“La Dama en Púrpura” (The Lady in Purple) — Custom Commission

Día de los Muertos Floral Crown for Jessica

In celebration of remembrance and radiant beauty, this bespoke crown was created for Jessica, who envisioned something exquisitely non-traditional: a monochromatic Day of the Dead halo blooming entirely in shades of lavender, lilac, and deep royal purple.

Her inspiration began with AI-generated imagery and a curated palette of violets — tones more serene than the customary fiery reds and marigolds of the holiday. From this vision, I sculpted a lush, oversized 36-inch floral halo overflowing with peonies, dahlias, ruffled petals, and soft vintage greenery, each bloom hand-placed to create an opulent, immersive silhouette.

To honor traditional elements, I incorporated a tall, cathedral-like structure of stiffened lace, echoing sacred papel picado and antique mantillas. Nestled at the center rests a hand-painted sugar skull — a joyful guardian spirit — surrounded by layers upon layers of purple blossoms.

Below the florals, an ornate jeweled tiara glimmers in amethyst and lilac stones, mirroring the colors of the crown and adding the dramatic sparkle so often seen in stylized Calavera imagery. Every detail sings in harmony: the shimmer of the rhinestones, the luminosity of the petals, the elegance of the lace.

Created start-to-finish in just one week and shipped immediately to meet her November 1st event deadline, this crown stands as one of my favorite monochromatic commissions — bold, reverent, and indulgently feminine.

A tribute in lavender.
A remembrance in purple.
A queen’s crown for the night when the veil grows thin.