FashionBride Interview with Judy Panozzo

Sometimes I really understand how blessed we are to have around us so talented and kind people. One of the persons that impressed me over these months, since I started FashionBride, was Judy Panozzo. And that is because, trough her daughters eyes, I saw how hard and how important is to do what you are destined to do.

You can find out all about the women behind the brand at Bridal Fashion by Millie and at Bridal Fashion by MILLIE . Oh… and in my interview 😀

I love the glamour of your collection. Can you give us some details about your inspiration sources?

My ideas come from popular trends in retail that can be adapted to bridal. I like to watch what the stars are wearing on the red carpet. It really is a fashion industry. You would be surprised how fast the looks change over the seasons.

You are currently preparing to show your new collection. What do we have to look forward to next season?

 My gowns become more sophisticated as I become more experienced.

How long does it actually take you to produce one single gown?

From inspiration to finished product takes about 10 weeks.

What was your aim when you started out?

I felt the manufactures were getting carried away with beads and lace. They copy each other, so each company looks pretty much alike.  I wanted a clean, stylish look that would give me a unique signature.  My gowns are all original designs.

 What are your memories of the early years?

 The hardest piece for me has been getting photos that show how beautiful the gowns really are.

Do you have a favorite gown you’ve created over the years? Or a particular type of gown?

It’s about different fabrics and how well proportioned the gown is for me. You can make a beautiful gown in any style.

Do you work with brides after they decide upon one of your gowns? If so, do they have a lot of input or are you given free reign?

I am not able to customize the gowns at this time. I am planning to do a “Design Star” contest this fall. The winning design will be part of the collection.

Do you have any plans to expand, new shops, new products?

We are currently planning to start offering the line to select stores across the United States.

Can you give a piece of advice to all the FashionBride readers?

Find a good bridal sales consultant and trust her to suggest gowns to try. She knows which gowns are better on. A good salesperson can ask the right questions and watch your body langue. She’ll know what you like before you do.