About Me

For as long as I can remember, my two favorite things have been history, and fashion.  

My passion for history and fashion led me to New York City, where I lived for 12 years. There I earned an Associate degree in Fashion Merchandising ,and a Bachelor's degree in History.

After graduating I worked in a costume shop specializing in period clothing for Broadway and Opera. This is where I learned to sew professionally and to make my own garment patterns.

After moving back to my home state of Michigan in 2000, I opened my own business doing alterations and custom sewing. Working with full-skirted and tight-bodiced costumes in New York translated into working with wedding gowns here in northern Michigan. I've made bridal my primary focus and today I specialize in the expert alteration of bridal gowns.

My own wedding gown.

While living in New York I visited the costume exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I saw a wine red taffeta and velvet Victorian gown. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. That's when I decided "if I ever get married I'm going to wear a gown just like that". Ten years later I did indeed get married, and made for myself that red Victorian gown that I loved so much.

My Elk Rapids Fitting Studio

 I love my little studio!  It's warm and charming and filled with inspiration and creativity.

In my studio you can try on and purchase veils, jewelry, belts, sashes, and hair pieces.  I can even custom create accessories specifically for you.  All the extras that make you and your gown unique and lovely.