The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang is a heartwarming, visually stunning graphic novel about friendship, identity, and acceptance. It follows Prince Sebastian, who secretly loves wearing dresses, and his talented dressmaker, Frances. Together, they explore freedom and self-expression. With beautiful art and a touching story, it's perfect for fans of inclusive, uplifting tales.

Very sweet story, with attractive illustrations. One I would recommend for younger readers in my school, though a little young for most of my students.

YES. ALL THE YES.
5 Stars? 6 Stars! 10 Stars! All the stars!

Absolutely phenomenal and perfect in every way -- story, art, execution, character development, the overwhelming acceptance, and all the feels. Everyone needs to read this.

I've owed the publisher a review for this one for some time, admittedly, so a big thank you to them and Netgalley for hooking me up with an egalley in exchange for an honest review. In like 2018. 😬
Anyway! This graphic novel was delightful!
Great art, a fun yet touching story, good queer rep*...so much to like about it.

*I am hesitant to try to assign a label to Sebastian, but "genderfluid" seems about right.

Set in 19th century Paris, this heartwarming graphic novel isn’t just for francophiles and fashionistas: it’s a story of friendship, acceptance, and courage that is sure to appeal to readers of all ages and interests. It’s a delight watching Frances and Sebastian not only grow together but also grow into themselves as the story progresses, and the optimistic conclusion to their fairy tale is a bright moment in a dark world.

Staff pick for Belmont Books

Absolutely visually stunning and a sweet and inclusive story about fashion and gender expression without needing any definitions, descriptions, or explanations. Several patrons have requested more like this specifically for the beautiful dress design.

First and foremost, the artwork is beautiful. The coloring and line work add so much to the tone of story. It compliments it particularly well.

The story is quite modern in its tone but it’s themes and execution have charm and a fairytale-like quality that would make it an enjoyable read for those readers who especially enjoy fairytale retellings but are looking for more original work.

The character are heartwarming and endearing and full of delight. Bound to enhance any classroom setting with what is familiar within and new brought to.

Loved this completely. So heartwarming and uplifting. The illustrations are gorgeous and what a perfect way to approach important topics.

Ah, the stuff that fairytales are made of: a handsome young prince, overbearing parents who seek to marry off the heir to the throne, a glittering ballroom filled with all manner of royalty, and a shy young commoner with a heart of gold.
​But wait. Things take an unexpected turn. The prince, it seems, enjoys wearing gorgeous gowns. He covertly employs Frances, a lowly young dressmaker with a flair for the spectacular to create custom creations for him. When she learns the identity of her employer, the dressmaker is nonplussed and continues her work, making stunning works of couture for her client.
Eventually his private passion for dazzling attire becomes public and his parents must come to terms with this aspect of their son's identity. Wang injects a humorous conclusion at the story’s reveal that is fanciful and immensely satisfying.
Cross-dressing is only one aspect of The Prince and the Dressmaker story line. For me, the development of the relationship between the prince and the dressmaker is at its heart.
Initially Frances is Sebastian’s employee, designing his fetching fashions. Soon she becomes his co-conspirator, helping to hide his secret. Gradually a compatible relationship begins to blossom. There comes a point when the dressmaker realizes that she wants more for herself. She wants the opportunity to expand her skills and explore her own passions. This is the moment when Sebastian must decide. Will he protect his image at the expense of Frances’ opportunities for artistic expression and professional recognition? The consequences of his choice weigh heavily on him. His decision will significantly affect the future of each. However, this is a fairy tale and readers are rewarded with a “happily ever after.” The prince realizes that the only way to true happiness is to consider Frances' dreams as well as his own. I love this image: two young dreamers, sitting beside one another as equals. Now that's a happily every after!

Let's talk Coulture
Can we talk about the gowns for a moment? They are fantastic! Frances, AKA Jen Wang has a style that is fresh and exciting. The clothing serves to complement the wearer, not overwhelm or overpower. From the first glance, readers notice the full effect of each ensemble paired together with the unique personality of the individual. This is how clothing is meant to be. Jen gets it right. Brilliant costume design.

Wait... There is More to Love
I finished reading the fairytale romance with a satisfied sigh and turned what I assumed was the final page. Not so. Wang gives the readers a glimpse into her process. The bonus material is instructive and inspirational. She describes in detail the tools that she uses. A step-by -step guide chronicles her approach as well as offering a glimpse into her decision-making thinking. This peek into the method used to spin the story’s magic is a superlative bonus. Thanks Jen for this most excellent back matter

Um, I need a moment for you to truly comprehend how fabulous this book is. The entire premise of “The Prince and the Dressmaker” is phenomenal and I cannot get of it.
This is the book I did not know I needed in my life, but bloody hell did I need it. It is heartwarming, quirky, adorable, and just plain ol’ amazing. It’s not my typical read (hello dystopian and fight to the deaths) but oh boy did I fall in love with it right way.
As a graphic novel, the illustrations are not overtly detailed like a manga, but they fit the plot perfectly. They give it even more character to be honest!
Please, for all that is sacred and needed to restore a little bit of faith in humanity, go and get your hands on this gem!
A copy of the book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book through Edelweiss, but technical difficulties prevented me from reading it until now. This book is a delightful re-imagining of history full of beautiful dresses and the love and acceptance of family and friends. If only all non-binary people could have this sort of happy ending to their relationships with their loved ones.

