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Only one dress for you

Only one dress for you

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Thursday, January 10, 2019

This bride visited the store three times before finally deciding to purchase a dress from me. She also visited a bunch of boutiques in Sydney and sent me a text on her trip home after yet another unsuccessful day dress shopping.

I invited her back for another consultation, but told her I only had one dress that I was willing to sell her!
The dress in question is beautiful - a heavy laced Gemy Maalouf with a structural peplum skirt and v neckline.
I absolutely loved the dress on this bride - the neckline complimented her larger bust and the peplum gave her hips and defined her waist. Both design details worked together to balance a larger top half of an inverted triangle body shape.
This dress style wasn’t what the bride was expecting to purchase, but it quickly became clear that it was still the perfect dress for HER.
We took these photos at her final fitting - she looks absolutely fabulous in it!

 

Connie xo

 

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Design changes Martina Liana

Design changes Martina Liana

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Friday, January 04, 2019

Hi New Brides.

I've written before about how Martina Liana designers are happy to incorporate changes to their designs if you provide reliable measurements and drawings of your desired changes. I find it an easy process, because I can take measurements and photographs, and just a few days later I get an email confirming the changes or asking for further clarification.
Martina Liana are very accommodating with the required changes, additional charges apply  
 
Connie xo
 

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Last Trunk Show for 2018

Last Trunk Show for 2018

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Thursday, December 06, 2018

Well that’s a wrap on the last Trunk Show for 2018! It was an extremely successful weekend and it was an honour to get to share it with you all. Thank you for trying on so many dresses and going out of your comfort zone with design choice - it has been immensely helpful for me to see the designs on so many body shapes, and I am thrilled to say many of you ended up purchasing dresses that you would never have otherwise tried on! Congratulations!

It was really lovely having the design team there. They were engaging and knowledgeable and everyone benefited. At the end of the day, they said they were amazed at how far above and beyond I go for my clients - bending the company rules as far as I can to ensure my brides get what they need, when they need it, and the clear fact that I just cannot bring myself to sell a dress to a bride unless it is going to be perfect. A great example of this is one bride who was just 1” too long in the torso for the two dresses she loved. The designer made a few suggestions for how we could hide this fitting issue, but I wanted the dress to look the way it SHOULD look, rather than looking ‘fixed’. I’ve asked the bride to call me back in a few weeks, and if the dress makes the final product list I will ask them to make an adjustment to the pattern.
The trunk show coordinator said that they always knew my brides were special to me, because when I call about their dresses I speak of my brides like they are my friends or daughters. But they are genuinely amazed at just how much time and effort I go to with my personal consults and fittings, and they have said that Wollongong must be very lucky to have such a dedicated bridal boutique. It’s made me feel really lucky that someone has noticed all that I try to achieve!
Connie
 

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Showing my age

Showing my age

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Friday, September 14, 2018

Hi brides, here’s another story showing my age!

I was fitting a bride during the Trunk Show and her mum asked if I had ever lived in Figtree. I had...I actually had a workshop downstairs in my mother’s house when I still lived at home!
The bride’s surname was familiar, and I remember doing a bridal party many many years ago with the same name. I remember the dresses were a dusty pale pink in duchess satin, and the photo sent to me by the new bride confirmed they were just as I recalled.
I made this little girl a beautiful flower dress, and now I am helping her find the wedding dress of her dreams!

 

Connie xo

 

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Boutique Appointments

Boutique Appointments

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Thursday, September 06, 2018

Hi Brides!

I often get asked why I only make 45 mins appointments instead of the usual 60 min length. There are two key reasons:
The first is that I believe trying on too many dresses only serves to overwhelm the bride. In the first five minutes of the appointment, I am able to determine what dresses you should try on by speaking to you about the styles you are drawn to, and by assessing your body shape and the style of wedding you are having. That skill in itself means that I can very quickly knock out the dresses that just won't be appropriate for you and your wedding. Some brides still express a little bit of doubt when I explain this reason - they feel that I might limit them and they might miss out on a dress that would have been perfect...but did you know that you have enough time in 45 minutes to try on ELEVEN dresses?!
The second main reason is that, over the years, I have found that 45 minutes is the perfect length of time for appointments with ME. Don't forget that when you visit my boutique, you are having a consult with me on your OWN. I am not tending to other clients, and you are the only one in the store. You will never have to wait for a change-room or a dress to be free. You will have my undivided attention, and frequently I also have my 'shop girl', Emilia, in to assist with hanging up discarded dresses. Many other boutiques book several clients at once, so even if you have a single sales assistant attending to you, you are still required to wait for a change-room to become available.
We decided last Saturday to test this theory, just to make sure I was still living up to industry standards. I made my 'first consult' 9am appointment for 60 mins, and put away my watch. As the appointment came to a close and I was farewelling the bride and her mother, I glanced at the time and we had taken 45 mins exactly! I asked the bride if she had felt rushed at all, or if she wished she could have tried on more dresses, and her response to both was a firm 'No'.
I have been in the industry for my whole career, please have a little trust in me!
Connie xo
 

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Don't forget to bring your wedding shoes and your wedding bra

Don't forget to bring your wedding shoes and your wedding bra

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Friday, August 31, 2018

Have you already bought your dress from me and now coming in for a your alterations fitting? Don't forget to bring your wedding shoes and your wedding bra!

I can't pin up a hem without the right shoes, unfortunately. 'Near enough' is just not good enough for me, so we'll need to reschedule if you forget or haven't bought them yet.
Connie xo
 

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​The Dilemma

​The Dilemma

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Friday, August 24, 2018

The Dilemma...

