Mary-Alice Dalton
It is a joy to get out of the studio every now and then to present my work to the public, or to watch first-time visitors walk into the new Children’s Couture showroom. The reaction is always the same; true amazement at the colorful variety of styles I have to offer, the details I integrate into the Collections, and respect for the quality work I produce. Obviously, I enjoy the accolades and it is precisely these compliments that provide the inspiration to create my line of apparel and accessories, not to mention the glorious fabrics I am surrounded by each and every day.

“I’ve been eyeing your work for years, promising myself that if my daughter ever had a girl, I would buy one of your creations. She did ... and I did.”
Children’s Couture Customer-New Hampshire

“We seem to forget that couture is craft”
Coco Chanel

I consider the fabrics my paintbrush, the designs my canvas, and it’s my job to meld the two into one, creating an art piece that is easy and fun for an infant, child or young lady to wear, but also one that an adult will enjoy and value for generations to come. To achieve this goal, I focus on the classic line of style, as well as proportion, and effectively incorporate traditional dressmaking and couture construction techniques into each and every piece. In today’s rush of a world, these methods of construction are widely ignored and misunderstood. Couture methods are not tedious and time-consuming, rather these time-honored techniques are a satisfying skill of hand and eye, which result in a piece to be truly admired from the inside and out.

“Your craftsmanship is amazing. I live in New York where there are a lot of children’s clothing shops, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Children’s Couture Customer- New York City

“Clothes should be as interesting on the inside as on the outside. Even if you enjoy it totally alone, it’s important.”
Geoffrey Beene

Color is another important factor in the Children’s Couture line, whether it is the bright contemporary prints or the classic motifs reminiscent of a vintage era. Yet, I prefer to combine only two or three prints in one piece and occasionally, I favor just one print at a time. Though this goes against the trend in today’s retail offerings for children, I feel that a refined color palette produces a piece that allows all elements to shine, creating a classic sense of style with truly a contemporary edge.

“You have an eye for color that’s to die for!”
Children’s Couture Customer-Boston Floral Designer

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.”
Yves St. Laurent

My work is my passion and it is a proud moment when I learn that a Children’s Couture piece has become a child’s best friend and part of her family’s history. Every August at the League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair, the one show I do per year, I see previous customers who are eager to show me their photographs and share their stories. Or, often I see teenagers in my booth, admiring various apparel items or accessory pieces and whispering to each other. Eventually they turn to me and say, with great pride, that they wore my dresses when they were little and how they were passed down from sibling to sibling, cousin to cousin, friend to friend. Mission accomplie!

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Early Years
Born in Waco, Texas, I grew up in suburban Washington, DC; my high school playground at the time, where I lived until going off to college, and where I returned after graduation, commuting to New York City to look for work in the apparel field.

And Life Goes On
No, not New York City, but the Lakes Region of New Hampshire became my home, where I opened a woman’s couture dressmaking and tailoring studio. After 25 years of working solely in women’s wear, I ventured into the world of children’s fashions, due to my desire for more creative freedom with the use of fabrics and color, and as an avenue that would allow my love of design and “the detail” to thrive and flourish.

In 2001, I introduced the Children’s Couture line of fine apparel and accessories for infants to young ladies. The line has grown over the years, and I am looking forward to the new and exciting ventures that await within the coming year. So please stay tuned and learn how you can become part of the Children’s Couture community.

Education
University of Connecticut, Bachelor of Science Degree, Apparel Design and Fine Arts

Professional Organizations
League of New Hampshire Craftsmen

• Juried Craftsmen, 1980 - present
• Chairman and Exhibition Designer, Gallery 205, 2006 – 2009
• Exhibition Coordinator, Members Juried Exhibition, 2006 – 2007

Professional Association of Custom Clothiers, 1989 – 1996

Master Gardener Program, 1998 – 2001

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Children's Couture Showroom
And its adjacent design/work studio is open for your shopping pleasure. With glorious gifts for the newborn to creative collaborations even your tween will love, just capture a bit of magic for yourself as you explore what’s new in the Children’s Couture Collections and discover master craftsmanship at its best. After visiting the showroom, take a stroll through the gardens located on our adjoining property and enjoy a moment of total serenity.
Where: 445 Province Road, Route 107, Belmont, NH 03220
When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am – 4pm, or by appointment

2010 Shows
League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Annual Fair
Where: Booth 418, Mount Sunapee Resort, Newbury, NH
When: August 7 – 15, 2010 from 10 am – 5 pm, rain or shine

For more information: Contact Mary-Alice at info@madcouture.com

Facebook
Become part of the Children’s Couture online community. Children’s Couture Facebook Page

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE, March 2005– In Style

BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE – Boston Globe Magazine, June 23 2007– The Find

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