Today we’d like to introduce you to Marteal Mayer
Hi Marteal, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my career in the fashion industry, and my first jobs were for fast fashion private label, meaning I designed womenswear for places like Target and Macy’s. I worked for some higher end RTW as well, but I quickly realized that fashion was a very wasteful industry that thrived on duplicating other designer’s work and undervaluing and undercutting factories.
I got into evening and eventually bridal fashion design, and realized bridal was the one remaining facet of the industry that focused on slow and thoughtful design and production, used quality materials, and could be made locally and sustainably. I loved that the bridal industry is powered by small, women owned businesses and bridal boutiques across the world. I also realized that bridal had a low point of entry as far as capital and commitments, in that I could create a collection of a couple styles, and only produce what I (hopefully) sell.
I started dreaming of starting my own bridal label, and in 2015 I set out to begin Loulette Bride. I decided to create Loulette based on my own values of integrity, inclusivity, responsibility, and community which I was not seeing in the bridal industry. I sought to create a bridal boutique in my Brooklyn neighborhood that was focused on being a safe space and a much-needed alternative to the mass bridal industry.
Our design focus is on effortlessly cool silhouettes in fun and unique fabrics, and we use natural and recycled fabrics as much as possible. Our inclusive design principles mean that we create each style to fit every body and work on any skin tone, we can customize any measurement, or transform any dress into a jumpsuit.
Supporting our community, our environment, and uplifting women and our LGBTQ+ friends is extremely important to us, so each season, we partner with a new charity that shares our values so we can continue our mission of changing the bridal industry one dress at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I entered the bridal industry and created Loulette slowly and cautiously, so it has been a smooth journey for the most part. I kept my fulltime job as long as I could, and began working out of my home, and eventually got a shared studio space. It has been a slow and organic growth over the years.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Loulette Bride?
I am very proud that Loulette has become known for our welcoming environment and comfortable shopping experience for all people. It is alarming at how many bridal boutiques still make people feel uncomfortable and unwelcome, and those brides eventually find us. I am so proud that we can offer the experience that every person getting married deserves.
Loulette consistently sets itself apart from other bridal shopping experiences because of our ethos. Our samples come in a range of sizes so all people can try on samples. We can customize anything, and we offer alterations in house.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was always interested in art and fashion, and took art classes from an early age. I took fashion and sewing classes in our high school, and was also into student council and taking on some leadership roles in that way. It all adds up that I eventually started my own artistic small business!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loulettebride.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loulettebride/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouletteBride/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/loulette-bride-brooklyn?rr=5
Image Credits
Farout Feeling