Today we’d like to introduce you to Giselle Ghofrani.
Specialties
Belle Custom Atelier is a heritage custom design studio founded in NYC by Giselle Ghofrani the daughter of Chicago’s favorite alteration studio The Dress Doctor. Belle specializes in creating the ultimate gown for your wedding day or others in your party. They also carry several designers who specialize in customizations or are in the high-end luxury market. Belle is for anyone who is looking to be part of their entire gown creation process, from silhouette to final touches like lace appliqué or embroidery design. Because they are a shop-in-shop at The Dress Doctor, they have access to their expert atelier and also in NYC to provide you with the best pattern-makers, seamstresses, and materials in the industry.
History
Belle Custom Atelier was launched in NYC in 2015 by Giselle. After working in the bridal and fashion industry in New York for seven years she decided to start her own custom design studio. As of February 2018, Giselle has moved to Chicago and opened up a shop-in-shop at The Dress Doctor Located in The Water Tower Place. Belle also carries several bridal designers that you can order from. Alterations are done in-house by The Dress Doctor. Set up an appointment at Belle to figure out your silhouette, they are also happy to help you find that perfect gown by sending you to other boutiques that they adore!
Meet the Business Owner
Giselle is the owner and founder of Belle. Born into the world of fashion she worked alongside her mother (The Dress Doctor) from a young age, learning the art of sewing and pattern-making. As she grew older she held positions in design houses like Vera Wang, Marchesa, and J.Mendel. She decided while at J.Mendel to start her own custom design studio which led her to launch a bridal boutique in Chicago where she carries customizable designers and is honored to carry J.Mendel as well.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I started my business in New York and it was great! I had good relationships with vendors and clients so business was easy. Once I moved to Chicago, I had to re-establish myself and create connections with clients and stylists here. I moved back to Chicago to help my mother, The Dress Doctor, with rebranding and taking her business to the next level. It seemed like a smart move since she has a full atelier and her and I work together really well, so for a while, I had to put my business on hold. Now, I have found the proper balance and when a client needs something custom I have it done under my business since Belle is a shop-in-shop at The Dress Doctor, I just bounce back a forth between The Dress Doctor and Belle
Please tell us about Belle Custom Atelier & Bridal Boutique.
Belle is a custom design experience for higher end luxury garments. Because of my luxury background, I have created amazing connections with fabric mills, embroidery mills and workrooms all over the world, so I can get the highest quality materials and techniques that I can apply to custom garments. My favorite thing to do is embroidery. We pattern and draw the layout in-house and have it sent out for embroideries like beading, bullion, and threadwork. One of one of the first projects that I did lead by Julie Sabatino The Stylish Bride for custom bridesmaid separates. The wedding was amazing and I was honored to have been asked to be part of it. About a year later it was published in Martha Stewart Weddings which was really exciting for me!
Belle offers the most custom experience you can have. We drape on you just like a designer would for a fitting, we have you select and approve every aspect of your creation, we provide sketches and edits and have as many fittings as we need to make sure it is exactly what you want. Custom takes time and patience but it is so fun to see the final product!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly, nothing! I rarely think this way, I couldn’t have been where I am today without my mistakes and failures, so I really can’t take any of them back or try to think of how I could’ve changed anything.
Pricing:
- Custom Bridesmaids Start: $1,200
- Custom Mother of the Bride/Groom Start: $2800
- Custom Bridal Gown Start: $3500
Contact Info:
- Address: The Water Tower Place Professional Suites
845 N. Michigan Ave STE 946E
Chicago, IL 60611 - Website: www.bellecustomatelier.com
- Phone: 847-363-2714
- Email: info@bellecustomatelier.com
- Instagram: @bellecustomatelier
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellecustomatelier/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/belle-custom-atelier-and-bridal-boutique-chicago?osq=belle+custom
Image Credit:
J.Mendel, Anna Georgina
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