This is my ensemble for the 2002 Bernina Fashion Show: Masquerade, which debuted in Houston, Texas on Halloween. I was very honored to receive the Judges' Merit Award, especially in a group of such talented designers. The ensemble is modeled here by my friend and student Susie Kincy, and much of the text that follows is from the published catalog of the show.

Venus, the Roman goddess of love, was the child of the Sea and the Sky. Born in the ocean, she first came ashore at Cyprus floating on a giant scallop shell, a fully grown and beautiful woman - and completely nude. Not bad for Day One. But what is the tale of Venus on the Half Shell: Day Two?

Larkin joins us now with the story.... "We couldn't let her walk around naked all day. People were beginning to stare. Plus, she couldn't really walk so well, sea legs and all ... So while Venus was getting her bearings, I made her an ensemble worthy of her goddess status. I pondered such an outfit's requirements and came up with these: 1) must be elegant yet seductive (she is the goddess of love); 2) must have plenty of reminders of her ties to the sea (colors, motifs, etc.); and 3) must use all of my favorite techniques (it's not a paying gig, so I might as well enjoy it!).

A jacket was a must, so I collaged a treasure chest-ful of my most artistic hand-dyed fabrics in wavy shapes, machine embroidered each piece, and edged them in sparkling trim, beads and other baubles.