House staffer finds her dream gown for Inauguration on Treehugger.com

One of the House’s greenest staffers went green for Inauguration, too.

Allison Rogers, a program manager for the House Chief Administrative Office’s Green the Capitol Program, found a designer from her home state of Rhode Island who uses sustainable, organic fabrics and a natural dying process for her dresses.

Rogers, who won Miss Rhode Island 2006 on a global warming-awareness platform, found Newport, R.I.-based designer Katie Brierley through a posting on Treehugger.com. She then visited Brierley’s workspace in an old, renovated carriage house, and they picked out two dresses for Rogers to wear to Inaugural festivities, which Rogers attended with Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.).

Brierley’s label is called Isoude, and the dresses she rented to Rogers retail for $5,000 each.

Dresses can be rented at a fraction of the cost to women who fit into sample sizes.

Brierley explained that she designs for “women of all ages but with the greatest sophistication.” She called her typical client “a woman who is a collector of great life experiences.”

Her clientele includes “prominent political figures, international royalty and celebrities,” she said, declining to provide any names. “Part of the reason why people come to me is because I keep things so private,” she said. “That’s always been my policy, and I just don’t talk about it. All of my business is by referrals.”

Brierley’s brand is showcased at www.isoude.com. Interested parties can e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 212-203-6107 for more information. Each piece is made to order, and samples can be sent to any location.

Pink dress

Description: A silk charmeuse gown in a naturally dyed vintage rose color, lined with spun silk. Pleating in the front and back of the gown. Open back with wide crossing tucked straps that wrap around the body. The wearer can customize the drape of the dress with the straps.

Indigo dress

Description: The full-length evening gown has a diagonally draped cowl neck in front and back. The dress is made from a Thai silk velvet and is fully lined with crepe de chine silk. The indigo color comes from a natural dye that has been curing for 20 years.