Food & Drink

Sondra Elizabeth Colburn: Best Summer Party Dresses

By Seattle Mag August 21, 2012

seamlesscolburn

This article originally appeared in the September 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.

The line: “I focus on using bold prints, colors and design details to bring a fun twist to dresses that have classic silhouettes,” says the Seattle Central graduate, who adds playful touches with darling bustier tops accented with vintage coral buttons, dainty peplum designs and demure open back accents.

Creative spark: The 22-year-old Kirkland designer sweetens classic feminine frocks with self-designed prints and unexpected color combinations. “My mom has a collection of magazines and patterns from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s that I love to look through for inspiration,” she says. “I like to use ideas from vintage styles, but still keep my designs looking modern and chic.”

Biggest fashion faux pas: “In junior high, I had this orange cropped jacket I loved to wear. Because of my height [Colburn is 5 feet 8 inches tall] and the style of it, the proportions looked really off. Whenever I wore it, my friends used to ask if I bought it in the children’s department.”

Line: Sondra Elizabeth

School: Seattle Central Community College School of Apparel Design, Class of 2012

Find it: sondraelizabeth.com

Clothing shown (From left to right): Colburn wears her own creation, the “Gwyneth” cotton sateen dress made from a self-designed print, with full peplum and vintage buttons on bustier. Sondra Elizabeth “Olivia” silk taffeta dress with jewel neckline and pleated paper-bag waist.

 

Follow Us

15 Valentine’s Day Gifts

15 Valentine’s Day Gifts

Fleece slippers, chocolate figs, and The Book of Love

Who doesn’t want to celebrate love and make someone (anyone!) feel special? So, whether you’re all in or not so much, if you’re looking for gift ideas, here are a few to consider...

The Best Gifts for Travel Lovers 

The Best Gifts for Travel Lovers 

Tinsel, eggnog, mistletoe, and luggage

Travel lovers are the easiest people to buy for. Wrap a gift in old maps and they’ll spend hours deciphering the roadways and important coordinates. Put something inside the wrapping that will satiate their wanderlust, or encourage it, and you might be their next invitee to Paris.

Black Black Friday launches in Seattle

Black Black Friday launches in Seattle

The event is designed to boost Black-owned businesses

An initiative launched in Seattle encourages residents to spend money at Black-owned businesses, starting on Black Friday. Called Black Black Friday, the movement was organized by Laura Clise, founder and CEO of the Intentionalist, an online directory of thousands of small businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans, LBGTQ+, families, and differently abled people,…

Costco Goes for the Gold

Costco Goes for the Gold

Have a sudden need for gold bars? Better act fast.

The warehouse retailer known for everything from its popular food court to organic maple syrup and bulk, well, everything, is now in the business of selling gold. That’s right. Costco is peddling one-ounce gold bars online. But you have to be a member to buy them. And they’re not cheap. Shoppers have two options: One…