gathered blossom.

"The French designer Madeleine Vionnet opened her own fashion house in 1912. She devised methods of bias cross cutting during the 1920s using a miniature model. She made popular the halter neck and the cowl neck."

hundreds of cowl necks can be easily discovered in all forms; dress, sleeveless, sweaters, knits and silks. the possibilitis are endless. if you can imagine or want it- it's out there. this timeless fashion element, along with pleats and ruffles, is also popular among breast cancer support resources as a basic and most popularly suggested post-mastectomy layering tool. "...Cardigans and blazers do so by creating an additional layer, but you can also achieve a similar effect with a patterned blouse, scarves and accessories, or a shirt with a draped or cowl neck... These styles can add balance and draw attention away from the chest area."

the above gathered blossom was created by cutting off the bottom two/thirds of a "boat neck" cotton tunic. the bottom piece was then sewn to the neck. the draped fabric can be embraced and pulled down over the chest area or worn closer to the neck to unveil the form-fitting ruching that compliments the chest area. a slightly transparent brown weave was used at the bottom to give an illusion of lightness- as not to pull or burden the crimson bloom above it.

See Rhea Belle.