Gabriella New York Bridal Salon: Stockist Profile

Gabriella New York Bridal Salon is a gorgeous salon in New York’s Meatpacking District with a well edited collection of fashion forward wedding gowns.  For the first of our bridal stockist profiles, owner and founder Gabriella told me all about her enchanting salon:

Pip Pip: Hi, Gabriella! Thanks for taking the time to chat. You must be quite busy with Spring brides. First things first, what inspired you to open a bridal boutique?

Gabriella: I have worked in the fashion world my entire career, so I had the experience and passion for retail.  Two of my best friends became engaged around the same time and, when we went wedding dress shopping, I just saw a lot of room for improvement.  I wanted to create a small boutique that focused on the experience as well as the dresses.  I felt that wedding dress shopping should be a fun and memorable experience, not stressful!

Pip Pip: When did you open your boutique and what is your favorite part of owning Gabriella’s?

Gabriella: I opened in July of 2008.  The best part has been meeting and getting to know so many incredible women.  I didn’t realize just how much a part of this important event I would become and how attached I would get to my brides!

Pip Pip: With so many gorgeous gowns and talented designers out there, how did you choose?

Gabriella: I wanted to have dresses that nobody else in New York City had, which was challenging, but with a lot of legwork and knocking on doors, I found the perfect mix of designers.  It was also important to me that the designers themselves had the same philosophy as me, which all of them do.  Sassi is a perfect example because she is so incredibly involved with each gown that is made and she pays such close attention to detail. She understands the importance of the day as well as the role the dress plays.  As a bonus, she is just really fun to work with!

Pip Pip: How do you feel Gabriella’s set itself apart from the other bridal salons in NYC?

Gabriella: First of all, we are located downtown in the Meatpacking District, which is the hippest neighborhood in the entire city. Most of the other bridal salons are uptown.  Also, we have all of our dresses hanging in the showroom so brides can see and touch all of them and choose exactly which ones they want to try on.  We really focus on making it fun.  Everyone who works at the store is happy and genuinely interested in each bride’s wedding and our customers are always telling us what a difference that makes.

Pip Pip: What do you think is one of the most important things for a bride to be to consider when she begins searching for her gown?

Gabriella: I think that each bride has to really give thought to how she wants to look that day.  Does she want to be romantic, vintage, sexy, glamorous, bohemian, etc.? It’s also important to know your body type and keep an open mind – if a bridal consultant recommends a style that you hadn’t previously considered, you should at least try it on because you may be pleasantly surprised!  For example, we had a bride come to our store who told us she wanted a very fitted lace gown.  She tried on a few and liked them all. Then, she and her mom saw Paola and she decided to try it on even though it wasn’t what she thought she wanted.  As soon as she put it on, she knew it was her dress and she bought it the next day!

Pip Pip: Who is the bride who chooses a Sassi Holford gown from Gabriella’s?

Gabriella: We love our Sassi brides!  Generally, they are class with a modern twist.  They love the amazing lace that Sassi uses or they are taken by her amazing ballgowns.  And EVERYONE loves the corsets!!!

Pip Pip: Are there any particular trends you are following as you choose your new collection this Fall at Bridal Market?

Gabriella: I generally try to go into bridal market with a completely open mind. If I fall in love with it, I buy it!  I think wedding gowns are emotional and you can’t categorize them like you can other types of clothing.

Pip Pip: Do you have advice for any of the newly engaged as they begin their wedding planning?

Gabriella: Remember to have fun!  Don’t give yourself too many options or you will drive yourself crazy.  If the bride and groom are happy and having fun, the wedding will be a success!

Pip Pip: Finally (and not wedding related, but really we must know), what celebrity or style icon do you most identify with?

Gabriella: Kate Hudson.  She has an effortless sense of style about her, doesn’t take herself too seriously, and always looks GREAT.  Most importantly, she just seems like a genuinely nice person!