My City February 2022

MYWEDDING

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Make it Y our Own BY TRACY’S CREATIONS CUSTOM SPECIALTY ALTERATIONS

Y ears ago when she was teaching art education, classroom desk: “ e de nition of creativity is taking things that already exist and recombining them in new and unique ways.” Now, her own creativity and Tracy (Ellis) Nuttle had a phrase displayed across her

decades of experience allow her to provide brides with something beautiful for their Big Day in new and unique ways. “ e gowns frequently come straight from the salon when I customize and personalize them for the bride’s individual style,” she says, “but occasionally, I work with a previously worn gown that has been in storage.” Nuttle enjoys a chance to repurpose a vintage wedding gown by modifying the style and creating a vision that re…ects the present. “ is past year, I took a mother’s wedding gown and rearranged its classic 90s elements – the big pu‰ed sleeves, heavy applique with pearls and rainbow sequins and a larger ‘butt bow’ – into a current, classic restyle for her daughter,”Nuttle explains. e bride loved the gown’s original applique elements, so Nuttle incorporated them and created a new, sleeveless neckline with an open back and a modi ed rear bow. “We left the cutaway applique skirt untouched, highlighting the beauty of the gown her mother had loved a generation before,”Nuttle adds. “We created a new veil in the current style, as well. e best of both worlds, you might say!” Nuttle created several “second generation” bridal fashions in 2021, designing for the daughters of brides she worked with 25+ years ago. “Seeing time progress in this way warmed my heart and reassured my con dence that my skills remain in demand and are appreciated after all this time,” Nuttle says. “I love what I do. I get to build, engineer, create, take apart and restyle a gown to order, AND play dress-up several times a week! I have the best job ever!” ®

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