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.

A few days ago, we were selected for membership in the exclusive ’Style Me Pretty’ Little Black Book – a nationally recognized, online inspirational wedding resource that features original content in blog format. We are the only New Jersey bridal gown boutique represented.

According to Style Me Pretty’s Annie Nixon, we were selected for the ’high-quality of our artistry, exceptional client services, superior design style and rave reviews from colleagues and clients.’

You can access Style Me Pretty at www.stylemepretty.com. Watch for us there!

Our Coren Moore Spring Bridesmaids promotion is now underway.  In celebration of this event, we are holding our spring Coren Moore Trunk Show Feb 17th to 20th where we will be featuring the latest collection of Coren Moore Bridal Gowns and Bridesmaids dresses.  An amazing opportunity to meet with designer Coren Moore herself, Saturday, Feb 18th. Space is limited so please call us at 908-234-0090 to make an appointment for bridal party today!

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 31^st and 7^th 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!

The little black bridesmaid dress by Nan Romano

But pickings were slim.

Rummaging through rack after outdated-rack, it became evident to me that 1980s-bad fashion was still alive. And when weeks stretched into months and still no dresses, I did what any bride-fashionista would do. I designed my own: elegant black gowns easily shortened into the perfect ‘little black dress.‘ I had one made to take along on our honeymoon. And today, nearly 17 years later, I still wear – and love — my little black dress.

As a bride, finding the perfect fit for myself and my bridesmaids was important. But as owner of a couture bridal boutique, it’s even more so. Which is why I’ve formed exclusive partnerships with premiere designers Modern Trousseau, Amy Kuschel, Coren Moore and Nicki MacFarlene (who designed Kate Middleton’s flower-girl dresses for the Royal Wedding) as the only boutique in New Jersey to carry their lines.

The little black bridesmaid dress without jacket

This Sunday, January 29 2012 – as part of the Boutique Bridal Showcase at The Bernards Inn -  we are showing a handful of our gowns. Show time is at 2 p.m. and includes a panel of noted wedding-industry experts, a model-runway show (gowned by yours truly) and cocktail hour – with yes, (wedding) cake. Mention Nan Romano when booking and receive admission for only $15. Yet another perfect fit.