I have been asked to write about my story by many people and although, I think my story is worthy of a book deal, I just find that my time management skills are a little questionable. I would not want to have a following and then let people down so here is my commitment to all reading.
I will do my very best to post every few weeks and if it becomes a little crazy at work because I am designing gowns and running a busy bridal shop and cannot post, please understand because ….well, how can I explain ………My customers are ……….well they are YOU and nobody other than you could really understand how exceptionally important your gowns are.
Nobody, other than you, realizes how much effort went into your choice. You have labored over thousands of bridal books, spent weekends going from store to store, sat staring into space dreaming about that perfect dress. Oh and let’s not forget the world wide web and just when you thought it could not possibly get any more confusing you can now check out the styles in Abu Dhabi because nothing local is going to work for you. Well girls, cut yourself some slack, I have designed gowns for 25 years, I have made gowns for stars such as Whoopi Goldberg, Elizabeth Hurley, Suzanne Summers and many others. My gowns have been featured on TV and in magazines. I have made gowns for figure skaters, Saudi Arabian princesses, Heads of state and being Canadian and a big hockey fan, I have had the privilege of designing gowns for the wives of Coffey, Gilmore, Eiserman and Children’s wear for The Great one, Wayne Gretzky.
In my 25 years of business I would say I have made approximately 14,000 gowns and now I, Miss Valencienne, the lady who can create anything, is stumped, confused, bewildered, freaked out, stressed out and exasperated about my wedding gown. I am ready to just bejewel an old pair of jeans, add a French cuffed shirt and hail a cab to city hall.
How is this possible, I am not sure? I love my brides, well all brides in general and they are all taking such an interest in my wedding – The gown, the flowers, the colours, the theme, the venue, the décor and entertainment ….blah blah blah.
I thought it would be a kick to create this blog and hopefully get inspired myself. I could introduce you to some of my fantastic venders that are the best in the biz and have become my friends and just maybe on October 10 of 2010 with a little help from her friends, Kim will be wearing something other than blinged out jeans and perhaps her guests will enjoy a great event. After all, we all want to look spectacular and throw the party of the year. We all want our wedding to be better than everyone else’s and although that can never totally come true, it should be individual and reflect our personal styles so here goes four months of the journey.
Next blog, catching you up on what’s booked and what’s not and… my fabric arrived from Italy………yea!
That is a nice dress!
Love the new website! You are absolutely fantastic!
My Dear Kim,
Whatever you wear you will be beautiful and I am sure that you will indeed design something that you really like and look great in as you have for so many brides (my daughter Naomi was one of your brides, Paula’s sister).
I will have to get Paula to put her input into this. I am sure that she will not find it diffult.
Good Luck
Marina
Your website is fantastic, just wondering if the hat featured in this blog post is available at your store? It’s gorgeous.
Your website is great .My business is wedding decorating ,was inspired by GRACE ORMONDE WEDDING STYLE while designing my daughters wedding two years ago .
Love my work and have a great passion for it .Understand your passion for your work .My website is down at present being redesigned .Will follow your blogs .
Congratulations on your big day .
The Runway Experience at Valenicenne
Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Wedluxe, and every other haute couture and luxury bridal magazine out there , have influenced my passion for designing and finding, not only the perfect wedding gown, but designing my very own dream wedding gown creation. From Valentino, Oscar De La Renta, Vera Wang, and Alexander McQueen, every piece of lace, organza, crystal, and bead have become a symbol of the high fashion haute couture wedding gown I hope to wear on the best day of my life. I want to wear a dress that is specifically made for me. I want the dress to be about me.
I knew I needed to find someone with the talent, experience, and passion for wedding couture. I did my research, I knew my fashion, and I certainly knew when I saw Valencienne’s bridal designs, that she had the ability for my dream to magically become my very own Cinderella story.
From the first moment I walked through the door, both my mother and I were taken away with the fabulous surroundings of warmth and sparkle. The room was full of wedding gowns, not one wedding gown was the same. Each work of art carefully placed to see and admire the astonishing fine details. Every gown had a story to share…
While sitting down for my initial consultation, my mother and I felt very comfortable and quickly became sure that we were in the right place. Laying there on the table was a beautiful piece of French lace that just arrived, the same lace I constantly pictured in my mind. Kim was like a fairy godmother. She took my ideas, my personal taste and flare, and designed the haute couture gown of my dreams. I felt like a celebrity, sitting down with her personal designer in plot and ambition to win “best dressed” on the red carpet! I loved it!
I loved that Kim shared my excitement. She understood how important my dress design was to me. She and I joined in my vision. She instantly became engaged in designing and creating every detail of the gown. Kim made me feel special, beautiful, and glamourous.
The best part, my mother and I have an experience we can share for the rest of our lives. A story I will tell my children. I will continue to share my experience and journey with Valencienne throughout the next several months. I can truly say, Valencienne is the one and only. Valencienne goes beyond the “ designer dress off the rack”. Every dress becomes your own individual story.
True couture is the look of limitless, timeless, and elegant fashion. Valencienne gowns most importantly, allow brides to ensure they feel feminine, sexy, and beautiful. I am looking forward to my next visit to Valencienne and the complete and entire fashion journey.
Now how am I supposed to keep my dress details a secret for a year ???!!! haha
Thank you Kim!
Sparkle,
Carmelina and Joanne
The Art of the Canvas Fitting,
As the Christmas season approaches and the year comes to an end. I continue my Valencienne blog. I have the best of memories to share this year, as my visits to Valencienne bring me closer to the gown of my dreams. I have gained a wonderful new friend whom I admire greatly. Kim has not only helped me create one of the most memorable experiences for my wedding, she has been there to help me throughout the wedding process and upon request, has referred the most amazing people in the wedding design/decor industry to help Mike and I create the wedding of our dreams.
The process of creating a dress with Kim and the Valencienne team, allows a bride to learn about the luxury experiences of planning a wedding and the potential which rests upon the gods of Haute Bespoke Couture.
Her work sparkles, he personality even more so! As the pieces of a canvas come together, they magically create not only the most beautiful Valencienne gown, but a happy and confident bride (that’s me!). Every time I walk inside Valencienne’s bridal salon, I feel like Marie Antoinette being presented with beautiful silks and the most luxurious of fabrics. C’est la vie!
I am excited to start the new year knowing my fabrics are traveling across the ocean to get to me and in the hands of Kim! I truly cannot express how excited I am!
Excited to share more about my Valencienne experience!
Always Sparkle!
Carmelina Di Grigoli
P.S Excited for the WedLuxe Show – “Let us eat cake “