After working at my family’s bridal business for nearly 20 years, I opened SPARKLE bridal couture in 2011 as a Plus Size Bridal Salon to focus solely on curvy, mid and plus size brides sizes 14-34+. I passionately believe curvy, mid and plus size brides deserve the celebration and memories of finding the perfect SPARKLE gown in a fun, relaxing atmosphere while enjoying a first-class bridal experience.
Growing up, I always loved fashion but being a “chubby kid” I wasn’t able to wear the clothes my friends did. Back-to-school shopping was always a humiliating experience and going into high school, it was even more defeating. Seeing all my friends find cute clothes in the latest trends and not seeing anyone like me in fashion magazines, made me realize the fashion world didn’t see me. With the help of my Aunt Irma, I learned how to sew and designed my own fabrics. Throughout high school, I would make my own clothes based on the fashion I saw in magazines and trendy mall shops. After high school, I wanted to go to fashion school, but it would be too expensive for my family, so I stayed closer to home for my studies.
Fast forward to 2002, I was living in San Francisco working for the wine industry and my mom needed help at the bridal shop she had opend in my hometown a few years earlier. I moved back to Sacramento and joined my mom’s bridal shop in Lodi, CA thinking I would help automate her business and in a couple of years, I would move back to San Francisco. Well, needless to say that I fell in love with the wonderful brides and families we helped. I stayed with her until 2011 when my mom retired. At that point, I knew I wanted to open a plus size bridal salon in Sacramento, CA.
Living my own fashion (or lack of fashion) experience, inspired me to create a beautiful space for curvy, mid and plus size brides to shop with experts who enjoy and take pride in servicing curvy women. I thought back to a particular shopping experience I had that really angered me…I was in Arizona at an upscale department store and had asked where the women’s or plus size section was located. I was directed up to the 3rd floor. When I arrived there, I saw that the plus size section was located between the children’s department and the store’s cafe. Really? Not even located on the 2nd floor with all the other women’s wear. What an insult! Shopping for plus size clothes in stores was always been a haphazard experience where everything was disheveled and unorganized, or there was no one in the area to help. And if there was, that person acted like they didn’t even want to be there. So disrespectful.
I promised myself that SPARKLE would be a completely opposite experience – based on dignity, respect, high-quality designs, experienced assistance and a beautiful, fun and friendly atmosphere. Hence, SPARKLE bridal couture was born.
SPARKLE is for you – the curvy, mid and plus size bride who knows they deserve better, deserves it all – the best service, selection, quality and expertise.
You can have it all at SPARKLE.