Couture Dossier

Bride's Choice Awards 2012!

2012-01-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

Honored to once again have received the Bride's Choice Award from Wedding Wire! This is the third year in a row that I have received this award and I am so excited and truly humbled that my Brides and Clients feel that I am worthy of such accolades!

Thank you so much to all my Brides, Clients, fans and supporters! I look forward to a fantastic year as we have many amazing things already in the works and hope to share with you soon! Thanks also to the Wedding Wire Network that is such a great support!

Regards...

Alina

Pasadena Magazine

2012-01-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

Exciting News! The January issue of Pasadena Magazine features one of the gowns from my earlier Collections on the cover! Honored to have been chosen as this issue showcases wedding and event professionals in the Pasadena & surrounding area. Peek inside as there is also a featured profile page...
Enjoy....

Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T13:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all of our past, present and future Brides & Clients and thank you for allowing us to be such a wonderful part of your very special day! We hope this Holiday Season brings happiness and joy to all of our family and friends, many of whom we have known for years and others that are new additions. Thank you to everyone that have made this year successful on both a personal level as well as professionally, as we look to the New Year for exciting opportunities, the expansion of the Collection and growth of the Alina Pizzano label!
Cheers,
Alina & Jameel

Alice & Sean

2011-12-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

Alice was referred to me by my dear friend Nana, whom I have known since high school. When Nana heard that her sister-in-law Alice was getting married, she immediately put her in contact with me (with only one and a half months away from her wedding date!)... time was obviously of the essence for us. Alice had an idea of what she wanted, since her wedding was to be at her home in Laguna with a Hawaiian theme. She didn't want something too flashy, but instead wanted to look elegant and sophisticated, light and airy. Alice wanted a gown that would fit her tropical setting, one that would make her feel as if she were in Hawaii.

As I heard this, I showed her a gown from my previous Spring Collection which was metallic twill with a gazaar overlay. When Alice saw this gown, she knew this was the effect and elegance she was looking for. From that point forward, Alice had me laughing at her fittings time and time again. Her personality carried over into her special day, as the setting was intimate with just the right amount of family and friends. Even her brother Dave, Nana's husband, got into the action, as he stepped in behind the lens to capture all of the beauty and warmth of Alice's wedding from his own personal perspective. And , to top it off, I also designed my "niece" Natalie's flower girl dress!

Congratulations Alice & Sean!

Hilary & Andrew

2011-12-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

My bride Hilary is a Pasadena native and was searching for a local salon, when she discovered me. During her first appointment, Hilary's mother was in attendance and assisted her with trying on various gowns from several of my Collections. The gown that Hilary finally decided upon was actually one which she had shown her Father, and one that he said he could envision her in on her special day. It was a gown that I fabricated with ivory alencon lace over champagne charmeuse from my Fall 2010 Collection. Hilary and I always had a wonderful and fun time at her fittings, which usually included her niece that would always comment that Hilary looked just like a princess. Her wedding and reception were held at the gorgeous Lincourt Vineyards in the Santa Barbara area, and as you can see from the photos she looked beautiful and glowed with happiness. In fact, Hilary sent me a note thanking me for her dress saying that it was just amazing and surpassed anything that even her fiance, Andrew, could have dreamed of!
On a side note, Hilary was surprised to discover that an old friend of hers, Kelly, was also one of my brides, and that they were actually coming to fittings around the same time! It just goes to show you how intimate and small the world truly is...
The beautiful images of the wedding and stunning location were captured by once like a spark photography.

Congratulations Hilary & Andrew!

The Process of Design: Part 1 (Raquel)

2011-11-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

I was contacted via email by my bride Raquel who lives all the way over on the East Coast in Connecticut. She was searching for her perfect gown, which had to be as unique as her custom engagement ring that her fiance had specially designed for her. Having little luck on her search, Raquel finally came across my website. She told me that when she landed on my site, she thought to herself, I want all of these dresses... And so, the process of designing Raquel's wedding gown began...
First, after confirming her appointment and blocking out the days on my calendar, Raquel booked her flight. In order to make the most of her trip between Connecticut and Cali, we decided to meet on consecutive days. On the first day, we needed to work out her preferences, her vision for her gown, as I created a few sketches that incorporated what Raquel was looking for. After many, many laughs and a great first day, I had a lot of information to go through to create the final sketch of her gown.

Day two, we met to finalize the dress design. This included the final sketch, which would now be used to create the pattern for her muslin dress. The muslin dress is a cotton mock up of what the final gown will be and is basically, the sketch come to life. It is what I use to fabricate my final patterns and to create the preliminary fit of the gown...this will come together during our next appointment. Next, since the design is now confirmed, Raquel picks out the fabric swatch and color from a selection that I have prepared which will be applied to the final gown. Finally, I take all of Raquel's measurements that I will need to start the fabrication process.
Now, next time Raquel and I meet, I will have her muslin dress ready for the first fitting...

Spring 2012 Photo Shoot

2011-11-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

This past weekend the Spring 2012 Collection was photographed by the wonderful Abi Q. Abi previously shot my Fall 2010 Collection and has such a great eye for details along with a true understanding of what I envision for my gowns, that I just had to ask her to do it again. Our beautiful model, Julia LaCour, looked stunning in all of the gowns and her make-up, by Michelle 'Piper' Rosabal, and hair, by Ashleigh Clesceri, just added to her gorgeous look. Thank you to all the ladies for an exciting and successful day, including the newest addition to the Alina Pizzano family, my intern Kylie!

Even our baby boy Wookie took part...

Final edited images and Spring 2012 Look Book coming soon...

