About the Designer

Having over 51 years of designing and sewing experience, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening my “Bridal Salon” in 1994 and “Bridal Atelier” in 2023 

I was born in Birmingham, Michigan in 1967, the seventh of nine children. My mother was a brilliant seamstress and my older sisters are also proficient in the skill. It was natural that I should want to sew too. Together we watched glamorous movies where Edith Head designed chiffon master pieces for Hollywood greats such as Grace Kelly, Liz Taylor, and many more. This stirred my imagination and dreams.  

      At the impressionable age of seven, our family moved to the Cote D’azur of France. We moved quite a few times, before settling in Menton and attended school in Monaco. This was like living out a fantasy early in life! Commuting and shopping amidst this amazing culture and high fashion, inspired me to begin designing at an early age. 

     Upon our return to the United States, in 1978 we made Stuart, FL our home. I began designing homecoming and prom gowns in high school. After college, I sought professional training as an apprentice, at “Gazelle’s of Boston”. I gained hands-on experience in pattern-making, couture dressmaking and fashion shows. Though this was an exhilarating education, I longed to branch out onto my own and move back to the south. I chose the great fashion hub of Atlanta, GA.  I worked for “Rene Rene” as a subcontractor, and began freelance sewing under the name of my patron saint “La Petite Fleur”. 

     In 1990 I returned to beautiful Martin County, where I married my best friend and reside in Jensen Beach. I continued to work as a seamstress for local boutiques. This included a collaboration with renowned artist, Aida Fry and her sister Gladys, on an original couture project of their own. All of these wonderful experiences urged me to fulfill my destiny of opening “La Petite Fleur Couture Bridal Salon” in 1994 to 2022.

In order to concentrate on designing my first line of Haute Couture bridal gowns, I have moved my business to a new location in 2023. I am very excited to establish “La Petite Fleur Couture Atelier” and fulfill more dreams!