Meet & Greet: Allison, owner of Charleston

Allison pictured with her husband

Whether a twist of fate or rather a moment that was meant to be, Allison Long’s trip to South Georgia allotted her the opportunity to connect with Bella Bridesmaid. In April of 2007, Allison opened the doors to her Charleston boutique, where her love of fashion, weddings and a dream of opening her own business all came together. Allison shared with us in more detail on how she came to be a proud Bella owner and where her allegiance lies in choosing Lady Gaga or Adele…

BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

AL: I was working in sales in Atlanta for an insurance network and actually went to visit a business in South Georgia. It turned out that it was Mandi Jackson’s, owner of Bella Bridesmaid Atlanta, father! I was engaged at the time and he told me to visit his daughter's store back in Atlanta for bridesmaid's dresses, so I did! I loved Bella and wanted to be there every day! Long story short, I started working for Mandi on Saturdays after my wedding and then a few months later, Bella Bridesmaid franchised and my husband was offered a job in Charleston, SC. Since I had always wanted to own my own business, as my father and mother were both entrepreneurs themselves, and I absolutely love fashion and weddings, it was the perfect fit. Things don't always fall into place like that, so I would say it was meant to be!


BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in owning your boutique?

AL: Recently I helped style a mother of the bride that I will never forget! After much debate, she chose a Monique Lhuillier long, navy taffeta gown. The kicker was that one day after the dress came in; she called and wanted me to help her with her jewelry, so she ended up coming over to my house that evening and we laid out all of her family jewels, along with some new purchases and decided on "the look". She is the sweetest lady and I think the world of her. That was the first time I have had an appointment in my living room!

Image via Celebrity Bride Guide

BB: What is your fave celebrity wedding dress?

AL: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy… I love how simple and effortless she looked while still exuding such elegance and style.

BB: Tell us about a favorite recent bride that has an interesting story/wedding

AL: One of my brides this past year had THE Lionel Richie perform at her engagement party and Tone Loc at her wedding reception! Talk about “WOW” factor… who doesn't like to shake their tail feather to "Funky Cold Medina"?

Joanna August "Union"

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it?

AL: Date night with my husband is the perfect night! Start out with drinks on a patio or rooftop with a view, then supper and maybe a little live music with friends. I would wear the new navy Joanna August “Union” dress in short with my cowboy boots, a scarf and some Kendra Scott jewelry!

BB: How would you describe your own personal style?

AL: Classic with a bohemian twist…always comfortable.

Allison pictured with Bridget Brown (L), Amsale and
fellow Bella owners

BB: Favorite guilty pleasure?

AL: Mornings on the couch with coffee, The Weather Channel and recently, Pinterest. Oh AND jewelry, scarves and coconut!

Allison with designer Carol Hannah at
Bridal Market 2011

Now... For This & That!

Real Housewives of OC or Beverly Hills?
 Neither!

Facebook or Twitter? Facebook by default.

Green tea or skinny latte? Skinny latte!

Brangelina or Justifer? Brangelina

Lady Gaga or Adele? Adele


                                                                                             
 Thank you Allison!

Our Interview with Vi Hoang of Dolly Pearl

Breathtaking colors, lovely ruffle and flower details, and what we think are just the most perfect dresses all around… Dolly Pearl makes us swoon over each and every gown we see. Vi Hoang created this brilliant collection of dresses after designing for her own bridal party. Having an amazing sense of a woman’s body and incorporating her innovative ideas, she has created such flawless, modern designs. This collection is intended for a bride in search of beautiful, one of a kind dresses for her bridal party, that will make all her maids delighted to wear them on the big day! Vi was able to sit down to answer a few of our questions, even about her most embarrassing high school fashion faux pas…


BB: What do you think has been the most important factor in the success of your business?

V: The most important factor in the success of my business is the personal connection to my clients. In short, happy and satisfied clients equate to a successful business.

BB: When designing for women, specifically bridesmaids, what are your inspirations?

V: When designing for women/bridesmaids, my inspirations are simple--how do I make a woman feel comfortable and exquisite at the same time? Those are the two main points that I start with when I begin the design process. The creativity flows through my hands from there.

Vi's design studio

BB: Was there a specific event or person in your life that led you to begin designing bridesmaid dresses?