Spring 2012 Collection

2011-10-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

So, I thought I would post a peek at a few of the new gowns from my Spring 2012 Collection. The official look book will be coming within the next few weeks and is being photographed by the wonderful Abi Q, but meanwhile, here is a glimpse...
For this Collection, I thought...destination wedding, and was inspired by beautiful Miami Beach...the ocean, the sand, the sky, as they play and blend with one another.
I wanted the gowns to convey the essence and flow of the water, the hip chic of South Beach style...
I will post some more photos over the next week or please feel free to pay a visit to the Salon and come see them in person! Enjoy...
Alina

Rena & Ajay

2011-10-10T18:44:00.000-07:00

A purple colored reception gown! That is exactly what my Bride Rena wanted to work perfectly with the wonderfully vibrant colors of her Wedding. As it was, she was getting married in a traditional Indian wedding garment, a lengha, and having a traditional Indian ceremony. But, for the reception, Rena wanted something very special...a gown that would be stunning, comfortable, and memorable for her, her husband and all of her guests. So, once the actual shade of purple was selected, I set about dyeing all the elements of her gown to match. Rena's final dress was a duchess satin and feathered organza ball gown with a jewel beading to highlight the neckline. The dramatic texture and color of her gown were important to Rena, as she wanted a grand dress for her grand wedding...

The wedding, reception and stunning details were captured by Photographer Dina Douglass of andrena photography. The gorgeous floral design was created by Bloom Box Designs and the decor and coordination were put together by Exquisite Events.

Congratulations Rena & Ajay!

Joanna & Johnny

2011-10-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

My bride Joanna and I go way, way back...we were actually childhood friends! I hadn't spoken to her in such a long, long time, as I was living in New York and travelling, when one day out of the blue, Joanna contacted me via email to congratulate me on the opening of my new Salon here in Pasadena. Little did I know, that she would soon ask me to design her wedding gown only a few months later. It was such a pleasure seeing her after so many years and, being asked to take part in her very special occasion was very touching and special for me! When she finally came in for her first consultation, Joanna found two gowns from my past Collections that launched the process to create her own gown. She was open to so many possibilites and completely trusted in what I would design for her.

The final gown that I created was a wondefully fitted side gather gazaar trumpet halter gown with a metallic twill underlay. The side drape carried up into the neckline creating a beautiful floral detail.
She looked amazing! Not only was I honored to design Joanna's gown, but I was also fortunate enough to work with her mother, MaryAnne, on her dress as well.

The beautiful setting and wonderful details were captured by photographer Michelle Johnson.
Congratulations Joanna & Johnny!

Spring 2012 Collection Release Party

2011-09-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Please join us for a wonderful evening of cocktails, company and fashion on Saturday, October 22nd, as we launch our Spring 2012 Collection with a Release Party! Inspired by the beautiful beaches, art deco architecture, and hip style of Miami Beach, this Collection has a very distinctive flavor that is sexy, chic, and fashion forward. Cocktail reception to continue through the evening. This invitation is open to all Fans, Brides, and Vendors, but RSVP is required and you must be 21 and over. Thank you & see you at the Salon...
Alina

Spring 2012 Collection Sneak Peek

2011-09-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

With the coming release of the Spring 2012 Collection, I thought I would post some sneak peek images of some of the gowns. As you can see, there are shimmering silks that remind me of the reflecting sun on the beautiful waters of Miami Beach, hints of lace that can be found in gorgeous crocheted bikinis, pops of a gentle blue that reflect the spectacular sea...
Stay tuned for more as October is just around the corner!

Melissa & Andy

2011-09-10T19:32:00.000-07:00

My bride Melissa & I enjoyed non stop laughs from the first day we met. Her great sense of humor and wonderful personality made the creation of Melissa's gown nothing but a pleasurable experience. She first came to me with a few ideas which she wanted to take into account for the design of her own gown. Through this process, and as I got to know more about Melissa, I came to discover she was the "Queen of Twofers". One of the design elements that incorporated this idea was to convert her gown into a reception cocktail dress. The option I came up with was to remove her longer fuller skirt after the Wedding, which, once removed, would expose the cocktail dress underneath. As we progressed with our fittings, I would have a new idea each time that would interest Melissa...making the crinolines petticoat purple (as per her wedding colors) so you would see a hint of pop while walking or dancing, removable beaded belt and strap, etc. Melissa's final gown was a Swarovski beaded, side gathered, silk shantung A-line gown (the A-line skirt was removable).
As her friend stated at a fitting.... "this dress is so Melissa, she has options."...and so she did. In the end, Melissa was thrilled that she could wear her dress a total of seven different ways. It was such a joy working with Melissa that she even turned into my real estate broker and was searching house listing for me in her neighborhood!
The Wedding and Reception were captured by Ryan Phillips Photography.

Congratulations Melissa & Andy!

Spring 2012 Inspiration Board

2011-08-31T15:53:00.000-07:00

As part of my Design Process, I look at many different fabrics, from intricate laces to silky chiffon. I look at all of the beautiful textures and wonderful colors of each fabric, including ways to create my own fabrics and colors. I look at how the fabrics will fold and drape, how they will conform to a Bride's figure, how they will feel against her skin.
But, before I ever even get to this point, I always look for inspiration. It may be the detailed folds and beautiful symmetry of a flower as I did for my Fall 2010 Collection, or the incredible organic layers and structure of a Frank Gehry building for the design of the gown, as was the case for my Fall 2011 Collection. It can be the rich blue colors of a Caribbean Sea, the soft whiteness of a snowy day, or the sexy silhouette of an Italian sports car . There is no limit to what inspires me each season and where that inspiration may come from...
My new inspiration for my Spring 2012 Collection is Miami. The beautiful turquoise hues of the ocean, the stunning colors of the sky as the sun rises over the water want to seep into my fabrics. The energy of Miami and the people, the great sense of style that fits the outdoor living, the rich unique colors, textures, and patterns that are so specific to Miami can be found no where else. The wonderful lines of the Art Deco hotels that line Ocean Drive, inspire the curves of my gowns. The beach living, with crocheted swimsuits and sexy sheer wraps want to flow into these dresses.
These images, ideas, inspirations are so important to my Design Process, that they help to guide my vision, my passion, my creativity for each one of my Collections. Now, stay tuned for the release...

