Portrait Frock

The perfect portrait requires the most exquisite dress.

A pastel portrait will proudly hang in your home for generations. The dress your child wears on the painting will remain forever too. For years, many of Sally’s young sitters have worn Charlotte sy Dimby hand-smocked dresses from the iconic Parisian children’s boutique L’Île aux Fées.

“I highly recommend the classic handmade French style heirloom.”

Sally Gates

Browse portrait dresses Ask for advice

From Paris

Two names, one beautiful universe

Girl in a white heirloom Charlotte sy Dimby smocked dress with Peter Pan collar

Charlotte sy Dimby: our e-shop

Hand-smocked dresses · girls 3 months to 12 years · boys’ outfits · shipped to the US

Each dress is smocked and embroidered by hand within our very own atelier by our team of experts. The finishing details are those that will stand out on canvas: the piping on the Peter Pan collar, rosettes at the cuffs, elaborate smocking across the bodice.

Visit the e-shop

Custom made design, a unique piece for your portrait

Upon request, our designs can be custom made: choose the colour, the fabric, the smocking and allow us to bring to life the outfit of your dreams.

Request a custom-made dress

L’Île aux Fées

Children’s boutique · 66 rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Paris 6^e

Our boutique, home to all our collections, is located steps from the Luxembourg Gardens at the heart of the Left Bank. Sally has visited several times. If you travel to Paris before your session, you can book a VIP appointment and try the dresses in person.

Book a VIP appointment

On canvas

Sally’s portraits in our dresses

Two pastel portraits by Sally Gates, girls in Charlotte sy Dimby white smocked dresses

Two pastel portraits by Sally Gates, girls in Charlotte sy Dimby blue smocked dresses

Two pastel portraits by Sally Gates, girls in Charlotte sy Dimby pink smocked dresses

Two pastel portraits by Sally Gates, girls in Charlotte sy Dimby blue and lilac smocked dresses

More portraits and the full dress guide in the Charlotte sy Dimby Journal.

Colour

Blue, white or pink: three colours that last

Blue

The most flattering colour for a child’s portrait. Pastel, sky and dusty blues suit every skin tone and eye colour. They translate faithfully from photo session to pastel.

See the blue dresses

White

White, off-white and ivory reflect the light and give the pastel its glow. With a neutral shade, your child’s features take center stage.

See the white heirlooms

Pink

From pale, to blush, powder and deeper rose, pink brings a soft, romantic mood to a formal portrait and photographs beautifully in Sally’s pastels.

See the pink dresses

Style

What looks best on canvas

Traditional silhouettes

A collar and a smocked bodice give clean lines which Sally can render precisely. A classic cut also allows for a timeless portrait which will stand the test of years going by.

Solid shades over prints

Choose a solid colour or a subtle texture. Florals and busy patterns tend to compete with your child’s face, which is the true subject of the portrait.

Less is more

A hair ribbon matching the dress is enough. The dress speaks for itself.

Pastel portrait of a little boy by Sally Gates in a white Charlotte sy Dimby double breasted shirt with blue piped Peter Pan collar — Painted by Sally Gates in 2025, in a Charlotte sy Dimby double breasted shirt.

For little boys

Little gentlemen, timeless portraits

Sally paints little boys with the same delicacy: a crisp collar, a gentle gaze, the quiet dignity of a classic portrait. Charlotte sy Dimby dresses little boys too, from hand-smocked bubbles for babies to shirt and short sets for older boys, from 3 months to 5 years. Upon request, we can dress your sons up to 8 years.

The collar comes first

In a head and shoulders portrait, the collar frames your son’s face. A Peter Pan collar with fine piping or delicate embroidery gives the portrait its timeless character.

White and soft blues

Crisp white and pale blue are the classic choices for little boys and translate beautifully in pastel. Avoid logos, bold prints and dark shades close to the face.

A silhouette for every age

For the youngest, a smocked bubble keeps the silhouette soft and neat. For older boys, a shirt and short set with a Peter Pan collar looks smart without ever feeling stiff.

Baby boy in the Heirloom White smocked bubble romper by Charlotte sy Dimby

3 months to 2 years

The heirloom bubble

A white hand-smocked bubble romper with a Peter Pan collar: the purest choice for the youngest little boys.

See the bubble

Little boy in the Thomas blue and white double breasted shirt and short set by Charlotte sy Dimby

6 months to 4 years

The Thomas set

A double breasted shirt with a rounded collar and buttoned shorts in blue and white: the timeless outfit of a little Parisian gentleman. Back in stock soon.

See the set

Little boy in the Heirloom Colburn blue smocked set by Charlotte sy Dimby

6 months to 4 years

The smocked set

A smocked shirt paired with pale blue shorts: a traditional outfit for a little gentleman.

See the set

Discover the boys’ collection Ask for advice

Planning

When to choose the dress

Sessions with Sally are booked well ahead, and so is the dress. Contact Charlotte sy Dimby two to three months before your photography date.

3 months before

Consultation

Tell us about your child, the session and the colour you have in mind. We can then guide you step by step, offering personalised advice.
2 to 3 months before

Sizing

We will help you to take accurate measurements. If needed, we can adjust or custom make to ensure a perfect fit.
Shipping

From Paris to you

We ship worldwide. Shipping to the US takes a week on average; we recommend allowing at least 10 days to be safe.
The day before

Steam and tie the bow

Press or steam the dress, and carry it in a garment bag if you travel to the session.

Tie the sash in the back using our tutorial.

Wear your prettiest smile and let the magic unfold.

Start the consultation Size guide

“We have had the honor of meeting Sally Gates several times in our Parisian boutique and featured in many of her portraits through our dress. She captures the unique personality of each model, the hair and skin tone, the glow of the eyes, the outfit details so perfectly! Yet her greatest asset may well be her kind heart.”

Charlotte · Charlotte sy Dimby · Paris

Traditional smocked dresses at L’Île aux Fées, Paris

In person

Choose the dress in Paris

Travelling to Paris before your session? L’Île aux Fées welcomes families by VIP appointment: time to try several dresses, compare colours in daylight and settle on the one Sally will paint.

L’Île aux Fées
66 rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs, 75006 Paris
info@lileauxfees.com