“ It was like witnessing a story evolve, one that started with my mother and now continues with me.”
“ It was like witnessing a story evolve, one that started with my mother and now continues with me.”
— Nicole Romano, designer
In a gesture that blends the old, the new, and the deeply significant, Romano reimagined her mother’ s wedding dress with a modern cropped cocktail jacket that carries forward her mother’ s style and spirit.“ My mother’ s dress was a symbol of generations of love, and this piece was born from that legacy,” says Romano, who describes her mother as graceful and bold.“ As a child, I remember seeing photos of her in that dress and being captivated by her radiant beauty, shining from inside and out.” The transformation of the piece embodies everything Romano’ s mother represents: Strength, resilience and the fierce, unconditional love that shapes her family.
The original piece is a 1970s classic with long billowing sleeves and a lace-framed high collar that adorns the neck. Pivoting from the cocktail jacket, Romano transformed the top portion into a sculpted, cropped blouse with a modern silhouette. It carries the original fabric, interpreting a different moment in time.
The bodice and sleeves were preserved, which hold meaningful details and embellishments. The skirt, on the other hand, was removed and saved for her goddaughter, Violet.“ It was important to me to keep the spirit of the piece intact while adapting it to my own style,” Romano says.
For an artist and designer like Romano, this moment brings everything full circle.“ It was like witnessing a story evolve, one that started with my mother and now continues with me,” she says. The transformation was not just about fabric; it was about legacy and style passed down with intention. There was a sense of honor that Romano felt in wearing something so special and giving it a new chapter in history.
To those who have considered repurposing a vintage article of clothing or a family heirloom, Romano urges staying true to the significance of the piece, not just the form. Start by identifying the elements that matter the most to you. Whether it be the lace, the neckline or even the energy of it, let that guide your imagination. Work with someone who understands how to balance memory with design.“ Don’ t be afraid to make it your own,” says Romano.“ You’ re not erasing the past; you’ re continuing its story.”
Romano serves to remind us that fashion is a language that can be spoken across generations. Be it a dress, necklace or piece of your home, these objects all have a story to tell. nicoleromano. com
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