Michelle & Chip

2011-08-24T17:10:00.000-07:00

Michelle was referred to me by my dear friend Farrah. Michelle had been trying on gowns at many other boutiques and came to me only two months away from her wedding. Through her searches, she discovered that alencon lace was her ideal selection for the fabric of her gown. But not just any alencon lace would do, she found a scalloped lace from another Designer to be the perfect pattern for her dream gown. I designed her gown keeping in mind the lace she desired. As time was of the essence, I immediately took the challenge to find a similar lace to the one Michelle wanted. But, due to the short lead time, we kept running into delivery issues. As Michelle and I met various lace vendors, we came up with the solution to combine three different laces to create one...and so we did.

In the end, Michelle was so in love with the final gown that she simply could not believe how we took three different laces and created a beautiful dress to look like one...the one! In her words, even more beautiful than the original gown that she had first envisioned.
The wedding was captured wonderfully by Isabel Lawrence Photographers .

Congratulations Michelle & Chip...

Teresa & Brian

2011-08-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

When I met Teresa and her mother Ingrid for the first time, I knew that Teresa was going to be a delightful bride to work with. Her search ended when she came to see me and learned that the option to design a truly couture gown was available. Once Teresa heard that, we moved forward with the design of her gown incorporating elements from a vintage one that she had seen.
Teresa's venue was not your typical location. She and Brian are avid travelers, so it was a natural choice to opt for a destination wedding... Costa Rica.
Knowing this, I designed her gown to suit this exotic location with a update to a classic style.
The bias cut crepe back satin gown with chiffon gusset had such a beautiful flow which moved gracefully with her silhouette. The plunging back neckline was framed with a beautiful floral lace applique which carried around to the front.
A perfect gown for a perfect setting...
The wedding, festivities and beautiful location were wonderfully captured by Photographer Tracy Moore.

Congratulations Teresa & Brian!

Kelley & Rob

2011-07-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

I met my bride Kelley three years ago at a Pasadena Magazine photo shoot which was featuring some of my Collection. Kelley fell in love with the feathered chiffon ball gown that was being shot and knew that when she was to be a bride that this was the gown she wanted. So, a few years later, she and her mom, Ludie, came in for her first appointment and upon trying on the gown, her mom agreed that this was Kelley's gown. After discussing the gown and her style, I made some design changes and created a more flowing bodice to compliment the soft feathered gown. In addition, Ludie also had me design her attire for Kelley's special day, which made her so happy that she now wants me to dress her for all of her special events.
Everything about Kelley's wedding was local, as her wedding took place at husband Rob's family home which is also right here in Pasadena. Additionally, Kelley utilized the talented services of Event Planner Heather Ham, whom I have had the pleasure of working with in the past. The beautiful setting, light of the day, and joy of the event were perfectly captured by Memories by Michael.

Thank you Kelley & Ludie, my two new dear friends...and a big heart felt congratulations to Kelley & Rob!

Bohemian Photo Shoot

2011-07-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

These latest photos come from the recent shoot that was styled by Kelly Oshiro and beautifully photographed by Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Artes Photographie. This shoot was also recently featured on greenweddingshoes.com . Both of these gowns are from one of my earlier Collections and my inspiration at the time was "vintage Hollywood modern". The first gown is a lightly hand beaded silk chiffon with a very organic flow. The second gown is satin with a open lace back and lace applique along the very sexy neckline. Both gowns are still available at the Salon.
Enjoy...

Rainbow Photo Shoot

2011-07-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

Event Designer Kelly Oshiro, whom I work with quite frequently, contacted me a while back to see if I would be interested in another one of her photo shoots. Of course I said yes, as I know that her image and design essence really showcase my gowns beautifully. Photographer Kirsten Ellis, of Beaux Arts Photographie, has a great eye for composition and lighting and always makes my gowns come to life as well. This shoot was picked up by brides.com, but these images are the extras of one of my favorite gowns that were edited and not shown, so I wanted to share them with you now...enjoy.

The Process of Design: Final

2011-06-29T03:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since Part 3 of the Design Process, but here is my Bride Tina, whose gown I have featured in documenting for my Design Process, in her final gorgeous gown. As you can see, the amount of fabric and detail that was put into the gown was worn beautifully and fit her like a glove.
In the final gown, all of the foundation, structure and support that I showed in the last blog, is completely hidden beneath the soft, silk pleated and ruffled overlay. The train was especially long as Tina requested a cathedral length which also included her veil. Many, many yards of fabric went into this creation, and each bit was methodically sewn and stitched to achieve the wonderful flow and feel of airiness that Tina had wanted.
Congratulations Tina & Nate!

Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine

2011-06-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

Excited to be featured in the Summer 2011 issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine! We were contacted for this beautiful editorial while we were presenting the Collection at New York Bridal Market. The light, flowing, layered gown is from my recent Fall 2011 Collection and is now available at the Salon.

The Ebell Photo Shoot

2011-06-10T05:20:00.000-07:00

I was contacted recently by Heather Ham to take part in a wedding photo shoot that she was in the process of organizing and designing, featuring a variety of wedding vendors. Heather and I have worked together before on a previous photo shoot that she put together, also featuring one of my gowns. This recent shoot took place at The Ebell Los Angeles, an amazing and historic building in our own backyard, that is often used for weddings and events. Photgrapher Suthi Picotte of Picotte Photography, who has shot my gowns before, was on hand to capture the details. The gown in the photos is one from my last Spring Collection, it is silk with lace details, one part modern, one part vintage, and definitely beautiful on any bride that is looking for that soft, sexy detailed gown for her groom.

Enjoy...

Collection Release Party

2011-05-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all that attended this past Saturday's Fall Collection Release Party! It was wonderful to see so many dear friends and to meet many new ones as well. A very special thank you to POP Champagne & Dessert Bar in Pasadena for providing the bubbly! You can view the complete Collection at the Salon, as it is now available...stay tuned for the look book.

