SocialMiami looks at Gala Fashion

with Mayda Cisneros Couture Collection

Gala Season is once again upon us and the question is, as always, “What to wear?” For those who can’t find their ideal ready-to-wear gown, there is a viable option – custom gowns designed specifically for you. The interactive process allows gala gals to select the fabric, counsel with design and create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. To get in the spirit, we asked five Miami couturiers questions about their craft, the latest trends, past and current clients and more. Check it out!

How long have you been doing business in South Florida? 
Approximately 15 years. Before moving to Miami, I was in New York for 20 years, where I had a collection that sold in all better specialty and department stores throughout the country.

What kind of clothes are you best known for and who is your ideal client? 
I’ve built my business on the principle that women of style always have timeless pieces in their wardrobes. My ideal client is feminine and knows herself well. I specialize in manipulating luxury fabrics to produce one-of-a-kind garments that can’t be found anywhere else.

The Gala Season is just around the corner – what do you see as being “the look” for Miami’s 2011-2012 season and what is the most requested kind of fabric for gowns.
This season, I see women wearing classic pieces that underline their youth and feminine nature. My collection this year will have an old-fashioned craftsmanship that is edgy yet elegant. My clients typically request fabrics that have embellishments or structure.

How do most of your clients articulate what they want?
When a client enters my store and requests a custom-made gown, I like to first understand their personality and lifestyle. After, we have the client try on a variety of styles in order to gauge which design she feels most comfortable and confident wearing to her event. From there, we create multiple sketches for her to choose from, and begin to work with our distinctive fabrics.

Share a humorous or poignant anecdote about the business of designing beautiful gowns.
We start the custom-made gown process by first constructing a muslin to fit on the client. On one occasion, we had a client who insisted on wearing the muslin out since it looked so fabulously on.