Wedding Dress Spotlight: Katerina Bocci

Glamour, passion and dreams drive this stunning designer! (expert advice)

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Wedding Dress Spotlight: Katerina Bocci article photo

photo by: Patrick G. Ryan

Katerina Bocci is all about making bride's dreams come true. In fact, one of the first questions she asks her clients is, "When you were a little girl, what did you dream about?"

Bocci has great passion for designing bridal wear, recognizing that she is a big part of a special day that lives on from generation to generation. I met her in New York at bridal market, and was taken aback by the grandness and intricacy of her incredible gowns. These dresses really are for the bride who has been dreaming about her wedding. They are the definition of a fairytale turned reality.

She told me she moved to America from Albania in eight years ago with only $500 in her pocket. She and her family settled in Michigan, where she began to make a name for herself with her custom designs. "It's very exciting as we are trying to bring a new industry to the state of Michigan."

Brides quickly fell in love with Bocci's attention to detail and her custom-created looks, which fit them like a glove. "It's important to me to give them the right choice. I am creating a history with these people," she explained. "I try to get to know the person. I get an idea of who they are and if I see there is something they are not understanding with their body, I try to give them an education without hurting anyone's feelings. It's very important to guide them. It's a big job to organize a wedding, there's lots of pressure, so for them, it's more important to sit, talk together, and come to a conclusion about the dress."

Eight years later, her bridal couture collection was the talk of NY bridal week and she has already worked with celebs like Fergie, Jordin Sparks and Aretha Franklin!

At the end of the day, what Bocci finds most rewarding and inspiring are her clients. "My inspiration comes directly from the person, the real bride. You have to stay focused on the real brides and real weddings."