Loving Dad Creates Custom Clothes For His Daughter, And Here Are 30 Of The Best Outfits

This has created a wonderful bond between father and daughter.

Damjan

Published in Interesting
5 May 2021

Loving Dad Creates Custom Clothes For His Daughter, And Here Are 30 Of The Best Outfits

Michael Gardner turned a simple father-daughter project into a full creative outlet, and the results are hard to miss. What started as a way to bond with his young daughter Ava soon became a growing collection of custom outfits, thrift-store makeovers, and handmade looks that stand out online.

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He began sewing in 2014, first by modifying women’s clothing and later by building the Daddy Dressed Me brand around Ava’s confidence and his own love of making things. Along the way, Michael has created more than 200 unique outfits and shared them with nearly 21,000 followers on Instagram.

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Some of the backstory is personal, and it makes the project feel even more meaningful. Read on.

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Michael Gardner

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Michael Gardner

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Michael Gardner

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Michael Gardner

"I have been creative since I was a kid and have utilized my talents to express myself in many outlets. I've tried my hand at writing, poetry, room renovations, upcycling furniture, painting, party planning, photography, and cooking. When I discovered sewing, the experience gave me a feeling I had not accomplished with any other craft," Michael says on his blog.

"I appreciate the ability to create a garment that began as an idea in my thoughts, and seeing the piece walk the streets, either on myself or Ava, is an amazing feeling. Being a father is my most important responsibility and what I am most proud of in life. It is a blessing to be able to combine my journey of fatherhood with my love of creativity while creating memories with my child."

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Michael Gardner

Michael's wish to be an involved parent was motivated by his own childhood experiences. "I wanted to make sure she felt confident, that she loved herself, and that she could believe in her abilities, which are all the things I struggled with as a kid," he told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"I would be physically standing in front of him [my dad] saying 'hi,' and he'd ignore me. He would cross the street to go up the block and avoid me," Michael explained.

That history helps explain why these outfits mean so much to him.