15 Jun Meet the Designer {heidi elnora}
Not only is heidi elnora touted as the “master of the glam Southern-inspired gown” by Lucky Magazine as well as being nationally recognized for her work by The Today Show, USA Today, In Style Weddings, Town & Country Weddings, Grace Ormonde, Bride & Bloom, Daily Candy, Lifetime and GetMarried TV…she also happens to be one of the sweetest and most lovely people you could ever meet. TWR has had the pleasure of meeting up with her in Charleston and New York and we, well…just love her and her designs. Lucky you, now you can meet her too, this weekend at Maddsion Row. So mark your calendars because heidi is coming to town on June 17th & 18th and she is bringing her southern chic designs to Maddsion Row. Before you meet this design super star we wanted to share some behind the scenes Q&A with you…
TWR: Your design roots started at Savannah College of Art and Design in 2002 and now your bridal collections are characterized as injecting “Southern sparkle” into the modern girl’s wedding. What are your favorite elements of your current collection that you designed with the southern bride in mind?
HE: My favorite element of the 2011 collection is the use of material. I like to keep things simple and so do my Southern brides. I am not into being a super sparkle princess however I do like to interject a little sparkle here and there to mix things up a bit. I like for my brides to feel feminine and for my gowns to be a fresh approach to simplicity.
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TWR: What distinguishes your collection and makes it a fabulous fit for southern brides?
HE: What is different about a heidi elnora gown from that of other designers is the fact that I am a young designer and I understand what girls my age want to wear and how they want to feel. We want things to fit and not to have to pull up on our dress all night long. We don’t want to be restricted and unable to breathe. (We like food.) We want to be comfortable and we don’t want to be hot or for the gown to fill too heavy. For me it’s all about the fit and the shape of the gown. If you feel good, then you will look amazing to everyone else.
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TWR: Where do you find inspiration for your collection?
HE: Inspiration for my collections come at the most random times and in the most random forms. Throughout the year I save things that make me happy. From images I find on-line to an event that I may attend. Depending on the day, if something catches my eye and if the mood is right, it might just make it onto my inspiration wall at the shop.
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TWR: Once a bride finds the heidi elenora gown of her dreams, how involved are you in production of each gown?
HE: I am very involved in the production of every single heidi elnora gown. From making sure that the sizing is correct to ordering fabric, cutting out dresses, shipping and hand sewing labels, I am there every single step of the way. Each gown is special to me and I want to make sure that it receives the attention that it deserves. I am honored and humbled by a bride choosing me as their designer. I feel that is the least that I can do.
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TWR: Beyond being a design maven and rock star mom…what other hats do you wear?
HE: Oh, I have a million and one hats. There are honestly too many to list. Just know that I don’t really sleep because I am trying to take over the world. One dress at a time!
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To make you appointment for this exclusive trunk show on June 17th & 18th at Maddsion Row and to meet heidi elnora, please call 843-720-7979.
Photography by Leslee Mitchell | Produced by heidi elnora, Holloway Productions, HairTherapy, Tour De Glam and Leslee Mitchell
