Eliza Starbuck Launches The Little Black Dress for 'Bright Young Things'

Designer Kathleen Scully in her colorful and creative re-interpretation of the The Little Black Dress by Eliza Starbuck

Eliza Starbuck at the preview of The Little Black Dress for 'Bright Young Things' at Maryam Nassir Zadeh on the LES in NYC

“I’ve heard so many women with closets full of clothes say, ‘I haven’t got a thing to wear!’ I am giving them one dress that they can wear forwards, backwards, open, again and again, with anything they like.”

– Eliza Starbuck, Founder and Designer of Bright Young Things

Bright Young Things at Maryam Nassir Zadeh

If you are a fan of The Uniform Project and its cover girl, Sheena Matheiken, you will be thrilled to know that Eliza Starbuck, the designer behind this iconic 365 day black dress, is now inviting fashionistas everywhere to get in on the action. As of June 18th, this trans-seasonal, locally-made cotton piqué design is available online at the 'Bright Young Things' website.

The Little Black Dress tucked in to create a shorter hem or left open cardigan style. It's all in the attitude.

The BYT's website also serves a community space (blog) where followers can share their personal style journey by submitting images of their customized twists and turns on The Little Back Dress. How cool is it that a group of friends can go out for the evening wearing the same dress, and no one would even know based on each individual's unique creative spin?


I could not help thinking at last night's preview that with a covetable little black dress like this, one might finally rest easy and play more with favorite accessories, DIY craft projects, and heirloom treasures. As Emma Grady at Treehugger predicted for 2010, this is indeed the year of personalized accoutrements and smart styling.

Gorgeous, one-of-a-kind accessories available at Maryam Nassir Zadeh

*Eliza Starbuck's 'Little Black Dress' retails for $185

(above photographs by Abigail Doan for Ecco*Eco)

The Uniform Project

If you are not yet following The Uniform Project, now is the time to get on board with this clever and sustainable enterprise.

1 Dress. 365 Days. A fashion philanthropy project.

"Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies.


The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for slum children in India."

* The Uniform Project on FaceBook