Alida was brought up to be the kind of woman who would support her family as a stay at home mother, yet was also the kind who never sat still! She always had dresses handmade for her daughters as they grew up. Her ideal for setting up her own business had stemmed from a dream since she was five years old – a room full of gorgeous fabrics flowing all about and in the corner an ice cream chest (of course, because she was five). The vision, minus the ice cream chest, came true when Alida saw motherhood coming to a close. Alida, whose name just happens to also be the name of a little town in Europe that means “beautiful fabrics,” has a unique process of drawing and designing a new custom pattern for Each client, not one repeats. Her workmanship is a Mastery and art form rare to see in our day and age, yet so desirable for that bride of distinguished taste. Alida has produced gowns for such women as Margaret Trudeau and world famous Jazz Singer Melinda Whitaker. The workmanship she had always strived for was to one day produce a such quality that she would dress Princess Diana. Now, after Diana’s passing, Alida keeps the same desired quality and has hopes that the chance will come to dress her new elegant woman of choice, Goldie Hawn. The silk, the structure (you can see her engineering passion is so strong) and the bodice in boning for each piece is exquisite! Alida’s gowns fit like a glove. Her expectations is that the confidence her clients have wearing her dresses will allow them to be carefree enough to not fuss and enjoy their special occasion whatever it maybe.
In her off season, Alida adds in holiday dresses making and some costumes for young dance troupes.
It’s enough to get me twirling just chatting with Alida – she’s a kindred spirit and is the master of the gown.
Photo credit Al Smith
