In honor of Earth Day, we wanted to highlight a sustainable service our sister-brand Mignonette Bridal has offered since we started: revamping heirloom gowns! Kpoené works with our brides to take dresses that usually have personal or familial significance, and transforms them into modern, fashionable and functional gowns. Removing and rearranging the lace, changing the sleeves, or cutting a neckline (just to name a few options) will update the dress while keeping its original integrity. Our team works closely with you to bring out the unique features of each dress that you wish to showcase. We love transforming these heirloom gowns and giving them a new life! This is an amazing and sustainable option when it comes to choosing a wedding dress, but don’t just take our word for it! Hear what these Ette Brides had to say about their revamp experience:

After trying on a total of 41(!) dresses, the last dress Olivia tried was her grandmother’s lace wedding dress from 1956. Growing up her grandma always loved when her sister and her would put her gown on and “play dress up.” When she was searching for her wedding gown, it was always in the back of her mind. After she finally put the heirloom dress on, she knew right away it was her dress. We asked Olivia a couple of questions about her experience revamping her vintage gown:

How did it feel to put it on before it was revamped?  How did it feel to put it on once it was tailored to fit your style?

My sister and I would put on her dress and play dress up. My mom said she would even do the same when she was younger! As expected, it went through some damage with us kids. It was also not preserved at all. But, I was lucky and it still held up through all of that. When I first tried it on, it was not comfortable and there were a lot of places that needed to be fixed. There was a large hole in the bottom, and I am slightly taller than her so the sleeves were short, etc. And of course it needed to be let out in a few locations and taken in in others.  

After the tailoring process was complete- wow! It was beyond perfect. It felt like a whole new dress.

What was the revamping process like for you?  Were you nervous? Excited?

I was excited about the process. Although it was nerve-racking to be making significant changes to such an old dress, I had confidence in Ette. They worked with me to listen to my vision and gave great advice where needed.

Any advice for brides thinking of revamping?

If the style is very outdated, don’t be afraid to make the changes you want. I feel like I made a number of changes to my gown, but it still felt like my grandma’s original vintage gown. Also, trust in Ette- I never felt like they were suggesting anything that would not work or could damage the dress. I was amazed by the changes they were able to make. Anything is possible!

Don’t forget about revamping veils! Ette was able to create a custom veil for me, using the trim from my mother’s wedding dress as the trim on my veil. It was perfect!

I also wanted to note that I was lucky enough to have both my Grandma and Grandpa there on my wedding day. Unfortunately, my Grandma ended up passing away just two months later. Nothing can compare to her seeing me get married in her gown 63 years later. I am so grateful for this and it made my decision to wear her gown even more unbelievably special.

Blair’s wedding dress was originally her mother, Nancy’s. Nancy would brag that she purchased it at Filene's basement on State street during a trunk show/sale. After being stored for 34 years, Blair decided to modernize the dress for her own wedding day in honor of her mother.

What was special to you about this gown?

I got married 10 months after my mom, my best friend, died. I was looking for so many ways to incorporate her into our special day, to honor her, to feel her presence, and to make her feel a part of such a milestone. Being able to wear her dress was one of the most meaningful things I was able to do to feel connected to her. We got married on my parents’ anniversary, both of my rings are made out of my mom's engagement ring and wedding bands, and we included a candle ceremony in our ceremony honoring our loved ones who were not physically present. All of which helped to contribute to a day that was still bittersweet, but so filled with beautiful memories of her and paid homage to my mom as best as I possibly could. But, there was something about wearing her dress - being able to move and dance, and just be in the cloth and lace that she had worn 34 years ago, on a milestone day of her own. It made me feel comforted, and like I was held securely by her. I know she would have been so proud of the incredible talent and skill of the Ette staff - as an art quilter she had such an appreciation for all of the arts, especially quilting and sewing, and would have been so impressed with the work, knowledge and creativity, and attention to detail that was involved in revamping my dress with Ette Tailor.

How did it feel to put it on before it was revamped?  How did it feel to put it on once it was tailored to fit your style?

To put my dress on before it was revamped felt a little like playing dress up when I was younger! I had even worn the dress in a fashion show of vintage bridal gowns when I was much younger (awkward preteen photo evidence included in carousel above). When it was tailored to my style and fit, it felt like mine. It felt like something I shared with the most remarkable woman I've ever known, even if I didn't want to share some of the particularly 80's details it originally featured. I was extremely proud of my dress and felt it really represented what was most important to me, which made me so happy to put it on at the final fitting (and at my wedding!). I was proud of having a vision of what I wanted and seeing that potential in the original dress, and was astounded by the creativity and skill I witnessed in the transformation process by the tailors. I was so happy to have the special connection to my mom in it. 

What was the revamping process like for you? Were you nervous? Excited?

I wasn't even sure what I imagined could happen when I made my first appointment - I hadn't even committed to having our wedding again and just wanted to see what was possible. It was exciting, and I was a bit nervous, too! The staff listened to my vision, what I wanted out of the end result, and shared their ideas and perspective in a way that made me so excited about the potential. They helped me keep the integrity of the original dress and make it my own all at once. They even helped me incorporate important parts of the original dress that we were altering (like the hem lace of my mom's dress), which we made into a custom veil. Each appointment was so wonderful to see the progress. I invited my bridesmaids to join me to see progress, take pictures, and share in the process, which gave me the confidence and the fun factor that I think people look for in dress shopping appointments.

Melissa brought us her aunt’s gown after she had spent some time going from shop to shop, both on her own and with friends, in search of a dress she would love. When nothing stuck out, her aunt sent Melissa her gown- no strings attached. Her Grandmother’s Great Depression motto rang true in her ears: “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”. Read on to hear a bit about Melissa’s revamp experience:

What was your dress like before the revamp?

The dress was from the 80s - when I opened the box I realized the train was absolutely insane. It was an old Bianchi dress. My aunt and uncle are a great couple, and I gravitated towards the idea of keeping a good story going... so I started searching for tailors and designers online in Chicago and that’s when I learned about Mignonette. 

What was the process like? Were you nervous? Excited?

Kpoene’ really helped me see the possibilities, how we could repurpose the train for an a-line bottom while keeping some of the great intricacies of the bodice. I loved the revamp process, it was such a genuine and authentic experience true to my mind, body, and soul. Kpoene’ is awesome to work with - she listens, is super honest, and asks a lot of questions along the way.

Bonus points for Kpoene’ who helped me repurpose my moms dress for the Friday occasion and my aunts dress for the big day. I love fashion, I love working with someone with such a keen eye for design, and I’m already thinking about repurposing them again. My first wedding anniversary is right around the corner... 

What advice do you have for other brides?

Having a dress that was equally comfortable to sit, walk, run, jump, dance, dip, and say I do in was key to an awesome day. Let’s be honest, Isn’t that what Mother Earth wants for all of us anyways?! And the best part of a revamp is that the dress is really (re)made just for you so it really fits in all the right places.  

If you’ve got an heirloom or pre-loved gown you want to make new again, get in touch with us!

We would love to have you come in, bring the dress, and have a consultation with us all about your ideas and dreams!

Email info@ettetailor.com to book.