The relationship between Frances and Sebastian was so well done! I loved their dynamic and the easy way they worked off each other and inspired each other to do greater things. (view spoiler)

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fluffy story with true warmth and emotional depth. A lovely edition to anyone's graphic novel collection.

Very beautifully drawn, though this book may not receive the reception it deserves. Some of parents love it and other abhor it.

(NOTE: Review also posted to Amazon, but they're taking their sweet time on getting it posted!)

I 100% did NOT realize this was a graphic novel when I requested it from Goodreads. If you’ve followed my blog at all, you’ve probably noticed I’ve reviewed VERY FEW graphic novels. I just don’t like them. They don’t give me enough details about a story, I like “real” books.

But this book. This book isn’t JUST a graphic novel. This book is an utterly charming tale of a poor girl who just wants to make fabulous dresses, and a prince who just wants to WEAR dresses.

This book is about learning to accept who you are. It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to be you.

The characters in this book, despite being a graphic novel, were developed characters. The story was rich and full.

This book makes me want to give more graphic novels a chance.

A+ Jen Wang. When will the cartoon movie be coming to *Netflix???


*Note: As far as I know there is no cartoon movie of The Dressmaker coming to Netflix. Just wishful thinking on my part!

Prince Sebastian's parents are determined to find him a bride, but Sebastian's interests lie elsewhere. He enlists a young dressmaker named Frances to create intricate, eye-catching high-fashion gowns--for Sebastian himself to wear. Wearing these dresses, Sebastian becomes Lady Crystallia, a celebrated paragon of fashion in every corner of the city. Yes, there are sacrifices that have to be made--for one, Frances can never properly take credit for her creations, since everyone knows that she's a royal dressmaker. And for another, Sebastian's dual identity is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. When the truth finally comes out, both Sebastian and Frances will have to stand up for themselves--and hope that those they love will stand beside them. A graphic novel that will satisfy readers looking for a cheerful and imaginative take on historical gender roles.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for this early copy!

I finally picked this up and was amazed at how quickly I fell in love with this graphic novel, the characters, the story, and the art style. I recommend checking out this well-written and heart warming graphic novel! :D

I love everything about this except the cover. I was interested once I learned the premise, though, and I was hooked from the first page once I began reading.

Omg when the dad enters the fashion show.... so much love for that scene!

A wonderful graphic novel that introduces inclusivity into an age group that is thirsting for diversity. Has a wonderful message about balancing desires and social expectations. A true delight to read.

In historical Paris, Prince Sebastian is supposed to be finding a bride. His parents are eager for him to get settled, having no clue that Sebastian’s passion is focused elsewhere. When he can get away from the castle, he puts on beautiful dresses and goes by the name Lady Crystallia. At his side is his best friend and dressmaker, Frances, who has dreams of designing the most unique fashion. But Frances must keep her role as Sebastian’s dressmaker a secret…one that might cost her her dreams.

Jen Wang’s The Prince and the Dressmaker is completely adorable, heart-warming, and is guaranteed to wet your eyes. Sebastian and Frances are both wonderful characters, and I love how their friendship is at the heart of the story. They find something in each other that they haven’t found elsewhere, and they have some truly beautiful moments together. I also appreciate the inclusion of Sebastian’s family in the plot. Sebastian struggles with being honest with them, and they are frustrated at Sebastian’s procrastination in choosing a bride. However, they all love each other deeply, and there is a moment towards the end where Sebastian’s father shows his loyalty to his son that made me weep.

Likewise, Frances has a great character arc as well. She has clear goals and dreams, and those become complicated when she takes on the role as the prince’s dressmaker. Yet, she is never afraid to stand up for herself or to fight for her dreams. She is both loyal and kind, and fierce and ambitious.

I would do a great disservice if I didn’t mention the utter beauty in the drawings of this graphic novel. The clothing in particular is so detailed that I can only imagine the amount of time the author spent creating the high fashion scenes. There are a couple of areas where a scene or facial expression is hard to interpret, but the vast majority of the time, the illustrations pull you right into a story of beautiful color and style.

The Prince and the Dressmaker is the kind of book you’ll want to physically hug after reading. Sebastian and Frances are lovable, endearing, and complex. I would read a hundred stories about them just to spend more time with them in their world.

This is a heartwarming graphic novel about a prince with a big secret and the young dressmaker who helps him. It will make you smile, laugh, think, and maybe even cry. It’s a must read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my honest review.

A title that is a refreshing change in identity exploration.

Prince Sebastian has parents eager to find him a bride. But Sebastian is otherwise occupied: he has yet to confess to his love of dressing up as Lady Chrystallia and taking Paris’ fashion world by storm.

Only his dressmaker, Frances knows that he likes getting dressed in dresses, but how long can she keep it to herself?