As a Designer
Sensual lines, dramatic colors, sparkling embellishments, nature’s geometry, bohemian decadence, and opulent eras of fashion make me swoon. Mid-century vintage elements, structured woven fabrics, and architectural silhouettes softened by feminine details are common themes in my work. I’m perennially inspired by arabian and oriental fantasy.
Without the synergy of craftsmanship, a concept remains formless. A sketch on paper, no matter how beautiful, simply can’t materialize without ability. As a result, my approach to design has always been through a technical lens, starting with detailed illustrations that consider the construction process and continuing via precise patterns and sewing.
My paramount goal is to create the gown that will delight you. When I say that I “design with the bride in mind”, it means that your considerations and needs come first. I’m aided but not bounded by my own sense of art and style.
As a Dressmaker
For more than 20 years, I have studied and practiced the art of dressmaking in a lifelong pursuit of technical skill and beauty. It has always been my intention to be challenged with ambitious projects and a career path to expand my limits. Nothing matches my sense of accomplishment after a 200+ hour project, especially when I see the joy and delight of my client.
I’m also familiar with the tradecraft used in the specialized realm of dance performance. A dancer’s costume must be highly functioning and secure through sequences of often extreme movement. Coupled with my couture training, the result is a degree of stability, fit, and comfort that far outpaces conventional gowns.
A Little Backstory
At the tender age of four, I shredded my grandmother’s brand new skirt for a hula costume. Undeterred from the following spanking, I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) of San Francisco with a degree in fashion design 20 years later. I also hold a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH).
Previously I have been a Technical Designer at legacy brand Halston, a sewing and pattern making instructor at Academy of Art University, an Assistant Designer at Cari Borja, a patternmaker at Azadeh Couture , and a stitcher at Teatro Zinzanni.
If you’d like to see more specific details about my work history, please visit my LinkedIn Profile.
In addition to creating couture gowns for my clients, I serve as Head Seamstress at Vera Wang San Francisco where we provide the highest level of service and proficiency to our exacting brides. It is my pleasure to bring this same level of expertise and care to my personal clients.
My work has been worn by hundreds of brides and dancers worldwide, in several fashion industry publications and blogs, and featured on the cover of Knitty magazine. When unchained from the sewing machine, I enjoy playing guitar, listening to history podcasts, throwing the ball for my dog, and obsessively inspecting my succulents for new growth.