A visit to Partina, a bridal salon in Port Credit, Ontario, and chat with Tina Mak owner and designer, became something much more than I expected.
I have always had a great respect for Tina and her attention to detail, but I wanted to find out what it would be like to have an actual dress designed by Tina. So I asked her to put me in touch with one of her brides so I could find out.
Partina owner and designer, Tina Mak
Carly Schwartz was married on May 9, 2010. She’s a woman with a vintage flare and was searching for a romance beyond that of her relationship with her future husband. She wanted to fall in love with her dress, piece by piece, fitting by fitting, and she knew when she met Tina that she would be the one to make it happen.
During her initial meeting with Tina, Carly unveiled magazine ads that she had collected and marked up for this occasion (Carly had circled her favorite elements of various dresses with the intention of incorporating them into one gown). This became the starting point and Carly quickly realized that Tina had the skills and vision to make Carly’s dreams a reality. There were no rules holding her back!
Tina sketching Carly's dress
Carly’s ‘relationship’ with her dress was fun and inspiring but as with all relationships, it could be tiring and there were those moments when she second-guessed herself. For instance, she found herself on a few occasions going into different bridal boutiques and looking at other styles; each time she had this sinking feeling she was cheating on her dress.
This long-distance relationship (Toronto to Port Credit) was made stronger each time Carly came for a dress fitting, a testament to Tina’s professionalism and ability to calm and reassure her brides.
I asked Carly if she was happy she had made the decision to go bespoke. “I feel weird that I kept referring to the experience as a ‘journey,’ she told me. “I am not usually that affected. But the whole experience was just amazing. I wouldn’t — and couldn’t — have done it any other way.”
Carly's comment: This is such a fun shot which shows the fullness of the dress in motion. Tina convinced me to do a deep V in the back which stopped right at the bow. It was a great contrast to the batau neckline in the front.
Carly's comment: I love the playful aspect of when a bride lifts her dress slightly and shows her shoes. To give off that impression permanently I had my hem shorter in the front. Tina knew the perfect length to hem it.
Carly's comment: This shows Tina's great gathering at the waist, and shoulder bow detail. I was able to incorporate a really pretty brooch which I already owned (it was the first brooch I ever bought - $14 at a shop on kensington, a faux pearl cluster of grapes)
Carly's comment: This gives the overall silhouette of the dress. I love it. Doug from eclipse also found this amazing architechture as a backdrop.
Photography by: Eclipse Photography