Fourteenth: Atelier Teresa Cristaldi
My search for the most experienced atelier to alter my daughter’s wedding gown led me to Teresa Cristaldi. At that moment, I never imagined how meeting Teresa would enrich my life. Our combined talents and trust in each other took us on an incredible fashion journey and created a friendship of a lifetime.
Fashion Designers, Marie Hunt and Teresa Cristaldi
Photo by MJR Photography
Teresa and I laugh to this day as we remember my first phone call to her. I interviewed her to distinguish that she was a true atelier with experience in couture techniques. In Italy, Teresa studied at a private fashion school, Instituto Di Moda Burgo, and began her career as a pattern maker for Prada in Milan. Her father stipulated that she must reside at a convent while studying fashion. She completed a four year course of studies in two years, while also minding her chores at the convent, which including doing dishes for 120!
“Brielle lived in Virginia and had only one weekend to come home to meet with Teresa. I knew fitting her gown in one visit would be a miracle. Teresa assured me we could do it and offered to drive to Virginia if we couldn’t. To say I was impressed is an understatement.”
The day we picked up Brielle’s wedding gown at Something Bleu Bridal in Saratoga Springs, NY, was the first time she saw her two-tier French lace cathedral veil with her dress.
The next stop was Atelier Teresa Cristaldi in Oakland, NJ. Within minutes, per Brielle’s wishes, she removed the crinoline from the skirt to reduce volume.
I had a record number of brides getting married in October of 2017. The clock was ticking and anxiety began to creep in with little time left to work on my own gown design for the wedding. I asked Teresa if she could put my zipper in and pin my hem. She sensed my angst and alleviated my stress by finishing my gown for me.
Brielle’s wedding day was perfect!
Our friendship blossomed as I sent more brides to Teresa, which was a plus for my brides! I wasn’t simply referring them to someone for alterations. They were acquiring a fashion team by using Teresa and me. We were both fully invested in the fit of their gowns and the style of their accessories because together, we had a complete wedding day vision for each bride.
After just leaving a disatrous gown fitting at her bridal salon, my bride came to her consultation at Headpiece.Com in tears. I called Teresa, and she took her right in! She forfeited her alteration fee at the bridal salon but instead walked down the aisle with a perfectly fitted gown!
I sent my client, Katherine, to Teresa to transform her grandmother’s wedding gown into a more current style. Removing the sleeves, resculpting the bodice, and designing a gorgeous silk satin organza train gave this gown a stunning makeover while preserving elements of the original gown.
Nadine just got married on October 9th. She came to me hoping to transform her mom’s 1992 vintage wedding veil into a current style. Sadly, her mom passed away, and she wished to wear her mom’s custom-designed gown down the aisle. The nineties bridal fashion is known for using excessive amounts of tulle to create exaggerated pouffy silhouettes. Teresa tailored this gown to make it less extreme while gently keeping the essence of Nadine’s mom.
After working on countless brides together, I asked Teresa to be my design assistant for a photoshoot to launch my new brand, Headpiece After Dark. This brand captures the depths of my creativity by creating custom accessories and fashion designs for the non-traditional bride, burlesque industry, and fashion performance.
Photography by Michael J. Ramos
DESIGN ASSISTANT | Teresa Cristaldi. MUA | Cara Lovello. HAIR | Jessica Domoney. GOWNS | Something Bleu Bridal. MODELS | Aubrey Hunt | Nicole Hunt
“I knew that March 2, 2020 would be a very long day. Having Teresa on the set would fill in all of the fashion blanks with zero worry! ”
While Teresa and I think a lot alike, we often come up with solutions for each other when encountering a fashion obstacle. It is actually pretty impressive and is naturally occurring when we work on projects together.
“An extra pair of hands that work with precision, another set of eyes to see what yours have missed, and a creative soul with unlimited imagination, is an irreplaceable gift on a fashion set. Teresa is all of these.”
Just like magic we created a fashion statement from a piece of fabric. Follow Headpiece After Dark on Instagram for more designer magic.
Designing for my daughter, Aubrey, as she competed in the World Beauty Fitness Fashion Competition [WBFF] in Orlando, Florida, is an experience we will never forget!
“I don’t think I have ever posed a fashion challenge to Teresa that she has turned down. The answer is always a resounding, “yes!” I can see her one day competing on Project Runway—and would love it if they add a segment to “call a friend!””
Teresa and I braved NYC before vaccines were available to begin sourcing fabrics for Aubrey’s stage wear.
Aubrey needed a gown for Registration Night, in addition to a bikini, gown, theme wear, and fashion accessories for the competition. I will cherish the memories of working at Teresa’s shop. We laughed, played music, and ate Italian goat cheese, all while I practiced my Italian accent.
Teresa spotted this famous Italian Silk in the city and wanted to do her version of Versace’s runway design worn by Jennifer Lopez.
Aubrey stood out during her first walk on stage! The fabric fluttered and melted off her body.
I envisioned this theme wear design a year before the actual WBFF competition. This silk turquoise masterpiece took months to create.
Aubrey’s bikini and accessories were BADASS, and her competition gown was haute couture and non-pageant like. Aubrey’s exclusive fashion design team assisted in her win of WBFF PRO!
At the beginning of December, Teresa will depart for her original homeland of Italy. She will follow her dreams and reap the benefits of years of hard work as everyone’s “favorite Atelier.” Teresa will show the fashion world who she is and quite possibly change it! Teresa will reveal her greatest fashion secret as she shares her International Patent with those who are open to a new fashion design system. The famous designer names she admired as a young girl will now be looking to her.
“Ti Voglio Bene! Here is to our final chapter, Teresa.
...or is it?”
See you next month on the Fourteenth