Fourteenth: From F.I.T. to Headpiece.com
After last month’s blog, Fourteenth: My Designs From the Beginning, followers reached out and asked me how I went from the Fashion Institute of Technology to Headpiece.com. Here is the full story!
Upon graduating from F.I.T., I applied for fourteen jobs in the design field and received twelve offers. I accepted a design position working for Spirite Industries in Englewood, NJ. The company was a family-owned manufacturer of foundations. They wished to expand into lingerie and hired me to design their line. After one year, I decided to join International Playtex as a Fit Development Designer.
“I loved my days at Playtex. My job entailed fitting prototype foundations (bras and panties) and creating finished patterns for production. All grading was done by hand, the old fashioned way using math such as fractions and ratios. F.I.T. prepared me for pattern creation but not for grading. I learned my skills on the job under the excellent supervision of Ed Jannicelli. ”
My office in 1984 reminds me of my desk at Headpiece.com with production sheets taped everywhere.
Another aspect of my job was working on T.V. and packaging shoots. There was no such thing as Photoshop in those days. I had to make sure the garment was perfect for the camera, even if this meant taking it apart and sewing it back together by hand. It had to fit the model precisely with no wrinkles or puckers! I think this is why I am nuts when working on photoshoots of my own. Everything must be perfect!
I found these boxes from a mid-eighties packaging shoot. Advertisers were not permitted to show undergarments on an actual body on television in the eighties. Notice how perfect that bra fits the model!
After working at Playtex for less than two years, I became pregnant with my first born. I left for my maternity leave in October of 1985 and never returned.
Me and my wonderful sample hand Pauline.
The crew at Playtex on my last day.
My short answer for how I began my career in bridal accessory design is simple—friends and family! The people you are about to meet are the first generation and dawn of Headpiece.com.
Sharon’s Wedding- June 1993
Eileen was one of my best friends in high school. We played field hockey, basketball, and softball together. We were bridesmaids together, and she was one of my bridesmaids at my wedding. We are still good friends to this day! She appears at the beginning and end of this blog.
Sharon, our closest friend, and high school teammate, asked us both to be in her wedding. Sharon was among the first few brides to ask me to design her headpiece and veil. She loved her bangs and wanted nothing in her face, so I made a back style headpiece for her. I remember loving the pleated shoulders on her wedding gown and wanting them to show. I still love her sleeves today.
Sharon chose a short, fitted Jessica McClintock bridesmaid dress made of moiré taffeta. I happily said yes when she asked me to be a bridesmaid, but little did I know I would be pregnant with my third child on her wedding day. I ordered the fabric from Jessica McClintock and replicated the dress into a maternity dress. I am 6 1/2 months pregnant in this pic!
Renee’s Wedding- July 1994
By the end of 1993, we put an addition on our house, which included a sewing studio, workspace, and mirrored room meant for exercise but used for fittings. Sharon’s sister, Renee, came to see me for her headpiece and veil. Poufs were the thing in the eighties and nineties.
“Most of my early designs were shorter veils. Looking back at Renee walking down the aisle makes me dream of a long veil for her. I would even keep her pouf!”
Beata’s Wedding- September 1994
It is a little known secret that my daughter, Brielle, tried many veils on before the bride ever saw them. This day she tried Beata’s veil on. We call Beata, Berry.
“I have known Berry since 1990, and she is like family. She taught me three words in Polish. One word is piękny and it means beautiful. Whenever I have Polish clients come to the shop, I use the word piękny. Today is Berry’s birthday, and I am so happy to feature her in this blog. <3”
My hubby, Jeff, and I attended Berry’s wedding. We stayed until the end, or so we thought. We didn’t know the Polish community begins celebrating at the end of the wedding reception!
Keri’s Wedding- November 1995
My niece, Keri, married in Florida. I loved her gown! It was simple and classic, made of silk dupioni. Minor adjustments could be made to this gown to make it current for a wedding today. The handmade silk roses on the sleeves were my focus for her headpiece and veil.
“I would put Keri’s veil in the Headpiece.com Hall of Fame. Each silk flower and bud are handmade. Every petal was carefully cut, folded, and gathered to form a flower with pearl stamen centers.”
Brielle’s flower girl gown and headband design resembled the beautiful bride’s, created with matching silk.
On November 18th, Keri will be celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary. It is amazing to think of how many years I have been designing bridal headpieces!
Aileen’s Wedding- July 1998
I met Aileen during her first year of teaching. My son, Schuyler, was in her first fourth-grade class. It was an honor to design her headpiece and veil. Designing for Aileen helped to spread the word in our local school system. More young teachers began asking me to make their accessories.
Jeff and I were pleased to be among the guests.
“Bun wraps were in style in the late nineties. I designed a handmade frame and embellished it with silk flowers. The back was a cutout made of stones and pearls in the shape of a heart.”
Kathy’s Wedding- October 1998
When my sister Kathy got married, I was well on my way to discovering my career. I ordered her custom veil from Joyce Jackson Bridal Veils in England. Shortly after opening my store in 1999, I became the exclusive U.S. distributor for Joyce Jackson Bridal Veils until her retirement. Joyce’s veils are made of English net and finished with beautiful patterns of Cornelly embroidery and hand-beading. Joyce’s detailing is unmatched to this day!
“Kathy chose to get ready at my house and have photos taken there. I love this photo. I wish my dad was still here.”
My customers always ask me about designing other things for weddings. I tell them I can create just about anything if there were more hours in a day and maybe an extra day or two in the week. My daughter, Aubrey, and her cousin wear my designs from head to toe.
“In my mind, every dress needs a train!”
Melissa’s Wedding- October 1998
Melissa was the very last bride I designed for from my home studio. By this time, I secured the domain name Headpiece.com and created my very first website.
Melissa wanted a matching headpiece for her niece and flower girl, Danielle. I created Buckram frames with heart-shaped cutouts and faced them with delicate embroidery and hand beading.
“I can imagine Melissa on the steps of St. Mary’s church in one of my long flowing cathedral veils that are so loved by my clients today.”
As I near the end of this blog, it brings me back to the beginning of it all. Eileen, along with many friends and family, helped me discover my direction. To this day, they continue to send me clients. I have designed for many of their extended family and friends, and now for their children. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your story. You will always be a part of mine!
The Dawn of Headpiece.com
My niece, Colleen, modeled for my first official photoshoot. Family is how I began!
“Headpiece.com...
The store everyone’s talking about!”
The lights lit. The doors opened—Twenty-one years of so many amazing brides. I am sending heartfelt thanks to the first generation of Headpiece.com brides. <3
Next month on the Fourteenth:
Church Weddings During Covid Times