Listening
My dress design business began on a leap of faith. I had been either working for other dressmakers, or doing my work as a secondary job. my dear friend Jayne told me that God says to dream big, so I did and struck out on my own as Elizabeth Payne Designer/Dressmaker. I loved working with my clients, many were whom could not find wedding gowns to fit their needs. In the early 1990's, plus size gowns were limited, what was available looked like matronly tents. I had clients who wanted Renaissance dresses, Colonial, Civil War, or gowns from English bridal magazines, remaking a mothers wedding gown. Of course there were the accessories to design too! Veils, hats, garters and pillows. Then there were the bridesmaids dresses.
In 1997, the best shop in Lancaster County, Classic Weddings, asked me to join her staff as manager, buyer, staff designer; well when you manage a bridal salon, you do everything from sales to fittings, alterations, whatever needs to be done. As a designer, I noticed that there was not a line of jewelry available for brides and bridesmaids that was of a reasonable price, style AND quality to wear after the wedding. Thus, my jewelry line of Freshwater Pearls, Swarovski Crystal and Gemstones was designed to compliment the line of Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearl, Crystal headpieces and veils that were already top sellers in the shop. Top sellers because the designs were based on listening to what my brides wanted. Many of my headpiece designs came from headpieces that were custom designs.
I worked for Classic Weddings for 5 years until a combination off life changing events....But thanks to Etsy I have returned to bridal, designing custom couture veils, headpieces and jewelry, all based on listening to my client. This is your veil, not mine.
