Megan & Yaojen

I met Megan back in October of 2009, she came to the Salon with her cousin, who was also her Maid-of-Honor. She was looking for a gown that would highlight the features that her fiance, Yaojen, loved. She also wanted to surprise him with a traditional Hawaiian wedding dance, as they were to be married on the island of Maui. On a side note, Megan is an actual professional hula dancer!






So, as this was a destination wedding, I had to take into account that the gown was going to travel and that part of the gown needed to be detachable to accommodate the wedding dance. So, with the challenges and requirements needed for Megan's gown, I designed a dress along with Megan that was very sexy and elegant. The gown had a rouched bodice with a flowing satin chiffon skirt that was detachable, while the train stayed attached to the dress. As you can see from the photos, Megan wanted a very low back as well as some other details such as beading along the neckline, the straps and a light spray of beading along the entire dress.
The location and amazing wedding was captured by photographers Brian Khang and Aaron Dieppa. Megan and Yaojen look stunning in these photos along with the breath taking back drop!




Congratulations Megan & Yaojen!

Baby Doll

I thought I would share a little mini gown that was inspired by one of my Brides. I had previously designed a dress for a Brides niece, who was just 10 months old. The dress was a direct reflection of the Bride, with the same color scheme as the Bridal party and the same flow as the Brides. So, I thought it would be fun to design a dress for a baby girl that was also a mini-couture piece. This one is also made from silk and has a cute little tie to the back,which is also the same detail that my Bride had. Perfect for a destination wedding!

Megan & Chris

Megan came to me over a weekend with her parents, who were both visiting from out of town. She had a vision as to what her gown should look like. So after our first meeting, she knew that I would be the Designer able to create her gown. During the design process, Megan decided she also wanted me to design and create dresses for her Mother, her flower girl and her six month old niece. The inspiration for the girls was Megan's gown combined with the bridal party color scheme of black (I will post images of the girls dresses with a surprise in an upcoming post!)
Megan's gown was made from an organza rouched bodice, her skirt was made with raw edged organza that was hand sculpted to look like flowers. We also created her veil, and her feather head piece along with her organza shrug.





Her wedding took place back in her hometown in Ohio, where unfortunately Mother Nature decided to throw in a few thunderstorms. But, even with damp weather, Megan looked stunning and, I believe, made her wedding even more dramatic and incredibly photogenic. Megan was incredibly easy to work with and put her complete trust in me. Her understanding of the Design process made our work enjoyable and memorable. Megan was so happy with the results that she now wants me to create her own unique red carpet gowns...as I now look forward to creating! Her amazingly stunning photos were taken by photographer Michelle Ellis!


Congratulations Megan & Chris!

The Couture Bride Work Shop

We are back for one night only with The Couture Bride Work Shop! The Work Shop is designed to be an intimate one-on-one question and answer session for any Bride or Groom that is feeling overwhelmed with the wedding process. This month we feature special guest Kelly Oshiro of Kelly Oshiro Design. Kelly is a renown Designer/Planner and has been featured on Style Me Pretty, Brides.com, and Once Wed among others. Her daily blog , Santa Barbara Chic, has been honored as one of the best wedding/design blogs and she frequently guest blogs for many of the top 100 wedding and design blogs around the country.
In addition, we will have guest speakers Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie and Adam Martin of Town and Country Event Rentals.
RSVP early as seating is very limited! Also, we will be having a raffle and one lucky Bride (or Groom) will walk away with over $1000 in wedding prizes and services!
I look forward to meeting you...
Alina

Rosanna & Andy

My Bride Rosanna came to me with her sister Angie, whom I have posted about previously, as a referral from the Jeweler across the street. She wanted a gown that would fit into the earthy location of her wedding, Mammoth Mountain. Typically, most of my gowns are a variation of silk, from formal duchess satins to lighter weight silk charmeuse, but for Rosanna, we decided to incorporate linen with silk. For the body of the gown, we used a fine linen and then used a silk shantung to sculpt the floral appliques for the embellishment.
Her gown was organic, earthy, very flowing, and still sexy, perfect for an outdoor wedding in the mountains!




Rosanna also wanted all of her Bridesmaids and Groomsmen to tie into her gown and the the Grooms suit, so we made all of the dresses for the ladies, and the vests and pants for the men, including the little ring bearer. Since linen is a great fabric to hold color, we were able to create a few different swatches with color variations that Rosanna was able to choose from before we started any of the fabrication.
It was truly an honor to have been chosen by both sisters to have been such an integral part in both of their weddings. And now, both Rosanna & Angie, own not one but two truly couture gowns!
All of the love and location was captured by photographers from the Pros.


Congratulations Rosanna & Andy!

