Therez Fleetwood designs wedding gowns that incorporate natural gemstones to heighten your spiritual energy on your wedding day.
For centuries, people have believed that certain natural gemstones have the power to generate good energy and luck. Gemstones not only look good but wearing them also gives the bride tranquility, harmony, and balance on her wedding day. What better way to incorporate this powerful natural energy into your ceremony than to have them hand-sewn onto your gown. Not only will these gemstones enhance your natural aura, but the faint clicking of the stones hanging below her waist when she walks down the aisle creates a sensual sound for both the bride and groom.
Gemstones are perfect for calming the nerves and heightening the senses. They provide spiritual protection. purification. stability and strength. The bride can choose stones for wedded bliss, love, luck, inner security, and unconditional love. All gowns are custom made to order. Prices available upon request.
CLEAR QUARTZ is known as the stone of power and amplifies any energy or intention. It enhances and strengthens the aura as it protects against negativity and attunes to your higher self. JADE, the stone of purity or purification. It is a stone that protects and supports loving heart energy. It also symbolizes gentleness and nourishment, harmony, and balance. CARNELIAN restores vitality and motivation. It gives courage and motivates for success. It helps in trusting yourself and your perceptions.
KYANITE aligns all chakras. It provides a balance of yin-yang energy and dispels blockages, as it moves energy gently through the physical body.It has a calming effect on the whole being, bringing tranquility. CITRINE is a premier stone of manifestation, imagination, and personal will. Carrying the power of the sun, it is warm and comforting, energizing, and life-giving. It stimulates the chakras clearing the mind and stirring the soul to action. AMETHYST is a stone of spiritual protection and purification; cleansing one’s energy field of negative influences and attachments. It creates a resonant shield of spiritual Light around the body.
Many brides today are choosing wedding attire that reflects their heritage. Therez Fleetwood’s kaftans are inspired by the cultural influences of Moorish women. Brides who want to dress conservatively and culturally, and choose not to wear a veil, an inspired kaftan or kimono is a perfect fit. Brides can choose to complete their look with a bespoke forehead band or turban inspired headpiece. Prices available upon request.
AMAT (left) ivory georgette with gold embroidery; YAMINA (center) mint chiffon with bold, colorful embroidery; ASIA (right) ivory georgette with antique gold embroidery. All belts are detachable. Headpiece sold separately.
Cowrie shells, seed beads, and trinkets adorn these beautiful accessories by Ayida Honor.
Cowrie shells are known as the most successful and the best form of currency in the various regions of the world. According to the African legends, the cowrie shells are representing the goddess protection which is highly powerful and is connected with the strength and power of the Ocean. Therez Fleetwood’s made-to-order gowns feature a variety of silhouettes with both natural and hand-painted cowrie shell adornments. Prices available upon request.
ZAHARA (left) – double silk satin with hand-painted pearlized cowrie shells; NANDI (center) – silk shantung with natural cowrie shells; ASHA (right) – silk brocade with natural cowrie shells. Veils and headpiece sold separately.
AMALIA (left) – silk shantung ball gown with hand-painted cowrie shells; ZARI (center) powder blue double silk satin with natural cowrie shells; MELODY (right) – silk shantung with natural cowrie shells. Veils sold separately.
TERESA (left) – double silk satin with natural cowrie shells; NEEMA (center) – silk charmeuse and chiffon with natural cowrie shells; CAMILLE (right) silk satin with natural cowrie shells.
It’s was dynamic, bold, and colorful! It’s street style, and it’s high fashion. – New York Times
An exploration of how black style has evolved in New York City and how hip-hop has turned fashion on its head. Hip hop has made black style big business, showcasing black designers and claiming a global market of consumers eager to buy the latest in Black Style Now. The exhibition features garments by pioneering as well as contemporary black designers and outfits worn by style-setters such as Beyoncé, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and LL Cool J. Jewelry, accessories, footwear, and clothing by major hip-hop mega-brands are also on view, as are photographs of fashion icons past and present.
Therez Fleetwood’s BABWE dress on display. Baby blue, gold, chocolate, and ivory silk dupioni with cowrie shells embellishments.
Fashion Designer, Therez Fleetwood and Visual Artist Kottavei are creating FashionArt with a purpose.
The Veil of Womanhood. FashionArt collaboration with fashion designer,Therez Fleetwood. Visual Artist V. Kottavei.
Novelist Nnedi Okorafor made her red carpet debut at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, ((top center, top right) where she promoted her upcoming HBO series, Who Fears Death, based on her award-winning book. Hand-painted by visual artist V. Kottevai on silk gown made by Therez Fleetwood.
Fashion Art Fusion
Art Meso Exhibit 2018 – “Truly in bloom, inspired by saturated color and personal growth. Women oftentimes gather in clusters reaching towards the nourishing sun much like sunflowers. The women themselves are the seeds planted that grow with proper tending.”
Throughout history, dolls have represented more than toys—they have symbolized identity, love, and legacy. The earliest known dolls, dating back to 2000 BC, were discovered in the tombs of Egyptian aristocracy. Fashioned from wood and adorned with clay beads, these miniature figures were cherished heirlooms—guardians of memory and spirit.
Today, that sacred tradition continues through the artistry of Therez Fleetwood, a renowned couture designer creating custom bridal dolls that capture the essence of a wedding day. These keepsakes are not only personalized mementos but true heirloom art collectibles to be treasured for generations.
Each Therez Fleetwood bridal doll is a bespoke creation—designed from a photograph and made to reflect the bride’s skin tone, hairstyle, and wedding gown with exceptional detail.
These couture dolls are dressed in handcrafted mini replicas made from natural fibers like silk, cotton, and wool. Every gown is fully lined and adorned with delicate beading, trims, and authentic Swarovski crystals—mirroring the artistry of the original dress.
Why Choose a Therez Fleetwood Bridal Doll? 1. One-of-a-kind and made entirely by hand
2. Crafted from natural, luxurious fabrics
3. Styled to match bride’s skin tone and hair texture
4. Ideal for gifting, displaying, or preserving your wedding dress in miniature
5. A timeless keepsake to be passed down through generations
Commissioning Your One-of-a-Kind Bridal Doll
Submit a Photograph
Send us a clear image of the bride in her wedding gown. If this is a surprise gift, include a photo of the bride, her gown, and any key styling details (e.g., hairstyle, jewelry, bouquet).
Doll Selection
We hand-select a doll that best matches the bride’s skin tone and hair texture.
Material Sourcing
We carefully source fabrics, trims, and embellishments that closely resemble the original gown and accessories.
Handcrafted Creation
A custom pattern is drafted and the miniature ensemble is tailored with couture precision. The doll’s hair is styled, and finishing touches like jewelry and florals are added.
Completion & Delivery
Your heirloom doll is photographed for your records and beautifully packaged for delivery.
Investment:
Custom Bridal Dolls begin at $600 USD (additional cost add based on the complexity of the design, ie. hand-sewn beads and lace, hand-painted details or intricate construction of the dress.)
Lead Time: 3–4 weeks from order confirmation
Each Therez Fleetwood bridal doll is not only a miniature representation of a moment in time—but a timeless legacy of love, craftsmanship, and celebration.
Let your story live on…
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.
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.
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
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.
It’s was dynamic, bold, and colorful! It’s street style, and it’s high fashion. – New York Times
