I began with the dress. It took many fittings and seam changes to get the side seam lace panel to sit flat around the curve of the model's hip, the center front panel of chiffon to stop pulling in funny directions, and the breast cups to stay put. Boning and tulle was added to help the delicate fabrics from shifting and breaking. 

The vest began as a drafted pattern and then a draped many patterned look. I sculpted and adjusted the vest using stiff non-stretch denim fabric. 

Through much research I found a company that made fish skins (i.e.. fish leather) into sheets (like a roll of fabric). The Salmon tails and heads zigzagged across the 'yards' making the sheet of fish leather. This created a difficult problem. The tails were stiffer than the heads, making the leather uneven in movement and buckle when the final patterns were cut. Buckram and glue was used inside the vest to flatten out the fish skin. The final piece was lined with sea shell pink charmeuse.