(Photo above: Alin Gonzalez and Brittany Shunk at the Bridal Suite | by Krystal Marie Collins)
Brittany Shunk, co-owner of the Bridal Suit, director of purchasing, designer and designer liaison got her start in fashion when she received her first sewing machine for her 10th birthday. Shunk’s formal education in design came from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles where her internships and special projects were in bridal. Professionally, she has many years experience designing with corporate bridal outlets and creating snowboard merchandise.
Alin Gonzalez, owner of Alterations and Designs by Alin, designer, seamstress, and alterations specialist, started sewing when she was 13, although she assisted in her families tailoring business prior to this. Gonzalez has worked in Bend doing alterations for a corporate bridal shop for the past 13 years and found her customers to be so pleased with her work, for 10 years she has also operated her own sewing and design business. Customers say Gonzalez is so good at manipulating fabrics her services are like candy, like an addiction. Once you come to her for one service, you will keep coming to her for more services.
Co-owner of the Bridal Suite, Paige Tapia coined the term, Blank Canvas Dress (BCD), watching her daughter, business partner, and gown designer Brittany Shunk meld several dresses together for their first bridal client in the winter of 2015.
“It was crazy,” says Shunk, “At that time we had something like 10 dresses and we were working out of our home. Our first client was a friend of mine and we wanted to make sure she had exactly what she wanted.”
Shunk works in tandem with Tapia and Alin Gonzalez, their in house contracted alterations designer. Shunk and Gonzalez, first paired through the small business program at COCC, agree the quality of work they produce is far greater, more creative and cost effective for their clients because of their on site partnership. “We do custom fittings, designing, creating all in house, the dresses never leave the premises. This gives the client flexibility with scheduling as well because Alin and I are both on site,” says Shunk.
The concept of the BCD started from innovation in alterations and has grown into an empowering option for brides to tailor their wedding day apparel to suit their bodies and style preferences. At The Bridal Suite, Brides to be are able to pick any features from rack dresses or their imagination and weave them into their final gown.
“The discussion of the BCD usually comes up organically,” says Shunk, “The client tries on multiple dresses and likes some aspects of each so I will recommend, we can put those sleeves on this dress. Then we get her in all the dresses at the same time to show her what it might look like. Then I tell the bride to be, imagine your just starting from scratch and you are creating your own one of a kind piece of art. We feel like on First Friday we could just show our gowns!”
Gonzalez explains, “Sometimes someone comes to us for an alteration and I will recommend something else.” Shunk says Gonzalez is valuable because, “She doesn’t just do bridal, she can fix anything. I feel like I can ask her to manipulate any sort of fabric. She can draw inspiration from other fields and give great ideas to brides to be.”
In regards to cost, Shunk says customization can be more expensive than a rack dress but depending on the adjustment or design, it doesn’t have to be. Some changes are simple. Shunk and Gonzelez say they get great feed back on their rates.
Common customizations Shunk mentions are, “Taking out the satin train and leaving the lace overlay train, this is more unique, more romantic looking and light weight, more functional. Less fabric can be a need for destination weddings. Adding or removing sleeves. Additions to the skirt texture. Complimenting a bodice with lace or bead work. Making a zip back into a corset.” Gonzelez says she has even turned a size six dress into a 24 and the reverse.
When asked about bridal trends for summer 2016 Shunk says, “Right now it feel like each bride is doing what they want, there aren’t a lot of trends, that is why the BCD is ideal.
“After all, everyone needs alterations on their wedding gown, we like to think of it as creating a custom dress while your having your alterations done.” Up to 90 percent of the dresses The Bridal Suit sells are modified beyond an alteration and 20 percent are classified as a totally unique BCD.
Shunk and Gonzelez say during past employment with bridal shops they felt they were stifled in delivering flawless customer service and customizations. Gonzelez says she thought, “I can do this myself. I was limited by prices, quality, creativity, and got tiered of not doing the quality of work I wanted to do. I have lots of pride in my work.” Shunk adds, “Working together is great because we value high quality, honesty, and integrity.”
Additional services offered include bilingual consultation courtesy of Gonzelez and special occasions formal wear including prom and men’s formal. Typically customization takes up to nine months but rush delivery to last minute brides is also an option.
After sharing war stories about their own wedding dresses, Shunk and Gonzelez agree bonding with the brides is the best part of their job. “You get attached to them, you can’t wait to see how their dress and wedding turn out!” says Shunk. Gonzelez replies, “My favorite part is when the girls see their final dress and love it. Sometimes they cry.” Shunk laughs saying, “We both like it when they bring us cookies.” Gonzelez smiles widely and remarks, “It’s really special, I feel like part of the family.”
The Bridal Suit and Alterations and Designs by Alin encourage brides not to be afraid to ask bridal retailers about customizations that go beyond alterations. These expert services are available right here in Bend with out the 3 hour commute to Portland. Shunk explains, “You don’t have to be a millionaire to design your BCD. We can walk you through it, there is an option available for everyone!”
Look for the Bridal Suits formal ware showcased in What to wear to the opera, a photo shoot in the summer issue of Bend Fashion Quarterly, out early May and in the upcoming La Pine High School Prom Fashion Show. For questions contact 541-639-3139, see their website http://www.thebridalsuitebend.com/ or drop into their convenient downtown location at 945 NW Wall Street.
