Cheers to 2014... Thank you to everyone that made it a beautiful year xo!!!

2014 was another great year for Victoria Sdoukos Couture Bridal.  I have so many people to thank for making it a productive & positive year.  The year gone by started off with some amazing editorial features from Debi Lilly @ A Perfect Event, Crain's Business & Splash.  Following a fun debut with Vince Gerasole from CBS2 covering highlights of a live fitting at the boutique, a great morning segment on WGN at City View Loft featuring some of my designs, A Perfect Event & Pure Kitchen Catering, & an educational sit-down on the Steve Harvey Show talking business with Tabetha Coffey.  Also early in the year I participated for the 2nd time in wonderful Bridal Fete event, hosted by Leah Hamilton & met with some amazing bakeries in the city that made beautiful creations to coordinate with my gowns.  It was wonderful to once again work with Carasco, the amazingly talented couple that captured the gorgeous imagery that was at Bridal Fete. Spring was full of shoots at The Hellenic museum, City View Loft &  Kaiser Tiger.  I met some amazing hair & makeup maestros from Ramsay Marston who can make your hair look like a pinup model!  Thanks also to Amy Banas flawless makeup - what a talent!  Extremely thankful for fabulous features in Splash, CS Brides & Chicago Bride.  Wrapping up the year I did a couple more shoots with Tamara Gruner Photography, Megan Saul & Andre LaCour.   I was also very fortunate to make new contacts and work with people that brought a different perspective to my work, which is always so inspiring to me as an artist!  In between hosting my beautiful brides in my Madison shop & sewing new gowns 2014 was a year that often found me as one busy woman!  I worked hard to make it all happen but couldn't do any of it without my wonderful family and friends.  A special shout out to my fiancé, sister & family for their continued support. I would also like to thank Oliver Dogwood Floral Co. for providing many beautiful bouquets at many of my shoots, Lati from Bridal Beauty Salon, Latoya De'Shaun, Caroline Shaw The Wedding Dresser, Cathy Demetropoulos, Constantine James Haritos, Tasia Apostopolous & of course all my Lovely Brides!!!

Top 5 dress shots with Andre LaCour...

Andre LaCour, one of Chicago's premier photographers partnered up with me this past Fall to snap a stellar styled shoot in my boutique.  When I saw that our work was published in Strictly Weddings, we were beyond thrilled with the news!  These five fabulous photos show brides-to-be a fun, yet chic way to dress for their Wedding Day. Special thanks to Lati from The Bridal Beauty Salon for the beautiful hair style!  Also extremely grateful to Elise for the marvelous makeup at leesi b.  Complete Styling & Designs from the Victoria Sdoukos Couture Collection.  Floral design by Oliver Dogwood Floral Co.

Hollywood Glam!

Congratulations to my Hollywood Glam Bride Leslie!!!  She tied the knot this January in Chicago  with her amazing reception held at the Knickerbocker Hotel, might I add one of my favorite places.  I adore her city skyline photo, it captures the mood of what it means to be a Chicago Bride & of course I had to add the cake cutting photo bc it's one of my favorite Wedding Day moments..  Leslie wore a custom made gown from the Victoria Sdoukos Couture Collection  & added her own personal touches in the sash color, jewelry & layout of her Swarovski rhinestone studded flower on her shoulder.  The cut of the gown is a one shoulder trumpet cut, also referred to as fit to flare.  It's featured in ivory double faced duchess silk satin & is highlighted with a glamorous floral shoulder.  The shoulder has hand cut silk flowers, that are layered with two textures of silk chiffon & double faced duchess silk satin.  Leslie added her unique touches to the gown with the color tones that she picked out to highlight her look.  I loved her idea of mixing gold & silver tones together, as she loves those two metals just like me.  Her shoulder detail has beautiful muted gold & silver Swarovski rhinestones mixed in the flowers which makes the shoulder very interesting to look at & is like a piece of art.  I also cannot forget to mention the back of the gown, it has about 100 muted gold Swarovski rhinestone buttons along the back which is outstanding!!!  One of my favorite add ons to Leslie's gown, was a personal hand stitched heart made from a  piece of fabric from her Fathers clothing, as a memory of him.  It was so beautiful & seeing Leslie's reaction to the added piece in her gown was very touching, it made me so happy :)  More pictures of Leslie's Glamorous Wedding Day are available on my FB page!  Once again congratulations Leslie, you were so wonderful to work with & you looked like a Doll :)