I Create Dresses Inspired By Iconic Pop Culture Fandoms

My name is Sarah Hambly and I am a 26 year old couture fashion designer based in Reno, NV. I make dresses for all kinds of people from all over the world, and cater to people who like to show their love of fashion and pop culture in what they wear. Every dress I make is inspired by pop culture, each one is handmade one at a time, and each dress comes with a complete ensemble of unusual and unique accessories to complete the look.

I usually pick fantasy and myth as my genre to work in, since it is something that translates well into couture fashion and evening wear. I really want to represent each character I choose as a modern day, grown version, and am really inspired by the gowns worn at the Met Gala.

Obsessed with couture week that happened every year, I decided to teach myself how to sew and to teach myself how to embroider and bead beautiful and unique fabrics. From there my love of handmade things grew, and I began making headpieces, crowns and all sorts of pieces to compliment the look.

Headpieces are made from metal and rhinestones, and each one is unique. Sometimes, I can take up to four days to fully create a concept for a headpiece, with many moments of tearing the pieces apart to restart. I find that crowns and other metal jewelry help to complete my vision, and bring an elegance to a subject that I always found fascinating.

Each dress takes anywhere from a few weeks to four months to plan and sew, and many of the elements on each item is done by hand. Ballgown skirts are made of 300 feet of hand-gathered tulle fabric, stitched down to a handmade corset hidden inside an elaborate bodice. Each sequin is meticulously hand sewn into place to hide seams and bare portions of fabric so that the gown looks as effortless as the character it is supposed to represent.

To me, each look is supposed to transport the wearer to a new realm, to give them a moment of fantasy and magic that they can enjoy. I also offer to photograph them all myself, which allows me to create a series of images of not only beautiful fantasy portraits, but something that is a magical vision that I have as well. Each shoot, start to finish, can take up to three months to plan, with each dress being made to fit a character and a location. I enjoy being in control of the process from start to finish, and love the looks on people's faces when they see what they transform into at the end of it all.

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