Best regards,

Alina

Alina, Christina Lee (Serendipity Magazine)

Yash Youssefi (POP Champagne), Alina, Bob Earhart (POP Champagne)

Thea Hargrove (Your Wedding Day) & Daughter Harmony

Charley King (Bluebell Events), Alina, Liz Coopersmith (Silver Charm Events)

Christina & Gretchen Dawley (Alina's Assistant)

Stephen Pappas (Stephen Pappas Photography) & Wife

Vanessa Laub (Trina Turk) & Friend

Rob & Catherine Lee

Fall 2011 Collection Release Party

2011-04-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

On Saturday May 21st, we will have our release party for my Fall 2011 Collection. This new Collection was inspired by the amazing architectural designs of Frank Gehry, and is sexy, modern, and unique. This will also be the first time it will be shown in it's entirety. In addition, we will have a cocktail reception to coincide that will continue through the evening...so please join us for a fun night of new fashion, cocktails and good company! I have opened this event up to my Vendors, Brides, Fans, and whomever would like to attend, but you must RSVP and it is 21 and over only. Thank you and hope to see you there!
Regards,
Alina

Serendipity Magazine

2011-04-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest issue of Serendipity Magazine. The Fall Collection is featured in an article by Christina Lee about couture gowns, titled "Tailor Made". Christina came to the Salon and interviewed me in order to get some insight into how an actual couture gown is designed and created. All the photos were taken from our original photo shoot by the talented Abi Q.
Enjoy...

Wedding Channel Couture Show

2011-04-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to be showing the Collection at the Wedding Channel Couture Show in New York! The Couture Show is where all the newest bridal fashions are shown and where bridal buyers from around the country come to look for the next big thing as well as stock up on designs that they would like to showcase in their own salons. Representing me at the Show will be Emily Poole who has been working with us to bring exposure and recognition to the Collection. So, if you are attending, please stop by and say hello to Emily as she will show you pieces from the new Collection and answer any questions you may have!

What: Wedding Channel Couture Show
Where: InterContinental - New York Barclay Hotel
Whitney Suite - Booth 3
When: April 9 - 11, 2011

Raya & Bear

2011-03-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

My bride Raya was referred to me by my dear friend Farrah. When Raya shared the news that she was getting married she immediately asked Farrah to design her dress. Farrah suggested that she work with me in achieving her vision. Upon my first meeting with Raya, we zeroed in on what her dream gown was going to be. With her mother Pam by her side at every fitting, it was truly such a treat. Her gown was a nude beaded and embroidered silk mesh, with a plunging halter neckline and back, very sexy, but still fully functional. Being a professional singer, we had to take into account that Raya was to perform at her own wedding and needed to make sure the fit of the dress did not interfere with her being able to hit those incredible notes.

With my own invite in hand, and the picturesque setting of the Malibu Canyon as a back drop, my husband and I were able to see her wonderful performance and beautiful wedding and reception up close and personal, it was truly spectacular. Her husband Bear, along with a long list of music professionals, provided the sounds of rhythm and love for a great evening. Photographers Andrew Craig, Dennis Tannen, and Larry Reeves captured the wedding, performances, and spectacular views perfectly.

Congratulations Raya & Bear!

Fall 2011 Collection Inspiration

2011-03-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

I have always been inspired by unique design when I look forward to creating my gowns. I look at shapes, forms, textures, and colors from many different places. One of my inspirations has always been architecture, and so with my newest Collection, Frank Gehry's incredible use of line, symmetry, folds, and hard edges has come to life in my fabrics. I will be releasing the Collection soon, but thought you might enjoy seeing some images that have inspired me on the new gowns. They are still very feminine and sexy, but have some interesting architectural features implemented. Subtle textures and pops of color add softness to the new line that will fit and flatter any Bride.
Enjoy...

Trunk Show

2011-03-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

Calling all Brides...come meet Alina Pizzano as we hold our intimate Trunk Show at the Salon. Come enjoy sparkling lemonade as you try on your perfect gown! All gowns from the Collection will be 25% this day only!

@ Alina Pizzano couture bridal
235 east colorado blvd.
pasadena, ca 91101

Saturday March 19th - 10-4pm

more info - 626.584.0076 or design@alinapizzano.com

We look forward to seeing you there...

Tamiyah & An

2011-01-21T05:28:00.000-08:00

Tamiyah was referred to me by our mutual friend Orion. He was also a Designer at BCBG when I was designing there. He knew that by working together, we could execute the pefect vision of Tamiyah‘s dress.
The first day Tamiyah and I met, we reviewed her inspiration along with sketch ideas Orion provided. We came to find out that we actually worked at BCBG around that same time and didn't even know it! The world truly is such a small place!
As we progressed on her gown, Tamiyah was always such a pleasure to fit and work with. Her amazing smile was so contagious and she always lit up the salon.

We made her gown from silk hammered satin and silk Georgette, with a delicately enhanced beaded neckline. We incorporated a low back to accentuate her beautiful curvy figure, which, from my understanding, An loved.
Tamiyah and An had their wedding outdoors in Utah in such an amazing setting. The weather Gods were definitely smiling upon them that day! The picturesque mountains and river with all of their incredible colors and majestic beauty were almost overwhelming.
Photographer Jason Liu captured the wedding, the locale, and all of the natural beauty just wonderfully!

Congratulations Tamiyah and An!

Megan & Yaojen

2010-12-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

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"

2010-07-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

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...

Fall 2010 Collection Preview

2010-05-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone that attended the Collection Preview! It was nice to meet new Brides-to-be, see old friends, and make some new ones. Among some of the attendees were Cynthia and Kelly of Kelly Oshiro Design, Katrina Centeno of Calligraphy Katrina, Noelle Arias of getmarried magazine, Designer - Vanessa Louise Marie, and writer Emily Pedraza.

We also had our special Brides-to-be joining us for champagne and a first look at the Collection before it's reveal to the public. I was overwhelmed by the compliments and very excited on the amount of great feedback that I received for all of the gowns. A very special thank you to David Kim for documenting the evening and all of my gowns. So, without any further ado, here are sneak peek pics of the Fall 2010 Collection...all are now available at the Salon, still individually handmade right here in Pasadena!

