Jeanne Hankerson of SJ Couture at our Bridal Boutique
“For me, it’s all about touch, I’m very tactile. I’m all about how the dress feels on the skin, as well as how it looks. ” – Jeanne Hankerson, designer, SJ Couture
Rounding the corner of 31st and 7th in Manhattan, we spot her instantly. In faded jeans, chic red bangs and surrounded by suitcases and long-white garment bags, Jeanne Hankerson is hard to miss. Just over a year ago, this emerging wedding-dress designer was an unknown here. But after debuting her Audrey Hepburn/Marilyn Monroe vintage-inspired wedding collection in late 2010, she’s exploded. Martha Stewart was first to report on her throw-back-era gowns and tea-length wedding dresses. Now the UK (London and Ireland) are calling, as is the Middle East, and Toronto.
For now, however, Jeanne Hankerson is focusing on the USA. All of her gowns are produced in New York, and sold via a few hand-selected bridal boutiques – Nan Romano the only New Jersey address. As we pile dresses into the car and leave the city behind, enroute to the boutique for our first SJ Couture Trunk Show with Jeanne, she speaks about her inspiration, sourcing of fabrics and the ‘personality‘ of each dress.
“For me, it’s all about touch, I’m very tactile,” says Jeanne. “I’m all about how the dress feels on the skin, as well as how it looks. “The ‘Kendra’ gown, for example, features a special Italian taffeta that isn’t too shiny, isn’t too crinkly. It hangs simply beautifully. On `Amanda,’” she continues, I adore the silk how the dress hangs, the simplicity, and the playfulness of tulle peeking out, very playful and sweet.”
Once in the boutique, after chicken-and-veggie sandwiches, and fevered unpacking and steaming of dresses, Jeanne continues her narration of the line (each dress christened with a female name).
“Sabrina” – tea-length and featuring a unique Italian lace conjures Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany, according to Jeanne. “The woman wearing this dress is simple, elegant; while “Becky,“ also tea-length is straight from France. “Chloe” is all about dotted swiss; “Olivia, whimsical and romantic. “Emerson” is fashion-forward, smart, feminine; “Lulu,“ a gorgeous tulle-and-silk ballerina; while “Celeste” with her halter-style top is completely Marilyn (Monroe).”
Growing up in New England, Jeanne’s mother sewed wedding gowns. But it was only recently that Jeanne, ’who’s always had a finger in fashion” via the modeling world, turned her attention to designing – her own daughter’s wedding gown serving as inspiration. The sketches just came, and after designing her daughter’s gown (which is not yet part of the SJ Couture collection) Jeanne says the ‘dreams’ of wedding dresses continued. “My daughter was married and I kept dreaming – literally – of wedding dresses,” Jeanne says. “I’d wake up in the middle of the night and jot down ideas, and those dreams and ideas would manifest into real-life dresses. I’d see them so vividly in my dreams. I knew exactly which silk, which satin. And if I couldn’t find the ‘right‘ fabric, I waited. I didn‘t make the dress. The lace, the silk, the satin has to be perfect or I don‘t do it.”
And perfect they are. Jeanne sources most of her lace from France and Italy…come check them out. You will not be disappointed!
Posted by Nan
In our second-floor showroom, I’m used to styling brides pretty in one-of-a-kind, custom gowns. But this time, the bridal shoe is on the other foot. The Bridal Boutique at Nan Romano is getting the pretty – and I’m thrilled.
