photo via Adorned Vintage

Shopping for a dress has not been an easy task. Being in the industry makes it exceptionally hard knowing that I’ve seen brides in almost every dress and designer. When envisioning my dress, I found myself fusing together bits and pieces of the details that make my heart flutter from the many designers we’ve featured and adore so much. It was pretty clear to me after visiting just a few boutiques that my heart desired something custom.

Enter Madeleine Fig. I first met designer Jannina Figueroa and her mom Liz at New York Bridal Market a few years back. It was one of those instances where you’re perusing booth after booth after booth filled with white dress after white dress after white dress… and really they all look the same after a while. On the third floor of The Knot Couture Show, feeling wiped and honestly a bit bored, I stumbled upon one of the last booths that stopped me in my tracks. My heart fluttered instantly for a rack of little white dresses, followed by a section of beautiful gowns, intimates and darling bridal accessories. You could tell there was something fresh and one-of-a-kind about the detailing and design work to each piece. I ended up chatting with Jannina and Liz for about an hour. The mother-daughter duo is quite cool. Liz has her own textile and design company. Following in similar yet different footsteps is Jannina with Madeleine Fig. I found out they were newer to the bridal industry, that they were based in Los Angeles, and that all product was made right in Los Angeles as well.

Over the next year or so I would continue to connect with them at every market between New York and Los Angeles. I even wore one of Jannina’s dresses to our Issue No. 6 release party at BHLDN. Little did I know, that that moment was the beginning of a beautiful relationship that would lead to my one-day wedding dress.

Fast forward to right now and I’m pins and needles deep into my custom design! Sorry, you’ll have to wait until the big day to see!

Mind you, I’ve altered clothing, but I’ve never had anything made completely custom from scratch. I’m blown away by just how much I’m enjoying this experience. I went to Jannina with a vision and she’s bringing it to life piece by piece, inch by inch, detail by detail.

At this point, we’ve nailed down the shape and silhouette from the neckline to the waistline to the sleeve length and all the way down to the train. I have one more fitting before we start cutting the final fabric! Eek! I’m so excited to see it come together and share it with you in just two short months.

photo via Adorned Vintage

My words of wisdom to those brides who want to go custom… It can be scary, I know! Try on as many dresses as you can beforehand and make note of the elements that you love from fit, to length, material, texture, weight, color, etc… The clearer your vision is from the beginning the better.

Know that you have to leave quite a bit to the imagination as you go through the design process. There will be moments where you’ll be fitted and trying on dummy silhouettes and being drawn on, cut, pinned and prodded….and the “dress” will look nothing like the final the product. It’s faith in your designer (thank you Jannina, Liz and Rose!) to know they understand your vision and that you are getting something truly unique to you. Be open-minded and don’t be shy when it comes to voicing the things you like and don’t like. The better the communication, the better the experience and outcome.

Until October!