The Process of Design: Part 2

2010-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Now for the fittings...In Part 1, I designed a gown for my Bride Tina Marie. Now we will move onto the next phase.
The first step is to take the approved Design and create patterns that will be used to fabricate the gown. All of the patterns not only correspond to the gown, but more specifically to Tina's measurements. In total, I usually take up to fifteen different measurements.
Next, I transfer the patterns onto a light weight cotton fabric called muslin. Here is where the physical dress takes shape. This preliminary dress is cut and sewn just as the final gown will be. It is at this stage that the first of the alterations will occur.

So now that the gown is on my Bride, I can truly see how it will fit her. I may also make alterations to the Design to flatter a particular area over another, or maybe collectively we decide to eliminate a part of the gown altogether. In any case, this is the stage where all of the necessary changes can occur.
Now that we have made all of the adjustments to the muslin, I then take it apart and transfer this new information onto the patterns. Once the patterns have been adjusted, we are ready for the next step...the creation of the actual gown from the inside out.

Fall 2010 Collection

2010-05-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

Well...here we are! The release of my latest Collection! Inspired by the Garden, sprinkled with elegance, sophistication, modernity, and a dash of sexiness, the Collection speaks to the beauty of the Bride on her special day. Although typically the Preview of the Collection is only open to Bridal Industry, Buyers, and Editorial, this year I will be doing something a little bit differently. I am inviting 5 lucky Brides/Fans to attend as my special guests! I will be pulling names randomly from those that I receive of whom would like to attend, and they, along with a guest, will be invited to the Salon to view the Collection before it is released to the public. I will be there to greet you and enjoy a glass of sparkling champagne as we toast to the new Collection!

Cheers and I look forward to meeting you!

Alina

Adriana & Fernando

2010-04-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

My Bride Adriana started out as a referral by Wedding Planner Jeannie Ward, whom I have known now for a number of years. Jeannie brought Adriana to the Salon one day for an appointment as she had many questions with regards to creating her perfect gown. As we started talking, Adriana and I connected instantly. In fact, we even happen to live in the same city! Not only was she looking to have her gown made, but also her Maid of Honor and her three Bridesmaids. As we started to discuss all of the options available to her, she decided to also entrust me with the design of her two Flower Girls and her Daughter's dress as well.

Being a successful, proud Latina, Adriana wanted to incorporate something unique into the gowns that would be representative of her Mexican heritage. So, we used blue and gold in the Bridal Party which represents the bold, vibrant, lively colors that are so abundant in the artifacts, pottery, and paintings found throughout Mexico.

Adriana's gown was a pale pink chiffon over a white silk duchess satin underlay. I also designed her belt and we beaded it with Swarovski crystals. To top it off, we created the cathedral length veil and added smaller crystals to capture the light as the perfect accent piece.
We wanted all of the gowns to tie together, so I used the design of Adriana's gown as a starting point to design all of the other gowns. Each one of the Bridal party had the same rouching detail, and I even designed her Daughter's gown to be a mini version of Adriana's.

The ceremony itself was held at the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, and was captured beautifully by photographer George Carranza of Carranza Fotografia.
Congratulations Adriana & Fernando!

Collection Inspiration

2010-03-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Many of my Brides and Clients ask what inspires me when I Design my gowns. Well, my latest Collection, which will launch this Spring, is inspired by nature. I love the way nature embodies classic elements of design...the shapes, the lines, the colors. My Garden Collection, as I am calling it, embraces the beautiful lines of the Calla Lily and plays off of the silhouette of Gardenias. I've incorporated the softness of some petals while bringing the intricate folds of others.

The new Collection will be soft, organic, beautiful, sculptural and sensual. All the gowns will still be maintain the highest design standards and remain handmade...each one truly Couture.

The Process of Design: Part 1

2010-03-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

Many Brides that are searching for a gown don't truly realize that they have many choices when it comes to purchasing their dream gown. They may know that they can choose from many Designers, different price points, colors, etc., but many do not know that they can also get their gown made completely Couture, instead of buying one that is already pre-made. So, with that in mind, I am starting a new topic that I will run over the next few months that describes in depth how I create my Bride's gowns from start to finish. I will completely document my Bride Tina and show you all of the steps involved in creating her Couture Gown.
Tina actually found me through researching on the web. She lives in Las Vegas, and was unable to find anyone that shared her vision for her gown, nor was she able to find anyone that could create her gown from start to finish while understanding the design and fabrication. Upon her first appointment, Tina described what she was looking for, she also brought in some tears from magazines. After we discussed her vision, she flew back to Las Vegas and I immediately set upon sketching out 3 designs based upon our meeting. I sent her the sketches via email, she asked if we could alter a few things, which I did, and I then finalized the gown. Here is the final sketch of the gown that Tina approved for fabrication.

This is the first step in the Design Process. Over the next few months, I will show every stage along with photos, until we have completed Tina's gown for her July Wedding! Next step...muslin fitting.

Joy & Jeff

2010-03-03T08:50:00.000-08:00

My Bride Joy happened upon our Salon as she was making appointments to try on gowns at various local Boutiques. When she came for her visit, her eyes fell upon one of my Collection gowns that was on display on the wall. The gown was cream colored double-faced satin, with an open key hole back, finished off with a tule and beaded applique. Of course, she wanted to try it on, and once she was dressed, she knew that this was "her" gown.

But, as I was her first on many other appointments, she didn't want to rush into her decision. There is one thing I always tell my Brides, that is try on as many gowns as you want at other Salons. If my gown was meant to be their own, they will return. Needless to say, Joy returned the following week, tried on the gown once again, and absolutely knew that she wanted the Collection gown, that this was "her "gown. We jumped right into the fabrication of her gown, and it was completed exactly as she had imagined! Joy also hired Photographer Brian Alexander Dreisbach, whom I work with on many of my photo shoots and highly recommend to my clients.
Congratulations Joy & Jeff!

Brides Choice Award!

