From where we stand, it feels like this pattern has been an AGE in the making... Designed back in the summer of 2014 (!!) and originally named the Zeena Dress before our flaky creative minds replaced her with a new, more seasonally appropriate Zeena Dress (and one that we felt suited the real Zeena better!), I honestly don't know how this dreamy 70s inspired number got shelved for so long. Thinking about it now, Summer 2014 was actually the year before the whole 70s revival trend really came to life, so you could say that not only were we way ahead of the curve in predicting that, but also subconsciously savvy enough to put it off until the world was truly ready! Anyway, enough waffling from me... Let's get straight to the point - the Alix Dress is finally here and ready for you - click here to shop now! Or read on for all you need to know...

Named after our gorgeous Actress-Activist gal pal, Alix Wilton Regan (more about her at the end of this post...), and inspired by the dreamy glamour of the 70s, Alix will take you effortlessly from a hazy summer festival to an elegant soirée in town. A high-waisted prairie dress with a V-neck yoke, inset waistband, tie back belt and a full skirt, pleated at centre front and back. And best of all, no zipper! With long, billowing raglan sleeves secured at the wrist with a delicate elasticated cuff and three skirt length options (& everything in between!) Alix can be just as at home worn with a pair of beat up old jeans as she is swooshing down the red carpet…!

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Variation 1 is your new party dress go-to pattern! Nothing screams elegance more than a floor sweeping Ossie Clark style gown and the Alix dress has that in spades. Opt for luxe drapey fabrics in jewel tones, and how about taking it to the next level with a beaded or embroidered yoke and waistband?

Variation 1 maxi dress made up in amethyst silk crêpe

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For trans-seasonal sewing at its finest, the minidress of Variation 2 will see you through the colder months in style layered over a vest, woolly tights and boots, but will still be the first dress you reach for when festival season comes back around again!

Variation 2 minidress made up in 1930s inspired dahlia print viscose from Til The Sun Goes Down

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For those in the mood for more me-made separates to play with, Alix will have a place in your heart too - made up in a soft cotton lawn and worn over your favourite pair of jeans she will be your Sunday lunch staple, or go for a grown up crêpe de chine and you've got an unexpected and super chic twist on the classic silk shirt for swanning around the office and evening jaunts!

Variation 3 tunic top made up in floral cotton lawn and contrast yoke and inset waistband

**Get your Alix Dress pattern now!**

Recommended fabrics: Light to medium weight wovens will bring out the best in Alix - cotton lawn, voile, chambray, flannel, double gauze, cotton silk, sandwashed silk, silk noil, wool crêpe, viscose crêpe, rayon and cupro.

As ever, a huge and resounding shout out to our one and only, wickedly talented Anna Walker for her beautiful fashion illustrations! One day, we dream of having a whole studio wall covered in all our illustrated BHL girls...

Love and hugs also go to our muse, Alix Wilton Regan, Actress-Activist extraordinaire! When she's not flying around the world and shimmying up red carpets, Alix can be found in Calais - specifically in the refugee camp The Jungle - screening movies in her pop up cinema, setting up play tents for the kids, building football pitches, delivering aid and generally just being the kind and wonderful superhuman that she is. We couldn't be prouder to have her in our gang! You can learn more about Alix's grassroots charitable initiative, Play4Calais, and donate to her incredibly worthy cause here.

Last but certainly not least, our thanks go to: Katie Marcus (graphic design), Kate Cooper (photography), Poppy France (makeup artist), Emily Crowther (hair) and Andree at Til The Sun Goes Down (fabric for Variation 2).