Weddings Summer 2008 > Brides

Seamstresses and Tailors

Campos & Campos

237 W. 14th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-989-7620; camposandcampos.com.

For more than 25 years, clients have paid a premium for Apolo Campos to work on their blouses, suits, and dresses. At this Chelsea-area fixture, the proof is in the details: padded inserts, invisible hems, custom changes that fit to please—something most discriminating brides and dapper grooms will appreciate. The Mexican couturier covers all manners of alterations, from leather jackets to worn-out jeans, but he excels at working his touch on top-notch frocks from Gucci, Prada, Chanel, and Vera Wang. Prices upon request.

Duca Sartoria

425 Madison Ave., nr. 48th St., Ste. 1903; 212-582-3225; ducausa.com.

This third-generation family business is a staple in tailored Italian menswear. They use the highest quality fabrics in the world—by Loro Piana, E. Zegna, and John G. Hardy—to customize shirts ($295 to $480), vests ($600 to $1,500), and tuxedos ($3,100 to $9,000). For sun-basked destination weddings, they specialize in white tuxedos cut from airy fabrics like linen. Stalwartly committed to service, these seamsters will even meet you at home or in the office to take measurements. Max Girombelli, owner of New York Atelier, can concoct debonair groomsmen’s suits by the bushel, accommodating the largest of parties.

Duncan Quinn

8 Spring St., nr. Elizabeth St.; 212-226-7030; duncanquinn.com.

The hip lawyer-designer makes smart men’s attire with British flair and a touch of whimsy. Bridal parties can find formal London wear on the rack starting at $1,950, and custom-made services—or bespoke, as the Brits say—are available from $3,500. For a unique wedding suit to match the bride, DQ can tailor a tuxedo, shirt, and tie, made from fine English and Italian fabrics or custom-milled cloth. Expect that to take two to three months; go for fittings at least twice in the meantime.

Dynasty Custom Tailors

6 E. 38th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-679-1075; dynastycustomtailor.com.

Joseph Ting inherited the 35-year-old store from his father and now has eleven employees (all of whom are well-versed in current fashion trends). Brides who want a one-of-a-kind dress should expect at least a month between deciding on a design and bringing the dress home. Ting recommends coming in with pictures—a neckline you love, a sleeve you have to have, or a hem detail you can’t live without. Custom dresses start at $550, though wedding gowns will cost more. Alterations start at $65 for hem shortening and $85 for taking in the bust.

Ellen Canali of Ellen’s Couture

322 Columbus Ave., nr. 75th St.; 212-496-8800

Ellen Canali will design your wedding gown in any color (though she’s not the biggest fan of “sparkling white”). Her price includes the fabric—mostly silk organza or chiffon, hand-picked from the garment district’s B&J or Neon Fabrics. She prefers four to five months to sketch and devise your bridal garb, but has spun out dresses in less than two weeks. The seamstress shares space with a dry cleaner, but don’t let the chaotic scene undermine her expertise; Canali has nine years of experience. Her high-end handiwork also includes adding lace, appliqué, or beading to a store-bought dress. Dresses start at $1,800.

Eva Devecsery

201 E. 61st St., nr. Third Ave., Ste. 1; 212-751-6091; evadevecsery.com.

Hungary-bred Eva Devecsery has a kind of Midas touch, turning the sad, worn garments that clients deliver into rich, beautiful things. Although she can make fabric from scratch, and make it well, she mostly services the couture clothing of affluent New York City clients looking for the best fits. Her shop of sewing virtuosos will do quick turnarounds for hems, adjustments, and quick fixes. Or they will scour the corners of the city for the perfect swatch to make that dress you saw in an old photograph—for $3,000.

Guillermo Couture

237 W. 37th St., nr. Seventh Ave., Ste. 903; 212-366-6965; guillermocouture.com.

Brides who don’t trust in-house department-store tailors depend on Guillermo Molina and his posse to artfully duplicate haute couture. Molina, a trained patternmaker, creates edgy bridal gowns and tuxedos. His wedding dresses (from $3,500) come in duchess satin and lace (Chantilly, Alençon, or reembroidered), and take eight to ten weeks. Tuxedos (from $2,800), such as his much-coveted one-button jackets with chocolate-brown satin lapels, take four to six weeks. For a minimum of $500, he makes house calls too. “I don’t work with sizes,” he says, “I work with bodies."

Ghost Tailors

153 W. 27th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-253-9727

In her bright pink studio, Jean Kormos is a one-woman show making about twenty one-of-a-kind wedding dresses a year. She uses the couture technique (fitting a handmade muslin model on each bride before starting the dress) and works with brides who know exactly what they want. She encourages you to bring in magazine spreads of what you like—or, better yet, what you hate. For those with a dress, Kormos will reconstruct the pointy bust of your mother’s sixties gown or alter necklines and raise hems. She doesn’t demand a six-month time line, but the sooner you get there, the better. Handmade dresses range from $2,500 to $5,000; alterations start at $50.

Mandana Tailors

1175 Lexington Ave., nr. 80th St.; 212-861-2003

Davar Mandana began sewing at the age of 11, and his 50 years of experience make him an uptown favorite. “I can make everything but socks,” he says, and he isn’t exaggerating. In one week, Mandana can make a wedding dress or bridesmaid dress ($2,000 to $5,000) to rival Reem Acra, as long as you show him a picture. They’ll track down the fabric to suit your fancy or consult with you on best options. His staff of ten can also alter your Vera Wang or your guy’s Brioni to absolute perfection, and tailoring runs $75 an hour.