Rockford native third in fashion competition, designs for Emily Bear

May 22nd, 2009 at 01:10pm Georgette Braun

While vacationing with family in Minnesota, Miriam Cecilia Carlson of Rockford collected pieces of mica from a mine and decided to use the mineral in making dresses.

Her collection of dresses including some featuring the mineral helped her win third place and $1,000 in at the Eighth Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence competition in Chicago on May 18.

Carlson said she flaked off pieces of mica, sealed each with a polymer gloss and drilled little holes to be able to sew through and attached the mica to fabrics she used in her avante guarde Summer Storm collection: Lingering Glimmer, a short dress covered in the mineral; Tumbling Sky, a grey, knee-length dress with the mineral sewn to the waistband; and Wall of the Rain, which contains little pieces of mica sewn around the neckline.

Kacey Hahn models Carlson’s Tumbling Sky dress with mica belt.

Miriam Cecilia Carlson, right, with models wearing dresses in her Summer Storm collection. (Photos provided)

Carlson, who was home-schooled in Rockford in high school, is a 2009 graduate of Dominican University in River Forest and works at Zzazz Productions, assisting with backstage operations in fashion and bridal shows in the Chicago area. She is creating her own line of clothing, ranging from $45 high-waisted, pleated skirts to evening wear topping more than $500. She hopes to have her garments in boutiques this summer.

One of her first clients is Emily Bear, 7, of Rockford, who plays piano and has appeared five times on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and performed at the White House in 2008. Carlson said she will create three dresses for Emily to wear at upcoming performances.

Emily Bear modeling a piece Carlson made for her organic children’s clothing line called Simple Treasures.

“My desire to find meaning in life inspires not only the designs of my garments, but the process of construction,” Carlson said in an e-mail. “The development of each piece I create is a journey, where I allow the fabric to respond organically to my manipulation.”

Contact Carlson at miriamceciliacarlson@gmail.com.

Entry Filed under: Emily Bear