One of my dearest friends has launched a dress company, and a Kickstarter campaign to fund the first round of production. Virginia Dare Dress Company is the product of the genius behind Rebekah J Murray Photography (I’ll be honest, I’ve been known to open her website just to hear the music while I work. You should too, and you’re welcome). I moved to Virginia in 2008 and have been bosom friends with Rebekah ever since. Actually, I kind-of stalked/knew her before then, via her Xanga. Remember Xanga? Well I fell in love with Rebekah’s writing and sense of adventure and photos way back then, and we were fast friends as soon as we met in person. Rebekah was the first professional photographer I ever worked with, too (on a DIY project for A Subtle Revelry), and we’ve done quite a lot together since those early days!

A little over a year ago (or maybe it was two years ago…time flies), Rebekah told me about her plan to launch a dress company. I’d see periodic updates, I’d see her travel to NY to the fashion district, I’d answer some questions about the kinds of dresses I like to wear. And magically here she is, hundreds of hours of work, researching, dreaming, traveling, measuring, and planning later. In the company’s own words, Virginia Dare Dress Co is a clothing company for elegance & adventure because life gets more beautiful when you dress up for it. I couldn’t agree more; if you love simple, elegant dresses, adventures, Jane Austen, afternoon tea parties, even dresses with pockets, then these dresses are for you! The first collection consists of three lovely dresses: The Camilla, The Emma, and The Samantha, inspired by secret gardens and springtime in London. Tea party with Kate Middleton?! YES, PLEASE!

Rebekah is less than TWO THREE  FOUR THOUSAND dollars away from reaching her Kickstarter goal! Please check out the campaign page, WATCH THE VIDEO (the loveliest of videos) and consider pre-ordering your very own Virginia Dare dress! I ordered the Emma; let’s be twins!

These gorgeous photos are from the Virginia Dare Dress Company launch party a few months ago, and I simply adore them. I was so honored to be able to help style the party for Rebekah, and Paula Bartosiewicz captured the mood so perfectly with these photos. That cheese/bread/floral display with bread baked by Melinda of Knead & Know and stunning florals by Lori Tran of Wild Green Yonder is my favorite cheese and bread and flower display EVER (and the longest I’ve ever styled, at 16 feet)!