V: My wedding actually led me into designing bridesmaid and special occasion dresses and gowns. After my wedding was posted on my wedding photographer's blog, I began receiving numerous requests for my ready to wear styles in a variety of colors for bridal parties. I just thought it was so fun and special to be included on such an important day for brides. It was kismet!

 Katy Perry by Getty Images
 via MTV Style

BB: If you could give any famous woman a makeover, who would she be and how would you style her?

V: This is a tough one! I'm all for individuality in style, even if it's bad style! If I could give any famous woman a makeover it would be Katy Perry--she's all over the place! She has such an amazing figure, and occasionally she'll wear outrageous things to make a bold statement. I think she could still make a statement even if she tones it down a couple notches. You don't have to be outrageous to garner attention.

BB: What high school trend are you embarrassed to admit you followed?

V: I actually went through this horrible phase in high school where all I wore was Gap brand clothing--in black, white, and khaki colors. Talk about one-dimensional! The worst thing in the world to me is losing your individuality and conforming to the masses. Thankfully that was a very short phase.

BB: If you weren’t a designer, what career path would you have chosen?

V: If I wasn't a designer, I would definitely be doing something in the creative field. Before I was a fashion designer, I actually was an interior and graphic designer. I also love writing, so that's definitely something I would consider doing. It's creative, and a profound way to express myself.

Vi wearing the Melinda dress

BB: What is your favorite dress in your collection?

V: My favorite dress in the entire collection would have to be the Melinda dress. It’s minimal, yet sweet and simultaneously sexy. It's just perfect for any special occasion.

BB: Any advice for certain styles for different body shapes?

V: My advice for certain styles for different body shapes--if you're busty, a more tailored fit is ideal, hippy body types look amazing in super flowy dresses, and long torsos look amazing in belted and high waisted dresses.

BB: What are you carrying in your purse?

V: I keep the minimum in my purse--wallet, keys, the lipstick I'm wearing that day, powder compact, anti-bacterial hand lotion, business cards, and a miniature measuring tape roll.

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                       Thank you Vi!
                     

Wear it Again...

Dress: Swoon "Malibu"/ Shoes: Pour La Victoire "Tifara"/ Sunglasses: Gucci / Scarf: Echo "Surf's Up"/ Bangles: Peggy Li "Thin Hammered Bracelet"

Meet & Greet: Brittan, owner of Boston

After hearing of a franchise opportunity with Bella Bridesmaid years ago, Brittan McCarthy couldn’t wait to open the doors to her own storefront. On December 23rd of 2009 her wishes came true, as she celebrated the grand opening of Bella Bridesmaid Boston! Since then Brittan has kept busy with her Boston brides and even helped her best friend find the perfect dresses for her upcoming wedding. We finally got to chat with Brit and ask her a little more about her history before owning Bella, and how life has been since owning her own boutique…

BB: What did you do before owning Bella?

B: From 2003-2007, I owned a small business, “A Kid’s Kab”, that transported small children to and from daycares and preschools in the inner city of Boston. I then went and worked at an ad agency working with biotech and life science companies on their global branding. I thought I was heading to business school to grow further in this industry, but then caught wind of Bella Bridesmaid and was hooked!

Brit at Bridal Market 2011 with fellow store owners
and designer Jessica Brown of Ivy & Aster

BB: Why did you want to become part of the Bella franchise?

B: I have a good friend from college, Erin, who now owns the Chicago and Milwaukee franchises with her mother Kathleen. She had mentioned Bella Bridesmaid when I ended my time with “A Kid’s Kab.” But at that point I was ready try the corporate world and I didn’t think twice about Bella. Flash forward 2 years… I wanted to see if there was a Bella Bridesmaid in Boston that had a certain dress for my friend Kelly’s wedding. I saw on their website the franchise location was for sale and for some amazing reason, I sent an inquiry requesting more information. The rest is history!


BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in your boutique?

B: I have a many memorable moments so it’s hard for me to pinpoint one that tops them all. But, if I have to choose, I’ll never forget one of my first sales. I had just opened and I had someone call last minute on a Friday, I was totally booked for that Saturday. I offered her a quick, 30-minute opening after a fitting appointment, which usually is my lunchtime. She was the sweetest, kindest bride and had a fabulous vision. She came back later at the end of the day and ordered 8 dresses! Of course I was ecstatic about the sale, but more importantly learned that you never know what to expect. I haven’t taken a lunch break on a Saturday since!

