“Honestly? [When I saw the inspiration photos], I thought, ‘No way. Not going to happen.’ The photo was so sassy and haute couture, and stringwork is so stiff and old-fashioned looking. I was lost [as to] how to make the two work together. I basically picked three key string techniques and did a sketch, then picked three modern decorating techniques and did a sketch, then put one on top of the other. I had no idea [how] it was going to work out and I kept thinking, ‘Wow, this is going to look terrible.’ To my joy, the actual cake started coming together…. I love how an old-fashioned-looking technique can look fresh, modern and ripped straight from your favorite high fashion magazine when [you are] determined enough. I wanted haute couture sass in an urban environment.”  -Jennifer Bratko