Behind the Design: The Yo-Yo Skirt That Almost Broke Me (And Why I Love It Now)

They say if you love something, let it go. But if you’re a maker, sometimes you have to wrestle it to the ground, rip out the seams, and completely reinvent it first.

That is the exact story of the Yo-Yo Collection, that dropped yesterday. It’s a collection that brings me so much joy, but full disclosure? We were sworn enemies just a few weeks ago.

The Vision (And the Breaking Point)

It all started with true love. I found these incredible, delicate, ultra-vintage yo-yo quilt textiles, and I immediately had a vision. I could see the movement, the texture, the absolute romance of bringing these historical pieces into modern, wearable art.

But vintage textiles have a mind of their own.

Two full sews in, the universe decided to test my patience. The drape wasn't right, the fit wasn't honoring the fabric, and honestly? We became instant enemies. I was so frustrated with the design that I had to completely walk away, put the brakes on everything, and push the entire drop back three whole weeks.

Enter the Quality Assurance Department

To make matters worse, I finally showed Billy the initial version with the structured waistband. I was already stressed, and he just looked at them and goes, "Nice... but those are super tiny." Haha! I wanted to ignore him so bad. I wanted to just push through and convince myself they were fine. But hey, he’s my official Quality Assurance Department for a reason, and deep down? I knew he was right. I looked at them again and saw it clear as day—there was absolutely no way the waistband style was going to work.

When you treat fashion like art, you can’t force it. If it’s not right, you don’t patch it up—you start from scratch.

From Waistband to Wrap Tie

So, I went back to the drawing board. Literally.

The original design featured a traditional structured waistband. But these delicate, vintage pieces needed freedom, not restriction. I took a deep breath, took apart what I had done, and reimagined the entire silhouette.

Instead of a fixed waistband, I transformed them into wrap tie skirts.

The moment that tie came together, the magic came back. The wrap design completely changed the game. It allowed the fabric to fall naturally, accentuating the delicate, intricate nature of the yo-yos without forcing them into a shape they didn't want to be in.

What You Need to Know About the Drop

This collection is incredibly special, but because these are true vintage textiles, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Super Delicate, Ultra Vintage: These are heirloom-quality pieces. They feel like a piece of history because they are.

• No Stretch: True to vintage form, there is absolutely zero stretch in these textiles. But thanks to the new wrap-tie design, you get a beautiful, adjustable fit that sits perfectly where you want it to.

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• One-of-a-Kind: Once they are gone on Thursday, they are gone for good.

Looking at them now, spinning around the studio, I completely forget the weeks of frustration (and I suppose I have to give Billy a little credit, too). Every single seam, every ripped stitch, and every late night was worth it to bring these beauties back to life.