2010-02-02T19:17:00.001-08:00

We are very excited and honored to have been given the Brides Choice Award! This is the press release we received today...

"Pasadena, CA 2/2/10 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Alina Pizzano couture bridal has been selected to receive the WeddingWire 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for dress & attire!
The annual Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.
Alina Pizzano couture bridal is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.
“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”
We are happy to announce that Alina Pizzano couture bridal is among the very best in dress & attire within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards.
For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at WeddingWire!"

Thank you, thank you to all of our Brides and Wedding Wire!

Sarah & Andrew

2010-01-28T12:49:00.000-08:00

After much anticipation, I finally received the photos from Sarah & Andrew's wedding! As expected Sarah looks absolutely gorgeous! Photographer Abi Q truly captured the love and tenderness between these two as is evident in every photo. Sarah, as you may know, has also modeled for me, so she has a bit of a special place with me. In addition, Sarah is an extremely talented esthetician for Bravo Salon which is right here in Pasadena. Whenever you are in Pasadena, you must stop by Bravo and ask for her!
I must say, that out of all of the gowns I have designed over the years, this was definitely one of the most challenging. To start with , I actually created the fabric by hand by stitching strips of ribbon together. This allowed me to create the look of a certain type of lace, Battenburg, that Sarah was looking for. After stitching the "lace" strips together, we applied the floral lace applique and stitched that in to create a seamless flow on the gown. After many , many hours of design and fabrication, the final reward is always the joy and happiness that the Brides gown brings to her, such is the case with Sarah and her Gown...
Congratulations Sarah & Andrew!

Holly & Robin & Jorge

2010-01-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

Holly came to me after discovering me at a local Pasadena Bridal Show. When she came into the Salon for her first consultation, she had all her tear sheets and had a real good idea as to what she was looking for in a gown. She wanted a princess type gown, something a little more traditional with a lot of sparkle. With Holly's wish list and tear sheets, I had an excellent idea as to the design I would create. Once I completed the sketches, I gave them to Holly to review. She took them home, placed them by her bed, and looked at two of her favorites for a whole month every night before she would go to sleep! She was totally torn between the two designs before she finally came to her decision. Here is her completed gown..

Congratulations Holly & Robin...I almost forgot little Jorge too! On a side note, Holly's wedding and reception took place only two blocks away from the Salon at the Pasadena Westin!

Sarah's Gown

2009-12-09T10:23:00.000-08:00

I met Sarah Lorkovic, from Bravo Salon, many months ago during our Pasadena Magazine Photo Shoot when she modeled one of my gowns for their real weddings section. As you look through the Collection pages of our website, you can find her modeling some of my gowns! But, at the time of the Shoot, she still had not purchased her wedding gown , so after talking, Sarah made an appointment to see me. She already had something very specific in mind for her dress, she wanted a crochet and lace gown that she had seen photos of in a wedding magazine. I took her initial concept and decided to run with it, making it more of a modern, fitted piece to compliment Sarah's beauty and figure. So, as crazy as it sounded, I decided instead of purchasing the lace, we would actually create our own here at the Salon.

After fitting Sarah in a muslin gown, we pulled apart the patterns and hand stitched strips of ribbon together to create her entire gown out of our own battenburg lace. We also applied lace appliques to add to the beauty, creating a gown that was elegant, light and perfect for her Palm Springs wedding!
When we were complete, it fit Sarah like a glove and she looked stunning!

I will have wedding photos coming soon as well...

Mrs. Canada!

2009-12-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

I am proud to have had the distinction to dress Mrs. Canada, Barbara van der Maaten, for the Mrs. World Pageant which just took place in November! Barbara contacted me back in August through a popular modeling website after viewing some photos of my gowns. After numerous emails and phone calls, I was able to give Barbara all of the information I needed to create her gown for the evening portion of the Pageant.

Although Barbara lives in Calgary, Canada, we were able to create a muslin gown which was shipped to a seamstress in Canada to fit to Barbara and then create her final gown here in Pasadena. When we completed the gown, we shipped it back to Canada just in time for Barbara's long flight to Vietnam and the Mrs. World Pageant! Long story short, Barbara looked stunning in her gown and in everything else that she wore! I will be posting photos of the gown as soon as Barbara recuperates from her exhaustive trip!

Trunk Show

2009-11-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

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This past Saturday we presented our own Trunk Show at the Salon where we showed the complete Collection to an intimate, yet full house. Our models, Kat and Teresa, walked through the Salon on our mini runway, looking gorgeous and sophisticated.

As people sipped on champagne, chardonnay, and sparkling lemonade, they were treated to all of the handmade gowns that make up the the Alina Pizzano Collection. Our excited Brides couldn't wait to try on the gowns the second the Show ended! Many who saw the Collection for the first time had no idea that we create all of the gowns, including all of the beading and detail, right here at the Salon in Pasadena! David Kim captured all the action and looks with his superb photographic style! Thank you to all that attended and I hope to see you soon!

Zepur & Ron

2009-11-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

Zepur came to me last year and fell in love with the fitted lace gown that was part of the Collection. When she came in and tried the gown on, she instantly knew that this was her dress! Her Wedding wasn't until August of this year, so we had a good amount of time to be able to fabricate, fit, and alter her gown in a nice relaxed manner. Zepur is so down to earth and sweet, that we connected immediately!
Upon completion of her gown, Zepur cried tears of joy, seeing her vision come to life! Needless to say, we both ended up going through a box of tissues with endless amounts of hugs.
When the actual Wedding Day came, my husband Jameel & I were honored to have been invited. The Wedding and reception took place on a 3 story yacht in Newport Harbor. All I can say is "Stunning"!

Photographer, Brian Alexander kept up with all the action on board the ship and took many amazing shots. On a perfect summer day with the sun setting on the harbor, Zepur and Ron were wed...a truly beautiful day with a fantastic couple!
Congratulations Zepur & Ron!