How many people should you bring dress shopping?
Made to measure was easy - it was you, the mother of the bride, and the bridesmaids. It was already pre-decided because these women were the ones getting dresses made for them! Oftentimes even the bridal party wasn't present when the bride was getting her dress made; the dress would be a surprise for EVERYONE on the day!
But times have changed, and I see a lot of people come and go through the boutique. One mother recently commented that her other daughter arrived at her consult with a whole entourage of guests, and by the time they visited a few stores and she had heard a dozen different opinions on every dress, she wasn't even sure WHAT she wanted. In the end, the ended up regretting her dress purchase.
Well, the younger sister is getting married now, and this time around it is just her and her mother coming in dress shopping. Her mother said "I will be honest with her - because what mother doesn't want her daughter to look fabulous and be happy on her wedding day?"
What are your thoughts on this? Are you going to surprise everyone or did you bring support along to your fittings?
Connie
 

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sleeves in the late 80's

sleeves in the late 80's

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Friday, August 17, 2018

Remember how we all had points in our sleeves in the late 80's? Well, they're back! They've been given a streamlined, modern twist and they are showing up all over the catwalks and industry shows.

The mother of this bride laughed "I had this same lace peak sleeve on my dress back when I got married!"

 

Connie xo

 

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​Alteration of the Week Design Changes

​Alteration of the Week Design Changes

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Friday, August 10, 2018

Alteration of the Week - Design Changes

This bride wanted an on-trend 'cold shoulder' neckline. This design detail combines a high neckline and sleeves with cut-outs over the shoulder and is a great way of showing off a shapely upper body.
I don't have anything like this in the boutique, but I mentioned to the bride that Martina Liana designers are happy to do custom design changes with enough notice. I knew the bride had missed the main cut off date for this, with her wedding being held in July, but thought she may have made it with enough time to pay the express fee. We tried a few dresses on and decided that the Martina Liana 948 was the best option for such a significant alteration.
I called the Martina Liana head office while my bride was in-store; unfortunately she had *just* missed the cut off for the express fee. I spent a little bit of time troubleshooting the issue with the designers and they suggested that I take on the customisation myself! What a great idea! The designer sent extra lace and tulle for me to use when creating the sleeves and, because the dress was already racer-back, the customisation went smoothly.
1.I removed some of the lace detail from the front and back of the bodice to create a sharper edge
2.Removed swirl appliqué from the back illusion tulle
3.Added sleeve to bodice underneath the arm
4.Left sleeve trim at the bottom in swirl design with a downward peak at the back of the wrist
Check out the before and after photos; they are AMAZING!!! The bride is happy, so I am happy. This is why I don’t do alterations for brides that haven't bought their dresses from my boutique - by dedicating myself to my own girls, I can have enough time to take on larger alteration projects like this one!

 

Connie xo
 

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2019 Beside Couture Release

2019 Beside Couture Release

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Friday, July 27, 2018

Hi Brides-to-Be,

Just letting you know that the 2019 release of Besides Couture by Gemy has arrived in the boutique.
I absolutely love this collection - it is an affordable was to buy designer gowns for under $2000. There is just no reason to purchase cheap and ill-fitting gowns online when you can buy quality like this instore. These dresses have the correct internal structures for their individual designs, and they are perfect examples of professional tailoring.
I am the only stockist of this range in New South Wales. Because of this, you are getting a unique design rather than a commercialised 'cheap' dress.
It can be our little secret how much you actually paid!
Connie xo
 

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Time for a Holiday

Time for a Holiday

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Wednesday, July 18, 2018

For the first time in the six years since I have owned Accapella Bridal, I am going to Europe for a holiday rather than for a trip to a bridal show! I am excited but oh so nervous...I already know that I will find it hard to switch off from my shop as it is my pride and passion.

I will be away from the 22nd July until the 11th August. During that time, the lovely Glynis will be minding the store (by appointment only) and managing my emails. Glynis has been a seamstress for over 25 years and has also owned her own bridal store. She is very experienced and knows all about sizing, alterations and styling! I trust Glynis with everything and hope that she can help you out while I am on my break.
Saturday appointments will be temporarily increased to 60 mins, and if you need to book in, please do so by calling the store on 42252188. Alternatively, you can also contact Glynis directly on 0427703277. My work mobile will be switched off while I am overseas.
Standby for lots of holiday snaps!

 

Connie xo

 

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Level of Professionalism

Level of Professionalism

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Hi Connie it is Amelia Hollis here I just wanted to say thank you so much for your level of professionalism and for helping me find the dress of my absolute dreams!! Everyone has raved about the dress and I felt like an absolute princess wearing it on the best day of my life😊 thank you again and I have been raving about you and will be recommending you to everyone 😊 I will send you through some photos of the wedding at the church and Milton Park xox 

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Preview 2019 Collections

Preview 2019 Collections

  •   Connie Di Genni
  •   Friday, June 15, 2018

Have you booked a spot for this year’s Martina Liana and Essense of Australia Trunk show? There’s only a few appointments left for Saturday July 14th. and Friday has sold out!

This bride purchased her dress from last year’s trunk show. She sent me a few photos and an email thanking me for the opportunity to view the collection early...she was very happy with her dress! She looks STUNNING in her Martina Liana gown!

Call the boutique today to book a time to view the collection - this will be your only chance for a preview before their release in January 2019!

0413493970

Connie xo

 

 

 

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