LulaKate Zoe

BB: What are your favorite bridesmaid dresses that are hanging in your personal closet?

B: Where do I begin? I love my LulaKate Zoe and Bridget dresses. I currently am counting the days for my new Ivy & Aster Phoenix in stripes and Songbird in Chartreuse to arrive - I already have shoes picked out to wear with these the second they get here! 57 Grand Riverside and Carmine, Swoon Bali, Twobirds with the Rosettes, Joanna August Dara, and Carol-Hannah Pinckney all sit in my closet too. I just got engaged and cannot wait to wear the LulaKate and Ivy & Aster little white dresses!








BB: Tell us about a favorite recent bride that has an interesting story.

B: My best friend, Shannon, is getting married in April 2012. She got engaged last December and came to visit in February. She had already found a wedding dress, so the plan was to just to look at bridesmaid dresses. She ended up seeing a LulaKate bridal gown that I had borrowed for the week and wanted to try it on. This dress is so different than the gown she initially found, but she wanted to try it on. She came out of the dressing room with the most amazing smile on her face and looked at me and said this is my dress! Shannon lives in Atlanta and I’m here in Boston, so we decided to meet in the “middle” (any excuse for a trip to Charleston) at LulaKate, so she could try the dress on one more time. She is now wearing her LulaKate gown, with some fabulous LulaKate sashes, and her bridesmaids will be wearing Thread when she gets married this April in Cleveland!

Lauren Bush, Image by Norman Jean Roy
via Fashionologie

BB: What is your fave celebrity wedding dress?

B: I love Lauren Bush’s wedding dress that was designed by Ralph Lauren. I adore the vintage style of the dress with the sleeves and neck, but  also that it has a modern flare with the slim bodice and open back… stunning!

BB: What are a few of your most versatile styles at the moment?

B: Zoe from LulaKate! It is such an adorable dress that can so easily be re-worn after the wedding day. You can wear it with a cardigan, belt and tights in the fall and winter…or my favorite, is wearing it in the summer with ballet flats or sandals. We just got a new sample in Grass Shantung, I may need to add this to my closet!

Nina Forbes Shoes in Gold

BB: What is the best wedding trend you've seen recently?

B: I’m so glad shoes are back to being an important part of the bridal party’s whole look and style! It just takes one awkward pair of shoes on one bridesmaid to distract from the fabulous dresses and the bride! Nina Shoes offer so many great styles and colors for the bridal party. Everyone can pick their style for their comfort, but have a cohesive look! Our brides have been loving the canary, fuchsia, steel, and gold colors on the Evelixa, Forbes, and Culver shoes.
 
                                                                             Thanks Brit!

               
                                                                                                                               

Wear it Again...

Mar y Sol Multicolor Clutch, Eugenia Kim Sunhat, Jimmy Choo Espadrilles, Kendra Scott Karina Earrings

Coren Moore 2012 Collection

A rainbow of colors, an array of fabrics and phenomenal new styles make Coren Moore’s new collection of bridesmaid dresses some of our absolute faves! The fresh, new designs allow for a bride to pick the perfect dresses to fit the vision of her big day. Whether you’re looking to have a more formal affair with long dresses or a backyard soiree, this collection of dresses gives you all the options you could ever need…

Be Mine...

“Be mine.” Two small words that combine to make just the loveliest little phrase… and really what we desire to hear each year on February 14th. Whether you have a romantic date with your significant other, or plans to go out with your very best girlfriends... you're probably in search of the perfect dress to fit the occasion. Well, we Bella’s say, “look no further!” Why not re-use that bridesmaid dress? We just so happen to think this is just the right occasion to dust off that Joanna August dress that may be lingering in your back of your closet. Still wondering how to make that leap from wedding garb to a fun night on the town? Then take a peek at our Valentine’s Day style board for some inspiration!

1. Guess Women's Rapine Slingback Pump

2. Joanna August, Erica dress in Valentino Red

3. Kendra Scott, Nelsie Earrings in Coronet

4. H&M Blazer

5. Kendra Scott, Paley Cuff Bracelet in Blossom

                                                                                                        xoxo,
                                                                                                                  Bella Bridesmaid