| Photography by Lockhart Photography |
When Cathy first started in the bridal industry, she purchased dresses available in that area from a boutique that went out of business. She had started with racks of dresses inside her living room. Eventually, she started to look for a place to open her boutique. After relocating to Carmel, California eight years ago, she stated they are one of the most successful Bridal and Social Special Occasion Boutiques in the area with focus on Bridal, Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids, and all Social Special Occasion Fashions.
Cathy has years of experience in the wedding industry. In the very beginning of her career she was offered a full scholarship to attend a prestigious Fashion Institute in 1969, however, because of the times, she had to refuse it. Coming from an “old school” Sicilian family, this was an “absolute” no-no” for any women to leave home and go to a big city.
However, she never gave up on her dream, she always had the drive and passion to design many “Haute Couture” fashions. She has been sewing since she was seven years old with training from her Grandmother and Great-Aunts who were all seamstresses and the best teachers anyone can have. They did this for a living and her experience and training was “hands on.” She learned how to work without patterns, measure properly and that was only the beginning. Years later, she did attend San Francisco Art Institute where she earned an MBA in Fashion Design, Art and Business.
What makes Cathy’s Carmel, California boutique different compared to others would be that she buys distinctive Bridal Fashions that are very different, yet elegant. Her gowns are extremely beautiful and unique for Bridal Fashion houses. Another way her store stands out among her competitors, she earned her Certified Bridal Consultant with training in specific qualifications in styling, measuring, accessorizing and works directly with the Bride and her Bridal party. She provides her years of experience and she assures her brides that they will find and fall in love with the dress of their dreams!
Cathy has worked runways with Bridal Fashion shows as a stylist, not excluding stylized photo shoots with world-renowned photographers in published work. Many of my clients travel from far distances and many clients are celebrities.
She has the best customers and the have provided wonderful recommendations for Cathy and Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique and Bridal. One Bride stated on WeddingWire, “Excellent customer service and beautiful wedding gowns to choose from. I love working with the Owner, Cathy! What a wonderful person with her heart in the right place. She is very Professional and knows the business!” Another Bride Vanessa stated, “There is an extensive selection for every style and more importantly, every type of bride. Very kind lady who knows her stuff. Cathy owns and operates this shop herself and STILL somehow manages to respond to every single question and concern in a warm yet professional and timely fashion. A true class act. Make an appointment, you won’t be disappointed.”
Cathy states the Wedding Trends for 2016 and 2017 are that many Brides wearing sequins. Bridesmaids dresses trends are showing the Brides want her Bridesmaids to stay away from the “traditional” Bridesmaids dress. Usually, Brides provide a color palette and the Bridesmaids will buy a dress that flatters their figure, yet stay within those colors. Another trend we have seen are the “mismatched” dresses falling into a pastel muted color palette. She also has stated that some Brides are eliminating Bridesmaids altogether. However, it all depends on the Bride, the venue, and the destination of the wedding.
Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique and Bridals do take and schedule appointments. Cathy suggests the Brides bring any undergarments they plan to wear with the dress (strapless bra, spanx, and wearing underwear is always necessary). Shoes in the height they plan to wear with the dress just in case they do find the dress and we have to measure them for getting the dress in the proper length. Even though they are just starting to look for their wedding dress, there always will be a possibility that Brides will find the dress of their dreams at the very first appointment. Brides should always come prepared with a deposit, having a credit card with at least $1500 in available credit to put a deposit down “just in case.”
Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique and Bridal offers a variety of styles in Bridesmaids dresses that can be worn as formals or evening gowns because styles are very versatile. The Bridesmaids and Bridal Dress Designers are Bill Levkoff, Bari Jay, Alberto Makali, Rina di Montella and a couple of other private lines exclusive to our boutique only. The other designer lines she carries are LaSposa by Pronovias, Luna Novias by Rosa Clara, all the Kitty Chen Collections, Amare Couture, and Sincerity by Justin Alexander and a couple of private lines.
Her dress sizes usually start at 10, 12, 14, 16 and sizes depend on the style of the dress. However, all styles are available in Plus Sizes and Special Orders. She offers customization for dresses and that will be available for extra charge and the cost does depends on the designer. In addition, she does offer dresses available for purchase
“off the rack.” In her opinion, she feels there is absolutely no reason why a Bride should not walk out of our bridal boutique with a bridal dress. She has something for every Bride and their wedding budget.
To find the one and only Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique and Bridals, please visit them via the web at Collezione Fortuna Fashion Boutique and Bridal and you can find her boutique on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and WeddingWire.
Remember, at WicksnCandlesticks, we love celebrating all of life's events and special occasions! For more information on designs, ideas, inspiration and styles for weddings, events, celebrations and special occasions, please follow our blog at WicksnCandlesticks. To shop on our website, please visit http://www.wicksncandlesticks.com/.
