What started as a single watercolor painting has become something bigger. Ceci Johnson and Little Goodall are back again, for the third time, with the Royal Forest Collection: a coat and party dress built around a hand-painted watercolor world of woodland creatures and florals, brought to life in fabric, thread, and embroidery.
Introducing the Collection
The Royal Forest Collection includes two pieces, each built around the same original watercolor artwork.
The Royal Forest Party Dress is cut from silky charmeuse, with a full skirt and ruffled underskirt for an irresistible twirl, and circular ruffle cuffs that fall open to reveal more of the woodland scene within. Set against a rich black, an ocelot peers through peonies while foxes, owls, and squirrels nestle among tulips, poppies, and roses, with butterflies scattered throughout.
The Royal Forest Coat translates that same watercolor into richly dimensional embroidery against vibrant red, with an ocelot among peonies, butterflies in flight, and foxes and squirrels tucked into exuberant florals. Its removable capelet creates a dramatic silhouette and can be worn on its own, while the A-line coat beneath opens to reveal that same Royal Forest print in the lining.
Together, they're made for evenings that sparkle: a holiday performance of The Nutcracker, dinner at Tavern on the Green, a candlelit family celebration, or the formal portrait you'll want to keep forever.
The Artistry Behind it All
Long before it became a coat or a dress, the Royal Forest print was a single watercolor painting, hand-painted with the same eye for detail and drama that defines Ceci Johnson's luxury designs and bespoke wedding invitations under her Ceci Couture signature. Every creature and flower was painted individually, then arranged into the woodland scene that anchors the entire collection.
From there, the Ceci New York design team took that watercolor and shaped it into a pattern, defining how it would repeat, scale, and feel across a garment, and setting the tone for how each piece would be experienced.
Little Goodall then brought it to life in the clothing itself, designing the dress and coat's unique fits and silhouettes to complement the pattern. Each piece is handmade, with the coat's woodland scene painstakingly recreated in textural embroidery, pairing the watercolor art with construction made to be worn and cherished.
A Collaboration Years in the Making
Ceci Johnson has always loved fashion, and partnering with Little Goodall became another way to bring that love to life. It started with an admiration for Little Goodall's storybook craftsmanship, seven years and three collections ago, long before the two ever worked together. What made it personal was watching her own daughter grow up: wanting to bring her own artistry into something her daughter could have, and one day pass down.
The Royal Forest Collection is the latest result, a limited edition made to be worn and cherished.
Shop the Royal Forest Collection now, available exclusively through Little Goodall.
