designers
Rachel and Debra Murphy

seamstress
Rachel Murphy

“The Promise,” named by the dancer's family, takes its inspiration from a quote from Jeremiah: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, and to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11). The abridged quote, in freehand machine embroidery on the rim of the skirt, is from the Latin Vulgate, in Celtic script. It reads as follows:

Ego scio cogitationes quas cogito super vos ~ pacis ut
dem vobis finem et patientiam.

"I know the plans (or “thoughts”) I have for you ~ to prosper
you and to give you hope and a future."

The main fabric of “The Promise” is black dupioni silk with a starry purple netting suggestive of a night sky. The designs of the dress combine traditional Celtic knotwork—some pieces directly borrowed from the ancient Book of Kells—with geometric patterns (especially in the Celtic Cross on the bodice) in metallic fabrics, including glitterdot and lamé, in shades of deep purple, blue, and gold. All the satin stitching is freehand machine embroidery using metallic threads in various shades of blue/sapphire, purple, and gold. The dress is accented with Swarovski (genuine Austrian) crystals in colors of crystal and amethyst.

This unique design was created by Rachel and Debra Murphy, and sewn by Rachel Murphy of Silverlode Needlecraft, and completed in December of 2004.