Alina Pizzano Trunk Show

2009-10-23T11:53:00.001-07:00

Romance yourself in Vintage Hollywood Glamour with a fresh modern twist as you join us for the Alina Pizzano Trunk Show! Any Bride that places an order at the Show will receive a 10% discount towards the purchase of their gown. Come meet Alina Pizzano at the cocktail reception to follow! Here are a few teasers of some of the Collection...

Please rsvp at rsvp@alinapizzano.com or 626.584.0076

Liza Shtromberg

2009-10-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Many Brides that come to me are in search of that perfect accessory, that stunning piece of jewelry to compliment their custom gown. Well, Liza Shtromberg is one of those artists that can create just that. Her two shops, LS in Los Feliz and Island in Silver Lake, are an amazing showcase for her "Ancient Modern" jewelry. Liza takes stones, metals, pearls, and shells and creates wearable sculpture that is gorgeous, unique, one of a kind works of art.

Why not get your own custom wedding rings designed for both Bride and Groom? Her bands can be as complex or as simple as you would wish, with gems and stones from around the world! She also has an eco-friendly collection that takes the beauty of nature and wraps it up in an ecoresin.

Liza has a very loyal clientele of stylists and celebrities, but designs for everyone.

"My jewelry is meant to be classic, universal, organic, playing into who you really are. Each collection is strategically conceived to layer well with the others - as well as with jewelry the client may already have."

So, if you are still searching for that perfect piece, please visit Liza at one of her shops! I promise you won't leave empty handed!
Liza Shtromberg
2120 Hillhurst Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90027

Huntington Library Photo Shoot

2009-09-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

We were recently asked to participate in a Photo Shoot at the gorgeous Huntington Library in Pasadena. The Shoot was organized by Amanda Ma and Ada Chan of Fresh Events. They met at the Salon and browsed through the Collection before deciding upon the feathered chiffon ball gown and the twist front gown. The Photographer was Meghan Aileen who's Studio is located in Burbank. The late afternoon session provided beautiful natural lighting within the different gardens that are part of the Huntington grounds.

With the Huntington Library now open for weddings, any Bride can see from the photos what a dramatic backdrop the Gardens can provide for their event. Whether you're getting married, or have already tied the knot, I definitely recommend taking a trip with your significant other and walking the grounds to feel like you're on a first date again!

First Couture Bride Work Shop!

2009-08-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

Jeannie & I would like to send a grand "Thank You" to our Brides who attended our first Couture Bride Work Shop! They were engaged, involved, and a pleasure to work with. Hopefully they gained some smart and valuable tips and advice that will help them with their special day!
Special thanks to Brian Alexander Dreisbach for being our first Special Guest. You must check out his website, his skill, passion, and amazing style make him a perfect choice for any Bride. We believe in Brian so much that he has just recently shot the complete Alina Pizzano Collection, which will be available to view online very, very soon. We would also like to thank Cake Sensations of South Pasadena for their amazingly yummy treats! They provided a sample of every type of cake one could imagine for our Brides to taste and take with them! Jeannie & myself look forward to next month and are excited to be a part of each of our Brides special day!

We are excited to announce that Melissa Allen of The Ebell Los Angeles will be our September Special Guest. Melissa will be discussing "Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue". In addition, Jeannie and myself will give tips and advice on "Planning a Flawless Wedding" and "What is the Perfect Gown?". Remember, space is limited to only 12 Brides so that we can work with you one on one! If you have not sent your RSVP, hurry as this Work Shop is sure to fill up fast! Stay tuned for our Q & A with Melissa which will be posted this week.

Bravo Salon

2009-08-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

So, one thing that I have always known but confirmed this past week...is the fact that hair and make up can play a huge part in how a gown looks on a bride. For our photo shoot last week, Founder of Bravo Salon, Monique Montano and Make up Artist/ Model Sarah Lorkovic created the beautiful hair stylings and aesthetics to compliment my gowns. Not only are they skilled, creative, and knowledgeable, but, they are truly a pleasure to work with, and believe me they know exactly what they are doing! Monique's team at Bravo can do just about anything; from facials and waxing, to massages and nails. They even have package deals for Brides, including Grooms, and the whole Wedding Party!

Once again, thank you to Monique and Sarah! If you are searching for a superbly professional salon where you can go to pamper yourself and just look fantastic, then you must visit Bravo!

Photo Shoot

2009-08-06T21:13:00.000-07:00

This past Monday we created a photo shoot of the complete Collection. Photographer Brian Alexander, directed the Shoot at the Salon. This month at our Couture Bride Work Shop, Brian will be the special guest discussing his photographic style and giving out wedding day tips! Models Katherine Torres and Sarah Lorkovic looked stunning as we continued shooting well into the afternoon. It was exciting to see the completed gowns on these beautiful women and to imagine how gorgeous they will look on my Brides. Besides modeling, Sarah is also an Estetician and Make up Artist for Bravo Salon right here in Pasadena! The look for the gowns would not have been complete without the amazing hair that was done by Bravo Salon Owner Monique Montano. If you are ever looking for the perfect combination of hair, make up, and overall spa pampering, then Bravo is a must!

Without giving too much away, here are some detail photos of a couple of gowns from the Collection! Stay tuned for more...

Barbara & Miles

2009-08-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Barbara came to me via a referral from one of my previous Brides, Katie. Unlike many Brides that walk through my doors, Barbara knew exactly what she wanted and even had a typed out list ready to discuss. She was organized and easy going and made the process for me a delight! Her A-line styled duchess satin organza and taffeta gown looked amazing on her...We even topped it off with a beautiful little bird cage veil that was also made at the Studio. In addition to her gown and veil, Barbara had one other request, she wanted to have traditional monogrammed hankies for her family and bridal party. Without wasting a minute, I made a call to my embroiderer and we were able to get the hankies made in plenty of time. My assistant & I even made the custom hankie envelopes to match the yellow and green colors of Barbara's wedding! Congratulations Barbara & Miles!

Photography by Bryon Devore

Wedding Work Shop

2009-07-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to announce the launch of our new monthly Work Shop! Jeannie Ward and myself will host ten Brides at the Studio with a different special guest each month. This month we feature Photographer Brian Alexander. It will be fun, informative, and intimate! So don't miss out on this special event...