The Couture School

Ever wonder how to create the perfect gown? Well, now you can learn in a hands on intimate setting. During an eight week course, I will work one-on-one with only four students in my Design Studio, teaching them the techniques, principles, and skills that I use to design and create the completely couture gown wedding gowns and dresses that my Clients wear.
Here are some of the principles that will be taught during the workshop:

• Introduction and inspiration for Couture Design
  

• How to create technical drawings from the Design
  

• Discussion of Couture embellishments
  

• Draping the form
  

• Sewing construction techniques for different fabrications
  

• Pattern making
  

• Muslin construction and fit
  

• Gown fabrication and Couture details 
  

Classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 - 9pm.
The first session will be September 14th - November 4th.
Tuition is $1600.

Contact me for more information.

Jessica & Daniel

My Bride Jessica discovered me online and since she is a local resident, she decided to make an appointment. As we spoke during her first consultation, which also included her Mother, I came to the realization that, they too were Cuban, just as I am! Of course, Jessica & I connected immediately and she made the task of working with her effortless and fun. I ended up creating Jessica's gown from a photo inspiration that she had found through a magazine tear.




Jessica had a very specific idea for her gown as well as for her Bridesmaids. Most importantly was the specific color she had chosen for her Wedding that she wanted to incorporate into the Bridesmaids dresses and Groomsmen ties. So, I ended up designing and fabricating her gown, her Maid-of-honor, four Bridesmaids, her niece, all of the ties for the Groom & Groomsmen, and even the napkins for the reception!





All of this tied into the amazing location of her Wedding which was in the Malibu Riviera area. The gown, dresses, colors of the Wedding party, all blended beautifully with the ocean, sky, and natural surroundings that make up the Malibu area. Not only was I given the honor of being involved in this very special day, but my Husband & I were also invited to attend the Wedding. It was a lovely surprise to see that she had sat us with her family!
The Wedding and reception were captured beautifully by well know photographer Asgeir Bollason of Asgeirfotographica. His photo journalistic style complimented the wedding, the wonderful location and the great love that is so evident between Jessica & Daniel.




Congratulations Jessica & Daniel!

Pasadena Magazine - "City's Best"

For the second year in a row, we have been named as "City's Best" by Pasadena Magazine! It is truly an honor, as there are so many unique businesses, both Design oriented and Wedding, that thrive in Pasadena. So, to be named as one of the Best is just an amazing validation that what we do is unique and special! For those of you who don't have a copy of the July Issue, here is what they said:

"City's Best Dress For Your Big Day -
Looking for that custom tailored dress? Alina Pizzano helps brides walk down the aisle with the utmost confidence. A former resident of NYC, Pizzano was Senior Designer at BCBG, has worked for Anne Klein, assisted in the launch of KaufmanFranco, and has worked for Limited Design Services amongst other reputable fashion houses. Pizzano specializes in creating custom gowns and is open to her client's individual needs. She works closely with brides to ensure that phenomenal, one-of-a-kind look is theirs on their special day - exactly how they want it. Her Collections are inspired by everyday surroundings: from architecture, to gardens, Pizzano finds life's beauty and incorporates it into her dresses in ways you won't see elsewhere."

Once again... Thank You Pasadena Magazine!

The Process of Design: Part 3

In Part 2, we created a complete muslin gown catering to Tina's measurements and showing the elements of the actual design.
In this next step, I create the final gown from the inside out. First, the muslin gown is taken apart and patterns are adjusted to the last fitting Tina and I had. These patterns are now transferred onto the actual silk fabric that will make up the final gown. Once cut, these patterned pieces are put together in a state where we can re-fit Tina again to confirm that nothing has changed, or if there are some more adjustments, they can now be done at this stage.



It is also at this stage that I build the actual under garments into the gown. For Tina, we are creating a corset type foundation, which also gives support and structure to the gown. This silk "base" gown will now act as the foundation for the rest of her pleated and ruffled overlay.
The next stage is the fabrication and application of all of the fine details of her gown. But, for those photos, you will have to wait until after the wedding! We don't' want to ruin the surprise for her fiance and the rest of the Party.

Angie & Joe

My dear Bride Angie, was referred to me through a Jeweler that was in the Pasadena Jewelry Mart across the street from the Salon. She was searching for her ring, when the subject of her gown came up and so the Jeweler actually walked her over to meet me. Angie came with her fiance at the time, Joe, and her sister, who was also engaged. After a brief discussion, they both went home to put together all of their tear sheets and gown inspiration and came back to the Salon for a second meeting the same day. After discussing their idea, budget, and timeline, I signed both sisters on the spot.
Angie also wanted custom gowns made for her sister, who is her Maid-of-Honor, and her best friend who is her Bridesmaid. Being the modern woman that she is, I created a gown out of silk crepe that fit Angie's beautiful figure as well as her own unique style. The bridal party were also given that modern fitted look to compliment the Bride.
Congratulations Angie & Joe!
One sister down, one to go...