I scored big time finding this beautiful Carolina Herrera Leopard Printed Stretch Silk Twill from Mood Fabrics.
I ordered the fabric with a wrap dress in mind, but after the fabric arrived I came across a photograph of the Carolina Herrera original and decided to follow the style of the designer with a close fitting dress.
I reached for a favorite pattern I have made twice before – Vogue 9047. (Version one is here and version two is here.) The pattern is now out of print but available on Etsy and other online sources.
While the ‘original’ dress is a sheath with princess seams in the front, my pattern features a separate bodice top and skirt with a raised waistline which provides easy fitting and shaping opportunities.
The fabric is impeccably thin, lightweight and slightly translucent. The Carolina Herrera dress is fully lined and features a back zipper.
A zipper was unnecessary with this pattern and I’m glad I did not disrupt the design of the fabric.
However, I underlined the bodice of the dress with a very lightweight tricot lining. Below is a photo of the tricot basted to the bodice pieces. The sleeves are not underlined.
What I’m loving about the fabric is the clever placement of the light and dark patterns. The patterns are designed to fall symmetrically around the garment. I chose the same placement as the ‘original’ but assume the darker area could be placed front and center.
The darker pattern is placed on the center of the sleeve for continuity of design around the shoulders and down the sides of the dress.
Because I ordered for a wrap dress I have a little leftover and hope to squeeze a top out of the remaining fabric. While I enjoy being creative with fabrics, I decided Carolina knows best on this one, and there was no reason to reinvent the wheel.
Just another dress? No way! One never forgets her first Carolina Herrera 
Many thanks to Mood Fabrics for stocking this phenomenal fabric!