I must give a little back-end story before we share the interview we had with Randy Fenoli, fashion director at Kleinfeld.  My mother and I always watch TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” marathon series on Friday nights.  And for each show, I’m always so captivated by how Randy works with each bride (including her friends and family) to make sure the bride’s experience at Kleinfeld is unforgettable.  I often would say to my mother, “I would just LOVE to meet Randy one day. He’s seems so nice and has an incredible fashion sense!”  Well, after attending Engage 09: The Encore in Las Vegas with Kate where Randy was also in attendance, it became a reality.   Just the other day, I had the opportunity to chat with Randy to learn a little more about his design instinct and his natural ability to make any bride feel good and look flawless on her wedding day. I hope you enjoy my chat with Randy!  ~LS

How did you get started?

I’ve been sewing since I was 9.  Actually the first thing I ever sewed was a dress which I made for my mom and she wore it ALL of the time.  It was just a gift that was given to me and I’ve always been interested in clothing and the fashion industry. I eventually attended the New York Fashion Institute of Technology where in my third semester, I was given special permission to enter a bridal contest that was meant only for fourth-semester students  At the time, I was so passionate about designing evening wear so I submitted my entries and actually won with a halter dress, which at that time was unheard of since it was not “appropriate” for a bride to have her shoulders exposed.  I didn’t really know because I really have never been to a wedding, except for being a ring bearer twice when I was younger!  By then I was hired to design bridal for the Diamond Collection for Dessy Creations.  So while my passion was for desiging evening wear, I realized that it wasn’t practical to the everyday woman.  How many women actually make use of a gown throughout their lifetime?  Bridal is the closest to couture and almost every woman will have a chance to get married.

What is your experience like working at Kleinfeld?

I LOVE working with brides and my job is not to sell them a dress. If you really think about it, they are already sold on a dress by getting engaged.  So I have one mission; to find the dress of their dreams and to make them happy.  It’s often thought that there are many Bridezillas out there.  Not for me.  I don’t have any Bridezillas.  Often those who are conceived as such are frightened and intimidated with finding a dress.  They don’t really know all of the designs and patterns out there.  This is where I get to step in with my experience.  I’ve made almost every pattern out there and really worked with draping.  I know fabrics, and have this passion for it.  I understand the importance of a garment and with the right one, it can transform the wearer to who they want to be.  A garment can also transform emotions and feeling into something beautiful.

What tips do you share with brides to help them with choosing a gown?

1. The bride and groom need to think of how they want to brand themselves.  When they’re announced as husband and wife, they’re turning around as a new family.  From the dress, to the flowers, or the food that is served, these things together are saying to their guests and family, “this is who we are.”  Tradition is going away as couples are now telling a personal story to their guests, so the couple needs to figure out their style and what the gown should say – chic, green, trendy…

2. Decide on a budget and be sure to communicate this with the consultant.

3. Who do you bring with you to try on dresses?  The people who you bring must be on the same page as the bride and understand the bride’s budget and her style.  Brides can bring as many people as they’d like, just be sure they are fully supportive to her decision.  If there is someone they feel is not as supportive or may have their own viewpoints,I suggest that the bride goes to her first try-on without the person and narrow down the selection to a few favorite dresses.  Then bring them in the next time and say, “These are the dresses I like.  Out of these dresses, which one do you like?”

You’re always working with brides, do you have any insight on men’s wear?

In the next month or so, Kleinfeld is coming out with a few lines for men and I am designing one of the silhouettes!  There will be a more Classic silhouette great for the father-of-the-bride or the groom; a Modern silhouette great for any man; and then the silhouette that I am designing, Randy Fenoli for Kleinfeld, will have more of a European style.

Several men out there who are getting married are into fashion and want to feel special.  It’s not all about the bride anymore; it’s the couple’s wedding and I think Kleinfeld is really brilliant in recognizing this void.  This is a great opportunity to get the man more involved as the lines are custom made to their measurements and they can choose from a selection of fabrics.  And unlike a gown, the groom will get much more wear out of it and can use the pieces separately for a job interview, or wear it all for a special occasion.

Thank you Randy for chatting with us!

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