When asked what one experience has been the most exciting, challenging, and profound of my life, I often tell people it’s when I competed in the 2005 Miss New York USA Pageant. The salmon pink, Swarovski Crystal-embellished gown I wore remains the most exquisite (and expensive) dress I’ve ever owned. I felt so beautiful on that day. I’m really glad I have a custom fashion sketch to commemorate that magical experience and that gorgeous dress. It hangs in our bedroom. I’m a firm believer that fashion should be treasured instead of being forgotten.
Art by Brooke Hagel
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gorgeous dress! and the fashion sketches are so much fun! i love them!
Thanks so much Tracy! Brooke is so talented. 🙂
Hubba hubba! I had no idea you did pageants! Congrats that awesome. That dress is so super beautiful on you. You’re so gorg Yakini.
Thank you girl! Gosh, it feels like a lifetime ago…
Look at that bangin’ body!!
lol, yes girl. that was 2 kids and 15 lbs. ago. boy do i miss that bod. 😉
GORG! I could not imagine being in a pagent! I am sure it is an experience to remember! Love the drawing too!
It was one of the most fun but challenging things I’ve ever done in my life! An amazing experience overall! 🙂
Simple gorgeous. The illustrator is very talented!
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Thank you so much. And YES, she really is!
Gorgeous! That had to be such a cool experience! Love seeing the illustrations and the finished dresses. So pretty!
Thank you so much, Carol!!! 🙂
Wow.
Miss Gorgeous!
Aww, thanks so much Mitch!!
Vivienne Westwood is amazing… love her! And my gosh, you look GORGEOUS in that picture. I’m sure that was a great experience and now your boys can look back and see it. Now Chase will be calling you a “ballerina” and “princess” all the time!
Hahaha, i know!!! He really will!
Thanks lady!
Denise, that was my initial reaction as well! You should totally get one of you in your gorgeous wedding dress.
Her illustrations make me want to break out something — anything — from my closet and have her or some of my other illustrator friends draw it. LOL