WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Custom Wedding Gowns
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Burlington, Vermont - August 1, 2008
Much of the clothing on store racks these days comes from overseas. But not Ava Bishop's. For brides-to-be, she is part artist, part wish fulfiller, part counselor.
Bishop chuckles, "One of my brides called it 'bridal therapy.' [Sewing] is creation with a purpose. It makes them feel even more special on their day."
She's a custom wedding dress designer. From conceptual sketches to the final stitch, Bishop helps brides create they day they imagined. She says, "Women have a general vision of what they want to look like on their wedding day for years before their wedding."
The Northeast Kingdom native started sewing her own Barbie clothes as a little girl, but got into the bridal business after an apprenticeship with a California gown-maker. When she moved back to her home state, Bishop saw an under-served market: women who wanted to have non-traditional ceremonies. All-white church weddings aren't for everyone.
Bishop says, "If it's an orange dress, I'm totally down to make someone an orange dress."
Her creations run the gamut from bright colors to floral patterns, even vintage-inspired looks. The thinking is, this is the bride's day, so she should look however she wants. But of course, there's still a large base for more familiar styles of gowns and bridesmaid dresses.
Bishop says, "It's a personal process."
That service takes at least fifty hours, starting at about $1,500 for most gowns. A recent industry survey found brides on average spend around $1,300, but they're not necessarily getting custom, couture, American-made work.
It appears there is growing appreciation for those touches. Bishop says, "In the past two years, I've doubled in business."
Bishop figures since weddings and civil unions are splurges, she'll always have a market, especially with more brides making choices she can honor, like, using organic fabrics.
Removing a pin from her teeth and pushing it through layers of ivory fabric draped on a dress form, Bishop smiles, saying, "I do a lot of playing!"
That process to get it just right will keep this artist, this wish fulfiller, this counselor busy on her one of a kind, "Made in Vermont" wedding dresses. Bishop says, "It's just a lot of fun to work with someone's idea and make it a reality."
Ava Bishop also makes custom pants and other clothing, but hopes to grow her bridal business, perhaps even releasing a permanent line of gowns for women who don't want an ultra-custom design.
You can see more of Bishop's work on her website, and can reach her for more information at (802) 730-2269.
Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont
