We have a fun dynamic wedding and design studio in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is a unique business setup because we are two separate entities sharing the same door. The wedding studio is M.H. Pomander’s. M.H. Pomander’s sells beautiful couture ready-made bridal gowns ranging in price from$1000 - $5000. M.H. Pomander’s also sells bridal accessories, jewelry, veils, and carries a small selection of mother-of-the-occasion dresses, including dresses by Erin Young Designs.
My dressmaking and fabric boutique, Erin Young Designs, is located in one third of the bridal salon. We share dressing rooms and mirrors, so our customers feel part of both shops. I offer fine fabrics, notions, trims and vintage clasps and buttons. I also offer custom dressmaking and design services for any special occasion. I also handle all of the alterations and design changes for M.H. Pomander’s brides and motherof-the-occasion clients. I work primarily with women, but I will design for men if they can handle fittings in a bridal shop (most men cannot).
This is a wonderful business model for both M.H. Pomander’s and Erin Young Designs. The bridal clients get instant answers on pricing and dress changes that they may want to make on their gowns. If the bride or mother-of-the-occasion client is unable to find a gown, she can have one designed just for her by my studio.
I have been sewing since the age of five. I started tailoring classes when I was 15. I studied fashion and business at Purdue University (undergrad), and I attended The Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC) for design (assoc). I try to stay up-to-date on design techniques by taking advantage of seminars (Susan Khalje). I also read Threads magazine and Perspectives cover-to-cover. I belong to our local ASDP chapter. I also belong to a local group called the Fashion Arts Society, part of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The Fashion Arts Society maintains a fine collection of historical couture pieces. The Fashion Arts Society has a slew of fun outings and events for the fashion minded of Indianapolis and surrounding communities.
Over the past twenty years, I have built up a small custom design and dressmaking business in my home studio. I have enjoyed restyling and designing heirloom baptismal gowns, local elegant socialites’ gowns, and custom wedding gowns. More unusual requests like repairing an Indy 500 racecar driver’s helmet (the day before the race). Working with famous celebrities and sports figures keeps my job interesting every day. In 2007, I began contemplating the idea of opening a small studio outside my home for fabric and dressmaking. In 2012, the owners of M.H. Pomander’s approached me to ask if I would be interested in working with them for alterations and some mother-of-the-occasion custom/couture designs. I started crunching numbers, and doing a lot of research. I agreed, with the stipulation that I would remain my own separate entity, and be able to offer fabric and notions too. In August of 2012, we opened.
The reason I decided to offer fine fabrics and notions is because I was so frustrated finding higher quality fabrics in Indianapolis. Indiana was a fabric desert. I would often spend hours ordering samples online or even driving with clients to Chicago or Louisville to find fabrics suitable for their needs. It is wonderful to be able to offer finer fabrics to clients and have them at our fingertips as we are discussing design ideas. I have enjoyed going to fabric markets in Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York City to gather a small, but beautiful, collection of fine fabrics. I also have collected a professional group of friends from these markets.
I think this business set up has worked very nicely. The hardest part for me is getting used to working full time and wearing all of the hats of a small business owner. I am already interviewing for a part time seamstress (which is earlier than I had expected.), and who will be my first employee.
Please visit us online at www.ErinYoungdesigns.com or www.MHPomanders.com.
Written by Erin Young
