Ever since I saw this dress on Pinterest, I saved the image on my iPhone “to-make” list. It is a dress by a designer, Cushnie Et Ochs, worn by English actress, Ashley Madekwe for NYFW. I think the dress is trendy in every possible way: cutout, higher neckline, and midi length pencil style skirt. I decided to replicate it for myself to wear to an upcoming wedding. 
I had this chocolate brown jersey or pale pink in my stash, and I chose the brown. I wore a pink dress for the last wedding I attended, so I thought brown would be a nice change. Also, with pale pink, I was afraid that the midriff cutout won’t stand out and blend too much with my skin color.
Sewing the dress was fairly easy and quick. I bought a zipper for the dress, but ended up not inserting it because the fabric had enough stretch. The skirt is pencil skirt pattern I drafted myself a while ago, and I lengthen and added a vent in the back. From the photo I had, I could not tell what the back of Ashley’s dress looked like, so I just made the back without any cutout or low back. I hope I don’t look scanky with this dress. I hope the quiet color and the midi length skirt counteracted with the bold cutout..if not, please tell me before Sunday, when I have to go to the wedding! 
Worn with ASOS pumps, vintage clutch, Michael Kors watch & forever 21 necklace. 
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Ginger says
I LOVE this dress! It’s awesome! The inspiration dress is gorgeous, too– can’t decide if I like it better red or black!
Chie says
Thank you Sonja! I really like the red on Ashley, but I wasn’t sure if it was the color for me. With my long black hair, I tend to avoid red..not sure why! Also wanted to use up my fabric stash, you know how it grows so quickly without knowing!
Sarah says
I love it, the cutout is really sophitocated, you should deffinately wear it!
Hope you have a lovely time, and I’m sure you’ll look glam whatever you decided to wear!
Chie says
Thank you Sarah!
Joanna Kostrzewa says
I think you made a really interesting eye-catching dress, both modest and daring at the same time, I really like it! And you’ll look great at the wedding, unusual and glamorous because of the classic pencil line of the dress, great job!
Chie says
Thank you Joanna! Sometime it’s fun to just completely copy someone’s good design.
Marga says
I think the dress is lovely and I think you look fabulous in it but in my honest opinion, I think the cut out is a little too much for a wedding. But it’s just me. Of course you can wear whatever pleases you!
Chie says
Hi Marga, thank you so much for your honesty! I certainly don’t want to look like “too much” for someone’s weddings.. You are making me rethink whether to wear the dress. I still have 1 day before the wedding, so I might be able to get some sewing in! The only thing is that I made this dress for my size and also because it is a knock-off, if I decide not to wear it, I am not sure what to do with it (can’t sell it).
Kathryn says
Sorry, I kind of agree that it’s a bit much for a wedding. I feel bad saying that since I also think it’s an awesome dress! Maybe you should wear it for date night with your hubby, I bet he’d be willing to dress up to have you on his arm in that dress 😉
Lauren says
Chie your dress is stunning! not scanky at all. I can’t believe you can whip up a designer dress so fast, its beautiful, have fun at the wedding : )
Chie says
Thank you so much Lauren!