For any bride, wearing her wedding dress is one of the highlights of getting married. It is an emotional experience that's precious for every bride, and to prepare for that special day, much effort is poured into creating the perfect gown. Bridal gown designer Michi Calica walks us through the collaborative process between the bride and the designer.
As a seasoned designer, Michi understands some brides can be intimidated by the process. To get off on the right foot, Michi makes an effort to put the bride at ease during their first meeting. "During the initial exploratory meeting, I give the bride-to-be the floor. I put her at ease," she shares. The inviting environment in her atelier also sets the mood for a pleasant meeting. "You will always see a fresh bouquet of flowers to my right (preferably white long stemmed roses or liliums arranged en masse), hear soft music playing in the background, and [smell the] delicate scent of lavender," Michi describes.
Since every bride is different, Michi avoids imposing design ideas. She interviews the bride to get a feel for what she wants. Michi says, "I let her tell me her expectations. And I listen, listen, listen. I ask her to stand still for a few seconds and let her tell me her body issues--what she would like to emphasize (say, her long neck, small waist, her face). I then do some preliminary sketches to present to the bride."
These days, however, some brides need more than a sketch to visualize their dream dress. To give a better idea of what will look good on the client, Michi maintains a well-stocked gown rack of samples. The rack features dresses in various silhouettes, so that brides can find the right cut for their body type. "I let the bride fit different dresses that I feel will flatter her figure: say, an A-line gown, a princess cut gown, et cetera. When I finally give her the design she is happy with, it can get to be an emotional experience. Some shed tears of joy, some put their hands to their hearts in utmost euphoria. Others can't seem to sit down while their fiances exclaim: ‘Easy, easy, you're too excited about the gown!' It really is an enjoyable session most of the time," Michi says.
Letting the bride try on dresses also helps in making each dress--and experience--unique. "The fact that I take time to get to know the bride's style, and the fact that I collaborate with her really adds to how perfect the bride's gown is for her. Customizing a wedding dress is such a tedious but fulfilling creative process," says Michi.
Of course, Michi steers the clients in the right direction by offering gowns that are "up-to-the-minute without being shallow; pretty without being cloying; and glamorous without being intimidating." When the bride and Michi have agreed on a design, Michi's team works their magic. Michi says six months lead time should be enough to finish the gown. She says, "There is a lot of 'tweaking' and approval to do as to where designs and fabrics are concerned. Fitting the muslin, then the actual gown without beading are the next steps."
The process, however, is slightly different for brides overseas. Since Michi also sells her gowns online under the label Toccata on Etsy, she gets various clients from other countries like the United States, Canada, Sweden, Japan, Singapore, Dubai, and China. "I have regular Skype meetings with my brides based overseas. We are preoccupied with emailing photos of updates to our brides abroad. I've trained my office to be internet junkies as far as servicing our clients is concerned. My online store gave me this training of good communication," she says.
While the processes in servicing local and overseas brides differ, Michi still fosters the same warm relationship with every client. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter if the bride was able to meet Michi in person or online--every creation is made special because it allows the wearer to look and feel beautiful on her most important day.
To know more about Michi Calica's services, check out her supplier listing in the directory.
