Photo courtesy of Ben Larson
This is a story about a wedding dress that's best told by the email exchanges I have copied below.
Hi Nicki,
After many google searches, I came across your blog and your article about Kelly Reding. I just want to thank you for that post, because I've been searching high and low for the designer of the Ballerina dress from "Sex and the City." I can't tell you how many google searches I've done! So, I just wanted to send you a quick thank you. If it wasn't for your blog, I would have never learned of Kelly Reding.
I've reached out to Kelly in hopes that she can make a replica of that dress for my wedding. I hope to hear back from her….
So thank you again for making the connection for me! I've never been to Central West End, but my fiance's sister lives near St. Louis, so when we visit her, I will be sure to check out your neighborhood, I love quaint historic pockets.Take care, Sharon Cercone
Dear Sharon:
How exciting that you found my blog and thus found Kelly. She is an amazing designer and is going to be opening a shop within a vintage clothing store in the neighborhood in August. I am copying her on this so that we can double-team her and let her know how wonderful she is! Thanks for writing!
Hope you do visit the CWE someday. Thanks again. Nicki
Hope you do visit the CWE someday. Thanks again. Nicki
Thank you Nicki!!
I like the double-team effort. I am so thrilled about this dress, and the ironic thing is, my formal wedding dress for our Catholic Church ceremony is another dress I fell in love with from "Sex and the City" (the Badgley Mischka dress Carrie Bradshaw wore to the Black and White Ball in Season 4). A lovely, lovely elegant and somewhat royal dress, but I won't be able to wear it all day and night – way too formal, hard to dance in – so the Ballerina dress will be a perfect evening reception dress – very fun, cute and right in line with my style… fingers crossed Kelly can squeeze me in. : )
But enough about my wedding (obviously I am very excited!)….THANK YOU for your blog….it is a true gem! I am going to share your blog with my fiance's sister who lives near St. Louis, and I will also promote Kelly's design to my friends! I have a feeling I will definitely visit CWE and Kelly's new store. I love supporting talented designers and local businesses that bring warmth and charm to neighborhoods.
I am grateful for your help! If all goes well, and I end up with this dress (fingers crossed!!), I will be sure to share pictures with you!
All the best, Sharon
Kelly did make the dress for Sharon, though in a different color than the original, and sent it off to San Francisco several weeks ago.
On September 4…
Our wedding was beautiful. More perfect than I ever imagined. The dress was a hit (see above)!! Thank you both. Xoxo, Sharon
Kelly Reding's shop, Dauphine, 447 N. Euclid, Saturdays, 11 to 6 or by appointment, (314) 651-9680.
P.S. – I am thrilled(!) that a google search initiated from 2000 miles away would result in a custom order for a talented designer right here in the neighborhood. To repeat what the bride said, "I love supporting talented designers and local businesses that bring warmth and charm to neighborhoods." So do I, and so should we all…it's part of what makes this a truly vibrant place.
Dauphine and Borough Vintage are hosting a Fall Faire this Saturday, September 10. You are invited to view fall fashions,and enjoy vintage cocktails & appetizers, 6 to 8 p.m., 447 N. Euclid (at Washington).
This story caught by eye!It is very interesting and the dress amazing, elegant, and just perfect to fit her. I love the idea of you opening your own wedding store and i am very interested in wearing one of you designs. You are very creative and your ideas would be great!
Great story….A lovely dress by a fantastic designer.
thank you for posting Nicki!! i can’t wait to wear the dress again. 🙂 i had a great time getting to know you and kelly through this process, and look forward to visiting the central west end sometime! it truly is amazing what you can accomplish when people connect.
Thank you all for commenting! I, of course, love this story too.
What a wonderful story. Love the pictures too
love this story: the amazing internet + your fantastic blog + a lovely dress + and a talented designer in the CWE! so cool!
That is indeed a terrific dress: Elegant, formal without being fussy, and quite frankly, sexy as all get out. I can almost imagine Cyd Charisse or Leslie Caron dancing with Gene Kelly across an MGM soundstage (my wife is a big Gene Kelly fan). Congratulations to both the happy bride and Ms. Reding.
What a great story! Thanks for sharing.