Later, she learned more about the history of the Victorian era and settled on the bustle dresses as her favorite — “You know, when they had the big badonkadonk!” she laughs.

Every dress tells a story, but in the case of Namibia’s Herero dress, it’s a 100-year-old tale of genocide, oppression, resilience, and — hopefully — redemption. In the early 20th century ...

She's even found pieces that would make great bridesmaids dresses. Her collection dates back as far as Victorian dresses from the 1800s to more modern pieces from the Y2K era.

News Victorian dresses and royal fashion: Photos from the inaugural Freedom Ball, held on Staten Island Updated: Feb. 19, 2024, 8:19 p.m. | Published: Feb. 18, 2024, 11:14 a.m.