Lynne & Aaron

2009-07-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

I call Lynne my "Emergency Bride"! With 3 weeks to her weddding, Lynne came to me desperately in need of help with her gown. The person who created her gown did not understand the basics of design or fabrication. Needless to say, Lynne was extremely distraught and in a bind and needed a new gown. Usually, I don't take on the creation of a gown with anything less than a 4 month time frame, but, Lynne convinced me. I could completely understand her frustration and imagine this is just 3 weeks until her actual wedding day! So, with the clock ticking, I went for it! We actually tore apart her old dress and used it to make new patterns, creating a brand new gown!
Long story short...Lynne was very, very happy...and I think I now have two friends for life...Lynne and her wonderful husband Aaron! If you ever see Lynne ask her about all the other craziness that occured on her wedding...that story will fill up a completely new page.

Photography by Jim Semlor

Best of Pasadena!

2009-07-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Pasadena Magazine! Alina Pizzano couture bridal has been named "Best Custom Dream Gown" in their Style section! We are very excited and honored to be noted as a stand out among so much competition here in Pasadena and it's surrounding areas. Even as we have grown into our larger location, my vision of creating custom wedding gowns for my clients has not been altered. In fact, when you visit the Alina Pizzano Studio, you will experience not only the "Best Custom Gown", but one-on-one personal attention from me and my staff and sparkling lemonade to boot!

Samantha & Curtis

2009-07-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the first of what I hope will turn into a showcase of my beautiful Brides as they and their new husbands are captured on their Wedding Day! This is Samantha & Curtis...

Samatha's gown is a side-gathered trumpet gown, made from double faced satin and with an embroidered organza train. The design on the train is a modern take on a lotus flower that we designed specifically per Samantha's request. In Indian culture, the lotus symbolizes divine beauty, purity, potency , and wealth...all wonderful traits to be associated with every wedding and marriage! All of the bead work on the gown was hand done in our Studio here in Pasadena.

It's always extremely gratifying to see how happy my Brides are on their special day!

Photography by henry chen

Grand Opening!

2009-06-14T22:18:00.000-07:00

Well, the wait is over! The new Studio is complete and ready! To celebrate we had a Grand Opening Party complete with an amazing catered menu and cocktails. Jeannie Ward, wedding planner extraordinaire from www.weddingjeannie.com , sponsored the event. Jeannie showed true professionalism by arranging such a feat within a short amount of time! Thank you Jeannie! The incredibly delicious hor d' oeuvres were created by Thank Goodness It's Sofia, www.tgiscatering.com , and served by their wonderfully professional staff. All in all it was a great night of food, cocktails, and company!
Here are some photos of the new space...I hope all my new Brides will feel right at home!

We're Moving!

2009-04-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may not be informed, we are moving! Thanks to all my fabulous clients and the rapid growth of the Studio, we are heading to a new location. We will gain much needed space for the Salon and Design areas, as well as a larger Showroom. We will still be by appointment and continue our one-on-one Designer service, but hope to create an even more unique experience for all of our current clients and future ones. The new address will be 235 East Colorado Blvd., in Pasadena, just around the corner from our current location. The space is almost triple in size, with twenty foot ceilings, beautiful hardwood floors, and an amazing sky light. Here is a photo of the raw space...

Stay tuned for the final reveal in approximately one month!

Silhouettes

2009-03-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

One of the most important aspects of a wedding gown is the silhouette. Most of the brides that come to me have a pretty good idea as to how they would like to look on their wedding day, but sometimes there can be confusion with regards to the actual silhouette of their dress. So let's talk about a few of the most popular styles...
The A-line dress is fitted to the bodice and flows out from the bust to the ground in an unbroken line, resembling an Upper case A. The A line is a classic shape and very popular due to it's simplicity.
A ball gown has a fitted bodice combined with a full skirt. This gown is probably the most traditional of all styles, but when changing up fabrics and color, a modern look can be acheived.
The mermaid gown contours the body from the bust to the knees and then flares out to the hem. This is a gown that is sexy and visually dramatic. Here is an example of a mermaid gown...

The trumpet gown is similar to the mermaid except that instead of flaring out from the knees, the gown flares out from the low hip.
An empire gown sits just under the bust and flows gracefully to the ground, just skimming the body. It has a Grecian feeling to it and can be very romantic.
A column, or sheath gown, is similar to the empire except that the column dress fits the body more and shows a woman's curves.
The look of each of these wedding gowns can also be altered through use of fabrics, embroidery, beading and color to create a modern look, as well as by changing the length. Not all weddding gowns need to be floor length, many modern brides are now moving towards shorter lengths such as tea length, which comes to about mid-calf. Basically, there are many different combinations of styles, colors, lengths and looks for brides to think about. The most important thing to think about is this...it's your wedding, choose what you want for your special day!

Pasadena Magazine

2009-03-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited to announce the release of our Pasadena Magazine photo spread! The staff at Pasadena Magazine invited me to showcase some of my gowns in their "Party Pasadena" March Issue after strolling by the Salon. The gowns were personally chosen by Editor In Chief Shannen Doherty, who was also the stylist on the photo shoot. The actual shoot, by photographer Jack Guy, was done at the Ambassador Mansion and Gardens in Pasadena which was absolutely gorgeous. The gowns pictured are available at the Salon, but are all designed and made to order.

Thank you Pasadena Magazine for such a beautiful pictorial!

Welcome and Hello!

2009-03-06T17:31:00.000-08:00

Welcome...thank you for visiting the first of my many blogs! I have finally decided to create a place where I can share design ideas and other wedding info with brides and future brides. First, let me say if you are recently engaged, Congratulations! I hope that all the new brides out there find the perfect gown they are looking for! For Alina Pizzano, I hope this year will be prosperous, creative, full of surprises, and filled with love and fun. I look forward to meeting many of you and hope to design your "perfect" gown.
Thank you...
Alina Pizzano