Ulla laughs. "I sing most of my clothes from scraps of fabric, with flowers or leaves for the color." All of her gowns started off as bits and pieces, but Ulla didn't sew them.

She opens one of the trunks, pulling out long silk dresses in rich jewel tones, jewelry woven and braided from what looks like sleek black thread, framing stone cabochons, dotted with tiny iridescent pearls.