senegal, were being incorporated into the highly original designs by many African American designers. These designs were created by Therez Fleetwood for PheZula in 1993.”

The SURVEY OF HISTORIC COSTUME, A History of Western Dress. 1st edition.

The SURVEY OF HISTORIC COSTUME, A History of Western Dress. 2nd edition.

Therez Fleetwood and Walt Disney® World

Posted on July 1, 2016October 10, 2021 by webmaster

Did you know it was Therez Fleetwood who designed the kente cloth costumes for Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Disney® World Florida? These designs were created exclusively for the Miss Black Collegiate Pageant back in 1998. Her designs are now a part of Mickey and Minnie’s 150 Special Occasion outfits. It is the only time the Disney corporation allowed an outside designer to design for their icons. Way to go, Ms. Fleetwood! #MakingHistory

mickey and minnie therez fleetwood 1 — FINISHING TOUCHES – New York Designer Therez Fleetwood, of the Phe-Zula Collection, puts finishing touches on new costumes for Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Fleetwood worked with Walt Disney World’s creative costuming department on the costumes for the couple’s appearance on the nationally televised Miss Collegiate African American Pageant, taped at Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. The colorful kente costumes will be added to their wardrobe of more than 150 special occasion outfits.

Designer Therez Fleetwood at the Walt Disney World costume department in Orlando Florida in 1998.

All That Jazz! Celebrating The Fabric Of Our Culture

Posted on June 23, 2016July 28, 2020 by webmaster

As a designer, I love it when I am able to be self-expressed with my creations. This dress was created exclusively for the finale of “LEGACY – Celebrating the Fabric of Our Culture” in Philadelphia, PA. For all you jazz enthusiasts… this one’s for you!

August Wilson Center for African American Culture hosted the Multicultural Arts Initiative’s third annual celebration of diversity in the arts with “Legacy: Celebrating the Fabric of Our Culture,” a program celebrating diversity and richness of the arts and fashion.

The evening culminated in a fashion show with the models of the Utopia Modeling Agency in a program titled, “FashionAfricana.” But this wasn’t your typical fashion show with models strutting fancy duds on a runway. The fun and creative styles were showcased as part of a skit, produced by Mark Southers of Pittsburgh Playrights Theatre Company, set in a 1940’s night club. The models of the Utopia Modeling agency acted as patrons to the club as the skit unfolded to the music of the PJO.

Creating this dress was an extremely long process. I used double-ply silk satin fabric, 1/8″ gold metallic cording, bugle beads, and seed beads. There is also a built-in corset and crinoline underneath. Here is the design and construction process below;

THE DESIGN PROCESS:

jazz laying out sketches — SKETCHING – I sketched all the Jazz band musicians. Including singer, trumpet, saxophone, trombone, bass, piano, drums, and guitar.

jazz tracing onto fabric — **LAYOUT & TRACING:** I placed the sketches along the bottom of the dress and then traced the images on the fabric to create the lines for stitching.

jazz fabric and trims — **MATERIALS**: I used double silk satin fabric and 1/8″ metallic gold cording. Also included hand-sewn beads.

jazz sewing — **SEWING:** I machine stitched the 1/8″ trim (inch-by-inch) along the chalk lines and hand hand-sewn the beaded trims to create the artwork on the dress.