Yes to the Dress

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

A dream is a wish your heart makes

Ah, the stuff that fairytales are made of: a handsome young prince, overbearing parents who seek to marry off the heir to the throne, a glittering ballroom filled with all manner of royalty, and a shy young commoner with a heart of gold.
​But wait. Things take an unexpected turn. The prince, it seems, enjoys wearing gorgeous gowns. He covertly employs Frances, a lowly young dressmaker with a flair for the spectacular to create custom creations for him. When she learns the identity of her employer, the dressmaker is nonplussed and continues her work, making stunning works of couture for her client.
Eventually his private passion for dazzling attire becomes public and his parents must come to terms with this aspect of their son's identity. Wang injects a humorous conclusion at the story’s reveal that is fanciful and immensely satisfying.
Cross-dressing is only one aspect of The Prince and the Dressmaker story line. For me, the development of the relationship between the prince and the dressmaker is at its heart.

Initially Frances is Sebastian’s employee, designing his fetching fashions. Soon she becomes his co-conspirator, helping to hide his secret. Gradually a compatible relationship begins to blossom. There comes a point when the dressmaker realizes that she wants more for herself. She wants the opportunity to expand her skills and explore her own passions. This is the moment when Sebastian must decide. Will he protect his image at the expense of Frances’ opportunities for artistic expression and professional recognition? The consequences of his choice weigh heavily on him. His decision will significantly affect the future of each. However, this is a fairy tale and readers are rewarded with a “happily ever after.” The prince realizes that the only way to true happiness is to consider Frances' dreams as well as his own. I love this image: two young dreamers, sitting beside one another as equals. Now that's a happily every after!

Let's talk Coulture

Can we talk about the gowns for a moment? They are fantastic! Frances, AKA  Jen Wang has a style that is fresh and exciting. The clothing serves to complement the wearer, not overwhelm or overpower. From the first glance, readers notice the full effect of each ensemble paired together with the unique personality of the individual. This is how clothing is meant to be. Jen gets it right. Brilliant costume design.

Wait... There is More to Love

I finished reading the fairytale romance with a satisfied sigh and turned what I assumed was the final page. Not so. Wang gives the readers a glimpse into her process. The bonus material is instructive and inspirational. She describes in detail the tools that she uses. A step-by -step guide chronicles her approach as well as offering a glimpse into her decision-making thinking. This peek into the method used to spin the story’s magic is a superlative bonus. Thanks Jen for this most excellent back matter.